On November 24, 1788, the legislature of Massachusetts chose two senators. The balloting of the House is as follows:
| Ballot | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Caleb Strong | 125 | ||||||
| Tristam Dalton | 71 | 78 | |||||
| Nathan Dane | 74 | 74 | |||||
| Charles Jarvis | 79 | 113 | 108 | Victory | |||
| Theodore Sedgwick | 67 | ||||||
| John Lowell | 59 | ||||||
| Holten | 39 | ||||||
| (Nathaniel?) Gorham | 23 | ||||||
| Others | 91 | 77 | 10 | 71 | 67 | ||
| Choice | Strong | Dalton |
Strong was chosen by the House on the first ballot and confirmed by the Senate 27-2.
Jarvis was chosen by the House on the second ballot, and the Senate instead suggested John Lowell.
Jarvis was chosen again by the House on the third ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Azor Orne.
Jarvis was chosen again by the House on the fourth ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Tristram Dalton.
Nobody was chosen by the House on the fifth ballot.
Dane was chosen by the House on the sixth ballot, and the Senate instead suggested Tristram Dalton again.
Dalton was chosen by the House on the seventh ballot, and the Senate confirmed him.