Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
In September 1816, Maine towns voted on whether to separate from Massachusetts. Massachusetts regulators who set up the election required a 5 to 4 majority for separation to pass.
Since the separationists did not achieve majority, William Preble used complex and controversial logic to argue in favor of separation. This document shows Preble's reasoning for victory, which led to a major controversy at the Brunswick Convention later that month.
Shown here are the records from the counties of Cumberland, Hancock, Kennebeck, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, Somerset, Washington and York. Preble used the "aggregate majority" from each county instead of the total numbers of votes in his calculation.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: William Preble's controversial interpretation of a vote on separation from Massachusetts, 1816
- Creator: William Prebble
- Creation Date: 1816
- Subject Date: 1816
-
Locations:
- Brunswick, Cumberland County, ME
- Somerset County, ME
- Washington County, ME
- York County, ME
- Oxford County, ME
- Hancock County, ME
- Lincoln County, ME
- Kennebeck County, ME
- Penobscot County, ME
- Media: Paper
- Local Code: Coll. 406, Box 1/7
- Collection: Brunswick Convention of 1816 records
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Brunswick Convention of 1816 separation
- Cumberland County (Me.)--Election records
- Elections statistics
- Hancock County (Me.)--Election records
- Lincoln County (Me.)--Election records
- Maine--Politics and government--1775-1865--Manuscripts
- Manuscripts
- Massachusetts--Politics and government--1775-1865--Manuscripts
- Oxford County (Me.)--Election records
- Penobscot County (Me.)--Election records
- Political elections
- Somerset Co. (Me.)--Election records
- Washington Co. (Me.)--Election records
- Washington County (Me.)--Election records
- York County (Me.)--Election records
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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