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THE PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
MADISON, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Madison"), as Secretary of State, to Levi Lincoln, 14 May 1802. 1 page, 4to, holes at horizontal; crease expertly repaired from verso, catching a small on of two letters.
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MADISON, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Madison"), as Secretary of State, to Levi Lincoln, 14 May 1802. 1 page, 4to, holes at horizontal; crease expertly repaired from verso, catching a small on of two letters.
BOOTING ST. CLAIR OUT OF HIS POST AS GOVERNOR OF THE OHIO TERRITORY
"Will you be so good," Madison asks, "as to forward me Govr St Clair's papers by the mail as soon as the two Secretaries Dearborn & Smith with yourself shall have examined them. I make the request on the idea that they can be shared in time to be examined by me during my absence. I expect to return to this place about the 1st of June and to be four days on my journey back. The mail leaves this every Tuesday & Friday evening before 7 o'clock for Orange Court House, to which place I am to be addressed."
Federalist governor Arthur St. Clair stood in the way of Jefferson's plans to see a Republican-controlled Ohio enter the Union. Two weeks prior to this letter, on 30 April 1802, Congress passed an enabling act, permitting Ohio to convene a constitutional convention and gain statehood. St. Clair opposed this step and rabidly denounced Jefferson's Congressional allies. Quite apart from this, there was evidence that he had taken bribes. Jefferson sought his Cabinet's advice on what to do; and this letter is part of that ongoing dialogue between the Chief Executives and his department heads. Gallatin urged letting St. Clair go quietly at the coming expiration of his term. But St. Clair made that impossible. He appeared at the Ohio constitutional convention, declared the proceedings illegitimate, and made clear his intentions to continue exerting the powers of governor which the Congressional enabling act had already taken away from him. Jefferson ordered Madison to send a blistering letter of dismissal in the fall of 1802, denouncing the old soldier's "intemperance" and gross disregard for the authority of Congress.
BOOTING ST. CLAIR OUT OF HIS POST AS GOVERNOR OF THE OHIO TERRITORY
"Will you be so good," Madison asks, "as to forward me Gov
Federalist governor Arthur St. Clair stood in the way of Jefferson's plans to see a Republican-controlled Ohio enter the Union. Two weeks prior to this letter, on 30 April 1802, Congress passed an enabling act, permitting Ohio to convene a constitutional convention and gain statehood. St. Clair opposed this step and rabidly denounced Jefferson's Congressional allies. Quite apart from this, there was evidence that he had taken bribes. Jefferson sought his Cabinet's advice on what to do; and this letter is part of that ongoing dialogue between the Chief Executives and his department heads. Gallatin urged letting St. Clair go quietly at the coming expiration of his term. But St. Clair made that impossible. He appeared at the Ohio constitutional convention, declared the proceedings illegitimate, and made clear his intentions to continue exerting the powers of governor which the Congressional enabling act had already taken away from him. Jefferson ordered Madison to send a blistering letter of dismissal in the fall of 1802, denouncing the old soldier's "intemperance" and gross disregard for the authority of Congress.