Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Barbara B. Oberg, Senior Research Scholar and Lecturer with the Rank of Professor at Princeton University, is General Editor of "The Papers of Thomas Jefferson".

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The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 33: 17 February to 30 April 1801

Princeton University Press

Chapter One

Announcement of Election Results

[17 Feb. 1801]

By Express from the City of Washington!!

To the EDITORS of the TIMES.

THIS moment the election is decided. Morris, from Vermont, absented himself, so that Vermont was for Jefferson. The four members from Maryland, who had voted for Burr, put in blank tickets. The result was then ten for Jefferson.

I hope you will have the cannon out to announce the news. Yours,

N.B. This was the second ballot to-day. Bayard is appointed ambassador to France.

Tuesday, two o'clock.

Printed (ICN).

THE TIMES: The Times; and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser, which was published in Alexandria, Virginia. TJ perhaps did not see the handbill above, which was made up in the newspaper's office on 17 Feb. and provided many Virginians with their first confirmation of his election. In Fredericksburg on the evening of the 19th, Fontaine Maury saw copy that was on its way by express messenger to Governor James Monroe in Richmond. The editors of the Times reprinted the announcement in their columns on 18 Feb., omitting the sentence about the CANNON salute. By then cannonades had already taken place in Alexandria, where celebrants fired 16 rounds from an artillery piece brought to the courthouse square on the 17th, and they repeated the tribute from a wharf on the Potomac that evening. Cannon shots also announced the news in Fredericksburg (Alexandria Times, 18 Feb. 1801; Madison, Papers, 17:471).

BAYARD IS APPOINTED AMBASSADOR: in a letter dated 13 Feb., but presented to the Senate on Tuesday, the 17th, John Adams nominated James A. Bayard as minister plenipotentiary to France. The Senate debated the appointment on 18 Feb. and consented to it the next day. On 2 Mch., Adams notified the Senate that the Delaware congressman had declined the appointment "for reasons equally applicable to every other person suitable for the service." The president concluded that he would leave the appointment of a minister and the conveyance of the Convention of 1800 to France to his successor, that he "may proceed with them according to his wisdom" (JEP, 1:380, 382-3, 388).

As the single Delaware vote, Bayard had played a pivotal role in breaking the tie between TJ and Burr in the House. On 17 Feb., after the decisive ballot, Bayard wrote Allen McLane, the avowedly Federalist collector at Wilmington: "Mr Jefferson is our President. Our opposition was continued till it was demonstrated that Burr could not be brought in, and even if he could he meant to come in as a Democrat. In such case to evidence his sincerity he must have swept every officer in the U. States. I have direct information that Mr Jefferson will not pursue that plan." Bayard noted that the New England congressmen had been ready "to go without a constitution and take the risk of a Civil War." In the end, "Mr J. did not get a Foederal vote. Vermont gave a vote by means of Morris withdrawing-the same thing happened with Maryland. The Votes of S. Carolina and Delaware were blank." Bayard concluded: "I have taken good care of you, and think if prudent, you are safe." At some point, TJ received a copy of this letter from Thomas Mann Randolph and noted: "Bayard James A. of Delaware. a copy of a letter from him to Colo. Mc.lane of Delaware, written pending the election between Th:J and A. Burr the original was put by Colo Mc.lane in to the hands of TMR. who made this copy from it" (Tr in DLC, in Randolph's hand, with TJ's notation on verso; RC in ViU, addressed: "Allen MClane Esqr Wilmington Delaware," franked and postmarked; Tr in same, reportedly in the hand of Judge Allen McLane-a descendant-summarized and incomplete, lacks final sentence that concludes "if prudent you are safe"; for the second Tr, see Elizabeth Donnan, ed., Papers of James A. Bayard, 1796-1815 [Washington, D.C., 1915; repr. New York, 1971], 127-8).

TJ may have received the transcript of this letter from his son-in-law in 1806, when depositions were taken regarding the charge that TJ had bargained with Bayard for the presidency, through the offices of Samuel Smith. Randolph was serving as a Virginia congressman at the time. For a discussion of the controversy, see Malone, Jefferson, 4:487-93; Joanne B. Freeman, Affairs of Honor: National Politics in the New Republic (New Haven, 2001), 250-3; and Kline, Burr, 2:962-8. TJ was accused of agreeing not to dismiss certain government officers on political grounds alone, specifically McLane and George Latimer, collector at Philadelphia (Malone, Jefferson, 4:489).

From Hugh Henry Brackenridge

Sir, Pittsburg February 17th: 1801.

Just about to leave this place to which I will not return until the first of June next. In the mean time shall be in Philadelphia and on the circuit.

