Chapter 11 – Jefferson & Madison

Despite his intentions, Jefferson became deeply entangled in the foreign-policy conflicts of the Napoleonic era (1799 –

1815), leading to a highly unpopular and failed embargo that revived the Federalist party. How did Jefferson’s

beliefs conflict with his actions?

Summary of John Adams

Alien and Sedition Acts No war with France (considered greatest

accomplishment) Hamilton’s open criticism of Adams High debt to pay for war that never

happened Father of the American Navy (Adam’s

Jackasses)

The Election “Revolution” of 1800

Federalists – John Adams – strong Central government Republicans – Thomas Jefferson - State’s rights.

Accused of robbing a widow and children of savings, and having children out of wedlock with slave Sally Hennings, also accused of being an atheist.

The results – Adams (and Pinckney) won New England and the east coast, Jefferson (and Burr) won the South, West and New York. The 3/5 Compromise helped Jefferson win the election because it increased the representation in the House.

The “Tie” with Aaron Burr The TIE with Burr – a tie in the

Electoral College forced a vote in the House of Representatives. The Federalists controlled the House and hated Jefferson, but Burr was even less popular. After several votes (and some coercion) Jefferson won the Electoral College vote.

The Revolution of 1800

A Return to the spirit of the American Revolution

Decrease in the size of the government – balance budget!

Restore Civic Virtue A Peaceful transfer of

power*, and does not mean political death for losing party. (*significance of election)

The Presidency of Jefferson

The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson – full of paradox and personal conflict Inauguration Day – March 4, 1801 – “The will of the majority is in all

cases, to prevail. The will to be rightful must be reasonable; the minority possesses their equal rights.”

“We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists” “honest friendships with all nations, entangling alliances with none.” The gov’t, “shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” Kept a number of the Federalists in office to show moderation and

willingness to treat the opposition fairly. Those prosecuted under the Alien and Sedition Acts were pardoned and

their fines repaid. 1802 New Naturalization Law – reduced residency requirements back

down to five years. Repealed the Excise (Whiskey) tax - *left the government short $1 million

annually.

“The Watchdog of the Treasury”

Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin – Harvard professor, *US Representative for Pennsylvania, member of Finance Committee. *“Watchdog of the Treasury” was able to balance the budget, saw the debt as a curse, not a blessing.

Hamilton’s Policies left in placei.Funding at the parii.Assumption of state debtiii.Bank of the USiv.Protective tariffs

John Adams and the “Midnight Judges” The Adams Legacy – Federalist Judges

The “Midnight Judges” – Adams appointed 16 judges during the final days of his Presidency. These judges would be strong Federalists, and have lifetime appointments. The Judiciary Act of 1801. They will have the power to interpret laws for many years.

Jefferson complained that this was in “open defiance of the people’s will” and the incoming Congress repealed the act and the 16 judges appointments.

Marbury V Madison (1803)

Chief Justice Marshall

Secretary of State, James Madison

Justice William Marbury

Marbury v Madison - 1803

At the end of his term, Federalist President John Adams appointed William Marbury as justice of the peace for the District of Columbia. The Secretary of State, John Marshall (yes - the same person who later became Chief Justice) failed to deliver the commission to Marbury and left that task to the new Secretary of State, James Madison. Upon his inauguration, Thomas Jefferson told Madison not to deliver the commissions. Marbury filed suit and asked the Supreme Court to issue a writ of mandamus, or a court order which would require Madison to deliver the commission.

Marbury v Madison - 1803

In his opinion, Chief Justice Marshall said that while Marbury was entitled to the commission, the Supreme Court did not have the power to issue the writ of mandamus. This was because the Judiciary Act of 1789, the act written by Congress which authorized the Supreme Court the to issue such writs, was unconstitutional. Thus, the Court gave up the power to issue writs, but affirmed their power of judicial review, saying that if a law written by the legislature conflicts with the Constitution, the law is "null and void."

*Significance – set the precedent for “judicial review” – Supreme Court has final authority over interpretation of all laws. Made Jefferson angry – he thought it was a state’s rights issue.

Jefferson – Reluctant Warrior Reduce the size to 2,500

men and 200 boats (thought a standing army represented a dictatorship – navies were less of a threat)

Use diplomacy, not war “Peaceful coercion”

Forced into war? US ships were being

attacked by pirates of the Barbary States (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Tripolitania) in the Mediterranean Sea. We had been buying “protection”.

The Philadelphia

1804, the pirates had captured the U.S. ship, the Philadelphia and were going to use it against us. Instead, Stephen Decatur burned the ship to the waterline.

The Louisiana Purchase – April 30, 1803

•1802 Spain took away our rights of deposit in New Orleans.•Jefferson feared having to fight a strong France, they might need to seek alliances.•1803 Jefferson sends Monroe and Livingston to France to negotiate the purchase of Louisiana plus as much to the east as they can for $10 million max. If no agreement can be reached, go to Britain and seek an alliance. •April 30, 1803 France decides to sell America all of Louisiana plus land to the west for $15 million. 828,000 square miles at 3 cents an acre.

The Louisiana Purchase – April 30, 1803

A.Reasons:a.Failed to reconquer Haiti – New Orleans had been the supply line for Haiti

i.Toussaint L’Overture – “The Opener” lead a slave revolt in 1791. Yellow fever depleted the French military so Bonaparte gave up.

b.To end the fighting with Britain he might need to give it up, so he would rather sell it to the US then give it to Britain.

Jefferson’s Dilemma

Knew he did not have the authority to make such a purchase.

