The First Administration: Washington, His Cabinet, and the Issues

The First Administration: Washington, His Cabinet, and the Issues

A. George Washington – The Man

• Washington was a pivotal figure in American history, serving as the first president.

B. George Washington and John Adams

1. Overshadowed

• John Adams expressed concern that the narrative of the American Revolution would be biased, stating:

2. Adams' View of Washington

• Adams criticized the deification of Washington, indicating that:

  • Washington was often regarded with a type of “superstitious veneration.”

  • Adams believed he himself was Washington's superior.

  • He stated, "That Washington was not a scholar was certain; that he was too illiterate, unread, unlearned for his station is equally past dispute."

  • Adams acknowledged Washington's role but questioned his capabilities, remarking:

3. Vice Presidency

• John Adams described the vice presidency as:

• Adams was often mocked with derisive titles such as "His Rotundity," "the Duke of Braintree," and "His Superfluous Excellency."

4. Franklin's Perspective on Adams

• Benjamin Franklin assessed Adams stating:

5. Jonathan Sewell on Adams

• Jonathan Sewell commented on Adams’ diplomatic skills:

  • He recognized Adams' abilities in his official duties but critiqued his lack of social graces, saying:

6. Suggested Early Titles for the Presidency

• Titles suggested included:

  • His Majesty

  • His Highness

  • His High Mightiness

  • His Elective Highness

  • His Highness, the President of the United States of America and the Protector of their Liberties.

C. Responsibilities and Powers

1. Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution

• The clause specifying powers includes:

D. Alexander Hamilton

1. Hamilton's Approach to National Debt

• Hamilton proposed four different approaches to managing national debt:

  • Increase it

  • Decrease it

  • Eliminate it

  • Manage it

2. Managing National Debt

• Hamilton argued:

3. Justifying Investments

• Hamilton justified bond arrangements by emphasizing:

4. Case Study: Joseph Plumb Martin

• Martin was one of the “Original Investors” who:

  • Sold their bonds and notes for a low price to afford basic necessities, illustrating the sacrifices made by early investors:

5. Establishment of the U.S. Bank

• Founding Statistics:

  • Stock: 80/20 split

  • Directors: 5 out of 25 appointed by the government

  • Charter: 20 years, renewable by Congress

  • Total Capital: 25,000 shares at $400 each equaling $10 million.

E. Thomas Jefferson vs. Hamilton

1. Fundamental Differences

• Jefferson's Views

  • Strict Constructionism: believed the Constitution limited power.

  • Emphasized state rights and agrarian ideals.

  • Perceived human nature as optimistic.

• Hamilton's Views

  • Loose Constructionism: believed the Constitution granted power.

  • Advocated for national power and commerce.

  • Perceived human nature as pessimistic.

2. Key Interpretations

• Jefferson and Hamilton differed in their interpretation of:

  • The phrase "the executive Power" vs. "all legislative Powers herein granted."

  • Whether the listed executive powers are merely examples or a restrictive list.

3. Agrarian Virtue

• Jefferson believed:

• He felt a primarily agricultural society would remain virtuous as long as America had vacant land, arguing corruption arises when populations are concentrated in cities.

• 
  "I think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly agricultural; and this will be as long as there shall be vacant lands in any part of America."

4. On the Dependence of City Folk

• Jefferson suggested that city dwellers were:

  • Dependent and susceptible to corrupt influences, stating:

• He equated urban mobs to diseases, reducing the effectiveness of governance.

5. Jefferson’s Transformation on Manufacturing

• Jefferson acknowledged the necessity of domestic manufacturing by stating:

F. Foreign and Domestic Affairs

1. Foreign Affairs Topics

• Key events included:

  • The French Revolution

  • The XYZ Affair

  • Jay’s Treaty

  • Edmund Genet's role

2. Domestic Affairs Topics

• Major issues included:

  • The Whiskey Rebellion

  • Alien and Sedition Acts

  • Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

G. Jay’s Treaty – Provisions

1. Agreement Contents

• Key provisions of Jay’s Treaty included:

  • The British agreeing to vacate most of their outposts in the Old Northwest.

  • Arbitration for American merchants whose cargo had been seized.

  • Requirement for the U.S. to pay old debts.

  • Restrictions on trade with France and designation of Britain as a "most-favored nation."

  • Britain retained rights to stop American ships to hunt for deserters.

2. Reception of Jay's Treaty

• The treaty faced significant public backlash, evidenced by:

  • Hamilton's struggles to defend the treaty against a hostile crowd in New York, who expressed their dissatisfaction through rocks and boos.

  • John Jay's humorous remark on the extent of opposition he faced, indicating that he could navigate America at night by following the lights from his burning effigies.

H. Pinckney's Treaty

1. Context of Pinckney’s Treaty

• Acquired in the context of shifting powers in North America under Spanish cessions to France.

  • Pinckney’s Treaty created significant advancements in U.S. foreign relations.

I. Domestic Affairs: Whiskey Rebellion

1. Overview of the Whiskey Rebellion

• The insurrection in Pennsylvania, often referred to as the "Famous Whiskey Insurrection," resulted in significant conflict due to taxation issues.

  • Major tactics employed by rebels included:

  • Tarring and feathering, and riding the rail as methods of protest against taxation.

J. The Election of 1796

1. Adams’ Criticism of Hamilton

• Adams wrote scathingly about Hamilton, identifying him as:

  • "A proud, spirited, conceited, aspiring mortal always pretending to morality, with as debauched morals as old Franklin."

  • Adams criticized Hamilton’s actions during the election, being clear about his disdain for Hamilton, yet acknowledging his talents, resolving to keep him at a distance.

K. The XYZ Affair

1. Overview of the XYZ Affair

• Significant diplomatic incident resulting in heightened tensions between the U.S. and France.

L. The Alien and Sedition Acts

1. Overview and Impact

• The Acts were controversial, leading to punitive measures against opposition:

  • Example of a man fines for expressing wishes about the presidential saluting cannon shows the extent of suppressing speech during this period.

M. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

1. Resolutions’ Intent

• Aimed at asserting state rights and protecting against federal overreach, particularly in terms of individual liberties and state governance.

N. On Slavery

1. Jefferson's Perspective

• In 1786, Jefferson expressed his intention to end slavery gradually, writing: