Tag Archives: Washington DC

4.03 – The Call of My Country

March 13, 202204 - James MadisonAlbert Gallatin, Benjamin Latrobe, Caesar Rodney, Dolley Madison, Election of 1808, George Clinton, Gideon Granger, Henry Dearborn, Isaac Coles, James Madison, John Marshall, Margaret Bayard Smith, Paul Hamilton, Robert Smith, Samuel Smith, Thomas Jefferson, US House, US Senate, US Supreme Court, Washington DC, William Branch Giles, William Duane, William Eustis, Wilson Cary Nicholaspresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1809

Though James Madison was seen as being Thomas Jefferson’s successor, it became clear starting with his inauguration that his presidency would be different from his predecessor’s, for better or worse. While the public got to see a more festive social tone as set by Dolley Madison, behind the scenes, the president struggled to get political support for a key Cabinet nomination. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “James Madison” by David Erwin [c. 1809-1817], courtesy of Wikipedia

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

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3.285 – The Two Marthas

April 4, 202103 - Thomas JeffersonAlbert Gallatin, Andrew Jackson, Dolley Madison, James Madison, Margaret Bayard Smith, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Martin Van Buren, Nicholas Trist, Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Mann Randolph, Washington DCpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1748-1836

Studies of Thomas Jefferson’s life often discuss the impact of the two Marthas – his wife, Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, and his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph – on him, but few studies examine matters with the focus on the lives of the two women. While our knowledge of Martha Jefferson is limited, in this episode, we sift through the fragments of what we know about her before shifting to her daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph. In addition to the narrative, part of the episode features an interview with a special guest, Dr. Cynthia A. Kierner, whose biography of Martha is an invaluable resource for learning more about a person who was educated in Paris and mingled with presidents and political leaders but is far too often relegated to the background of history. Her life has much to tell us about the role of women and families in the early republic as well as in US presidential history. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Images: “Martha Jefferson Randolph” by Thomas Sully, courtesy of Wikipedia, and “Silhouette of Martha Jefferson,” courtesy of Wikipedia

Transition Intro and Outro Music: Samples from “Bread,” prod. by LuKremBo

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3.10 – We Need to Talk

December 30, 201903 - Thomas JeffersonBarbary States, Chancellor Robert Livingston, Dolley Madison, East Florida, France, Haitian Revolution, Henri Christophe, James Madison, Louisiana, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Meriwether Lewis, Morocco, Napoleon Bonaparte, New Orleans, slavery, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mann Randolph, Toussaint L'Ouverture, Washington DC, West Floridapresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1801-1803

As French First Consul Napoléon Bonaparte begins to shift the balance of power in the Western Hemisphere in his favor, President Jefferson works to counter these ambitions through diplomatic efforts in both Washington and Paris. Meanwhile, a Mediterranean power declares war on the US, and Jefferson’s powers of persuasion are put to the test when dealing with family matters. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool” by Thomas Lawrence [c. 1790s], courtesy of Wikipedia

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

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3.06 – To Limited Arms

November 3, 201903 - Thomas JeffersonAaron Burr, Albert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Barbary States, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Congress, Democratic-Republican Party, Edward Livingston, Federalists, George Clinton, Gideon Granger, James Madison, John Beckley, John Jay, Levi Lincoln, Meriwether Lewis, New York, Robert Smith, Samuel Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mann Randolph, US Navy, Washington DCpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1795-1801

Jefferson managed to get a permanent Secretary of the Navy just in time for Commodore Dale’s naval squadron to engage in combat in the Mediterranean. In addition to that key post being filled, the administration was able to make some additional structural decisions during the final months of 1801 in time for the new congressional session in December. Meanwhile, a new opposition was organized by a key Federalist leader to ensure that Jefferson’s first annual message would not go unquestioned. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “U.S. Schooner Enterprize Capturing the Tripolitan Corsair Tripoli, 1 August 1801” by William Bainbridge Hoff [1878], courtesy of Wikipedia

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

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3.04 – A Deadly Revenge

September 29, 201903 - Thomas JeffersonAlbert Gallatin, Benjamin Stoddert, Chancellor Robert Livingston, Gideon Granger, Henry Dearborn, James Madison, James Monroe, John Adams, Levi Lincoln, Rufus King, Samuel Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Washington DC, William Marbury, William Smithpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1801

Literally and figuratively, the new President worked to get his house in order following his inauguration. With a limited number of positions available and plans to shrink the size of the federal government even further, Jefferson set ground rules for his new administration to determine whether to retain Federalist office holders or oust them in favor of Democratic-Republicans. Despite a nod towards non-partisanship, Jefferson’s decisions were criticized by members of both parties. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Elizur Goodrich,” printed in The Connecticut Quarterly, Jul/Aug/Sep 1898, courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.23 – The Double-Edged Sword

