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Collection Reference Number GLC02437.05726
From Archive Folder The Henry Knox Papers [0116] December 1792 
Title David Cobb to Henry Knox discussing a possible canal from Boston to the Connecticut River and political elections
Date 5 December 1792
Author Cobb, David (1748-1830)  
Recipient Knox, Henry  
Document Type Correspondence; Government document
Content Description Forwards Knox a journal pertaining to Cobb's survey for a possible canal from Boston to the Connecticut River. See GLC02437.05542 for the enclosed journal. Docket in Knox's hand states "Journal of the Journey in exploring the Country between Connecticut River & Boston." Also notes, "Our Elections this day are unanimous for the old King & his second, - partie influence has had no effect on the votes for the latter," referring to a meeting of the Electoral College, which elected George Washington as president and John Adams as vice president.
Subjects Revolutionary War General  Infrastructure  Geography and Natural History  Surveying  Travel  Election  Government and Civics  President  Vice President  Federalists  Politics  Canals  
People Cobb, David (1748-1830)  Knox, Henry (1750-1806)  Adams, John (1735-1826)  Washington, George (1732-1799)  
Place written Boston, Massachusetts
Theme Science, Technology, Invention; The Presidency; Government & Politics
Sub-collection The Henry Knox Papers
Additional Information Cobb refers to the December 5, 1792 meeting of the Electoral College, which elected Washington ("the old King") as president and Adams ("his second") as vice president. At that time each elector cast two votes; the candidate with the most votes was elected president, the one with the second greatest number, vice president. Massachusetts, as Cobb indicates here, unanimously selected Washington and Adams, casting no votes for opposition candidates Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr or George Clinton. This national election reflected the emergence of a two-party system: Though Adams won the vice presidential spot, Republican candidate Clinton proved a serious challenger. (Cobb's comment is quoted in Arthur Schlesinger's "History of the American Presidential Elections, 1789-1968," Vol. 1, 1971, p.28.)
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859