History of the United States of America, Volume 1 (of 9) : $b During the first administration of Thomas JeffersonAdams, Henry
History
History of the United States of America, Volume 1 (of 9) : $b During the first administration of Thomas Jefferson
Adams, Henry
United States -- History -- 1801-1809; United States -- History -- 1809-1817
“The case to which I refer carries me once more to the scene of
the Presidential election. I should not have introduced it into
this debate, had it not been called up by the honorable member from
Virginia. In that scene I had my part; it was a part not barren of
incident, and which has left an impression which cannot easily depart
from my recollection. I know who were rendered important characters,
either from the possession of personal means or from the accident of
political situation. And now, Sir, let me ask the honorable member
what his reflections and belief will be when he observes that every
man on whose vote the event of the election hung has since been
distinguished by presidential favor. I fear, Sir, I shall violate
the decorum of parliamentary proceeding in the mentioning of names,
but I hope the example which has been set me will be admitted as an
excuse. Mr. Charles Pinckney of South Carolina was not a member of the
House, but he was one of the most active, efficient, and successful
promoters of the election of the present chief magistrate. It was
well ascertained that the votes of South Carolina were to turn the
equal balance of the scales. The zeal and industry of Mr. Pinckney
had no bounds; the doubtful politics of South Carolina were decided,
and her votes cast in the scale of Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Pinckney
has since been appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of
Madrid,--an appointment as high and honorable as any within the gift
of the Executive. I will not deny that this preferment is the reward
of talents and services, although, Sir, I have never yet heard of
the talents or services of Mr. Charles Pinckney. In the House of
Representatives I know what was the value of the vote of Mr. Claiborne
of Tennessee; the vote of a State was in his hands. Mr. Claiborne has
since been raised to the high dignity of Governor of the Mississippi
Territory. I know how great, and how greatly felt, was the importance
of the vote of Mr. Linn of New Jersey. The delegation of the State
consists of five members; two of the delegation were decidedly for Mr.
Jefferson, two were decidedly for Mr. Burr. Mr. Linn was considered as
inclining to one side, but still doubtful; both parties looked up to
him for the vote of New Jersey. He gave it to Mr. Jefferson; and Mr.
Linn has since had the profitable office of supervisor of his district
conferred upon him. Mr. Lion of Vermont was in this instance an
important man; he neutralized the vote of Vermont; his absence alone
would have given the vote of a State to Mr. Burr. It was too much to
give an office to Mr. Lion,--his character was low; but Mr. Lion’s
son has been handsomely provided for in one of the Executive offices.
I shall add to the catalogue but the name of one more gentleman, Mr.
Edward Livingston of New York. I knew well--full well I knew--the
consequence of this gentleman. His means were not limited to his own
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account