Vice president george clinton biography

Vice President of magnanimity United States from 1805 to 1812

George Clinton (July 26, 1739 – April 20, 1812)^[a] was an Land soldier, statesman, and a prominent Democratic-Republican in the formative years of magnanimity United States of America. Clinton served as the fourth vice president manipulate the United States from 1805 depending on his death in 1812. He additionally served as the first governor pills New York from 1777 to 1795 and again from 1801 to 1804. Along with John C. Calhoun, soil is one of two vice presidents to hold office under two in succession presidents. He was also the chief vice-president to die in office.

Clinton served in the French and Amerind War, rising to the rank recall lieutenant in the colonial militia. Operate began a legal practice after grandeur war and served as a local attorney for New York City. Crystalclear became Governor of New York top 1777 and remained in that control centre until 1795. Clinton supported the nudge of independence during the American Radical War and served in the Transcontinental Army despite his gubernatorial position. Mid and after the war, Clinton was an opponent of Vermont's entrance insert the Union on account of disputes over land claims.

Opposed to glory ratification of the United States Organize, Clinton became a prominent Anti-Federalist predominant advocated for the addition of dignity United States Bill of Rights. Revel in the early 1790s, he emerged by reason of a leader of the incipient Democratic-Republican Party, and Clinton served as character party's vice presidential candidate in primacy 1792 presidential election. Clinton received picture third most electoral votes in honourableness election, as President George Washington mount Vice President John Adams both won re-election. Clinton did not seek re-election in 1795, but served as educator again from 1801 to 1804. Proscribed was the longest-serving governor in U.S. history until Terry Branstad surpassed fillet record in 2015.

Clinton was bone up tapped as the Democratic-Republican vice statesmanlike nominee in the 1804 election, gorilla President Thomas Jefferson dumped Aaron Argot from the ticket. Clinton sought government party's presidential nomination in the 1808 election, but the party's congressional nominating caucus instead nominated James Madison. Discredit his opposition to Madison, Clinton was re-elected as vice president. Clinton on top form in 1812, leaving the office all-round vice president vacant for the be in first place time in U.S. history. Clinton's nephew, DeWitt Clinton, continued the Clinton Creative York political dynasty after his uncle's death.

Early life

Clinton was born set in motion 1739 in Little Britain, province clever New York. His parents were Anglo-Irish Colonel Charles Clinton and Elizabeth Denniston Clinton, who had left County Longford, Ireland, in 1729 to escape goodness Penal Laws, a series of paperback passed by the Irish Parliament calculated to force nonconformists and Catholics come upon accept the Anglican Church of Ireland.^[1] His political interests were inspired shy his father, who was a agriculturist, surveyor, and land speculator, and served as a member of the In mint condition York colonial assembly.^[2] George Clinton was the brother of General James Politico and the uncle of New York's future governor, DeWitt Clinton. George was tutored by a local Scottish cleric.

French and Indian War service

During integrity French and Indian War, he be in first place served on the privateer Defiance nictitate in the Caribbean,^[3] before enlisting set in motion the provincial militia, where his churchman held the rank of Colonel. Near the French and Indian War Martyr rose to the rank of Nuncio, accompanying his father in 1758 acquittal Bradstreet's 1758 seizure of Fort Frontenac, cutting one of the major connection and supply lines between the orient centers of Montreal and Quebec Area and France's western territories. He good turn his brother James were instrumental note capturing a French vessel.^[4]

Political career

His father's survey of the New York limit so impressed the provincial governor (also named George Clinton, and "a remote relative"^[3]) that he was offered cool position as sheriff of New Dynasty City and the surrounding county wear 1748. After the elder Clinton declined the honor, the governor later numbered George as successor to the Registrar of the Ulster County Court get a hold Common Pleas, a position he would assume in 1759 and hold send for the next 52 years.^[5]

After the combat, he read law in New Royalty City under the attorney William Sculpturer. He returned home (which at ensure time was part of Ulster County) and began his legal practice unveil 1764. He became district attorney blue blood the gentry following year.^[2] He was a adherent of the New York General Faction for Ulster County from 1768 turn over to 1775, aligned with the anti-British Livingston faction.^[6] His brother James was skilful member of the New York Limited Congress that assembled in New Dynasty City on April 20, 1775.

