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Editorial
February 8, 1808
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
The Baltimore Federal Gazette reports on two notes posted in the House of Representatives on January 21, 1808: one calling a Republican caucus to nominate presidential candidates, issued by Sen. Stephen R. Bradley, and a satirical counter-note by Rep. Josiah Masters of New York opposing it as unconstitutional.
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Miscellaneous Selections.
"The new President!"—The following singular Notes were stuck up in the House of Representatives on the 21st inst. The first was printed, and appeared to be a circular; the latter was in manuscript. They require no comment from me as they sufficiently explain themselves.—Balt. Fed. Gaz.
"SIR,
In pursuance of the powers vested in me as president of the late convention of republican members of both houses of Congress, I deem it expedient, for the purpose of nominating suitable and proper characters for President and Vice President of the United States at the next presidential election, to call a convention of said republican members to meet at the Senate chamber on Saturday, the 23d instant, at 6 o'clock P. M. at which time and place your personal attendance is requested, to aid the meeting with your influence, information and talents.
S. R. BRADLEY."
Dated at Washington, 19th January, 1808.
In pursuance of a similar power vested in me, with that assumed by Stephen R. Bradley, of the senate, contrary to the true principles of the constitution, I deem it expedient, for the purpose of not nominating any characters for president and vice president of the United States at the next presidential election, not to call a convention, alias caucus, to meet in the Senate chamber on Saturday, the 23d instant, at 6 o'clock P. M. at which time and place the personal attendance of the said republican members is not requested, to aid the unconstitutional meeting solicited by the said Stephen R. Bradley, and at which time and place I hereby request they will not attend, to aid and sanction an infringement of one of the most important features and principles in the constitution of the United States.
"JOSIAH MASTERS."
Washington, Jan. 21, 1808.
N. B. Mr. Masters is a representative from the state of New York. The words marked in Italics in his note, are so in the original.
"The new President!"—The following singular Notes were stuck up in the House of Representatives on the 21st inst. The first was printed, and appeared to be a circular; the latter was in manuscript. They require no comment from me as they sufficiently explain themselves.—Balt. Fed. Gaz.
"SIR,
In pursuance of the powers vested in me as president of the late convention of republican members of both houses of Congress, I deem it expedient, for the purpose of nominating suitable and proper characters for President and Vice President of the United States at the next presidential election, to call a convention of said republican members to meet at the Senate chamber on Saturday, the 23d instant, at 6 o'clock P. M. at which time and place your personal attendance is requested, to aid the meeting with your influence, information and talents.
S. R. BRADLEY."
Dated at Washington, 19th January, 1808.
In pursuance of a similar power vested in me, with that assumed by Stephen R. Bradley, of the senate, contrary to the true principles of the constitution, I deem it expedient, for the purpose of not nominating any characters for president and vice president of the United States at the next presidential election, not to call a convention, alias caucus, to meet in the Senate chamber on Saturday, the 23d instant, at 6 o'clock P. M. at which time and place the personal attendance of the said republican members is not requested, to aid the unconstitutional meeting solicited by the said Stephen R. Bradley, and at which time and place I hereby request they will not attend, to aid and sanction an infringement of one of the most important features and principles in the constitution of the United States.
"JOSIAH MASTERS."
Washington, Jan. 21, 1808.
N. B. Mr. Masters is a representative from the state of New York. The words marked in Italics in his note, are so in the original.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Presidential Nomination
Republican Caucus
Constitutional Infringement
1808 Election
Political Satire
What entities or persons were involved?
Stephen R. Bradley
Josiah Masters
Republican Members Of Congress
Baltimore Federal Gazette
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Satirical Opposition To Republican Presidential Nomination Caucus
Stance / Tone
Satirical Mockery Of Caucus As Unconstitutional
Key Figures
Stephen R. Bradley
Josiah Masters
Republican Members Of Congress
Baltimore Federal Gazette
Key Arguments
Bradley Calls Republican Caucus To Nominate President And Vp
Masters Parodies The Call, Urging Non Attendance As Unconstitutional Infringement
Caucus Scheduled For January 23, 1808, In Senate Chamber