Description:

Thomas Jefferson
Boston, MA, ca. 1801-1802
Thomas Jefferson Great Content in 7 Papers, Rare Title, With Jefferson's Response to the Address of the Representatives of the Freemen of the State of Vermont as Printed in the Constitutional Telegraphe
Newspapers

Seven issues of the Constitutional Telegraphe dated January 3, 1801 through January 9, 1802 published in Boston by John S. Lillie. Each is 4 pages and measures 12.5" x 19.25". The subscriber's name, "Capt. J. Mazsey," is written above the masthead of all issues in period ink. Stab holes in all the gutters evidencing prior binding, but untrimmed at exterior and bottom edges. Evenly toned, with occasional marginal tears, with only a single tear affecting text. Excellent content demonstrating the tide of support for Jeffersonian politics!

The newspaper was founded in 1799 by Samuel S. Parker, and changed hands several times until 1802 when it was displaced by other Republican-aligned papers. The paper was firmly aligned with Thomas Jefferson and supported his views on states' rights, agrarian interests, and pro-French sympathies. The Telegraphe was especially important in the election of 1800, printing sharp criticism of Adams and the Federalists, and helped keep the Jeffersonian minority in Massachusetts connected to the larger national Republican movement.

Important content as follows:

January 7,1801 issue prints the results of the electoral vote for president resulting in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr: "It is now ascertained that the returns from all the states gave Messrs. Jefferson and Burr 73 votes each, Mr. Adams 65, and Mr. Pinckney 64 votes; consequently, it can be proved to a mathematical demonstration, that we shall not have a federal, but a republican president and vice president…" Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives was tasked with resolving the tie. After 36 ballots over six days, Jefferson was declared President on February 17, 1801. Further in the column, a description of Monticello appears, "the residence of the philosopher of Virginia": "His farm consists of several thousand acres… The mansion house which is spacious and elegant, stands on its mount 500 feet above the circumjacent county…"

The January 3, 7, and 10 issues contain excerpts of the Rush-Light pamphlet, "An Address to the People of England" by William Cobbett (under the pseudonym Peter Porcupine). And the January 10 issue prints the return of votes from Kentucky, showing a tie between Jefferson and Burr and a listing of totals for all the states.

The June 13 and 17, 1801 issues feature the first two parts of a lengthy and highly complementary biographical sketch of President Thomas Jefferson. Of his service to his country during the Revolution they write: "During the revolutionary period which separated the United States from the mother country, we find him advancing to a still more dignified station; he was one of those in whose hands the people thought fit to confide the most material events of their political existence and future happiness."

The front page of the July 29, 1801 issue contains an acrimonious exchange between the Merchants of New Haven (described as "exclusive federalists") and the President over the appointment of Samuel Bishop to the post of Customs Collector and the removal of Elizar Goodrich. Jefferson had similarly removed David Hopkins from his post as US Marshal for Maryland and was lauded in the June 17 issue (p. 3).

Lastly, the January 9, 1802 issue reprints Thomas Jefferson's response to an address from the legislature of Vermont ("Representatives of the Freemen of the state of Vermont"). The petition was formally delivered to President Jefferson by Amos Marsh on November 5, 1801, a member of the Vermont legislature. It conveyed the state's approval of Jefferson's administration, particularly its efforts to reduce the national debt and its commitment to the principles of liberty and republicanism. Jefferson responded warmly: "The friendly and favourable sentiments they are so good as to express towards myself, personally, are high encouragements to perseverance in duty, and call for my sincere thanks."

With additional content throughout, including the appointment of John Jay as Minister to Spain (which Jay declined) in the January 10 issue, and the capture of merchant ship Mercury mistakenly attributed to the British (January 3 issue, page 3). A great example of the highly partisan journalism of the early 19th century.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12.5" x 19.25"
  • Medium: Newspapers

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