Suggestions on Presidential Elections: With Particular Reference to a Letter of William C. Somerville, Esq.

Boston: Cummings, Hilliard & co, 1825. SOMERVILLE, William. [ADAMS, John Quincy, author]. [SOMERVILLE, William]. Suggestions on Presidential Elections, With Particular Reference to a Letter of William C. Somerville, Esq. Boston: Cummings, Hilliard & co., 1825.

First edition of pamphlet attributed to John Quincy Adams in support of a letter that was written by Willam Somerville regarding the need to reform the presidential election system in the United States, following the controversial election of 1824. Octavo (8 x 5 1/4 inches; 204 x 133 mm). 32 pp.

Pamphlet, disbound with stab-marks present. Some mild toning, mainly to final leaf. Overall a very good copy.

The presidential election of 1824 was a controversial one. Four candidates ran, including Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and William H. Crawford. Although Andrew Jackson received the most popular and electoral votes (this was the first election that popular votes were counted), he did not have the majority as there were four candidates running and none of the candidates were able to secure the majority. This led the the decision being left to the House of Representatives. Adams, actively sought the votes of Congress with the help of Clay, and was subsequently declared President. Henry Clay was later appointed secretary of state by President Adams. To Jackson and many of his supporters, they considered Adams win to be a "corrupt bargain." On February 5th, 1825, William C. Somerville, a friend of Adams and author penned an article in the National Intelligencer on the general subject of Presidential Elections. This article was entitled "Extracts of a Letter on the mode of choosing the President and Vice-President of the United States, from Wm. C. Somerville, Esq. of Westmoreland, Va. to the Hon. Robert S. Garnett, in Congress. Baltimore: Printed by John D. Toy, Corner of St. Paul and Market streets. 1825." The ideas in his article were generally favorable to the President elect John Quincy Adams, who inturn penned the present pamphlet stated his suggestions to the letter as well as the system in general.

HBS 68256.

$850.