1790 Class 1 Senate Election: Dalton vs Cabot vs Gorham

THE FOLLOWING CONTEST, SCHEDULED FOR ONE TERM IS FOR THE 1790 CLASS 1 SENATE ELECTION! INTRODUCING FIRST THE CHALLENGERS. FIRST, REPRESENTING MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS....NATHANIEL GORHAM!

                                                                   Challenger number 1

AND HIS OPPONENT! HE IS ONE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON'S BEST FRIENDS.....GEORGE CABOT!

                                                       Challenger Number 2

AND THEIR OPPONENT. HE IS THE CURRENT CLASS 1 UNITED STATES SENATOR, TRISTAM DALTON!!!

                                                              The incumbent

In between the 1790 Gubernatorial election and the 1790 Senate election there was a little bit of history made. On May 26th, the Southwest Territory was officially recognized and a few days later, Rhode Island finally ratified the Constitution becoming the 13th and final colony to be recognized as a state. Its about time!

On June 20th, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson agree to build the eventual  State Capitol above the Potomac River in Maryland rather than keep everything in New York City. Imagine if Hamilton got drunk and said build a sea palace underneath the water. A lot of people were skeptical of what went down in this compromise because they were the only three in attendance.

                                                    Larry, Curly and Moe

The champ going in was Tristram Dalton, his story was already told when he won the 1788 election. Nathaniel Gorham's story has also been told. But who the hell was the third man in, George Cabot? He lived an interesting life. He was born in 1751 and enrolled at Harvard in 1766. 2 years later he dropped out of school to become a merchant seaman after his father passed away. He initially worked for his brother in law, then became captain of his own ship in 1772. During the Revolutionary War his ship was more or less used as a pirate ship to raid British merchant trips. His claim to fame was his journey took him to New York City where he somehow became best friends with Alexander Hamilton. He was a member of the old Massachusetts Provincial Congress, but when you rub shoulders with one of the Founding Fathers, the rub you get in return goes a long way. But would it be enough to carry him to the Senate? Let's find out.

                                                         Triple Threat Match

For whatever reason, in those days you had to win on multiple ballots and Tristram Dalton was eliminated before the third ballot. In fourth place was Samuel Holten with 2% of the vote. Charles Jarvis came in third place with 13% of the vote so the Senate was going to come down on the final ballot to Cabot and Gorham. The result? ITS A LANDSLIDE! George Cabot took 59% of the vote compared to just 24% for Nathaniel Gorham. Dalton and Gorham might have been more qualified to run for Senate after spending decades studying law, but how did a Harvard drop-out turned sailor win? It just goes to show its not what you know, its WHO you know. Cabot knew the right guys, that's for sure.

      The winner....and....NEWWW....CLASS ONE UNITED STATES SENATOR...GEORGE CABOT