Page 171 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers

A Patriot’s view of the history and direction of our Country

Hamilton interpreted the Constitution. One point of contention was

the establishment of the central Bank, Hamilton’s idea that
Washington supported and was enacted by Congress. This

contention and others found both Hamilton and Jefferson leaving
their Federalist party to form the Democratic-Republican party.

Although in 1797 Madison would leave politics, he would later rejoin
Jefferson and once again amid Constitutional controversy.

In 1801 Madison became Secretary of State to Jefferson.
Madison supported Jefferson when the opportunity arose to expand

the nation’s borders – doubling in size – with the Louisiana
Purchase, and the subsequent Lewis and Clark Expedition that

explored the new territories. This was one of Jefferson’s greatest
accomplishments, amid much controversy underscored by if he had

the Constitutional authority. Madison also supported Jefferson in
one of his other unpopular decisions – but, unlike the Louisiana

Purchase, there was not a positive outcome. With a trade war
existing between the United States and the single-purpose alliance

of England and France, Jefferson lobbied for and signed the 1807
Embargo Act. As previously noted in this work, the negative

economic impact to the United States would be a significant blemish
to Jefferson’s administration, and Madison’s support. Surprisingly, it

would not blemish Madison.
In the election of 1808, Madison handily won with 70% of the

electoral votes – despite a significant loss of revenue to the states as

a result of the Embargo Act, which abolished trade by the states
with several foreign countries, including England and France. This
act was repealed under Madison’s term, in 1809, and replaced with

-- 171 --