Election of 1796 Presidency of George Washington

washington s september 19, 1796 announcement not candidate third term was, in words of congressman fisher ames, signal, dropping hat, party racers start. during ensuing ten weeks partisans both factions sprang action in intensive , focused effort influence outcome of electoral vote. previous 2 presidential elections, no candidates put forward voters choose between in 1796. constitution provided selection of electors, elect president. clear favorite of democratic-republicans thomas jefferson, although reluctant run. there little doubt john adams choice of great majority of federalists.

the democratic-republicans in congress held nominating caucus , named jefferson , aaron burr presidential choices. jefferson @ first declined nomination, agreed run few weeks later. federalist members of congress held informal nominating caucus , named adams , thomas pinckney candidates president. campaign, was, part, unorganized , sporadic, confined newspaper attacks, pamphlets , political rallies; of 4 contenders, burr actively campaigned.

in november, france s ambassador u.s., pierre adet, inserted himself political debate on behalf of jefferson, publishing statements designed arouse anti-british sentiment , leave impression jefferson victory result in improved relations france. then, late in campaign, alexander hamilton, desiring more pliant president adams, maneuvered tip election pinckney. coerced south carolina federalist electors, pledged vote favorite son pinckney, scatter second votes among candidates other adams. hamilton s scheme undone, however, when several new england state electors heard of it, conferred, , agreed not vote pinckney.

the electoral votes counted during joint session of congress on february 8, 1797; adams won presidency narrow margin, garnering 71 electoral votes 68 jefferson (who became vice president). balance of electoral college votes dispersed among: thomas pinckney (59), aaron burr (30), samuel adams (15), oliver ellsworth (11), george clinton (7), john jay (5), james iredell (3), john henry (2), samuel johnston (2), george washington (2), , c. c. pinckney (1).

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