1789 Vermont Republic gubernatorial election

The Vermont Republic gubernatorial election of 1789 took place in September.[1] Though incumbent Governor Thomas Chittenden won a plurality of the popular vote over his main competitor, Vermont Supreme Court Chief Justice Moses Robinson, the Vermont Constitution required that the legislature choose if no candidate won a majority.[1]

1789 Vermont Republic gubernatorial election

October 8, 1789 (1789-10-08)

Nominee Thomas Chittenden Moses Robinson Samuel Safford Party Independent Anti-Administration Independent Popular vote 1,263 746 478 Percentage 43.3% 25.6% 16.4%

Governor before election Thomas Chittenden Independent Elected Governor Moses Robinson Anti-Administration

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The Vermont General Assembly met in Westminster on October 8 to count the votes of the freemen for governor of the Republic of Vermont, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and members of the governor's council.[1] Joseph Marsh was easily re-elected as lieutenant governor, and Samuel Mattocks was chosen for another term as treasurer.[1]

For the first time since the founding of the Vermont Republic in 1778, Chittenden found himself in political difficulty.[2] Shortly before the election, he had granted Ira Allen title to the town of Woodbridge (now Highgate) but had neglected to first obtain the approval of the governor's council.[2] Chittenden was accused of malfeasance for supposedly favoring a clique led by the Allen family with respect to land grants.[2]

As a result of the controversy, On October 9, the legislature chose Robinson, the first time Chittenden had not been elected governor.[1][2] Robinson served a one-year term, but the controversy over the Woodbridge land grant abated, and Chittenden was returned to office in 1790.[2]