1. President John Hancock (Independent); 1789-1793
The Cabinet:President of the United States: John Hancock (Ind-MA)Vice-President of the United States: Timothy Bloodworth (Anti-Admin-NC)Secretary of State: Richard Henry Lee (Anti-Admin-VA)Secretary of the Treasury: Elias Boudinot (Pro-Admin-NJ)Secretary of War: Nathanael Greene (Ind-RI)Attorney General: Pierce Butler (Pro-Admin-SC)
The Supreme Court:Chief Justice: Samuel Adams of Massachusetts (appointed by Hancock; b. 1722)Associate Justice: Thomas Jefferson of Virginia (appointed by Hancock; b. 1743)Associate Justice: John Adams of Massachusetts (appointed by Hancock; b. 1735)Associate Justice: John Jay of New York (appointed by Hancock; b. 1745)Associate Justice: Ralph Izard of South Carolina (appointed by Hancock; b. 1742)
The 1st Congress:
The House of Representatives (65 Seats):
Maj.
Pro-Administration: 33 Seats
Spk. Jeremiah Wadsworth of Connecticut
Min.
Anti-Administration: 32 Seats
Rep. Josiah Parker of Virginia
The Senate (26 Seats):
Maj.
Anti-Administration: 16 Seats
Sen. William Few of Georgia
Min.
Pro-Administration: 10 Seats
Sen. Philip Schuyler of New York
“I, John Hancock, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
-President John Hancock
Creation of the Cabinet
On April 30th, 1789 the first of the Oath of office would be conducted on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City. Hundreds to Thousands from across the state and surrounding states coming to witness the sight of John Hancock placing his hand upon the bible presented to him by Robert Livingston. The Governor of Massachusetts then became the first of many presidents of the United States, turning to the throngs of people who cheered and sang as he had taken the oath successfully. The cannons and musket fire echoing throughout the streets of New York as hundreds celebrated the occasion. April 30th, would be a day of celebration as Hancock and the many members of Congress would soon mingle with the peoples on the streets enjoying the jovial mood of the people. However, when May 1st began, John Hancock would begin his first acts as president of the young republic that had chosen him to lead them into the future and he would do so with every single drop of sweat, blood, and tears he could give the country he had helped create.
The first issue that was to be resolved was something that actually hung over the new president after his victory back in early January. Who would be his Vice-President? If Hancock were to decide that his president should be selected by the one who got the second place in the electoral college, the obvious choice was none other than Elias Boudinot who had garnered 28 electoral votes in the election. But, the new president also had to consider the large and popular support of the man who came in third. Timothy Bloodworth. Bloodworth whilst achieving last place in the election, his campaigning and popularity was something that was not to mock or disregard in any manner. He had not only been a popular potential choice in his home in the south. He was incredibly popular in the north as well, being able to steal a victory in Rhodes Island and challenge both Hancock’s and Boudinot’s chances of victory all across middle and northern states. Hancock also feared that if the seat of Presidency and Vice-Presidency were filled by those of the same region, it would only cause tensions in the opposite states. Elias Boudinot despite his electoral college achievements, would not be chosen as his Vice-President. It was decided that Timothy Bloodworth, the Anti-Administration candidate from North Carolina, was chosen to be John Hancock’s Vice-President to appease not only southern voters, but voters across the state.
Upon the resolution of this issue set out to establish a cabinet of those whom he believed the most qualified to help him during his presidency. One such person was Elias Boudinot who was appointed as the first Secretary of the Treasury, a reward for his achievements in the presidential election. Hancock however also appointed him the head of the Treasury due to Boudinot’s known experiences in finances, his credentials in funding the Revolutionary War and the various colleges around the United States. The second appoint of a Pro-Administration Candidate was Pierce Butler of South Carolina. Another Founding Father, and a hero of the Revolutionary War. Despite being a part of the Pro-Administration faction of Congress, his appointment was met with an overwhelming majority vote by the Anti-Administration as well, mainly due to his status as a Southern and his more moderate view of a strong central government that was kept in balance with strong state power to counter balance it.
The first Secretary of State would be another southerner in the veteran and oldest member of the cabinet in Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Lee’s appointment was based on his much active role as President of the Continental Congress, and his famous role in partaking actively in local Virginia politics at all levels. His skills and decision making during the Ordinance of 1785 to help aid in the expansion of peoples and territories westward. That left the cabinet with two Pro and Anti-Administration appointed members. Hancock knew the Secretary of War was one of highest importance, especially for such a new nation with potential threats to the west of them, north of them, and south of them. Hancock had originally implored for George Washington to come out of retirement and accept the position, though Washington would politely decline the position, but would gladly help advise if need be in times of crisis. The next choice was the Major General in “The Fighting Quaker” Nathanael Greene. Greene had no political affiliations with either party, believing his skills would be much more useful in the military. President Hancock seeing that as most important as the President did not want the office not to be associated with either parties as it would only lead to potential tyrannical or unjust rule and use of military force.
