United States Senate special election in New York, August 1798
Encyclopedia
The second 1798 United States Senate special election in New York was held on August 17, 1798, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 1) to represent the State of New York
in the United States Senate
.
had been elected in January 1798 for the remainder of Philip Schuyler
's term (1797-1803) but had resigned on April 16 after his appointment to the United States District Court for the District of New York. Federalist William North
was appointed by Governor John Jay
to fill the vacancy temporarily, and took his seat on May 21, Congress
being in session until July 16, 1798.
At the State election in April 1798, Federalist majorities were elected to both houses of the 22nd New York State Legislature
which met from August 9 to 17, 1798; and from January 2 to April 3, 1799, at Albany, New York
.
James Watson, a State Senator until the previous session, was the candidate of the Federalist Party.
First Judge of the Albany County Court John Tayler was the candidate of the Democratic-Republican Party.
to fill the vacancy.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Background
Federalist John Sloss HobartJohn Sloss Hobart
John Sloss Hobart was an American jurist and politician. He was a member of the Federalist Party who served as United States Senator from New York, and later as a United States federal judge.-Early life:...
had been elected in January 1798 for the remainder of Philip Schuyler
Philip Schuyler
Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:...
's term (1797-1803) but had resigned on April 16 after his appointment to the United States District Court for the District of New York. Federalist William North
William North
-Life:He was the son of John North, who commanded Fort Frederick in 1751, and Fort St. George in Thomaston, Maine, in 1758. He moved with his mother, Elizabeth North, to Boston, Massachusetts....
was appointed by Governor John Jay
John Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
to fill the vacancy temporarily, and took his seat on May 21, Congress
5th United States Congress
The Fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives...
being in session until July 16, 1798.
At the State election in April 1798, Federalist majorities were elected to both houses of the 22nd New York State Legislature
22nd New York State Legislature
The 22nd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from August 9, 1798, to April 3, 1799, during the fourth year of John Jay's governorship, in Albany.-Background:...
which met from August 9 to 17, 1798; and from January 2 to April 3, 1799, at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
Candidates
Ex-SpeakerSpeaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
James Watson, a State Senator until the previous session, was the candidate of the Federalist Party.
First Judge of the Albany County Court John Tayler was the candidate of the Democratic-Republican Party.
Result
Watson was the choice of both the State Senate and the State Assembly, and was declared elected.| Office | House | Federalist Federalist The term federalist describes several political beliefs around the world. Also, it may refer to the concept of federalism or the type of government called a federation... |
Democratic-Republican | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator | State Senate New York State Senate The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve... (43 members) |
James Watson James Watson (politician) James Watson was a United States Senator representing the state of New York.-Life:Watson moved to New York City in 1786 and engaged in business pursuits. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1791, 1794–1796 and was Speaker in 1794... |
30 | John Tayler John Tayler John Tayler was a merchant and politician. He served nine years as Lieutenant Governor of New York, four months as Acting Governor of New York, and also in both houses of the New York State Legislature.-Life:... |
9 |
| State Assembly New York State Assembly The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652... (108 members) |
James Watson James Watson (politician) James Watson was a United States Senator representing the state of New York.-Life:Watson moved to New York City in 1786 and engaged in business pursuits. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1791, 1794–1796 and was Speaker in 1794... |
57 | John Tayler John Tayler John Tayler was a merchant and politician. He served nine years as Lieutenant Governor of New York, four months as Acting Governor of New York, and also in both houses of the New York State Legislature.-Life:... |
48 | |
Aftermath
Watson took his seat on December 11, 1798, but resigned on March 19, 1800, after his appointment as Naval Officer of the Port of New York. The State Legislature held a special election in April 1800, and elected Gouverneur MorrisGouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris , was an American statesman, a Founding Father of the United States, and a native of New York City who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation. Morris was also an author of large sections of the...
to fill the vacancy.
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled in 1858 (see: pg. 63 for U.S. Senators; pg. 117 for State Senators 1798-99; page 172 for Members of Assembly 1798-99)
- Members of the Fifth United States Congress
- Members of the Sixth United States Congress
- History of Political Parties in the State of New-York by Jabez Delano Hammond (pages 121f)
- Election result at Tufts UniversityTufts UniversityTufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
Library project "A New Nation Votes" (omits part of the text, it should read: "...James Watson [of New York City, 30 votes; John Tayler,] esq. of Albany 9 - Maj. 21")