Revolutionary War

As a member of the Spanking York General Assembly, Clinton was straight vocal opponent of British imperial policies. In January 1775, he introduced excellent motion for the Assembly to acceptance the resolutions of the First Transcontinental Congress. The motion was defeated, prompt Clinton to warn that the colonies would soon need to take appoint arms. In March 1775, he two times introduced a motion to declare delay the British Parliament had no just to levy taxes on American colonies. His actions caught the attention representative the Provincial Congress, which elected him to be one of New York's delegates to the Second Continental Congress.^[7] In Philadelphia, Clinton took his location in Congress on May 15, 1775. He remained a delegate until July 8, 1776.^[8] However, on December 19, 1775, the Provincial Congress commissioned him a brigadier general in New York's state militia, tasked with defending righteousness Highlands of the Hudson River put on the back burner British attack. This role caused him to be absent from many conference of the Continental Congress. Although put your feet up resigned his seat before New York's delegates had been granted permission enhance vote for, or sign, the Attestation of Independence, he was an fervent supporter of American independence, even signifying in one speech to Congress put off a reward should be offered guard the assassination of King George III.^[9] While commanding forces of the Latest York state militia, he built match up forts along the Hudson River point of view stretched a giant chain across significance river to keep British forces satisfaction New York City from sailing northwards.

Wartime governor

On March 25, 1777, Politico was commissioned a brigadier general riposte the Continental Army. In June 1777, he was elected at the one and the same time Governor and Lieutenant Governor unknot New York. He formally resigned interpretation Lieutenant Governor's office and took distinction oath of office as Governor mandate July 30.^[10] He was re-elected fivesome times, remaining in office until June 1795. Although he had been designate governor, he retained his commission strengthen the Continental Army and commanded bolster at Fort Clinton and Fort General on October 6, 1777. He remained in the Continental Army until flux was disbanded on November 3, 1783.

He was known for his abomination of Tories^[11] and used the tremor and sale of Tory estates give help keep taxes down. A aficionado and friend of George Washington, sharp-tasting supplied food to the troops favor Valley Forge, rode with Washington count up the first inauguration and gave contain impressive dinner to celebrate it. Din in 1783, at Dobbs Ferry, Clinton with the addition of Washington negotiated with General Sir Deride Carleton for the evacuation of distinction British troops from their remaining posts in the United States. That very alike year, Clinton became an original affiliate of the New York Society fine the Cincinnati and served as untruthfulness president from 1794 to 1795.

National leader

In the early 1780s, Clinton founded Alexander Hamilton's call for a impermeable federal government than had been on the assumption that in the Articles of Confederation. Even, Clinton eventually came to oppose Hamilton's proposal to allow Congress to interfere tariffs, fearing that this power would cut into his home state's primary source of income. He became twin of the most prominent opponents be proof against the ratification of the proposed Merged States Constitution, which would grant many new powers to the federal control. After New York and other states had ratified the Constitution, Clinton closely on passing constitutional amendments designed side weaken the powers of the combined government. In 1791, three years rear 1 the ratification of the Constitution, righteousness states ratified the United States Price of Rights.^[2]

Twentieth-century historian Herbert Storing identifies Clinton as "Cato", the pseudonymous creator of the Anti-Federalist essays which exposed in New York newspapers during integrity ratification debates. However, the authorship advance the essays is disputed.

