Pres. Washington’s second term was occupied primarily with foreign policy concerns. In 1793, the revolutionary government in France executed the King. When war broke out between France and England, France asked the USA to come to its aid, citing a treaty signed in 1788. Britain, expecting the USA to come to France’s aid, began to attack US shipping. Meanwhile, France’s Minister to the US spent his time here planning attacks on Canada and Florida and hiring pirates to attack British ships. Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality on 4/22/1793, which eventually led to the resignation of SOS Jefferson on 7/31/1793 (although he remained in office until his successor took office).

The greatest domestic challenge facing Washington came from the Whiskey Rebellion in western PA (1794). Farmers there refused to pay the federal excise tax on whiskey. They burned the house of the excise collector and then tarred and feathered two federal agents. Washington, recalling Shay’s Rebellion, called out 15,000 soldiers to quell the rebellion.

The Anti-Federalists launched an all-out attack on Washington after the Whiskey Rebellion, and in the elections of 1794-1795 they gained control of the U.S. House.

Washington again returned to foreign policy in 1795. John Jay resigned as Chief Justice to go to England and try to resolve continuing grievances. Jay’s Treaty, signed in late 1794, did not accomplish all of Washingto

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Pres. Washington’s second term was occupied primarily with foreign policy concerns. In 1793, the revolutionary government in France executed the King. When war broke out between France and England, France asked the USA to come to its aid, citing a treaty signed in 1788. Britain, expecting the USA to come to France’s aid, began to attack US shipping. Meanwhile, France’s Minister to the US spent his time here planning attacks on Canada and Florida and hiring pirates to attack British ships. Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality on 4/22/1793, which eventually led to the resignation of SOS Jefferson on 7/31/1793 (although he remained in office until his successor took office).

The greatest domestic challenge facing Washington came from the Whiskey Rebellion in western PA (1794). Farmers there refused to pay the federal excise tax on whiskey. They burned the house of the excise collector and then tarred and feathered two federal agents. Washington, recalling Shay’s Rebellion, called out 15,000 soldiers to quell the rebellion.

The Anti-Federalists launched an all-out attack on Washington after the Whiskey Rebellion, and in the elections of 1794-1795 they gained control of the U.S. House.

Washington again returned to foreign policy in 1795. John Jay resigned as Chief Justice to go to England and try to resolve continuing grievances. Jay’s Treaty, signed in late 1794, did not accomplish all of Washington's goals but was better than war. The Anti-Federalists railed against the treaty, which passed the U.S. Senate narrowly on 6/25/1795. SOS Edmund Randolph worked to undermine the treaty and was dismissed on 8/20/1795. Meanwhile, Thomas Pinckney signed an important treaty with Spain (the Treaty of San Lorenzo) which established the line between GA and FL. Pinckney managed to get almost everything Washington asked for and immediately became a hero. The Senate unanimously approved his treaty on 3/15/1796.

Candidates of 1796

The major question in the campaign of 1796 was whether Washington would run for a third term. The opposition in Congress held an informal gathering in 5/1796 and decided to support Thomas Jefferson; they did not choose a running mate at this time.

Washington refused to run for a third term. He issued his famous Farewell Address on 9/16/1796 in which he stated that he was withdrawing from politics. He urged Americans to set aside factionalism and parties and to avoid foreign alliances.

Federalist leaders chose their candidates through correspondence. VP John Adams was the obvious choice for President. For the second place, party leaders chose Thomas Pinckney, who was still in Spain. Pinckney did not know of his selection until after the election was over, and throughout the campaign Federalist leaders wondered if he would accept a post if elected.

The Anti-Federalists faced a serious problem. Throughout most of the nation, their nominee for VP was Aaron Burr. Their leaders in Virginia remained opposed to supporting Burr, and their opposition was fueled by a major Federalist win in New York which guaranteed Adams a gain of 12 electoral votes from his 1792 totals.

The Campaign

The two battleground states in the popular election were PA and MD. Jefferson recalled that George Clinton’s loss in PA cost him the race in 1792. With the loss of NY, winning PA was essential to Jefferson. In the weeks before the popular vote in PA, the French Minister to the USA, Pierre Adet, published four articles in newspapers in which he announced that France was suspending diplomatic relations with the US. He was highly critical of Washington’s administration. These highly controversial letters intimated that France was trying to influence the election.

Popular Vote

Eight states held popular elections for Presidential Electors in early 11/1796. Of these, Adams was the easy winner in NH and MA. Jefferson won easily in GA, KY, NC, and VA, although Adams carried one district each in NC and VA. The two battleground states remained tight. Adams won a narrow victory in MD, giving him 7 out of 10 Electors. The PA vote was razor-tight, with many precincts and three counties not reporting. Other precincts and counties were challenged. The Governor tried to collect all the returns but finally had to give up and certify the 98% of the vote that he had in hand: a Jefferson victory with 50.2% of the vote, good for a 13-2 electoral vote win.

Thomas Jefferson thus won a 55-33 margin in the eight states choosing Presidential Electors by popular vote. In elections for the U.S. House in late 1796, however, the Federalists gained a net of four seats, reducing the Anti-Federalist majority to a 53-51 margin with 31 seats to be elected in early 1797.

Electoral Vote of 1796

Key sources:

The Presidential Game, pp. 50-58.

Stephan Lorant, The Glorious Burden, pp. 45-51.

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