TO JAMES MONROE J. MSS. - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 7 (Correspondence 1792-1793) [1905]
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The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 7
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TO JAMES MONROEJ. MSS.
Philadelphia, June 23d, 1792.
Dear Sir,—
Supposing the particulars of the New York election interesting to you, I will give you a statement of the votes, as follows:
| Clinton. | Jay. |
| Suffolk | 481 | 228 |
| Queen’s county | 532 | 288 |
| King’s county | 244 | 92 |
| City & county of N. Y. | 603 | 739 |
| Orange | 551 | 80 |
| Dutchess | 751 | 945 |
| West Chester | 347 | 824 |
| Richmond | 106 | 4 |
| Ulster | 947 | 654 |
| Columbia | 1303 | 717 |
| Renslaer | 404 | 717 |
| Washington | 758 | 471 |
| Saratoga | 405 | 461 |
| Albany | 444 | 1178 |
| Montgomery | 306 | 424 |
| Herkimer | 247 | 401 |
| Ontario | 28 | 92 |
| 8457 | 8315 |
On the result of these votes Clinton was declared elected. The canvassers set aside the votes of the county of Otsego, where Jay had about 850 Clinton 150, which would have given a majority to Jay. The reason of setting them aside was, that the election was held by the sheriff of the last year, the new one not being yet qualified.
The Jayites say he was sheriff de facto, and, therefore, his proceedings, being in favor of public right, are valid: and that it was Clinton’s fault that there was not a new sheriff.
The Clintonians answer that a new commission had been in good time delivered to Judge Cooper, the Bashaw of Otsego, furious partisan of Jay, who, finding the ex-sheriff strongly in favor of Jay & the new one neutral, kept the commission in his pocket: they say that had all the good votes set aside for irregularity in all the counties been admitted, Clinton had a majority, that in Otsego particularly far the the greater part were the votes of persons unqualified, for instance, in the town of Otsego where were only qualified voters, upwards of 500 votes were received for Mr. Jay.—Among the attacks on Clinton has been an endeavor to prove him concerned in McComb’s great purchase. They therefore took McComb’s deposition.—He swore that Clinton was not, as far as he knew or believed, concerned in that purchase: but that in a purchase he made of ten townships of 10 miles square, each on the St. Lawrence, he had partners, to wit, Genl. Schuyler, Renslaer his son in law, Colo. Hamilton, Genl. Knox, Ogden, and two or three others whose names I forget.—Upon the whole it seems probable that Mr. Jay had a majority of the qualified voters, and I think not only that Clinton would have honored himself by declining to accept, and agreeing to take another fair start, but that probably such a conduct would have insured him a majority on a new election. To retain the Office when it is probable the majority was against him is dishonorable. However there is no symptom of his refusing the Office on this election & from the tumultuous proceedings of Mr. Jay’s partisans, it seems as if the state would be thrown into convulsions—it has silenced all clamour about their bankruptices.—Brandt is arrived here.—Nothing else new or interesting but what the papers will give you. My best affections to Mrs. Monroe, and believe me to be, Dear Sir, your sincere friend and servt.
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