Sold For $3,781
*Includes Buyers Premium
Significant partly-printed DS, signed “J. E. Howard,” one page, 9.75 x 14, January 21, 1789. Governor Howard of Maryland issues a proclamation naming the state's presidential electors for the first-ever United States presidential election, in part: "Whereas, the general assembly did, by an act passed at their late session, entitled, An act directing the time, places and manner, of holding elections for representatives of this state in the congress of the United States, and for appointing electors on the part of this state for choosing a president and vice-president of the United States, and for regulation of the said elections… We, in pursuance of the directions of the said act, do, by this our proclamation, declare, that, by the returns made to us, it appears, that the Honourable Joshua Seney, Daniel Carroll, Benjamin Contee, George Gale, William Smith and Michael Jenifer Stone, Esquires, are duly elected representatives of this state in the congress of the United States; and, that the Honourable John Rogers, George Plater, William Tilghman, Alexander Contee Hanson, Doctor Philip Thomas, Robert Smith, William Richardson and William Matthews, Esquires, are duly elected electors on the part of this state for choosing a president and vice-president of the United States." Retains its ribbon with partial wax seal at the bottom. In very good condition, with staining, paper loss, and complete reinforcement backing.
This document is testimony to the strange compromise created at the Constitutional Convention: that of a semi-indirect election for president and vice president. Some wanted Congress to appoint a president; some called for an election by the voters. It was finally agreed that the voters would choose several electors from each state, depending on its population, and the electors would vote for a president and vice president. If a majority was not secured by any one candidate, then the House of Representatives, voting by States, would select one from the five highest on the electors list to be president. The second selected would be vice president. The 12th Amendment to the Constitution adjusted the difficulties brought about by these rules.
In the first election, George Washington received 69 votes to John Adams's 34, making them president and vice president, respectively. Maryland's eight electors were chosen directly by popular vote on January 7th; two were absent when the electoral college voted, giving Washington six electoral votes from the state.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
