The First Apportionment of the House of Representatives

For the first apportionment of 1792, two competing apportionment bills were considered: a bill to apportion 120 seats using Hamilton's method (sponsored by Hamilton), and a bill to apportion 105 seats using Jefferson's method (sponsored by Jefferson). Originally, Congress passed Hamilton's bill, but Washington was persuaded by Jefferson to veto it. Eventually, Congress approved Jefferson's bill, which became the basis for the first mathematical apportionment of the House of Representatives.

Table shows the United States population figures from the 1790 U.S. Census.

This project has three parts -

Part 1: Historical Research.

Summarize the arguments presented by Hamilton and Jefferson on behalf of their respective proposals. [Suggested sources: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, Vol. XI, Harold C. Syrett (editor), and The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. VI, Paul Leicester Ford (editor)).

Part 2: Mathematics

Calculate the apportionments for the House of Representatives under both proposals.

Part 3: Analysis

It has been argued by some scholars that there was more than mathematical merit behind Jefferson's thinking and Washington's support of it. Looking at the apportionments obtained in Part 2, explain why one could be suspicious of Jefferson and Washington's motives.

(Hint: Jefferson and Washington were both from the same state.)