2483. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1800), Party Amalgamation and.—
The suspension
of public opinion [pending the election in the
House of Representatives], the alarm into
which it threw all the patriotic part of the
federalists, the danger of the dissolution of
our Union, and unknown consequences of that,
brought over the great body of them to wish
with anxiety and solicitude for a choice to
which they had before been strenuously opposed.
In this state of mind, they separated
from their congressional leaders, and came over
to us; and the manner in which the last ballot
was given has drawn a fixed line of separation
between them and their leaders. When the
election took effect, it was the most desirable of
events to them. This made it a thing of their
choice, and finding themselves aggregated with
us accordingly, they are in a state of mind to
be consolidated with us, if no intemperate
measures on our part revolt them again. I am
persuaded that weeks of ill-judged conduct
here, has strengthened us more than years of
prudent and conciliatory administration could
have done.—
To Thomas Lomax. Washington ed. iv, 361.
Ford ed., vii, 500.
(W.
Feb. 1801)