The event of your Presidency has most probably by this time taken place, at least designation of taking place on the fourth of March next. I think it morally impossible that the vote of Congress could ultimately be contrary to the voice of the nation known in fact, though not organically expressed; or that the terrific consequences of a suspension, or usurpation of the federal government would be dared. Thinking of you then as the President designate, and on the fourth of March next about to assume the extensive trust, I wish to intrude upon you for a moment with an observation on the removal of quondam officers which may be necessary, and to a certain extent take place. This, the more, because an answer to a question of yours made to me in Philadelphia, and what was said by me in a letter addressed to you some time ago may mislead as to my opinion correctly stated on this subject.

The question was, what the effect of the decision and proscription as it was called, of Governor McKean's Administration in the removal of officers. My answer was that having not acted with that rigor he would not have been Governor a second time, and that in a memoir to him I had strongly enforced that rigor with regard to the Western Country.

In my letter to you I have said to this effect if my memory serves me that in the change of our elections in favor of the republican interest, experience has shewn that the advice was salutary. But meaning now to explain, I have to say that the removal of officers by Governor McKean was not indiscriminate, but guided by nice discernment judgment and discretion. Policy was consulted, and where the officer was not bad, and had not been an outrageous adversary he was not removed unless indeed in some instance where the office was absolutely wanted to compensate an active friend, perhaps more in need of it than the officer who had possessed it. General hostility and war must be moderated by a skillful man in order to support himself for the use of his friends. Hitting the exact medium in this most delicate part of administration must depend on the most intimate knowledge of characters and standing. Your removals will doubtless be confined chiefly to the higher state officers for some time but will extend ultimately and gradually through the whole organization of the system. It may be of use to you therefore to have the information of the most inconsiderable. It will be of the less consequence for me because there will be representatives in Congress from the districts can inform. Our officers in the Western Country in the Revenue have chiefly been under the appointment of Ross or Addison, I mean Assessors &ca.

It strikes me to say something on the official arrangement of the War Office which occurs to me from the attention I have paid to it from my residence in this Country which has been with short intervals the scene of war for a long time. The errors of military men, or of arrangements in the Army department have been obvious. The present administration appears to be at a loss for a War officer the succeeding will be at a loss for some time also. The War department has long labored under disorders which menaced its destruction-founded on false principles, it has grown in errors and increased in deformities; and now having reached a state of utter chaos, it is to be consigned with all its odium to a new administrator, without records to instruct, guide, guard or govern Him. In this state of things it occurs, that the Senior military officer may be usefully employed in removing the embarrassments and perplexities which encompass this department-Because he has had the chief command of the established troops for more than four years, and has preserved his official correspondence since the year ninety.

It is presumable that he possesses a perfect knowledge of the troops in being, as well their moral energies as their physical capacities.

He understands perfectly the disposition of these troops, & the motives which directed it; and commanding an intimate knowledge of the geography of his country, of the Indian occupancies and force within its limits, and of the fortifications of foreign Powers which border thereon, their strength and objects; he can best determine the expediency of maintaining our present posts, of demolishing them or of erecting new ones.

The obligations of duty which have pointed his attentions to the several departments of the Army, their provisions and expenditures enable him to explain the total destitution of responsibility, of order, discrimation and oeconomy throughout, and will assist him to suggest the necessary remedies, to correct the follies and abuses which pervade every branch of service.

At the same time his knowledge of individual merits and pretentions, and of the proper functions of the host of dependents attached to the Military, will enable him to select and to recommend the honest, the able and the deserving.

Being in possession of the immediate projects as well as the ultimate views of the late administration (for the present is without plan principle or design) he may derive much utility from this source.

Give him then the charge of the department to retrench and systematize it-being a western man and popular in the most remote settlements, this avocation may flatter, oblige and give confidence to the people of that portion of the Union. While a minister, competent to the able discharge of the important duties of the station, may be sought for at leisure.

I am Sir With solicitude for your official honor and personal happiness, Your Most Obedient Humble Servant H H Brackenridge

RC (DLC); in a clerk's hand, signed by Brackenridge; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

The earlier letter from Brackenridge was that of 30 Jan.

SENIOR MILITARY OFFICER: James Wilkinson.

