Federalist National Ticket, 1808 |
 |  |
| Presidential Nominee | Vice Presidential Nominee |
Party Leader
Charles C. Pinckney SC | Former U.S. Sen.
Rufus King NY |
The Federalist Party in the 2d Jefferson Administration
The Federalist Party was devastated in the election of 1804. In addition to its humiliating presidential loss of 162-14, the party lost 11 of its 40 U.S. House seats. The situation was so dire that beginning in 1807 the chief opposition to the Administration came from John Randolph and the Quids, not from the Federalists.
In early 1808, the Federalist situation appeared quite dismal. President Jefferson's stand against British impressment of American seamen, and the resulting Embargo Act, helped bolster his popularity. No Federalists appeared interested in the presidential nomination later in the year, and after the DRP Caucus, it was generally assumed that the Federalists would support George Cli
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Federalist National Ticket, 1808 |
| |
| Presidential Nominee | Vice Presidential Nominee |
Party Leader
Charles C. Pinckney SC | Former U.S. Sen.
Rufus King NY |
The Federalist Party in the 2d Jefferson Administration
The Federalist Party was devastated in the election of 1804. In addition to its humiliating presidential loss of 162-14, the party lost 11 of its 40 U.S. House seats. The situation was so dire that beginning in 1807 the chief opposition to the Administration came from John Randolph and the Quids, not from the Federalists.
In early 1808, the Federalist situation appeared quite dismal. President Jefferson's stand against British impressment of American seamen, and the resulting Embargo Act, helped bolster his popularity. No Federalists appeared interested in the presidential nomination later in the year, and after the DRP Caucus, it was generally assumed that the Federalists would support George Clinton for President.
With the passage of time, the effects of the Embargo began to be felt. Businesses were increasingly unable to obtain goods for sale, which both increased prices and led to a rise in bankruptcies. In the state elections in the summer, Federalists scored massive gains in MA and NY. In the latter state, the legislature was divided into three roughly equal camps: Federalists, Madison Republicans, and Clinton Republicans. The Federalists also gained five U.S. House seats in NY.
The encouraging results of the summer state elections led Federalist leaders to call a national caucus, to meet in New York City. After the call took place, North Carolina voted. There, the Federalists gained three seats in the U.S. House. Thus far, the new House stood DR-17 and F-12, compared to the existing DR-25, F-4.
Federalist newspapers began to come out in favor of sponsoring a national ticket. The first was the Washington [DC] Federalist on 8/30/1808, which tentatively endorsed Charles C. Pinckney.
The Federalist Caucus
The 3d Federalist Caucus assembled in New York City. It was composed of twenty five Federalist members of Congress. The Caucus was held secretly, and the date here is the generally accepted estimate of when it took place.
Federalist leaders faced two choices. They could support one of the Independent Republican candidates running against Madison (Clinton and/or Monroe). The problem with this strategy was that if no one received a majority of the electoral vote, the U.S. House (at the time overwhelmingly DR) would make the choice. Already at the time of the Federalist Caucus, party leaders in the north were supporting Clinton while in the south and west some supported Monroe.
The second option was to nominate a Federalist ticket. The party's comeback in state elections of 1808 indicated that they had hope of winning the presidency. If they could obtain the New York electoral votes in the divided legislature, win back New England and other normally competitive states, they could win the national election.
The Caucus finally decided to go with their own ticket. The caucus nominated Charles C. Pinckney for President and Rufus King for VP.
2d Federalist Caucus (1804)
4th Federalist Caucus (1812)
Popular Vote of 1808
Electoral Vote of 1808
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