COLONEL SAMUEL MILES

By John L. Moore

The military record of Col. Samuel Miles spans two 18th-century wars. As a teenager, he helped defend the Poconos against Indian attacks during the French and Indian War. During the American Revolutionary War, he spent 21 months as a British prisoner of war following the Battle of Long Island.

But the footnote Miles occupies in American History comes from a vote he cast in the Electoral College during the presidential election of 1796. George Washington was retiring from government service after serving two four-year terms as the first U.S. president. Elected by supporters of Vice President John Adams, Miles cast his electoral vote for Thomas Jefferson.

As Miles explained in his autobiography:

“The party styling themselves Federalists were in favor of John Adams, and those denominated Democrats were for Thomas Jefferson.

“The contest for electors was warm. I was nominated by the Federalists, but the Democratic ticket generally carried. Mr. Robert Coleman and myself out of the Federalist ticket were elected by a small majority. When we arrived at Harrisburg–for I had not fully made up my mind before–I thought it my duty to vote for the man that appeared to me most useful for the public good, without any regard to party views.

“The United States were at least to appearance at that time on the eve of a war with France who made great depredation on our commerce. I knew that Mr. Adams was looked upon by the French government with a jealous eye; it was supposed that he favored the British more than the French.

“On the other hand I knew that the French rulers had confidence in Mr. Jefferson. I had no doubt in my own mind but both gentlemen were real republicans, and would exercise the office with a view to the good and independence of the country.

“But I concluded that the same steps pursued by Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson would probably have different effects upon the French government, and I dreaded the idea of another war which might prove ruinous to this country.

“Upon the whole, therefore, I concluded that the administration of Mr. J. would prove most likely to settle the difference with France, and voted for him accordingly.

“Since that (time) I have been considered by the Federalists as having deserted their cause and turned Democrat as they term it. That I always was and hope ever shall be a Democrat according to the true sense of the word, I acknowledged: but my sentiment with respect to government is the same now that it has been from the beginning of the Revolution.”

Miles’ vote didn’t swing the election for Jefferson. Adams won 71 electoral votes, compared to Jefferson’s 68, and became the nation’s second president. Since Jefferson had the second largest number of votes, he became vice president.

In 2020, when the Electoral College was scheduled to cast ballots, a broadcaster for National Public Radio interviewed Claire Finkelstein, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She mentioned Samuel Miles. “He is well-known principally because he was a so-called faithless elector in the 1796 election,” Finkelstein said.