May 05, 2016 - Sale 2413

Sale 2413 - Lot 216

Price Realized: $ 344
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
VAN BUREN DENIES SEEKING TO CHANGE ELECTION LAW VAN BUREN, MARTIN. Autograph Manuscript Signed, "Mr. Van Buren" twice, as Senator, in the third person within the text, a statement intended to be published in the [Albany] Daily Advertiser, refuting rumors of his desire to change New York electoral law. 2 pages, 4to, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet; inlaid, few separations at folds repaired verso with tissue. (TFC) Np, 2 September 1828
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"The Daily Advertiser having in some degree lent its countenance to the allegations that a plan is or has been on foot to obtain a repeal or modification of the new law regulating the choice of electors in this State, and that such design has been intimated in one or more letters from Mr. Van Buren to his friends in Kentucky, he is induced by the nature of the charge and the general interest properly taken in the subject, so far to depart from his usual course in relation to the accusatory articles which ordinarily grow out of our political conflicts, as to ask the Editors of the 'Advertiser' to correct the unfounded imputation. That Mr. Van Buren has frequently in answer to enquiries from his friends in Kentucky and elsewhere, expressed a confident opinion that New York will give at least three fourths of her electoral votes to Andrew Jackson, is true; but that he ever intended to intimate that the existing law would be repealed or modified, or has said or written anything from which such an inference could be drawn, or that he ever entertained or expressed a desire to have any such change take place, or that he has knowledge of any such design on the part of friends or anybody else, is wholly untrue."
Van Buren is here denying any intention to change the new law concerning NY electors, but he certainly had been involved in changing such laws in order to influence the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. In 1827, Van Buren worked in support of Andrew Jackson's populist presidential campaign by encouraging the revision of electoral laws in a number of states, including NY. Prior to 1827, NY electors were selected by the state legislature, a procedure which tended to favor establishment candidates. After the law was revised, electors were chosen by district electors, who were popularly elected.