Philadelphia, December 3, 1796.
DEAR FRIEND,--Our correspondence has been longer interrupted than either could wish. Your last was dated 7th September, and my last on or near the 7th November. All that time I was vexed with our Dedhamantis, for voting as they did for Governor A. and J. B. Yet H. G. Otis is chosen very handsomely, and will sustain the cause of order and his own fame in Congress. . . . . The House will be better; the Senate cannot be, as to voting, at least as to effective voting. The loss, in talents, &c., &c., is to be lamented. We have not another Rufus King to put there.
As to President, never was there a more embarrassing state of things. A statement of the votes is given thus: North of Delaware, Adams, 58; a Mr. Coleman, of Pennsylvania, is of this State's number, 1. But a Mr. A. J. Dallas, it is said, will oust him, by causing Governor Mifflin to certify anew. Greene County votes would exclude Coleman, and they have come in since the Governor's certificate or proclamation. Delaware, 8; Maryland, 6, (others insist 7--say 6,) = 9. Virginia, 2. (A Mr. Eyre, of the Eastern Shore, and Colonel Powell say positively there will be 4 against Jefferson,) 2 = 70--a majority of 138. North Carolina, it is hoped, will give one, who declared he would, if chosen, vote for Adams, and this in a newspaper. Thus, you see, it is very close. Accident, whim, intrigue, not to say corruption, may change or prevent a vote or two. Perhaps some may be illegal, and excluded. What a question this last would be, if made when the two houses convened! How could it be debated or adjusted? a la Pologne? You will see the resolve of Massachusetts to empower the electors to fill up their own vacancies, if any should be. A strange resolve. . . . . Who can foresee the issue of this momentous election? Perhaps the Jeffs, foreseeing a defeat, may vote for Mr. Pinckney, in which case he might come in by two thirds of all the votes. But they expect
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