Most rank and file Federalists disagreed with Hamilton, who opposed Burr’s nomination for governor of New York. Nevertheless, in the name of disunion, Pickering and Griswold were locked in a battle to secure leadership of the party in New York. Was Hamilton the leader? Or, would Burr take the lead, courtesy of Pickering and Griswold?
Rufus King was a Federalist who was born in Massachusetts but moved to New York City. On April 8, 1804 Timothy Pickering visited King to promote his secessionist scheme. As Senator Pickering left King’s house, he met John Quincy Adams, the other senator from Massachusetts. Pickering was still present in King’s library. King said to Adams, “Colonel Pickering has been talking to me about a project they have for a separation of the States and a Northern Confederacy; and he has also been this day talking of it with General Hamilton….I disapprove entirely of the project, and so, I am happy to tell you, does General Hamilton.”[1] Adams said he had learned about it from Hamilton.
On April 25, 1804, the election took place. Burr lost to a candidate supported by Governor Clinton. While most of the party followed Burr, Hamilton influenced New York’s leading Federalists. John Quincy Adams disliked Hamilton. Nevertheless he supported Hamilton’s opposition of Burr. Hamilton retained the reins of party leadership.
Burr’s failure to become governor foiled Pickering and Griswold’s plan. They were unable to form a northern confederacy. They did manage to arrange a meeting of Federalists in Boston with Alexander Hamilton, Rufus King and George Cabot.[2]
Next: Hamilton’s Fatal Mistake