June 8, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Democratic-Republican Party, Federalists, France, James Callendar, James McHenry, John Adams, John Marshall, Margaret Bayard Smith, Samuel Harrison Smith, Thomas Pinckney, US Supreme Court, Washington DCpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1796-1800

As the new federal capital comes alive with government officials and newspaper publishers moving in to be on hand for the congressional session opening in November 1800, President Adams waits with the rest of the nation to learn the results of electors being chosen across the United States. His path to reelection however grows ever darker due to a dispute with his running mate’s brother and a pamphlet released by Alexander Hamilton. Sources used in this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney” by James Earl [c. 1795], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.22 – Enter the Federal City

May 19, 201902 - John AdamsAlexander Hamilton, Barbary States, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Fisher Ames, France, George Cabot, Great Britain, James Callender, James McHenry, James Monroe, John Adams, John Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Oliver Ellsworth, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Samuel Dexter, slavery, Talleyrand, Timothy Pickering, Washington DC, William Duane, William R Davie, William Vans Murraypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1799-1801

As President Adams and the federal government transition to the new federal capital, the next presidential election looms, and both Federalist and Democratic-Republican leaders work on behalf of their favored candidates to meet challenges to their prospects. While Federalists cope with an internal debate over exactly which candidate to support, Democratic-Republicans in Virginia work to cover up the involvement of French agents in Gabriel’s Rebellion. All the while, the US commission to France scrambles to conclude their work with a treaty in time for Adams and the Federalists to claim credit for winning the peace. Source notes for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “A view of the Capitol of Washington before it was burnt down by the British” by William Russell Birch [c. 1800], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.20 – A Proper Sense of Their Duty

April 21, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Alien and Sedition Acts, Benjamin Stoddert, Charles Lee, Fries's Rebellion, Indiana Territory, James Callender, James McHenry, John Adams, John Marshall, Martha Washington, Mount Vernon, Northwest Territory, Samuel Chase, Samuel Dexter, Timothy Pickering, Washington DC, William Henry Harrisonpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1799-1800

With the new members of the Adams Cabinet coming on board, the President travels south to inspect the work on the new Federal Capital as the US government begins its move from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Adams makes a decision on the fates of those convicted of crimes for their participation in Fries’s Rebellion while federal prosecutions under the Sedition Act continue and Democratic-Republicans gear up for the upcoming presidential election. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Samuel Dexter”, courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.15 – Hot Time, Summer in the Country

February 10, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Alien and Sedition Acts, Charles Lee, Democratic-Republican Party, Edmund Pendleton, Federalists, Fries's Rebellion, George Washington, James McHenry, James Wilkinson, John Adams, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Rufus King, slavery, Spain, Theodore Sedgwick, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mifflin, Timothy Pickering, Virginia, Washington DC, William Duanepresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1799

John Adams makes a fateful decision that threatens his administration and its ability to react quickly to developing events. Meanwhile, General James Wilkinson’s past collusion with the Spanish is discovered by a government agent in the Mississippi Territory. Closer to home, Fries’s Rebellion comes to a close as harassment of Democratic-Republican newspaper editors ramps up. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Watercolor of Peacefield Before the 1800 Addition” by E Malcom [c. 1798], courtesy of Wikipedia

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1.27 – The Light of Burning Effigies

March 4, 201801 - George WashingtonAlexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Democratic-Republican Party, Edmund Randolph, Federalists, George Clinton, George Hammond, George Washington, Jay Treaty, John Adams, John Blair, John Jay, John Rutledge, Oliver Wolcott Jr, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, Washington DC, William Bradfordpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-1799

While the construction of the nation’s new capital proceeds, the public battle against the Jay Treaty begins in earnest upon its publication by Benjamin Franklin Bache. Demonstrations and meetings go on up and down the Eastern seaboard, and even Alexander Hamilton has difficulty determining how to respond. Meanwhile, Washington has to fill John Jay’s position as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and deal with the last remaining member of his first Cabinet now looking to find a way out of his post. Source information for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: Burning of Stamp Act [c.1903], courtesy of Wikipedia

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Presidencies of the United States

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

Tag Archives: Washington DC

4.03 – The Call of My Country

3.285 – The Two Marthas

3.10 – We Need to Talk

3.06 – To Limited Arms

3.04 – A Deadly Revenge

2.23 – The Double-Edged Sword

2.22 – Enter the Federal City

2.20 – A Proper Sense of Their Duty

2.15 – Hot Time, Summer in the Country

1.27 – The Light of Burning Effigies