A Few Good Men
Hancock was also given the responsibility of filling all five of the Supreme Court seats of the Supreme Court. The former governor had plenty of viable choices to fill the vacant seats with, his choices however would have to be just as fair and balanced as his appointment of his cabinet as well. The penciler of the various documents of the United States choosing his Chief Justice in his mentor and his political hero in Samuel Adams. An elder statesmen at this point, his nomination was met with universal approval amongst the Senate with no outspoken voices of contention. Adams gladly accepting the role of Chief Justice. Justice John Jay of New York, and Justice Ralph Izard of South Carolina would soon to be quickly voted into their positions. The balance of the north, south, and middle states all being preserved in Hancock's appointments.
There were two gentlemen however amongst the Justices. The two instrumental and very polar opposite political thinkers in Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and John Adams of Massachusetts. Thomas Jefferson whilst no the most popular among the Pro-Administration was voted in very easily with the Anti-Administration controlled Senate. It was not until the decision to vote in John Adams did the voting turn into a debate. Much discussion of his appointment was the idea of having two Justices from the state of Massachusetts offset the balance of the Supreme Court, and gave favor to the North. Though the argument was made that due to John Jay’s home of New York was a middle state, and Adam’s affiliation to no party that Adams’ approval as a Justice should cause no delay. A day of deliberation was made, despite Hancock’s previous picks being easily approved. It was not until the imploring of Thomas Jefferson did the Anti-Administration faction approved of Adams.
“I do believe that Mr. Adams has the full ability to serve this country by the very laws he has dedicated to preserving and protecting. His citizenship of any state, should hold no weight to this decision. When there is balance amongst those who are appointed. It would be best not to waste much time else on this issue, so me and Mr. Adams here can go through the process of fulfilling our duties.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Defeat of a Confederacy
One of the most pressing issues however facing the Hancock administration was the ever ongoing conflict in the Northwest Territories. The conflict had been ongoing since 1785, with the alliance made of various tribes across the territory being formed to counteract United States occupation and enforcement in the region to protect settlers moving westward. There was also very damning evidence of British support of the various tribes across the territory. The British offering them supplies, equipment, and shelter with the forts scattered and placed across strategic points in the territory. The war for the most part consisted of skirmishes between local militia and the tribesmen who had conducted raids into settling towns and on the border.
Hancock’s initial pick to help quell the raids led by the Confederacy of tribes was in Josiah Harmar and Arthur St. Clair. However, with the intervention of Nathanael Greene, the veteran general advised that sending in someone who had experience when fighting native Indians would be most needed if they were to effectively mount an offensive to stop these raids. Nathanael Greene proposed that Andrew Pickens should be one to lead the negotiations with the Western Confederacy, due to his experience knowing how to fight and communicate with native tribes and peoples. Whilst Anthony Wayne would support Pickens with a much larger fighting force, in case Pickens’ expedition did not go to plan and the “Wizard Owl” was met with aggression.
In early October, 1790 Pickens and his expeditionary force consisting of roughly 1,500 men entered into Kekionga; a majority of his forces made up of local militias, a smaller portion of actual US regulars, and a few smaller groups of Cherokee natives Pickens had the respect of. His idea that the presence of fellow American Indians would show that the US was willing to negotiate and with the sheer size of the force entering the region in turn getting the natives to stand down. A few days behind him was the remaining of the fighting force made up of mainly regulars of 3,000 men led by Anthony Wayne. The Pickens campaign would prove to be effective, as upon arrival on Kekionga a small skirmish occurred between Pickens’ forces and the combined Shawnee and Miami peoples that tried to repel the oncoming American forces.
Pickens’ forces sustained small casualties during the initial offensive push by the combined Indian forces, but their offensive quickly turned into a retreat after the American’s fortified their position overlooking Kekionga. Pickens and his men simply held the hill, slowly sweeping down the mountain sides, before surrounding the large village and occupying it. In the process capturing Little Turtle of the Miami people in the conflict. Pickens and his men occupied the large village setting up a defensive position, whilst awaiting for Wayne’s much larger force. Pickens with his Cherokee companions and his experience dealing with native peoples of the Americas was able to open a dialogue with Little Turtle, and divulge information from the leader of the Miami peoples, in exchange for his people's safety. Which Pickens in turn agreed to.
