Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to Mr. Cheetham re: negotiations over 12th amendment
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07557 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Autograph manuscript Date: 1801/12/10 Pagination: 1 p. 24.7 x 19.9 cm Order a Copy
"No serious evil can result from the designs of the little faction which has existed for a short time previous to the presidential election [of 1800], & which is governed by no principle but is solely devoted to the aggrandisement of an individual." (Aaron Burr)
A statement of interests in N.Y. by Dewitt Clinton to mr Cheetham.
It is presumed that no serious evil can result from the designs of the little faction which has excited for a short time previous to the Presidential election [of 1800], & which is governed by no principle but is solely devoted to the aggrandisement of an individual. it possesses neither talents, property, virtue or any of the attributes of general confidence. It's [sic] strength is founded on the secretary of it's [sic] plans, the acts & rapid movements of it's [sic] leader [Aaron Burr], & the prevelent [sic] opinion that he has in a great degree regulated the appointments in the genl. govmt. for his state. the most influencial of his adherents have derived their consequence from his latter source.
How far the contagion has spread cannot be ascertained, as the subject of it dare not expose it. The following has been suspected of being under an undue bias in the respective countries hereafter mentioned, to wit,
Suffolk, none
Queens do
Kings do.
New York, you know.
Westchester, none of any consequence.
Dutchess, the same.
Rockland none
Orange, Georgia Gardiner & Peter Townsend.
Ulster, none of any consequence.
Columbia, the Van Ness's
Green, none
Delaware do.
Albany do.
Renslaer do.
Washington none
Clinton do.
Essex do.
Saratoga, qu. as to mr Comstock, bror law of Govr. Fenner of R. Isld.
Schotarie, qu. As to Geo. Tiffany & brother
Montgomery, none.
Oneida do.
Otsego, qu. As to some individuals.
Kerkemer, none.
Ontrio, qu. as to Oliver Phelps
Steuben, none.
Tiago none.
Cayuga qu. as to Joseph Israel Smith Jr.
Onondago none
Chenango do.
So far as Hamilton weight will go, the federal party will join him. Some however of minor consequence will, and theses combined with the renegades of the Republican party will form as curious a compound as history every recorded. The following representatives may be relied on - Smith, Mitchell, V. Cortland, Elmendorf, Thomas, Bailey
Two measures will effectively destroy these unprincipled intrigues.
1. An uniform mode of chusing [sic] elector
2. A designation in the electoral balotes [sic] of the office voted for.
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