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Kent County, Delaware Miscellaneous News Stories
Dialogue. Between John and George, Two Kent County Farmers
Date: 1793-11-30; Paper: Delaware Gazette
Submitted by Debbie Personette
John: Well! George; don't you think the people of Kent County cut a very ridiculous figure on the last election
day?
George: Why! John, do you think so?
John: Think so! Don't you think, George, it was a shame for the people of Kent county to care so little about elections
as their conduct at the last election evidenced? Don't you think it was seen --- for them to --- a few men in Dover
to form a ticket for them and to dictate to them who they should vote for? And don't you think they were confounded
fools to quietly bear such ----- and to suffer themselves to be duped in such a manner?
George: Indeed, John, I have heretofore thought very little about politics. But --- you put me in mind, I recalled
these was but one ticket circulating on the green; but how it was formed, I never enquired nor understood.
John: -----Why not above half a dozen men in and about Dover formed it, George. And an alteration being thought
expedient by the Farmers of it. I saw Mr --- and two or three other gentlemen go into a certain private house and
after making the alteration they thought --- and imposed their designed---- ticket upon the free and independent
electors of Kent County.
George: Why, John, from what you say the people of Kent County were imposed upon indeed; and I suppose you and
I among the rest.
John: Not I, indeed! I exercised my own judgment and formed a ticket for myself. But the people of Kent County,
George, were very much imposed upon. They were duped and treated like a ------ But it is high time for them to-----
this lethargy, to open their eyes, to see and -- for themselves. It --------------------------------
George: What you say is very right. The electors have been so long duped. But how can they help it, John? It has
always been the custom for the inhabitants of Dover and it's vicinity to form tickets and the people of Kent County
to vote them; and I for my part, can't see what plan they can fall upon to prevent it.
John: Not prevent it, George - How easy a ting would it be for the inhabitants of each hundred, at the little elections,
to deputize or appoint two or more persons (according to the populous or extent of the hundreds) to meet at a certain
place; and apportioning the members of the Legislature as equally as possible among the different hundreds of the
county, and always letting the deputies from each hundred appoint (and in case of disagreement nominate) the person
or persons to represent their hundred, to form a ticket for the people of Kent county. A ticket so formed might
with propriety be said to be formed by the people of Kent County.
George: Well, John, I heartily approve of your plan. I am satisfied it will meet with the approbation of every
well ---- person; and I am determined to give it every encouragement in my power. I have heretofore been too indifferent
about elections; have voted men without knowing them; and have received and given in tickets without every enquiring
who made them or how they were formed. But now I see I was wrong, and will endeavor to do so no more. I am glad
I was so fortunate as to meet with you; and can assure you, I will make full atonement for my misconduct at the
next and every succeeding election.
John: It gives me great pleasure, George, to think that you have come so readily and so cordially into my plan.
My feelings have been greatly hurt, to see the people of Kent County so indifferent about elections; and so duped
by a set of me in Dover who have maintained themselves and families and are now wholly supported by those people
whom they impose until in so ridiculous a manner. I am glad that you second my views and promise myself not a little
from the salutary effect your exertions will have. The people of Kent County, George, are able to think and act
for themselves, they want neither ---- nor guardians, except the Constitution and the laws; and infamous and abandoned
must be the wretch that thinks the contrary.
George: But John, what do you think of the Stamp Law? They tell me that bonds, notes, and the Lord knows what must
be stamped or else they are good for nothing. I think it is high enough, that, if I buy or sell a horse or cow
or whatnot, I must go all the way to Dover for a Stamp - or give or receive the cash. Besides, the grievance will
fall entirely on the poor people who are the least able to bear it. When the Stamp Act was repealed in England,
I never thought I should see it revived again. I did not dream that the Legislature of the Delaware State should
have the honor of reviving it, and of ushering it forth from darkness into light.
John: What you say, George, is all very true. We have fine times indeed? I suppose knives and forks, dishes and
spoons, saddles and for aught I know, dish cloths, will be stamped next - Zounds! They might as well make a yoke
at once for I am confident they think the people fit to war one.
George: Why, John they are making a yoke as fast as they can. But I think they will not have much use for it; for
they will have devilish hard work to yoke us.
John: Not so hard work as you imagine, George, you suffer them quietly to do it and make no opposition.
George: When designing tickets are formed and circulate, and stamp laws are enacted - I think, John, it is high
time for the people to be on their guard and look about them.
John: High time, indeed, George! They have been off their guard long enough. But, is it not surprising that the
framers of the infamous a law should be honored and re-elected by the people, instead of meeting with that ---
they so richly deserve?
George: It is so, very surprising, John; but I am in hopes their eyes will be opened by the next election - any
how, my best exertions shall not be wanting to ----- it.
John: Neither shall mine, I engage. But George what do you think? I understand that the Governor hesitates about
giving the Coroner's commission to Wm Sears, who had ninety-five more votes than the other candidates.
George: Ay! John. I never dreamt that he would be --- the commission. I wonder what reasons the Governor pretends
to five for thus disregarding the voice and will of the people.
John: They tell me he has found out some clause in the Constitution that, in his opinion, makes the election for
Coroners unnecessary; and so Mr. Jarrel will execute the office the old Coroner's time out.
George: I wonder that quirk was not found out before the election. We have some men in Dover that pretend to have
a great deal of ----. I am sure, John, it would have saved the people much trouble. But, perhaps, Mr Sears is not
of the right party.
John: Ay, that is it George! Party has a great weight; and I understand Mr Jarrel is a relation of the Governor's.
George: There is no wonder, then, John, that they have found out some plea in favour of Mr Jarrol, and have disregarded
the voice of the people - I think: John, if the Governor can thus commission a Coroner contrary to the desire and
inclination of the people, and contrary to the spirit and intention of that law which gives his such power; it
is not worth while for the people to concern themselves about the election of those offers.
John: I hope you now see, George, the impropriety of continuing one man or the same set of men too long in power,
and the bad effects thereform resulting. A certain set of men in Dover and its vicinity who are perfectly an Aristocratic
---, have so long had their say, that they have got quite above themselves and don't know their place. They ought
to be outed George, the stamp act and designed tickets fully evidence that they care nothing about the people and
I think the people should care a little about them. When servants become disobedient and disregard the will and
pleasure of their masters it is high time they should be discarded.
George: Indeed, they ought, John; and they shall be outed. I have no doubt but your excellent plan will be adopted
next fall and carried into execution; we will then see who are masters - whether a few designing self interested
domineering fellows about Dover, or the free virtuous and independent electors of Kent County.
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