Creating the United States

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In this letter, Hugh Brackenridge (1748–1816), lawyer and judge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sought to assure Thomas Jefferson that moderates in both the Federalist and Republican parties did not plan to step into the opening abyss of a probable suspension of the federal government. Moderates carried the day, and Jefferson was chosen as president on the thirty-sixth ballot on the question in the House of Representatives.

(Transcription)

“But great liberty has been taken with the constitution. . .”


In this letter, Hugh Brackenridge (1748–1816), lawyer and judge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sought to assure Thomas Jefferson that moderates in both the Federalist and Republican parties did not plan to step into the opening abyss of a probable suspension of the federal government. Moderates carried the day, and Jefferson was chosen as president on the thirty-sixth ballot on the question in the House of Representatives.