Thomas Jefferson Papers

Enclosure II: Comments on the Congressional Election in New York, 31 May 1802

Enclosure II

Comments on the Congressional Election in New York

Republican Members of Congress

John Smith } re-elected
Samuel L. Mitchill
Philip Van Cortlandt
David Thomas
Beriah Palmer } members of the Old republican party—In whom every reliance may be placed
Andrew Mc.Cord
Isaac Bloom
Frederik Sammons
John Patterson } The two first Emigrants from Massachusetts— the last from Connecticut.
Oliver Phelps
Erastus Root

Patterson was a Brigadier Genl. in the Massachusetts Line during the War—Root is a young lawyer who has been often in our state Legislature— Phelps is the only man that can be suspected of inclining to the views of the little faction but I feel persuaded his patriotism and intimacy with Mr Granger will keep him straight—These men have been undeviating republicans since their settlement in this State.

Federal do

Joshua Sands } Decent men of moderate talents
Henry W. Livingston
Killian K. Van Rensselaer } re-elected
George Tibbets } Emigrants from Connecticut —bitter and weak—the last a lawyer—
Gaylord Griswold
Coendrat E. Elmendorf } a vapid Attorney—

A Question will arise whether he is elected—Our Judges on the Returns have not decided.

MS (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 2:0301); undated; entirely in Clinton’s hand.

FREDERIK SAMMONS: that is, Thomas Sammons, newly elected congressman from Montgomery County, who was also a member of the New York Constitutional Convention of 1801 (Biog. Dir. Cong. description begins Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989, Washington, D.C., 1989 description ends ).

For Clinton’s earlier assessment of Oliver PHELPS, see Vol. 36:81–2.

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