CHAPTER XY.

THE   ELECTION   OF   1800.

fliOOMT Prospects of the Ebpublicans — Bttek Confident — Federai, Errors ~ 4.B-
KEST of Judge Pbok — Hamilton's Scheme for Chbatinq the People — John
Adams's Narrative—Burr's Tactics — He Wins over General Gates — Judgb
Livingston and Governor Clinton — Hamilton and Buee at the Polls — Thb
Victory — Hamilton's Unworthy Expedients — Burr Frustrates them—Thb
Tie Between Jeffeeson and Burr.

It was Aaron Burr who taught the democratic party how
to conquer.

The prospect was gloomy. As the time for choosing presi¬
dential electors drew near, it became apparent that the State
of New York would decide the contest in the Union, and that
the city would decide the contest in the State. To every
leading Republican in the country, except one, defeat looked
inevitable. John Jay, in 1798, had been elected governor
over Chancellor Livingston by a majority of 2,382, which was
then a great majority. In 1799, the Republican ticket in the
city, headed by the name of Aaron Burr, had been defeated
by a majority of 900. In April^JJ8iIQ,jyhe^electing legislature
was to be chosen. Jefferson might Avell say, as he did say,
onelmoiitTrb'efore the New York election, that he considered
the contest more doubtful than that of 1796., But Burr would
not admit the idea of failure. He breathed the fire of his own
sanguine disposition into the hearts of his followers, and kept
every faculty on the alert to take instant advantage of the en
emy's mistakes.

His house became the rendezvous of the more ardent and
resolute members of the party, who were proud of their chief;
and confident that in the abounding resources of his ingenious
intellect alone lay the means of victory. Mr, Davis tells us
that this devoted band was composed of young men of gal