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McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817 to Joseph Clay

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00989 Author/Creator: McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817 Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: November 27, 1804 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 23.6 cm, Width: 19.6 cm Order a Copy

Written by McKean as Governor of Pennsylvania to Clay as a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. According to the docketed note of McKean, this is a retained rough draft of a letter to Clay. References Clay's letter of November 15, 1804. Clay claims there is a report of political intrigue to divide McKean's Federalist and Republican supporters (by this time his base included Federalists and moderate Republicans). McKean was a political chameleon, and was sensitive to any such division, which he denies is happening in this draft. Says it is not worthy of further notice, but thanks him for the communication. Says Judge Wolbert and some of his friends will attempt to find the cause of this report. Says he has heard another tactic might be used: the Federalists will praise McKean and create an air of jealousy, suspicion, and distrust of his principles to create a diversion to defeat him. McKean says nothing will come of it.

McKean, Thomas, 1734-1817
Clay, Joseph, 1769-1811

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