From Thomas Leiper

Dear Sir Philada. Febry. 17th. 1801-

I have this day examined nine Hogsheads of your Tobacco and find none of them have been Wet & Dried again-It is true one of them is a little wet but when it received this damage none can tell it might have been in comming down your River or it might have received it on its way to Philadelphia but it is so extremely little that I think there is nothing due on the Score of Damage. Six of the Hhds of Tobo. were inspected at SPR Two at NNS and One at Lynch. Jackson & Wharton are extremely sorry for the information they give me the other day that one of your Hhds fell short in weight 234 lb. this Hhd they find on examination to be none of yours. J & Wharton shewed me an invoice of Tobacco purchased at the same time of yours which they say the quality was supperiour to yours-Ten Hhds at 31/6 and Fourteen Hhds at 33/ pr Ct. V. Currency-J & Wharton informs their orders at Richmond was not to exceed for the very best Tobacco Five Dollars Fifty Cents-their friends from the character of your Tobacco give six and ship't it them informing them at the same time if they would give them the first Cost and Commission they might have it which they agreed to do. It was not convenient to see any more of the Tobacco to day but I give them to understand I should attend when the others were opened and if there was any damage I had full powers from you to make the Allowence They informed me I ought to make an allowence of half a Dollar pr Ct. as the quality was not so good as formerly I was obliged to acknowledge it was the worst crop of yours I ever saw-I asked them their price for the whole Crop they said 7L Dollars-I told them that was half a Dollar more than any sale that had been made in Town and I told them that about the time they made a Purchase of your Tobacco they had sold Twenty Hhds to be picked from 40 for six Dollars and a half at 60 and 90 days being in possission of these facts they had nothing to say but still I must inform you if the Crop of Tobacco I purchased of you last year and the Crop of yours in the hands of J & Wharton were both for sale. I certainly would give some 75/100 or One Dollar pr Ct. more for what I had than what J & Wharton have got for sale- The prices of Tobacco at Richmond on the 10th. New 30/ Old 34/ Cash-& 36/ at 90 days-and as the Virginians expect great things from their intercourse with France I still hope that J & W will get clear of their Tobo. without much loss-I was beged to take it at Cost and charges but as the Tobacco was sound I did not see any claim they had upon you unless your friends engaged it as good as what I purchased of you last year. in that case they would. I still see the appearance as if the Tobacco had been hung up from hands taken from the heart of the Hhds but nothing like as if they had been Wet-I observe you have said nothing to Clark or Gibson & Jefferson respectg. the Tobacco. to the later I think you should say nothing but Clark you may give my compliment to him and inform it is my opinion if he handles your Tobacco as bad as he has done it this last year you will soon lose your Character of raising fine Tobacco-I am Dear Sir

Your most Obedient St. Thomas Leiper

RC (MHi); at foot of text: "Hon: Thomas Jefferson Vice President of the U States"; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

INFORMATION THEY GIVE ME THE OTHER DAY: See Leiper to TJ, 11 Feb. 1801, Vol. 32:572-4.

THEIR FRIENDS: McMurdo & Fisher.

From George Meade

My dear Sir Philadelphia 17th. February 1801

Interested as I am & every man in America must & ought to be, you must no doubt suppose I am exceedingly Concernd & very desirous of knowing the result of the Election for President of the United States. you may remember that I informd You, how much I was hurt by Mr Adams behaviour respecting the Oration deliverd at our Chappel, nevertheless I am free to declare I wishd him from his long Services (tho' many of them, not approved of by me, as well as others) that he might have been the Successful Candidate at the present Election; but when I came to know he would not be so, & certain, that neither Mr Burr or his friends, could ever entertain an Idea, that he would be the Man, I confess I have felt exceedingly hurt & Mortifyd, that my worthy Mr Jefferson, has not had an unanimous Vote, to make him President. it is a disgrace to the Proceedings of Congress, & will hurt us exceedingly, in the Eyes of all Europe. I have been almost led to curse Party Proceedings, to which only this measure, can be attributed. I yet hope that those unthinking & deluded States, will recover their Senses, & do what is right, by Electing you, & which I am pleased to find, many of the other Side of the Question, wish may be the Case. may you I most sincerely wish be the man, & may you so Conduct Yourself as to put an end to Party Spirit, & gain Immortal honor & be revered as much as our late father of his Country Washington was, by America at large. it is Impossible to Please all Parties, let a man only act, what he deems most beneficial for the good of his Country, & merit must & will have its reward. I wait most anxiously for the decision, & hope in the Course of the week at furthest, to have Confirmd what I wish for that my friend Mr Jefferson may be announcd to his Country, as our President. I would sooner have addressd you, but that I have been very unwell & am but just recovering from my Indisposition. with every good wish, & with Sincere Esteem, & regard, believe me to be My Dr. Sir

Your afft. friend, obliged, & most Obedt. hble Servant Geo: Meade

I am apprehensive I shall be too late for to days Post

RC (DLC); addressed: "Honble Thomas Jefferson Esqr President of the Senate, & Vice President of the United States Washington City Mail"; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

(Continues...)

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