George Washington

Chapter 13

ASHINGTON'S administration of the government under the Constitution was not untroubled. During those eight years the founding itselfwas consummated , yet during that same period Americans witnessed the birth of what ultimately became the system of political parties. Washington's unanimous election to the presidency was never to be repeated, for statesmen of the founding era discovered room to contest the "administration" of the government within the protective confines of the established Constitution . Washington himself became the tacit head of the Federalist Party, direct heir to the Federalists who prevailed in the struggle over adoption of the Constitution. The opposition party, the Democratic -Republican Party, was headed by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. In the last six years of Washington's administration , the growing party discordfigured as the most pressing political development. These years witnessed the emergence of party presses and party organizations. Most significantly, the discord divided Washington's administration itself; for the chief party spokesmen, apartfrom Madison, were members of Washington's cabinet. Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, headed the Federalists, and Thomas Jefferson spearheaded the organization of the Democratic -Republicans, even while he was Secretary of State. Madison, whose I79I-92 essays in the National Gazette laid out the Republican plaiform, had been the principal Federalist spokesman in Congress . To all appearances, therefore, the cemented union for which Washington had so long labored was being fractured in a contest over the spoils ofvictory. While maintaining the principle ofenergetic government, Washington sought to contain the damage of division , praying that "the cup which has been presented may not be snatched from our lips by a discordance of action." The Whiskey Rebellion. Congress first imposed an excise tax on distilled liquor in I79I. A group of western Pennsylvania farmers thought the tax burdensome and refused to pay it. In r792 Congress decreased the tax, but the farmers still refused to pay. On September I5, r792, Washington issued a proclamation imploring obedience to the law. Possibly encouraged by the formation of Democratic Societies inspired by the French Revolution, thefarmers ignored the presidential urgings, attacked federal officers, and burned buildings. Washington insisted on August 7, I794• that thefarmers desistfrom unlawful actions. Determined that the nation's law must be observed and enforced, he called out the militia on September 2 5. Fifteen thousand militiamen responded, and the insurrection was subdued with virtually no casualties. Most ofthe captured insurgents were pardoned by the President on july w, I795· The Proclamation of Neutrality. President Washington was at Mount Vernon early in April I793 when news reached America ofa declaration ofwar against Great Britain by the Republic ofFrance. He cut short his Virginia vacation and returned to Philadelphia to confer with his cabinet as to the best means to protect the United States in the crisis. Washington circulated inquiries among the Secretaries and the Attorney General, asking them to consider what measures would be properfor the United States to observe, especially in light of the defensive treaty of alliance consummated with the French monarchy during the American Revolution. He ultimately determined that the United States would follow a neutral course, desiring to give neither belligerent causefor complaint. Accordingly, he issued the Proclamation of Neutrality on April 22, I793· tg6 TO JAMES MADISON lv1ount Vemtm, lWay 20, 1792 My dear Sir: As there is a possiblity if not a probability, that. I shall not see you on your return home; or, if I should see you, that it may be on the road and under circumstances which will prevent my speaking to you on the subject we last conversed upon; I take the liberty of committing to paper the following thoughts, and requests. I have not been unmindful of the sentiments expressed by you in the conversationsjust alluded to: on the contrary I have again, and again revolved them, with thoughtful anxiety; but without being able to dispose my mind to a longer continuation in the Office I have now the honor 1 .0 hold. I therefore still look forward to the fulfilment of my fondest and most ardent wishes to spend the remainder ofm y days (which 1 can not expect will be many) in ease and tranquility. Nothing short of conviction that my deriliction of the Chair of Government (if it should be the desire of the people to continue me in it) would involve the Country in serious disputes respecting the chief Magestratc, and the disagreeable consequences which might...