Page 205 - American Stories, A History of the United States

presidency. He apparently feared that an independent-minded Adams would be dif-
7.1 ficult to manipulate. He was correct.
Hamilton exploited an awkward feature of the electoral college. In accord with
the Constitution, each elector cast two ballots. The person who gained the most votes
7.2 became president. The runner-up, regardless of party affiliation, became vice presi-
dent. Ordinarily the Federalist electors would have cast one vote for Adams and one
for Thomas Pinckney, the hero of the negotiations with Spain and the party’s choice

7.3 for vice president. Everyone hoped, of course, there would be no tie. Hamilton secretly
urged southern Federalists to support only Pinckney, even if that meant throwing away
an elector’s second vote. If everything had gone according to plan, Pinckney would
have received more votes than Adams. But when New Englanders loyal to Adams heard
7.4
of Hamilton’s maneuvering, they dropped Pinckney. When the votes were counted,
Adams had 71, Jefferson 68, and Pinckney 59. (see Table 7.1). Hamilton’s treachery
angered the new president and heightened tensions within the Federalist Party.
7.5
The XYZ Affair and Domestic Politics

Foreign affairs immediately occupied Adams’s attention. The French regarded Jay’s
Treaty as an affront. By allowing Britain to define the conditions for neutrality, the
United States had in effect sided with that nation against France.

Read the Document George Washington, Farewell Address (1796)

PreSIDenT ADAMS John Adams in the suit and sword he wore for his 1797 inauguration. The portrait is by
English artist William Winstanley, 1798.
172