What a blessing – to be a “Valley of Democracy” – a western agrarian society.

Lewis and Clark - 1804

The Expedition of Lewis and Clark – 1804 – 2 ½ year journey to Pacific Coast – 8,000 miles Meriweather Lewis – personal

secretary to Jefferson William Clark – army officer,

plus 45 men Corps of Discovery – Started

at Missouri River (1804-05), to North Dakota, through the Rocky Mountains to Columbia River and to Pacific Coast.

The Trail of Lewis and Clark

8,000 mile journey guided by Sacagawea

Napoleon Bonaparte – 1799-1815

America – Stuck between a rock and a hard place 1803 – Napoleon re-starts war with

Britain 1806 – Britain issues “Orders in

Council” – Close Europe ports to ships unless the ships stopped in Britain. 1808-1811 arrested 6000 citizens.

Napoleon’s Response – ordered the seizure of any merchant ship that entered British ports.

The outcome – America couldn’t trade with Britain or France.

The Chesapeake Incident

The Chesapeake Incident - H.M.S. Leopard stops the U.S. Chesapeake, demands to search for four British deserters, Chesapeake refuses; British open fire. 3 U.S. sailors killed, 18 wounded. 3 U.S. citizens were impressed into British navy. A fourth was hung as a British deserter. Results: President Jefferson calls for embargo against Britain. U.S. angry with U.K.

(The Leopard fooled the Chesapeake into stopping by claiming they had mail they wanted delivered to Europe. The Chesapeake had left in such a hurry they had buried their gunpowder and lighting fuses under other supplies. When the fighting started, they only managed to return one shot, when a sailor lit the powder by picking up a live coal from the cooking fire with his bare hands.)

Embargo Act of 1807

The Embargo Act of 1807 - Law passed by Congress and signed by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807. This law stopped all trade between America and any other country.

The goal was to get Britain and France, who were fighting each other at the time, to stop restricting American trade.

The Act backfired, and the American people suffered. The Act was ended in 1809.

Effects:economic depression, supplies piled up, unemployment up, illegal smuggling along Canadian border, Federalist Party Revival

1808 Election

James Madison (Demo-Republican) Charles Pinckney (Federalist) George Clinton (Demo-Republican) End to the Embargo. Non-Intercourse Act –

March 1, 1809. Re-opened trade with everyone except Britain and France (1809-1812)

Reasons for failure: Good crops in Britain – didn’t need

US New trade with Latin America Bonaparte stole what he wanted

from US ships underestimated Britain’s

stubbornness overestimated reliance on US

goods

Non-Intercourse Act

In the last days of President Thomas Jefferson's presidency, the United States Congress replaced the Embargo Act of 1807 with the almost unenforceable Non-Intercourse Act of March 1809. This Act lifted all embargoes on American shipping except for those bound for British or French ports. The intent was to damage the economies of the United Kingdom and France. Like its predecessor, the Embargo Act, it was mostly ineffective, and contributed to the coming of the War of 1812. In addition, it seriously damaged the economy of the United States due to a lack of markets for its goods.

James Madison’s dilemma

James Madison’s dilemma – Embargo due to expire in 1810, what to do? March 4, 1809

Macon’s Bill No 2 – If either nation would repeal their restrictions (Orders in Council) the US would open trade.

Napoleon’s response – If Britain would lift their trade restrictions, France would end theirs (it was a lie). Trying to get the US to trade with France.

Madison’s action – accepted the offer and gave Britain three months to act. Britain refused to let the US trade with anyone except them. Embargo is back!

Tecumseh and The Prophet

Tecumseh and the Prophet – Shawnee brothers who wanted to end White domination, being backed by Britain. War Hawks – members of new 12th congress from S and W who hated

Britain and Indians and felt threatened in the West. Goal – “White Flood” out west

Fall 1811 Indiana territory Governor William Henry Harrison (President 1841- for 32 days) pushed into IN near Wabash and Tippecanoe Rivers.

Peace since Treaty of Greenville (1795) 1808 Shawnee tribes launched reform movement – end sale of land, end of alcohol

consumption. Started a town “Prophet Town” William Henry Harrison decided to strike, 1811 Shawnee were defeated

Tecumseh and The Prophet

The safety of the white settlements in the Indiana Territory became markedly improved. The Prophet was discredited as a leader. The confederation of the eastern tribes disintegrated. The bitterly disappointed Tecumseh, who did not return to Indiana for another three

months, remained an implacable foe of the American settlers. He would later become allied with the British and participate in the War of 1812.

William Henry Harrison emerged with a reputation as the hero of Tippecanoe, an image that he would use to his political advantage in later years.

Mr. Madison’s War – June 1, 1812

1806 - Napoleon excludes British goods from "fortress Europe" Result: American ships caught in middle as British respond with blockade. British seize 1000 U.S.

ships, French ca. 500. 1803-1812 British impress American sailors

Result: British captains took over 10,000 American citizens to man ships. June 1807 -Chesapeake -Leopard fight, 3 miles off Norfolk, Virginia

Result: Chesapeake fired on by Leopard after refusing to be boarded. 3 Americans killed, 18 wounded.

December 1807 Embargo Act Result: Jefferson's attempt at "peaceful coercion" resulted in economic disaster for merchants.

1810 War Hawks elected to Congress Result: Calhoun, Clay, others bothered by insults to U.S. and Indian presence

1811 - Battle of Tippecanoe, Ohio River Valley, Tecumseh's brother (the Prophet) led attack on Harrison's army of 1000.