Goodrich, Elizur to Stephen Twining re: election tied between Jefferson and Burr
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05754.02 Author/Creator: Goodrich, Elizur Place Written: Washington Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1801/01/01 Pagination: 3 p.+docket 24.6 x 20.1 cm Order a Copy
Date obscured but docketed 1801. Writes with his wishes for a Happy New Year and "entrance upon the nineteenth Century." Adds that "[t]he votes are even between Jefferson and Burr. [.... ] Never were men more seriously alarmed than our republican friends - they do not hesitate to say that Mr. Burr is not fit for the office." Goodrich also asks for the opinion of local leaders. With postscript that Dexter has been named Sec of Treasury. Samuel Dexter replaced James McHenry as Secretary of War in June 1800. Upon the resignation of Oliver Wolcott as Secretary of the Treasury, Adams appointed Dexter as ad interim Secretary of the Treasury to serve until Jefferson's inauguration. He served until 13 May 1801.
A lawyer, educator, and mayor of New Haven, Connecticut for nineteen years, Elizur Goodrich (1761-1849) was a Federalist member of Congress during the critical presidential election of 1800. In the following letter, Goodrich reports on the House of Representatives' protracted efforts to select a president. Jefferson ultimately received the required majority in the House, but not until the 36th ballot, after Virginia and Pennsylvania had mobilized their state militias and made it clear, in Jefferson's words, "that a legislative usurpation would be resisted by arms."
In his last hours in office in 1801, President John Adams appointed Goodrich Collector of the Port of New Haven. The Jeffersonians denounced such "midnight" appointments as a violation of the peoples' will, and promptly removed Goodrich from office.
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Washington Jan 1 1801
Dear Sir,
I received your letter, informing that you have commenced the family state, an event which, I presume, is product of real satisfaction. Tho I have not the pleasure of an acquaintance with Ms Twining, still I request you to present her my respectful Compliments, congratulate her in my name on the occasion, wish her a happy New Year, and entrance upon the nineteenth Century- and should she and young yours continue until the twentieth, which is not very probable may you have a excess of health & happiness. We have nothing new.
[2]
the votes are even between Jefferson & Burr. It will not be a matter of course that that Mr. Jefferson be designated, as the [illegible] Man in the minds of the Electors - I apprehend that his majority of States, if he obtains one, will not be very great - Never were men more seriously alarmed than our republican friends - they do not hesitate to say that Mr. Burr is not fit for the office- that it never was their intention to have of they never will have him President- It is a question of immense importance and ought not to be decided, in haste- in a passion- or without great deliberation- and as one of the them, who are to act on the [illegible]- determined
[3]
to act my own but Judgment - to be able to form that opinion correctly. I want to know what are the impressions of men in general- what say the Democrats- and what are the individual opinions of our [illegible] federal men- You have the Count with you and will have a good opportunity to learn and I wish you to take a little [illegible] to ascertain- the sentiments of some of the judges, the Bar [illegible] -- what say the Clergy- I don't mean my Clergyman- Tho' I should like to know whether he is at a stand between them- You can write me in July
I am respectfully [illegible]
Mr. Dester is named Secretary of Treasury
[4]
Jan 1. 1801
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