2478. ELECTIONS (Presidential, 1800), National Convention and.—[continued].
There was general alarm
during the pending of the election in Congress,
lest no President should be chosen, the government
be dissolved, and anarchy ensue. But
the cool determination of the really patriotic
to call a convention in that case, which might
be on the ground in eight weeks, and wind up
the machine again which had only run down
pointed out to my mind a perpetual and peaceable
resource against—[force?]—[160]
in
whatever extremity might befall us; and I am
certain a convention would have commanded
immediate and universal obedience.—
To Nathaniel Niles. Washington ed. iv, 377.
Ford ed., viii, 24.
(W.
March. 1801)
