BROAD SEAL WAR,
\bɹˈɔːd sˈiːl wˈɔː], \bɹˈɔːd sˈiːl wˈɔː], \b_ɹ_ˈɔː_d s_ˈiː_l w_ˈɔː]\
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a controversy arising from disputed election returns in Middlesex County, NJ. In the congressional elections of 1838 the clerk of this county had thrown out the vote of South Amboy for the Democratic nominees on the ground of defects in the returns. The Democrats protested, but the Whig representatives were declared elected and given certificates under the broad seal of the State. When Congress met, December 2, 1839, the House contained 119 Democrats and 118 Whigs outside of New Jersey. The clerk refused to recognize the five New Jersey Whigs and the greatest confusion followed until on December 5, John Quincy Adams was elected speaker pro tempore. On December 17 the House after much wrangling chose R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, permanent speaker. The Democratic contestants were finally seated.
By John Franklin Jameson
