During the first weeks of March 1812, several Boston newspapers published this map which inspired the creation of the “gerrymander” cartoon. The map illustrates the new senatorial districts in Worcester and Essex Counties. The article explains that these counties had an “immense Federal majority,” but would likely elect four Federalists and five Jeffersonian Democrat-Republicans, the party of Governor Elbridge Gerry. In criticizing this redistricting plan, the influential Federalist newspapers commented that the ruling party carved the Commonwealth, “not … as a dish fit for Gods’ but ‘hewn it as a carcase fit for hounds.’”
IIIF Manifest