The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

To the Freeholders of Frederick and Berkeley Counties.

Fellow Citizens,

In a few days you will be called upon to execute the right of suffrage, on an occasion in no respect dissimilar to the one which formerly honoured me with your confidence, and while from that circumstance my diffidence is lessened in again soliciting the important trust reposed in an Elector, who is to make choice of a President and Vice-President of the United States, I cannot, in my own estimation, stand acquitted by my country or myself, in keeping a secret either my politics in general, or my opinion as to the particular persons with whom those dignified offices could be safely intrusted.

All legitimate power being derived from the people, and they having, by our excellent constitution, lodged the power of choosing the President and Vice-President, in the hands of Electors, which makes the persons filling those offices the mediate and not immediate representatives of the people, it becomes the electoral candidate, candidly to unfold his opinion, and earnestly to collect the voice of his constituents, that when the great question shall be decided—who shall be the men? he will experience the unparalleled consolation of his choice being their choice.

Under these impressions, fellow citizens, notwithstanding the panegyrics or libels upon Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, so disingenuously arrayed against each other in the public prints, no doubt with a view to influence the approaching election, I shall acknowledge my intention (unless otherwise instructed by a majority of the Freeholders) in the event of another evidence of their confidence, of voting for Mr. Thomas Jefferson, as President of the United States: and although I have never been ranked among the number of those politicians who are stiled (with what propriety I will not decide) opposers of the administration, yet must confess my confidence in Mr. Adams will not reach farther than continuing him in his present office, which though not altogether unimportant, is yet greatly inferior in point of power and authority to that of the President.

It is not my intention to detract from the political reputation of either candidate: and even supposing Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson to possess equal virtue, equal wisdom and patriotism, yet the latter, besides his attachment to our interest, which from his former services we are certain of, I conceive would be more likely to conciliate that unhappy spirit of opposition to the administration of government, which perhaps, unfortunately, is too prevalent in the union, than Mr. Adams, who, if not a high-toned politician, is at least strongly suspected.

The friends of Mr. Adams, and enemies of Mr. Jefferson, have, through the medium of news paper publications, ungenerously attempted to build the reputation of the former upon the ruin of the latter: the appellation of coward, is industriously circulated: he is accused of having abandoned the helm of government, in the stormy hour of difficulties and danger, and therefore he is not to be trusted again. A curious portrait indeed for so distinguished a patriot as Mr. Jefferson; but the likeness is as short liv'd as their gratitude; and even the credulity of those men, naturally arising from hope, must be shaken, upon the recollection of the resolution of the Virginia Legislature, in 1781, acknowledging the eminent services of Mr. Jefferson, &c. at the very time he is said to have abdicated the government.

Upon remembering the choice of him afterwards by his country, as ambassador to the Court of France, and being recalled only for the purpose of filling the important office of Secretary of State, and that too at the organization of our present government, when the federal ship needed the most skilful pilot. Here let us ask, Where did Mr. Jefferson resign his last appointment? not until he had convinced and converted Mr. Hammond, the British ambassador, on the subject of infracting the treaty of peace made in 1783, between his government and the United States, and not until he established, in opposition to the factious Genet, the fair construction of the treaty of alliance between France and the United States, thereby insuring to us the blessings of neutrality, which we have since enjoyed.

These are truths, my fellow citizens, supported by the highest testimony, lodged among the archives of government. But lest the calumniating ebullitions of Mr. Adams's friends against Mr. Jefferson should not stand them in stead, they have resorted to a contrivance, calculated to deceive the Virginians, and impose Mr. Adams on us as President, when we shall vote for him under an idea of his being Vice President, and that is, advising a choice of Mr. Patrick Henry and Mr. John Adams, holding out the delusive notion of Mr. Henry's being President.

By the constitution, the electors are to choose two persons, without adding which of them shall be President or Vice President, and the person thus chosen, having the greatest number of all votes in the union, is to be the President, the one having the lesser number the Vice President.

Be assured therefore, that every vote given to Mr. Henry advances Mr. Adams nearer the Presidential Chair, in as much as the contest will lie between Mr. Jefferson and him, and Mr. Henry (besides having refused to accept the office) is not spoken of as a candidate out of Virginia, except with a view to the stratagem of serving Mr. Adams as President.

These are observations I thought proper to suggest, for your consideration, previous to the election. If my choice should fortunately coincide with a majority of the freeholders, I hope I shall discharge the trust reposed in me with a becoming impartiality, and at the same time with republican firmness; regarding the interest of my constituents, and the happiness of our common country.

MOSES HUNTER.