OBSERVATIONS ON THE ELECTION OF 1796
1796
–––––––––––––––––––––––––Alexander Hamilton–––––––––––––––––––––––
––––––––––––––––––––––––––Thomas Jefferson–––––––––––––––––––––––––
After George Washington announced he would not seek a third term, political parties began to
play a role in presidential elections. In the election of 1796, John Adams, who had been
Washington's vice president, was the favorite for the Federalist Party, although some Federalists
supported Thomas Pickney. Adams had supported Federalist ideas as a vice president and wanted
to expand the power of the executive office. The Democrat-Republican Party candidate was
Thomas Jefferson, who preferred maintaining ties to France. He fought to protect individual
liberties over a centralized growth in power. The following excerpts are comments made during
the presidential election of 1796.
READING FOCUS:
What issues were important in the election of 1796?
Our excellent President, as you have seen, has declined a re-election. 'Tis all-important to our
country that his successor shall be a safe man. But it is far less important who of many men that
may be named shall be the person, than it shall not be Jefferson. We have every thing to fear if
this man comes in, and from what I believe to be an accurate view of our political map I conclude
[determine] that he has too good a chance of success, and that good calculation, prudence
[carefulness], and exertion [action] were never more necessary to the Federal cause that at this
critical juncture [point of decision]... Well weighed, there can be no doubt that the exclusion of
Mr. Jefferson is far more important than any difference between Mr. Adams and Mr. Pinkney.
--Alexander Hamilton, from a letter, November 8, 1796 _____________________
A division, not very unequal, had already taken place in the honest part of that body [Congress],
between the parties styled Republican and Federal. The latter, being monarchists in principle,
adhered [clung] to Hamilton of course, as their leader in that principle,... But Hamilton was not
only a monarchist, but for a monarchy bottomed on corruption.
--Thomas Jefferson, from "The Hamiltonian System"
_____________________
The public & the papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of contention
[contest] to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves
personally... I have no ambition to govern men. It is a painful and thankless office. Since the day
too on which you signed the treaty of Paris our horizon was never so overcast. I devoutly wish
you may be able to shun for us this war by which our agriculture, commerce & credit will be
destroyed.
--Thomas Jefferson, from a letter to John Adams after the election, December 28, 1796
United States History © Holt McDougal
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ELECTION OF 1796
Alexander Hamilton, from a letter, November 8, 1796. Thomas Jefferson, from "The Hamiltonian
System." Thomas Jefferson, from a letter to John Adams after the election, December 28, 1796.
Analysis Questions:
1. According to his letter, what was Hamilton’s main goal for the election of 1796?
2. How did Jefferson view the Federalist Party?
Answers:
1. that someone besides Jefferson get elected as president
2. He viewed them as being corrupt.
United States History © Holt McDougal
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