2464. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1800), Balloting in House.—
This is the morning of
the election by the House of Representatives.
For some time past, a single individual had
declared he would, by his vote, make up the
ninth State. On Saturday last he changed, and
it stands at present eight one way, six the
other, and two divided. Which of the two
will be elected, and whether either, I deem
perfectly problematical; and my mind has long
been equally made up for any one of the three
events. * * * The defects of our Constitution
under circumstances like the present, appear
very great.—
To Tench Coxe. Washington ed. iv, 352.
Ford ed., vii, 488.
(W.
Feb. 11, 1801)
