Tag Archives: Elbridge Gerry

4.02 – Madison Pre-Presidency Part Two

February 27, 202204 - James MadisonAlexander Hamilton, Articles of Confederation, Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention, Dolley Madison, Edmund Randolph, Elbridge Gerry, Federalists, George Mason, George Washington, Gouverneur Morris, Henry Lee, James Madison, James Monroe, John Jay, Patrick Henry, Richard Cutts, Robert Morris, Rufus King, slavery, Thomas Jefferson, Virginiapresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1785-1809

After scoring some key political victories in Virginia, Madison decided to lead an effort to reform the government of the United States. However, he would find that getting the Constitutional Convention to agree on a new federal structure was only half the battle, and he would soon acquire some powerful enemies in the ratification campaign. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Scene at the Signing of the United States Constitution” by Howard Chandler Christy [c. 1940], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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2.13 – Destiny Written in the Stars

January 13, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Caribbean, Elbridge Gerry, France, Fries's Rebellion, George Washington, Great Britain, James Madison, Jay Treaty, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert Liston, Rufus King, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US Navypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1799

Despite the wealth of evidence coming in of the sincerity of the French Directory in seeking peace, President Adams found himself at odds with his Secretary of State Timothy Pickering at the beginning of 1799 with Pickering continuing the push for war. Meanwhile, the US Navy proved its worth in protecting American shipping in the Caribbean just as relations with the British began a downward spiral once more. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “USS Constellation vs L’Insurgente,” Rear Admiral John William Schmidt [c. 1981], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.12 – Ready, Aim, Fire!

January 2, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Stoddert, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Lee, Egypt, Elbridge Gerry, France, George Washington, James McHenry, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, malta, Napoleon Bonaparte, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Talleyrand, Timothy Pickering, William Vans Murraypresidencies

Year(s) Covered: 1798

As the nation gears up for the possibility of war with France, President Adams is increasingly focused on the possibility of peace as he prepares his annual message to Congress. Meanwhile, a rising star in the French military suffers a major setback that imperils the French Republic’s position on the global landscape. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “The Destruction of “L’Orient” at the Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798″ by George Arnald [c. 1825-1827], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.11 – The Opposition Strikes Back

December 16, 201802 - John AdamsAaron Burr, Abigail Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Alien and Sedition Acts, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Democratic-Republican Party, Elbridge Gerry, Federalists, France, George Washington, James Madison, James McHenry, John Adams, John Marshall, John Taylor of Caroline, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US Supreme Courtpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1798

With yellow fever raging in Philadelphia, the federal government has to move once more, adding to the headaches of Secretary of War James McHenry who had his position in the Cabinet already being undermined by General Alexander Hamilton. In Quincy, John Adams meets with Elbridge Gerry to learn more about the latest offer for diplomatic talks with the French while in Virginia, Vice President Jefferson and former Rep. James Madison plot how to oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts. Sources used in this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Images: “Seal of Virginia” [c. 1851] and “An impression from the first Kentucky State Seal” [c. 1800], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.10 – Checkmate: Hamilton

December 2, 201802 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, France, George Washington, Henry Knox, James McHenry, John Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Talleyrand, Timothy Pickering, William Smithpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1798

Adams quickly comes to regret his naming George Washington as commander-in-chief of the US Army when Washington decides to appoint Alexander Hamilton as his second in command. As the threat of war looms, the President and his commanding general end up in a back and forth that threatens the preparedness of the Army. Meanwhile, Elbridge Gerry’s mission to France makes little headway as Talleyrand and Napoleon focus on plans to reestablish France as a major colonial power. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Alexander Hamilton” by William J Weaver, courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.09 – All Around and Away They Go

November 18, 201802 - John AdamsAlbert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Benjamin Stoddert, Caribbean, Democratic-Republican Party, Elbridge Gerry, Federalists, France, Francisco de Miranda, George Washington, Great Britain, Haitian Revolution, James McHenry, James Wilkinson, John Adams, Rufus King, Spain, Timothy Pickering, Toussaint L'Ouverturepresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1799

As the events of the Haitian Revolution start to involve the US and the Army works to secure control of the Mississippi Territory from the Spanish, Adams and the Federalists work to determine a response to the XYZ Affair. However, as their power begins to consolidate, some in the party plot ways to use the situation to their advantage. Oh, and Adams goes to see a play! Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Toussaint Louverture and General Thomas Maitland,” unknown artist [c. 1790s?], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.08 – Have At Thee! The Response to XYZ

November 4, 201802 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Albert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Lee, Elbridge Gerry, France, James McHenry, John Adams, John Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Talleyrand, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US House, William Vans Murraypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1798

As the Adams administration learns of the XYZ Affair and the President works to determine his next course of action, partisan bickering devolves to a fight on the floor of the House of Representatives while back in Paris, divisions start to form between the special envoys as Talleyrand increases his pressure on one of their number. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Congressional Pugilists” by an unknown artist [15 Feb 1798], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.07 – One Hand Washes the Other: The XYZ Affair

October 21, 201802 - John AdamsCharles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, France, James Madison, John Adams, John Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Talleyrand, William Vans Murraypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1798

The three commissioners sent by Adams arrive in France to begin negotiations but find themselves beset with new characters and new circumstances following French victories in the field and a coup in the government. One figure in particular stands between the envoys and peace, and he’ll gladly get out of the way…if, of course, the Americans are willing to pay. Sources used in this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Périgord” by François Gérard [c. 1808], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.06 – Scandals and Observations

October 7, 201802 - John AdamsAaron Burr, Abigail Adams, Abraham Venable, Albert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, Frederick Muhlenberg, Henry Knox, James Callendar, James Monroe, John Adams, John Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Maria Reynolds, Robert Liston, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US Navy, William Blountpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1792-1797

Adams is joined in Philadelphia by his wife Abigail as he tries to balance war and peace with the first of the original six frigates of the US Navy being launched around the time that he appoints peace commissioners to France. Meanwhile, the US Senate is rocked by a scandal involving one of its leaders while news of Hamilton’s extramarital affair becomes public. Source information for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Alexander Hamilton” [possibly by John Trumbull, c. 1790], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.03 – The New Sheriff in Town

August 26, 201802 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Benjamin Rush, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, France, George Washington, James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Oliver Ellsworth, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Pierre Auguste Adet, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mifflin, Timothy Pickeringpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1796-1797

The election of 1796 results in John Adams becoming the nation’s second chief executive, but he quickly finds more questions than answers awaiting him on the path to taking the oath of office. Adams is immediately faced with the need to make decisions about who to keep from the previous administration, what if any policy changes to make, and even where he and his family will live. It’s a transition unlike any other in American history to that point, and with various pressing issues waiting on the desk, the honeymoon for the new President promised to be short-lived. Source information for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Congress Hall,” unknown artist, courtesy of the US Senate Historical Office

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Presidencies of the United States

A journey through presidential history from the beginning to the present day

Tag Archives: Elbridge Gerry

4.02 – Madison Pre-Presidency Part Two

2.13 – Destiny Written in the Stars

2.12 – Ready, Aim, Fire!

2.11 – The Opposition Strikes Back

2.10 – Checkmate: Hamilton

2.09 – All Around and Away They Go

2.08 – Have At Thee! The Response to XYZ

2.07 – One Hand Washes the Other: The XYZ Affair

2.06 – Scandals and Observations

2.03 – The New Sheriff in Town