2482. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1800), Parity of Vote.—[further continued] .
It seems tolerably well
ascertained (though not officially) that the two
republican candidates * * * have a decided
majority; probably of 73 to 65, but
equally probable that they are even between
themselves, and that the federalists are disposed
to make the most of the embarrassment
this occasions, by preventing any election by
the House of Representatives. It is far from
certain that nine representatives in that House
can be got to vote for any candidate. What
the issue of such a dilemma may be cannot be
estimated.—
To Caesar Rodney.
Ford ed., vii, 472.
(W.
Dec. 1800)
