University of Virginia Library

2479. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1800), Parity of Vote.—

[The prospect of a parity
between the two republican candidates] has
produced great dismay and gloom on the republican
gentlemen here, and exultation in the
federalists, who openly declare they will prevent
an election, and will name a President of
the Senate pro tem. by what they say would
only be a stretch of the Constitution.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 343. Ford ed., vii, 470.
(W. Dec. 19, 1800)