in the United States of America. 463 
meet, make a Cau cus, and lay their plan for introducing certain persons in- 
to places of trust and power. When they had settled. it, they separated, 
and used each their particular influence within his own circle. He and his 
friends would furnish themselves with ballots, including the names of the 
parties fixed upon, which they distributed on the days of election... By act- 
ing in concert, together with a careful and extensive distribution of ballot, 
they generally carried the elections to their own mind. In dike manner it 
was that Mr. Samucl Adams first became a representative for Boston.” 
Gordon’s Hist. vol. i. p. =e note. 
An English travelle r. Kendall) who has taken; notice of many A- 
merican words, seems to think that this “ felicitous term” (as he ironically 
calls it) is applied only to party meetings, or consultations, of the members 
Of the legislatures. m the different states; but this is not the case. Al! 
meetings of the parties, for the ‘Parpete of concerting any measures, are 
called by this name. 
From the above remarks of Dr. Gordon on this word, it read geen 
that these meetings were in some measure under the direction of men 
concerned in the “ shifi-business ;’ and I had therefore thought it not 
Tiopeobabie ee. feucas a oes | be a SorruD OD pt Szatkers, the word 
| ood. I was “afterwards informed by a friend 
ie isaion that the late ‘Andrew Oliver Esq. had ccs mentioned this as the 
origin of the word ; and upon further inquiry I find other gentlemen haye 
heard the same in Boston, where the word was first used. I think I have 
~ sometimes heard the expression, a caucus’ meeting. It Bee as be remark- 
ed, that this can¢ word is never used in good writing. 
CENSUS, the enumeration of the inhabitants of the United estees which is made 
\ every ten years. - 
_ This is used by us to denote merely the enumeration of our inhabitants, 
-which is a departure from the signification of the term among the Romans, 
-- from whose language we have borrowed it. In England they still use the 
old word enumeration, except when speaking of this country. As a. tech- 
‘nical term, however, the word census may be found useful. 
CENT, “ a copper coin of the United States, value one hundredth part ok a dol- 
lar.” Web Si. 
