May 4, 1800 – Alexander Hamilton Warns of “The Fangs of Jefferson”

Theodore Sedgwick was an American attorney, politician (he became the fifth Speaker of the House of Representatives), jurist, and a Federalist who was allied with Hamilton against the antifederalists led by Thomas Jefferson.

Portrait of Sedgwick by Gilbert Stuart c1808 (Museum Fine Arts Boston)

On this day in history, Alexander Hamilton sent a letter to Sedgwick discussing presidential politics. It read in part:

Dear Sir

You have heard of the loss of our Election in the City of New York. This renders it too probable that the Electors of President for this State will be Antifederal. . . . To support Adams & Pinckney, equally, is the only thing that can possibly save us from the fangs of Jefferson.

It is therefore essential that the Federalists should not separate without coming to a distinct & solemn ⟨con⟩cert to pursue this course bona fide.

Pray attend to this & ⟨let⟩ me speedily hear from you that it is done.

Yrs. truly
A H”

You can read the entire letter here.

Alexander Hamilton portrait by John Trumbull 1806