Virginia Argus

BOSTON, November 18.

FROM THE BOSTON CHRONICLE.

The election in Suffolk district was a fair trial of the strength of the two parties which so nearly divide the town of Boston. At the last session of the state legislature, this district was changed by the federalists, fortunately no change of the adjacent towns could prevent a republican majority. (Several towns were struck off the Boston district.)

Mr. Adams, the federal candidate, was brought forward under the name and influence of his father, in addition to that of the whole federal phalanx--For weeks preceding the election a number of active partisans were employed. Besides their more public agencies, private applications were made through the medium of lawyers, physicians, priests and women. Every motive of interest, every fear of dependence was raised and brought into action. The sabbath, we are sorry to observe, was profaned by electioneering discourses; the church incautiously afforded secret emissaries to assault the religious prejudices of those who were deemed their weaker brethren.

To these powerful obstacles the republicans opposed the justice of their cause, and the merits of Doctor Tunzis, their candidate. These they urged with a zeal and spirit which secured the right at election and the triumph of their cause. This cause has acquired strength and lustre. It has not been deserted by a single friend, it has met the full force of its enemies. Its defenders have been accused of boasting. Did they disturb Faneuil Hall with claps and cheers? No. But the federalists did. Did they exult either before or after the election was decided? Have they discovered one half the exultation that the federalists did in anticipation?--No they have not. They have indeed nothing to boast of: on the contrary, they ought to be humble, when a just cause requires exertions to render it successful, and when it prevails by so small a majority.

If the republicans have any cause of triumph, it is in the detection of one great error, which has been palmed on the public for truth. It is now reduced to a certainty, that the 2300 votes so vauntingly reckoned on by the federalists in the town of Boston, have had their existence in some gross mistake,--or in something worse. In addition to the preceding facts, for facts each and every one of them are, it is known that the federalists collected all their strength in the old state-house the evening before the election; and were there animated to the approaching contest by their ablest speakers, Messrs. Hall, Cooper, Otis, and Bass. Mr. Otis's father has lately been appointed to an honorable office by president Jefferson.--But nothing abates the enthusiastic ardor of his son. More names were added to their list of distribution, to give them the utmost possible weight in the town; and they were even so confident of success, that if report is true, Mr. W. Smith gave a dinner to the ex-president and his son, on Monday, no doubt in the full expectation of a triumphant 'entrance' on that auspicious day. In a word, universal confidence prevailed with the party, and encouraged measures which are not the most happily calculated to sooth the anguish of defeat and disappointment.

Mr. Quincy, their former candidate, was thrown aside with as little reason as delicacy, as if nothing short of having the son of Mr. Adams, and the ex-minister, Pickering--an unnatural union on the floor of congress--would satisfy the restless spirit of this intriguing faction.

Our accounts respecting the election in this state fully confirm what was stated in the last Chronicle. There is very little doubt of nine members being republican to eight federalists. When the returns are complete, we shall exhibit them in one view.