The first half of President John Adams's administration was dominated by foreign policy concerns. The French government was quite unhappy with Adams's 1796 victory, and it responded by increasing its attacks upon American shipping. Adams called Congress into session earlier than usual to consult about how to deal with France, and SOS Pickering reported to them on 6/1/1797 that the French had already seized 300 US ships. Congress responded by ordering the construction of three frigates (the Constitution, United States, and the Constellation). While the Federalists in Congress called for war against France, Adams sent a delegation to Paris for a last chance at negotiations. The three men were Charles C. Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry. When they arrived in Paris on 10/18/1797, a three-man delegation from the French government (called Mr. X, Mr. Y, and Mr. Z) met them and demanded a bribe of $240,000 and a loan to the French treasury. The three Americans refused the XYZ bribe effort; Gerry remained in France while the two others returned for additional guidance from Pres. Adams.

In the meantime, Congress continued its preparations. It strengthened the army and created the Department of the Navy on 4/30/1798. Pro-war Federalists complained about the lack of progress by the Adams administration in forcing France to back down on attacks on shipping. As a result, these extreme Federalists passed a series of four acts in t

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The first half of President John Adams's administration was dominated by foreign policy concerns. The French government was quite unhappy with Adams's 1796 victory, and it responded by increasing its attacks upon American shipping. Adams called Congress into session earlier than usual to consult about how to deal with France, and SOS Pickering reported to them on 6/1/1797 that the French had already seized 300 US ships. Congress responded by ordering the construction of three frigates (the Constitution, United States, and the Constellation). While the Federalists in Congress called for war against France, Adams sent a delegation to Paris for a last chance at negotiations. The three men were Charles C. Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry. When they arrived in Paris on 10/18/1797, a three-man delegation from the French government (called Mr. X, Mr. Y, and Mr. Z) met them and demanded a bribe of $240,000 and a loan to the French treasury. The three Americans refused the XYZ bribe effort; Gerry remained in France while the two others returned for additional guidance from Pres. Adams.

In the meantime, Congress continued its preparations. It strengthened the army and created the Department of the Navy on 4/30/1798. Pro-war Federalists complained about the lack of progress by the Adams administration in forcing France to back down on attacks on shipping. As a result, these extreme Federalists passed a series of four acts in the summer of 1798 which came to be called the Alien and Sedition Acts. Meanwhile, French defeats in Europe in 1798 helped to soothe its hatred of the USA.

Elections for Congress took place in 1798-1799 as tensions were lessening. Democratic Republican candidates pointed to the potential for abusing the Alien and Sedition Acts as their main campaign issue. However, their complaints fell on deaf ears. The Federalists gained seats in both houses of Congress, giving them an edge of 19-13 in the Senate and 64-42 in the House. Half of the gains came from NC and VA.

At the beginning of 1800, then, the Federalists looked impregnable. The situation changed when the results of the New York elections (4/29 to 5/1/1800) became known. Aaron Burr orchestrated a major victory, gaining control of the state legislature and thereby shifting the state's 12 electoral votes to the DR column.

First Federalist Caucus. The first Federalist caucus assembled in the U.S. Senate chamber in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC on 5/3/1800 to decide upon their ticket for the general election. President Adams was nominated for a second term, and Charles C. Pinckney of the XYZ mission was chosen for Vice President. The Caucus agreed that each member would do his best to encourage each Elector to support both Adams and Pinckney, avoiding the scattering of second votes as in 1796.

Popular vote of 1800

Electoral vote of 1800

Contingent Election of 1801

2d Federalist Caucus (1804)

Key sources

The Glorious Burden, pp. 53-57.

The Presidential Game, pp. 58-64.

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