RICHMOND COUNTY, 19 APRIL 1788

RICHMOND COUNTY
Abraham Bancker (F-Y)         Gozen Ryerss (F-Y)
On 18 March Federalist Congressman Leonard Gansevoort reported to his
brother Peter in Albany that Federalists were optimistic about the elections in
Staten Island (Richmond County). Gansevoort predicted that Staten Island
would "be unanimously federal" (RCS:N.Y, 864). Abraham Bancker, the former
sheriff of Richmond County, was not as certain. Perhaps the county was as di-
vided over the Constitution as were its two assemblymen-AntifederalistJohn C.
Dongan and Federalist Peter Winant. Bancker sensed that party spirit was high.
As a Federalist candidate for both the Convention and the Assembly, Bancker
found it necessary to make "Appearance [s] among the People." "The Spirit of
Electioneering," he wrote his uncle on 4 May, "has been at a very high pitch."
"Chicanery" and "Craftiness," Bancker wrote, were used by some of the can-
didates, so much so that Bancker was uncertain of the results. From his early
reading of the Constitution in September 1787, Bancker hoped that it would be
adopted because it was patterned on the British and the New York constitutions
which were "admirably constructed for supporting the Government, with becom-
ing Dignity." The Constitution he believed "vests the Authority with Powers ad-
equate to govern with Energy, it at the same time is calculated to secure and
preserve inviolate the Rights of the Citizens" (RCS:N.Y, 49-50). Bancker's opin-
ion must have been widespread in Richmond, because, according to his father,
Bancker received the highest vote totals of all of the candidates (Adrian Bancker
to Evert Bancker, 29 May).
Abraham Bancker to Evert Bancker
Staten Island, 3 April 1788 (excerpt)'
... Little News stirring; the most that calls the Attention of the Public
is the ensuing Election. the Spirit of Electioneering has not risen to So
high a Pitch for three Years past. Without making any Advances, I have
reason to think that I shall be one of the Representatives in Assembly,
and shall have some Votes for the Convention also. It is hard to predict,
what will be the Event, as Party Seems much to prevail; but this I am
convinced of that my Interest is equal to any of the Candidates and if
I Should be made choice of, it will be by the free and unbiassed Suf-
frages of the people. In such Case I shall be free to serve them; if
obtained other ways, I should not wish to officiate in that Capacity....
1. RC, Bancker Family Correspondence, NHi. Endorsed: "received the 5th April."
Abraham Bancker was Evert Bancker's nephew.
Abraham Bancker to Evert Bancker
Staten Island, 19 April 1788 (excerpt)'
. .. I also inclose a hand Bill, which I have drawn up and had pub-
lished relative to the ensuing Election, a number of which are now

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