Category Archives: From The Desk

How Jefferson’s Newspaper Politics Challenged New England’s Federalists

Posted on September 15, 2013 by “Caius”

By 1800, the state of Massachusetts was split politically between Jefferson’s party and the Federalists.  Roughly 20,000 voters were Democratic-Republican.  About 25,000 voters were Federalists.[1] Following the election of 1800, Democratic-Republicans set their sights on augmenting their gains in New … Continue reading →

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Why Two New England Federalists were Suspicious of Irish and French Immigrants

Posted on September 8, 2013 by “Caius”

By 1797, two prominent New England Federalists were suspicious of immigrants and fearful the newcomers would create a second revolution in America.  John Adams was president, and Timothy Pickering was secretary of state.  Jefferson and Madison’s party organizers recruited Irish … Continue reading →

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How the Jay Treaty Affected New England

Posted on August 25, 2013 by “Caius”

A Recap of the Jay Treaty Issues: The British impressed American sailors—an issue especially important to New Englanders More than two hundred merchant ships were confiscated by the British—another issue important to New Englanders Merchants wanted trade reopened in the … Continue reading →

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How the Federalist Party in New England Evolved (continued)

Posted on August 25, 2013 by “Caius”

Differences of opinion among the Massachusetts Federalists became apparent in their responses to ratification of the Constitution.  James Madison drew up the “Virginia Plan” for the Constitution on which debate by the delegates began.  John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were … Continue reading →

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How the Federalist Party Evolved in Massachusetts

Posted on August 18, 2013 by “Caius”

As the last decade of the eighteenth century began, Massachusetts Federalists continued to be guided by the state’s revolutionary patriots. John Hancock (1737/8-1793) the wealthy merchant, and first signer the Declaration of Independence was enormously popular, with nearly infallible political instincts.  He presented … Continue reading →

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Who was Theophilus Parsons?

Posted on August 11, 2013 by “Caius”

Theophilus Parsons (1750-1813) like Timothy Pickering and George Cabot, was born in Essex County, Massachusetts.  Parsons, the son of a Congregational minister,  graduated from Harvard College in 1769.  While he studied law he taught school in what is now Maine.  Like … Continue reading →

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Who was Fisher Ames?

Posted on August 3, 2013 by “Caius”

Fisher Ames (1758-1808) was born outside of Essex County, near the southwest corner of Boston, in Dedham.  Intellectually precocious, Ames entered Harvard when he was twelve.  At an early age, he excelled at oratory and elocution.  He participated in a … Continue reading →

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Who was George Cabot?

Posted on July 28, 2013 by “Caius”

George Cabot (1752-1823), like Timothy Pickering, was born in Salem, in Essex County Massachusetts.  He too, attended Harvard.  He was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1775.  He was a delegate to his state’s constitutional convention in 1777 … Continue reading →

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Who was Timothy Pickering?

Posted on July 20, 2013 by “Caius”

Timothy Pickering (1745-1829) was born in Salem, in Essex County Massachusetts.  After graduating from Harvard he studied law.  Originally  he was a loyalist.  On the eve of the American Revolution, he joined the patriots as a member of Salem’s Committee … Continue reading →

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Who were these New England Federalists?

Posted on July 13, 2013 by “Caius”

Unlike Virginia, New York or Pennsylvania, in 1790, most of the residents of Massachusetts were of English descent.  They were also Protestant.  Most were Congregationalists.  Others were Quakers, Baptists or Methodists.  A few Catholics lived in Boston or other ports.[1]  Massachusetts … Continue reading →

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