senators were Federalists, that party having obtained control of the legislature in a recent State election.
New York had less trouble in choosing representatives. It passed an act, January 27, 1789, which divided the State into six districts.[1] Beginning with the first Tuesday in March an election for representatives, about five days in length, was held—choice being made by a plurality vote. The electors must possess a freehold of twenty pounds, or rent a tenement of the yearly value of forty shillings, except in New York and Albany where such property qualifications were not necessary. The methods of election were so slow that the result seems not to have known until April. George Bancroft says the Federalists were successful in four districts out of six.[2] Their strength lay in New York city and the southern counties, and that or their opponents in the northern and western counties.
North Carolina ratified the Constitution, November 21, 1789, and at once passed a law for the election of senators and representatives.[3] The State was divided into five congressional "divisions," each of which was composed of two superior court districts. A representative must have resided in his "division" one year. The manner of holding the election was the same as for members of the General Assembly, and the time was the first Friday in February, 1790. Benjamin Hawkins and Samuel Johnston were chosen senators on a joint ballot and by a majority vote.