Upon Wayne’s arrival in mid October, a new plan was drawn for Wayne to lead a much smaller force northward into Michigan, leaving the bulk of the army with Pickens to repel any potential offensives against the northward moving Wayne. By the winter of 1790, Pickens and his army had established a clear line of defense in the Northwest Territories, all the while Wayne had arrived at Fort Detroit, catching the British forces off guard. Little Turtle had affirmed American suspicions of British intervention in the war. With a fighting force of 2,000 regulars had arrived at Fort Detroit completely surrounding it and the small settlement. All the while Pickens’ negotiations with the native populations had helped stop many of the raids on settling American frontiersmen. Wayne and his forces stayed positioned outside of Fort Detroit before the arrival of British officials looking to negotiate to prevent further conflict with the United States. More than likely wanting to avoid further expenditures fighting in the New World again.
By the spring of 1791 Wayne and Pickens had helped delegate the peace treaty between the United States, the Western Confederacy, and the British. The Treaty of Detroit, outlined the complete abandonment of forts across the Northwest Territories within a years time, as well as drawing the borders of native lands, and what lands could be settled by those wishing to settle in the Northwest. Pickens was commended very greatly for his ability to communicate and negotiate with the various native tribes of the Northwest Territories, and cease the raids on settlers into the region. John Hancock and his administration had helped prevent further war with the British, and ceased conflicts with the native populations that settled along the many rivers of the Northwest.
The 1790 Midterm
When the elections for both the House and Senate began, the United States despite voting in their first president a simple two years earlier, and a little over a full year of his serving, they were in a much better standing than they had been under the Articles of Confederation. With improvement in the economy thanks to Boudinot tax and tariff reforms across the country, along with improved trade with nations due to effective foreign diplomacy, most believed the status quo would’ve been maintained in the coming election.
The 2nd Congress:
The House of Representatives (67 Seats):
Maj.
Anti-Administration: 35 Seats (+3)
Rep. Josiah Parker of Virginia
Min.
Pro-Administration: 32 Seats (-1)
Spk. Jeremiah Wadsworth of ConnecticutThe Senate (26 Seats):
Maj.
Anti-Administration: 18 Seats (+2)
Sen. William Few of Georgia
Min.
Pro-Administration: 8 Seats (-2)
Sen. Philip Schuyler of New YorkThough that would not be quite the case in the aftermath the Anti-Administration faction in both the House and Senate had made substantial gains thanks to admission of Vermont, and growing populations in states such as Virginia and Pennsylvania where they took great advantage of in being able to campaign to spread the influence of the Anti-Administration faction. It could not be helped that most of the party’s popularity had been aided by the championing and oration skills of Timothy Bloodworth. A man who would continue to serve as an important figurehead in the growing faction division in congress to come.
Loads of Money
Hancock’s term also bore witness to the recovery of the floundering US economy under the Articles of Confederation. Initially headed by Elias Boudinot and Richard Henry Lee, to help force tariffs on many different imported US products mainly to help force the improvement on becoming a trade power house and developing the ability to manufacture as well. One of the greatest tariffs placed was the Lumber Tariff of 1790 headed by Hancock to help raise the prices of lumber in the US to assist in the alleviation of debt due to the French. The tariff passed easily, and with the US the main exporter of lumber to Europe, Hancock had positioned a near monopoly on the lumber industry in North America.
Smaller tariffs were placed on much more in demand products such as cotton and tobacco, which the US was still the largest producer in the world of at the time. The tariffs were only to be put in place until the payment of US debts, before being rescinded and returning to the status quo. Some tariffs were placed on the US, though the effects were minimal in comparison as the tariffs forced many businessmen to try and become self sufficient, the first instances of actual manufacturing industry in the US on a larger scale. Though the US still remained largely agrarian heavy in their economy. It was not until the British began lowering the prices of their own lumber, that the US began rolling back the tariff slowly but surely. The British lumber in Canada may have been cheaper, but it could not compete with the sheer quantity New England could produce with the industry already set in place by the British.
When the debts were eventually paid in mid 1792, the US economy with a smaller industrial base and a much more built interior to produce goods, along with bettered relations with European nations entered an economic boom period. An influx of cash allowing for many more to purchase land, allowing for a much larger voting base thanks to the common farmer now having an influx thanks to the lifting of tariffs, and with the European and South American nations buying more of their products. It was commonly known jokingly between many Americans as being “Hancocksure.” A playful slang to describe the general attitude and feeling amongst many Americans at the time.
