At the outset of his political career, Burr acted upon the policy which always governed him.  He attached himself closely to neither party.  When the political issues grew broader, he was careful not to connect himself with any measure.  He did not heartily oppose the abolition of the Tory disabilities, nor the adoption of the Constitution.  He was a Clintonian, but not so decidedly as to prevent him from attempting to defeat Clinton.  With a few adherents, he stood between the two parties and maintained a position where he could avail himself of any overtures which might be made to him; yet he was careful to be so far identified with one side as to be able to claim some political association whenever it became necessary to do so.  His success in this artful course was remarkable.  Nominally a Clintonian, in 1789 he supported Yates, and a few months afterwards took office under Clinton.  In 1791, while holding a place under a Republican governor, he persuaded a Federal legislature to send him to the Senate of the United States.  In the Senate he sided with the opposition, but so moderately that some Federalists were willing to support him for Governor.  The Republicans nominated him for the Vice-Presidency, and shortly after, the Federalists in Congress, almost in a body, voted for him for the Presidency.  During all this time, his name was not associated with any important measure except a fraudulent banking-scheme in New York.

The occasion of his elevation to the Vice-Presidency is a perfect illustration of the accidental circumstances and unimportant services to which he was generally indebted for advancement.  From the commencement of the Presidential canvass of 1800, it was evident that the action of New York would control the election.  That State then had twelve votes in the Electoral College; but the electors were chosen by the Legislature,—­not, as at present, by the people.  The parties in New York were nearly equal, and the result in the Legislature was very doubtful.  The city of New York sent twelve members to the Assembly, and usually determined the political complexion of that body.  Thus the contest in the nation was narrowed down to a single city, and that not a large one.  This gave Burr a favorable field for the exercise of his peculiar talents.  His energy, tact, unscrupulousness, and art in conciliating the hostile and animating the indifferent made him unequalled in political finesse.  He did not hesitate to use any means in his power.  Some one in his pay overheard the discussion in a Federal caucus, and revealed to him the plans of his opponents.  He had become unpopular, and had brought odium upon his party by a corrupt speculation; he therefore declined presenting his own name, and made a ticket comprehending the most distinguished persons in the Republican ranks.  George Clinton, Gen. Gates, and Brockholst Livingston were placed at the head of it.  The most urgent solicitations were necessary to persuade these gentlemen to consent to a nomination