Smith, Melancton, 1744-1798 to Samuel Holten
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02471.37 Author/Creator: Smith, Melancton, 1744-1798 Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: November 30, 1796 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 32.4 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Smith is attempting to reestablish his acquaintance with Holten to get information on the presidential race in Massachusetts. Smith is worried that electors in New England, under the influence of Alexander Hamilton, will give their votes to Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina, the supposed vice presidential candidate. Says that if southern electors vote for Pinckney, a favorite son, that both Jefferson and Adams could lose the presidency. To prevent this he hopes the Massachusetts electors will vote for another candidate and mentions Aaron Burr. Asks the correspondence to remain confidential. Smith and Holten were both former Continental Congressmen and anti-federalists during the Constitution debates.
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