Scarce and historically significant ADS signed “John Adams, President of the Senate of the United States,” one page, 8 x 10, January 1, 1793. An acknowledgment of an important packet from Lot Hall, Presidential Elector for Vermont in 1792. In full: “Rec’d of Lot Hall Esqr. a Packet certified by the Electors of Vermont to contain a List of their Votes for President and Vice President of the United States.” In very good to fine condition, the letter has been professionally silked, with a horizontal fold through “United States” in Adams’ signature, small ink spot to top right, mild toning along left edge from old mounting residue on reverse, and some scattered light toning to body of text.
During his first term as vice president, Adams alienated many Jeffersonians who sought to replace him with Founding Father George Clinton of New York. Although the political parties of the day knew that George Washington, who had originally wanted to retire after one term in office but agreed to seek re-election to quell the rise of partisanship, was virtually unbeatable, they felt that his vice president was vulnerable.
Following the December 5, 1792, election, votes for president and vice president (then cast independently of each other)—including these from Vermont—were collected and forwarded to the embattled Adams, in his capacity as Senate president, for counting. Adams was probably unaware that the sealed envelope containing the electoral votes were unanimous in supporting his own re-election. In February, 1793, the electoral vote was tabulated by Congress, with George Washington received a vote on every elector's ballot, giving him 132 votes and his second unanimous presidential election. Adams received 77 votes, including all Vermont’s ballots, while his opponent Clinton collected 50 votes. An historically important remarkable official acknowledgment that Adams had received the ballots from the state of Vermont. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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