La Question Française
Despite Hancock’s very impressive tenure, was what to do with the situation in France. Hancock remained as neutral as he could be on the situation happening across the Atlantic, whilst also being as supportive for the United States’ fellow sister republic. The great debate on whether or not to pay the debts the US had gained due to French aid, a small minority were willing to just forget the debt as the Kingdom of France no longer existed. But, Timothy Bloodworth a strong proponent of maintaining cordial relations with France convinced the Senate to continue to pay off the debts to aid the Republican forces in France with their revolution. Along with a sign of good faith to the French to show the Americans were willing to follow through on their deals.
“We must continue to aid and support our sister Republic across the rocking blue waves of the Atlantic. For she has joined us on the grand stage of the world as one of the two nations of people free from the tyranny of monarchy. We must continue to support and follow through on our deals with our friends from across the sea. For in our most dire of times, they assisted the Americans. We must now assist France in return.”
-Timothy Bloodworth
Timothy Bloodworth would one of the key factors in maintaining relations with the French during the former Kingdoms transition into a democracy, meeting many figures whom he would help advise. Despite numerous times his ships would be hailed by British ships for investigation, Bloodworth allowed them to search to prove he carried nothing to assist the revolutionaries and always responded was that he was on route for diplomatic missions to the new nation. Bloodworth would be a key for keeping US-French relations strong during the Hancock presidency. Even helping to assist revolutionaries on their doorstep in Saint-Domingue, arming the masses with guns. Thankfully the south had no reacted too poorly to the idea of arming former black slaves, as Bloodworth’s effectiveness in Congress had shifted the focus on arming them would help tip the balance of influence towards the US in the Americas, and hopefully spread the idea of Republican Revolutions across the New World. He also added that simply aiding French allies would not only further tighten the strings of destiny with France, it would also do so with Saint-Domingue.
Bloodworth would be unable to stop the declaration of war by France on Europe, including Great Britain of all nations. The Americans were not willing to risk another war so soon with the British, including now they had an entirely new reason to rally their much larger navy and army as a means to destroy what they perceived as the “evil known as Republicanism.” The US Senate and Bloodworth would only continue to do trade with the French, but making sure to not impose any tariffs on any other European power as to avoid it being perceived as favoring the French and only give more reason for tensions to grow. Bloodworth however had been able to communicate not to execute the nobility of France and simply keep him imprisoned, as to avoid any further reason for the European nations to use that as fuel to the flames of war. However, American foreign policy as simply playing as a supplier of raw and valuable cash goods to Europe proved quite well to keep neutrality. With the British needing lumber and raw goods for the manufactured products their populace demanded, neither side could avoid going to war. British-US relations did smooth out after the Northwest Indian War. Both sides viewing war at the moment as a net negative for both sides.
The Last Acts
As Hancock approached the end of his term, one of his last and most substantial acts was creating a national US capitol that was seen as a fair compromise between the northern and southern states of the Republic. The city was to be placed in a federal district that would be placed on the northern side of the Potomac River in Maryland. The federal district was to be built to house the US government, and have no political sway in congress to prevent a too centralized position of power for the republic. The act was quickly passed through congress, with construction of the federal district beginning in the summer of 1792, with names still being tossed about as to what to name the city.
Behind closed doors for Hancock, things were not running so smoothly. It was a well known secret about Hancock’s failing health and the stress and extra weight caused by his presidency was no helping his condition either. His physician saying he had aged a decade seemingly in the span of almost four years. It was in that moment one faithful morning when Hancock could hardly get out of bed did he decide to make it known he would be resigning after his term as president. His speech in front of congress ernest and from the heart as he spoke about being honored to be the first president of the country he loved so dearly and hoped he had done right by. His own words becoming more haggard as he spoke, a clear sign of his failing health. He was given a roarous standing ovation for being able to carry on the duty of presidency despite his poor condition.
Hancock spent the remaining last few months of his presidency getting ready to transition power to whoever was to win the election, smiling at the work he had done for the United States, but all the more happy to simply retire from politics and live out his years much like Washington in the countryside. By March 4, 1793 Hancock had handed over the title of president over to the man who would succeed him, quietly leaving the city of New York via stagecoach north to Massachusetts with his wife. His long awaited retirement did not last as long as he had wished for. The first president and famous man from Massachusetts only living another seven months in peace and harmony in his countryside home, before passing away at 53 years of age.