George Clinton (vice president)

Politician

• Born: July 26, 1739
• Birthplace: Little Britain, New York
• Died: April 20, 1812
• Place of death: Washington, DC

Significance: George Clinton was the fourth vice president of the United States. He served under President Thomas Jefferson from 1805 until 1809 and under President James Madison from 1809 to 1812. Clinton also served as governor of New York from 1777 to 1795 and 1801 to 1804.

Background

George Clinton was born on July 26, 1739, in Little Britain, New York, which was then part of Ulster County. His parents, Charles and Elizabeth Denniston Clinton, were Presbyterians who escaped the religious intolerance of Ireland in 1729 and settled in an area about seventy miles from New York City. There, Charles Clinton worked as a farmer and surveyor. The governor of New York noticed his work and offered him a sheriff position in 1748, but he declined the job.

George Clinton did not receive a formal education but was taught by private tutors and a Scottish clergyman. In 1757, Clinton enlisted to fight during the French and Indian War. After the war ended, Clinton settled in New York City to study law with the attorney William Smith.

Clinton started his own law practice in 1764 and was offered the position of district attorney in 1765. Three years later, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. Unlike the majority of the assembly members, he agreed with the anti-British sentiment that was sweeping the American colonies. In 1770, he defended a member of the Sons of Liberty who spoke out against the British Crown. This man was a relative of the Livingston family, which controlled much of the wealth and land in Ulster County at the time. The royalist majority of the assembly arrested the man for libel. Clinton's defense of this man cemented his position as anti-British.

In 1775, he was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress but gave up his seat to serve as a brigadier general in the New York militia during the American Revolutionary War. During the war, Clinton switched his support from the Livingstons to a group of farmers who had emerged as political powerhouses. Clinton eventually became their spokesperson and ran for governor of New York against Edward Livingston. He defeated Livingston to become governor in 1777.

Life's Work

During his tenure as governor, Clinton returned to military service in the ongoing war. As part of his duties as governor, Clinton coordinated New York's war effort but grew disillusioned when New York was asked to fund the shortfalls caused by the other colonies. At the time, the Continental Congress did not have the authority to raise state revenues. Clinton supported Alexander Hamilton's suggestion for a strong central government, but he quickly changed his position when he realized that a strong federal government would hurt New York. At the end of the war, he opposed the new Constriction that would replace the Articles of Confederation and govern the newly established United States.

With the passage of the Constitution imminent, Clinton had a new plan. He supported ratification with the hope of becoming vice president under President George Washington. In this position, Clinton thought that he would be able to help get Constitutional amendments passed that would limit the power of the federal government and give more power to the individual states. Federalists such as Hamilton and James Madison did not want to see this happen, so they supported John Adams, who was chosen for the vice presidency.

Clinton continued to govern New York in the years that followed and again ran on the presidential ballot in the hope of becoming vice president in 1792. By this time, many people were not happy with Adams's nationalist views. Madison changed his position, and he and Thomas Jefferson supported Clinton. However, Adams was reelected as vice president. Clinton served as New York governor until his retirement due to poor health in 1795.

Clinton returned to politics in 1800 in an attempt finally achieve the vice presidency. Jefferson was running for president. Clinton changed his mind and instead sought the open seat of governor of New York again. Aaron Burr ran for vice president on the same ticket as Jefferson. During the election, the electoral votes were split between Jefferson and Burr, but Burr would not step aside and allow Jefferson to assume the presidency. The House of Representatives eventually decided the outcome and made Jefferson president and Burr vice president. Because of this situation, the Twelfth Amendment was passed in 1804 to establish new rules for electing the president and vice president.

Clinton was elected governor of New York again in 1801. Jefferson wanted to replace Burr for his second term. Clinton decided to run again and finally achieved the vice-presidential post in 1805. However, Clinton was frustrated to learn that he would not have any real duties as vice president; he was not included in important law-making decisions. He presided over the Senate but found this position difficult. In 1808, Clinton lobbied the Democratic-Republicans to choose him as the presidential candidate. The group instead chose Madison as the presidential candidate and Clinton as the vice-presidential candidate. Throughout the election, Clinton made negative remarks against Madison. Still, Madison won the presidency, and Clinton once again served as vice president.

In defiance, Clinton opposed many of Madison's decisions throughout his presidency. For example, Clinton cast the deciding vote in the Senate against the recharter of the national bank, which Madison had favored. As in his last term, he was not able to be influential in any major political decisions under Madison and had trouble organizing and leading the Senate. Clinton died in office on April 20, 1812.

Impact

Clinton was an important political figure during the establishment of the United States. He made his mark on early New York politics, serving as governor for more than two decades. His tenure as a vice president under two presidents was not as effective. Clinton was not responsible for any major legislation or decisions affecting the country during this time.

Personal Life

In 1770, Clinton married Cornelia Tappan, a relative of the Livingston family. The Clintons had several children. After his death, Clinton was the first person to lie in state at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Congressional members wore black armbands for thirty days after his death to show their respect for the politician.

Bibliography

"Clinton, George, (1739–1812)." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000527. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.

"George Clinton (1809–1812)." University of Virginia Miller Center, millercenter.org/president/madison/essays/clinton-1809-vicepresident. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.

"George Clinton, 4th Vice President (1805–1812)." United States Senate, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP‗George‗Clinton.htm. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.

"Guide to the George Clinton Collection: Biographical/Historical Note." New-York Historical Society Museum & Library, dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/georgeclinton/bioghist.html. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.

Kelly, Martin. "George Clinton, Fourth U.S. Vice President." ThoughtCo., 4 Dec. 2017, www.thoughtco.com/george-clinton-fourth-vice-president-3893517. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.

Levine, David. "Best Clinton Ever? Why New York's First Governor, George Clinton, Totally Rocks." Hudson Valley Magazine, 25 June 2014, www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/July-2014/Best-Clinton-Ever-Why-New-Yorks-First-Governor-George-Clinton-Totally-Rocks. Accessed 17 Jan. 2018.