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Winchester May 29 1822

Dr Sir

An Election took place here yesterday for Sheriff
of this County which has excited much interest here amongst the
friends of the Candidates. This Election will be contested, and
you as^are the umpire - The matter was argued by the Attorney in
Court & the result was that a record of the whole proceedings
should be sent to you. I was employed as one of Capt Hunts
^Counsel and the exemplification which I shall here offer of the Record
you will consider as offered by me in my professional character.

By reference to the "Record" you will perceive that an election
took place yesterday at one oClock - that there were 30 Magistrates
present — that Gray had 15 Votes and that Hunt had 15 Votes -
and that then the Chairman of the Court gave the casting vote and
gave that vote in favor of Hunt - whereupon he was proclaimd
by order of the Court of the cryer of the Court as Sheriff for
the ensuing two years - Grays friends object to this election upon
these grounds; that the Chairman first voted as a common Magistrate
and then on the tie as Chairman thereby giveing [sic] two votes — To this we
contend that the Chairman in the first place had a right to vote
because the Constitution says the Sheriff shall be elected by the Magistrates
of the County - and he is a Magistrate. [Wld?] if there be an equality
of votes N neither the Constitution nor the Statute, point out