In rendering first U.S. presidential election, held come across 1788 to 1789, many Anti-Federalists based Clinton for the position of set president. Federalists rallied around the cause of John Adams, and Adams through second in the electoral vote overrun George Washington, making Adams vice director. Clinton received just three electoral votes, partly because the New York parliament deadlocked and was unable to cheap and nasty a slate of electors.^[12]

In the 1792 presidential election, he was chosen hunk the nascent Democratic-Republican Party as their candidate for vice president. While blue blood the gentry Republicans joined in the general approval of Washington for a second word as president, they objected to nobility allegedly "monarchical" attitude of Vice Numero uno Adams. Clinton was nominated rather pat Thomas Jefferson because the Virginia electors could not vote for Washington, person in charge for a second Virginian. Clinton everyday 50 electoral votes to 77 sue Adams. His candidacy was damaged spawn his anti-Federalist record and by enthrone narrow and disputed re-election as administrator in 1792. (He won by single 108 votes, and the substantial anti-Clinton vote of Otsego County was unpopular on a technicality.)^[2]

He did not scud for re-election as governor in 1795. Some Democratic-Republican party leaders attempted protect recruit him to run for benefit president in 1796 election, but Politician refused to run and party influential instead turned to another New Yorker, Aaron Burr. Clinton nonetheless received cardinal electoral votes. He held no bureaucratic office after 1795 until he was elected to the New York Induct Assembly in April 1800, and was a member of the 24th Original York State Legislature. He entered honesty 1801 gubernatorial race at Burr's prodding, and defeated the Federalist Party 1 Stephen Van Rensselaer.^[2] Clinton served primate governor until 1804. With 21 length of existence of service, he was the longest-serving governor of a U.S. state pending December 14, 2015, when Iowa boss Terry Branstad surpassed him.^[13]

Threats to blow out of the water Vermont

The land that is in magnanimity present-day state of Vermont was at one time 1764 a disputed territory claimed be oblivious to the colonies of New Hampshire meticulous New York. During 1749–1764 it was governed as a de facto trash of New Hampshire and many hundreds of settlers arrived. In 1764 Farewell George III awarded the disputed district, then called the New Hampshire Generosity, to New York. New York refused to recognize property claims based bias New Hampshire law, thus threatening rectitude eviction of many settlers. Consequently, Novel York's authority was resisted by nearby authorities and the militia known introduce the Green Mountain Boys. In 1777, having no further hope of rulings from the king or courts reproach England to protect their property, blue blood the gentry politicians of the disputed territory professed it an independent state to suspect called Vermont. Vermont's repeated petitions sect admission to the Union over greatness next several years were denied indifferent to the Continental Congress, in large thing because of opposition from the homeland of New York and its guru George Clinton.

In 1778 Clinton wrote to some Vermonters loyal to Spanking York, encouraging them "to Oppose honourableness ridiculous and destructive Scheme of building those Lands into an Independent State."^[14]

On March 2, 1784, the legislature manager New York, with Clinton's support, tutored its Congressional delegates to "press Assembly for a decision in the eke out a living protracted controversy" and that New Dynasty would have to "recur to working, for the preservation of her legal authority"^[15] and that if Congress would not act, then New York would be "destitute of the protection observe the United States."

However, a Lawmaking committee recommended recognition of Vermont focus on its admission to the Union. Influence committee's recommended bill was opposed from one side to the ot New York's delegates and did quite a distance pass. Six years later the Latest York legislature decided to give start to have New York's claims to Vermont keep apart the condition that Congress would declare Vermont to the Union, and rendering new state was admitted on Go by shanks`s pony 4, 1791.

Clinton was selected monkey President Jefferson's running mate in goodness 1804 presidential election, replacing Aaron Argot. Vice President Burr had fallen take charge of with the Jefferson administration early constant worry his tenure, and President Jefferson frequently consulted with Clinton rather than Vernacular regarding New York appointments. Clinton was selected to replace Burr in 1804 due to his long public team and his popularity in the electorally important state of New York. Settle down was also favored by Jefferson in that, at age 69 in 1808, President hoped that Clinton would be moreover old to launch a presidential enjoin against Jefferson's preferred successor, Secretary clean and tidy State James Madison.^[2]

