 Peter F. Rothermel. “The United States Senate.” Library of Congress. Interestingly, during President Washington’s two terms, the Senate was evenly split between those that favored the new Constitutional government (Federalists) and those that opposed it (anti-Federalists and Jefferson’s Republicans). Consequently, there were numerous tie votes on legislation in the Senate. As a result, Vice President Adams cast 31 tie-breaking votes in the Senate, more than any other VP in our nation’s history. Adams was a devoted Federalist and fully supported the Washington administration. Several of his votes affected critical matters of his era such as approving Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton’s debt assumption plan. Other tie-breaking votes set precedents that are felt today such as his vote against a bill that would require the President to get Senate approval to fire a cabinet official. The new VP also cast the deciding vote against a move to keep the nation’s capital permanently in New York City. Perhaps most disturbing to John Adams was President Washington not seeking the Vice President’s advice or including him in cabinet level discussions during his first term. There is no consensus regarding why the President excluded Adams, but the fact remains he did. It seems unfortunate since Adams was a brilliant theorist on the workings of constitutional government and one of President Washington’s most loyal subordinates. In fact, Adams was the only high ranking official to serve President Washington for two full terms. It is interesting that after Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, all men who served in the Continental Army under General Washington, retired from Washington’s cabinet, the President came to rely more on Vice President Adams. In fact, Adams helped convince President Washington to approve the Jay Treaty in 1795. Although the office of Vice President seems inconsequential, the numbers suggest otherwise. In our nation’s history, we have had forty-nine Vice Presidents. Amazingly, nine Vice Presidents, or almost 20%, have succeeded to the Presidency without being elected to the office. Four Presidents died in office of natural causes (W.H. Harrison, Taylor, Harding, F.D. Roosevelt), four were assassinated (Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy) and one resigned (Nixon). Given these statistics, we should carefully consider who we select as our VP’s. In any event, the election of 1796 brought an end to President Washington’s tenure as our nation’s Commander-in-Chief and John Adams time as Vice President. The next four years would finally give John Adams the chance at fame and honor that he always craved. WHY IT MATTERS So why should John Adams time as Vice President matter to us today? John Adams, as our first Vice President, helped establish the office and set many precedents for his successors to follow. While serving in this capacity, Adams cast more tie-breaking votes than any other Vice President in our nation’s history. Moreover, his experiences helped prepare him for his next role as our Commander-in-Chief. SUGGESTED READING The Vice Presidents, written by Carole Waldrup, is an excellent book. Published in 1996, this narrative provides brief biographies of Vice Presidents from John Adams to Al Gore, focusing on their experiences while in office. PLACES TO VISIT A visit to the Senate Chamber in the United States Capitol is a real treat. This home to the “world’s greatest deliberative body” is open to the public, but please remember passes are required to enter the gallery. Note: The Capitol Visitor Center is not accepting tour reservations at this time. Limited numbers of tours may be available through the offices of your senators or representative. A virtual tour is available, registration required. Until next time, may your motto be “Ducit Amor Patriae”, Love of country leads me. RELATED POSTS May 10, 2022 The Quasi-War and Its Aftermath May 10, 2022 The only fighting in the Quasi-War occurred at sea, and mostly in the Caribbean. But with war at a fever pitch and French interests so close by in Louisiana, there was a very real concern in Congress about a possible French invasion of the United States from the west. May 10, 2022 May 3, 2022 Escalating Tensions with France Lead to Quasi-War May 3, 2022 The Quasi-War was an undeclared war between France and the United States, largely fought at sea in the Caribbean and along the southern coast of America, between 1798 and 1800. It developed because of a series of related events that soured the formerly strong relationship between the two nations. May 3, 2022 Apr 26, 2022 Relations Between America and France Fall Apart Apr 26, 2022 America’s first armed conflict with a foreign nation following our Revolution was not the War of 1812, but rather a mostly forgotten fight called the Quasi-War. Although little known today, in its time it made a significant impact on the course of American history, affecting trade, the creation of our Navy, and a presidential election. Apr 26, 2022 Apr 19, 2022 The Inspiring Legacy of John Adams Apr 19, 2022 John Adams lost the Presidential election of 1800 to Thomas Jefferson after a bitter fight. Adams was terribly disappointed as felt he deserved another term, but he accepted the verdict of the Electoral College. Apr 19, 2022 Apr 12, 2022 The Presidency of John Adams Apr 12, 2022 To avoid a war with France, in 1797, President John Adams sent a diplomatic delegation to Paris to calm rising tensions. When our team arrived in France in October 1797, they were approached by three French officials whose code-names were X, Y, and Z. These Frenchmen demanded large bribes from the Americans for themselves and other French officials before negotiations could start. Apr 12, 2022 Apr 5, 2022 John Adams and the Presidential Election of 1796 Apr 5, 2022 After eight years as Vice President under George Washington, John Adams hoped to succeed the Father of our Country as President of the United States. His successful election in 1796 gave him his chance. Apr 5, 2022 Mar 29, 2022 John Adams, Our First Vice President Mar 29, 2022 John Adams was our nation’s first Vice President and helped shape the responsibilities of the office. Moreover, as the tie-breaking vote in the Senate, Vice President Adams was instrumental in passing several key pieces of legislation and establishing important precedents. Mar 29, 2022 Mar 8, 2022 John Adams Negotiates Peace with England Mar 8, 2022 John Adams was solely responsible for opening a strong relationship with the Netherlands between 1780-1782. Within days of completing his work in Amsterdam, Adams received a summons from John Jay, another American diplomat in Paris, to immediately return to the French capital. Peace talks with the English were heating up and Jay wanted Adams’ assistance. Mar 8, 2022 Mar 1, 2022 John Adams, A Diplomat in Europe Mar 1, 2022 John Adams retired from the Second Continental Congress in early November 1777 and returned home to Braintree. He hoped to revive his law practice and enjoy some quiet time with Abigail and the rest of the family. However, his stay was short-lived as America had another task in mind for this tireless patriot, this time as an ambassador in Europe. Mar 1, 2022 Feb 8, 2022 John Adams Dominates Second Continental Congress Feb 8, 2022 John Adams dominated the Second Continental Congress like no other man and was tireless in his efforts to move the assembly towards independence. He sat on ninety committees and chaired twenty-five of them. No other delegate matched his workload. What did John Adams call the vice presidency?Adams himself described the vice presidency as “the most insignificant office that ever the Invention of man contrived or his Imagination conceived.” His main duty was to serve as president of the Senate, casting a vote only to break a tie.
Was John Adams first vice president?John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second President of the United States (1797-1801), after serving as the first Vice President under President George Washington.
When did John Adams became vice president?On April 13, 1789, Adams departed his native Braintree for New York where he would assume the duties of Vice President, second in command only to George Washington. It was a proud moment for John Adams.
How did John Adams feel about being vice president?He was elected president in 1796. John Adams thought the role of the vice president was "insignificant" and "contrived."
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Who was John Adams vice president
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