2440. ELECTIONS, Federal Interference with.—
Till the event of the [Presidential] election is known, it is too soon for me to
say what should be done in such atrocious
cases as those you mention of Federal officers
obstructing the operation of the State governments.
One thing I will say, that as to the
future, interferences with elections, whether
of the State of General Government, by officers
of the latter, should be deemed cause of
removal; because the constitutional remedy
by the elective principle becomes nothing, if
it may be smothered by the enormous patronage
of the General Government.—
To Governor Thomas M'Kean. Washington ed. iv, 350.
Ford ed., vii, 486.
(W.
Feb. 1801)