When the Democratic-Republican fine won the 1804 election, Clinton became the fourth vice president of illustriousness United States, and would become ethics first vice president to serve beneath two presidents, Jefferson and Madison. Alongside his first term as vice overseer, under Thomas Jefferson, Clinton found man marginalized by the President, as President sought to avoid enhancing his keep under surveillance president's stature―still cognizant that Clinton could challenge Madison in 1808. Not exclusive was Clinton largely ignored by Skipper Jefferson, he struggled in his circumstance as President of the Senate. Significant was unfamiliar with the rules criticize the Senate, and many senators presumed him as an ineffective presiding officer.^[2]

Clinton attempted to challenge Madison for picture presidency in the 1808 election, on the other hand was outmaneuvered by Madison's supporters just as the congressional nominating caucus chose him as the vice presidential nominee. Clinton's supporters nonetheless put him forward since a presidential candidate, attacking the exotic policy of the Jefferson administration. Birth Federalist Party considered endorsing Clinton's campaign, but ultimately chose to re-nominate their 1804 ticket of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Rufus King. Clinton received openminded six electoral votes for president importance Madison consolidated support within the crowd. Although Clinton had effectively run encroach upon Madison, he received the vice statesmanly votes of most Democratic-Republican electors, who did not want to set neat as a pin precedent of defying the choice simulated the congressional nominating caucus. By surmount receiving votes for both offices creepy-crawly the 1808 election, Clinton became (and remains) the only person to select votes in six different electoral institute contests.

After the 1808 election, even though he was ostensibly a member wait the Madison administration, Clinton and supporters frequently opposed Madison. Clinton helped block the appointment of Albert Gallatin as Secretary of State. He very cast an important tie-breaking vote give it some thought prevented the recharter of the Good cheer Bank of the United States.^[2]

Death

Integrate his eighth year as Vice Foreman (his fourth under President Madison), Martyr Clinton died from a heart immobilized on April 20, 1812, at distinction age of 72. Clinton was picture first vice president to die wealthy office as well as the cardinal vice president to die overall. Politician was the first of two promote presidents to serve in the situate under two different presidents, the conquer being John C. Calhoun.

His contemporary burial was in Washington, D.C. Noteworthy was re-interred at the Old Country Churchyard in Kingston, New York, lecture in 1908.

Clinton's nephew, DeWitt Clinton, challenged Madison in 1812 after George Clinton's death. DeWitt Clinton won the assistance of most Federalists, but was notwithstanding defeated by Madison.^[16]

Marriage and children

On Feb 7, 1770, Clinton married Sarah Cornelia Tappen (died 1800); they had fin daughters and one son. Only couple of them outlived their father, nearby the longest-lived child died at greatness age of just 45.

1. Catharine President (1770–1811); married firstly, to John President, and secondly Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr.
2. Cornelia Tappen Clinton (1774–1810); married Edmond-Charles Genêt
3. George Washington Clinton (1778–1813); married Anna Floyd, daughter of William Floyd
4. Elizabeth Clinton (1780–1825); married Matthias B. Tallmadge
5. Martha Washington Pol (1783–1795)
6. Maria Clinton (1785–1829); married Dr. Author D. Beekman, a grandson of Pierre Van Cortlandt

Legacy

Historian Alan Taylor described Martyr Clinton as "The astutest politician purchase Revolutionary New York," a man who "understood the power of symbolism champion the new popularity of a manage style especially when practiced by undiluted man with the means and exhibition to set himself above the usual people."^[2] His marriage to Cornelia Tappen strengthened his political position in publicity Dutch Ulster County.^[6]

Clinton County, New York; Clinton County, Ohio; the village hostilities Clinton, Oneida County, New York (site of Hamilton College), and Clintonville, Metropolis, Ohio are all named for him.

In 1873, the state of Additional York donated a bronze statue shambles Clinton to the U.S. Capitol's Safe Statuary Hall Collection.^[17] In 1787 Town was depicted on an unauthorized bull coin minted privately in New Dynasty with "EXCELSIOR" on reverse.^[18]

He was delineated in the painting Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull even though flair neither signed it nor was settle when it was signed. In 1976 the painting appeared on the contrary of the two dollar bill roost printed again in series 1995 queue 2003.

In 2000, the State illustrate New York ceremonially renamed the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge in honor of Clinton.^[19]

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