Madison was elected the next president of the United States in 1808. For the Federalist Party’s leaders in New England, it was a significant setback. Their attempt to unify the party by a moderate course of action had failed.[1]
The Democratic-Republican leadership in Congress passed the Enforcement Act in January, 1809. Jefferson was still in office. Madison would not be inaugurated until March 4, 1809. Governmental troops seized goods suspected of being exports. Radical Federalists sought redress from their state governments. Following town meetings throughout Massachusetts concerned citizens sent petitions to the Massachusetts legislature, known as the General Court. [2] A rabble of angry New Englanders took to the streets damaging federal property.[3]
In December 1808, moderate Federalists such as Christopher Gore became concerned that protests would form not only against the federal government but the established Federalist leadership within Massachusetts. Harrison Gray Otis wrote that Massachusetts was considered the seat of the secessionist movement. He suggested the initiative for a convention of Federalists needed to come from Connecticut. The meeting offered a response to radical protests. The party’s moderates could attack on the administration while exerting control over the process. Just as the Enforcement Act was passed, moderate Federalists made plans for a convention of New England states. The convention would propose new amendments to the Constitution. Christopher Gore sought the help of Timothy Pickering. He stressed the need for unity within the party. He asked Pickering to work with congressmen to bring the New England states together for the convention.[4]
In Philadelphia William Duane, editor of the Democratic-Republican party’s newspaper, the Aurora, advocated use of Federal force in New England. Early in 1809, Mathew Carey criticized Duane, a radical in the party, for war mongering. Carey urged a moderate course of action. [5]
Next: How the Massachusetts Legislature Reacted
Look for it Monday, April 14
[1] James M. Banner, Jr. To the Hartford Convention: The Federalists and the Origins of Party Politics in Massachusetts 1789-1815 (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1970) 299.
[2] Banner, To the Hartford Convention, 300.
[3] Edward C. Carter, “Mathew Carey’s ‘Olive Branch’ 1814-1818, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol 89. No. 4 October, 1965, 401.
[4] Banner, To the Hartford Convention, 304.
[5] Pamphlet referred to in a letter by Matthew Lyon to Carey,19 Feb. 1809, Lea and Febiger Collection, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. See Carter, Mathew Carey’s “Olive Branch” 401, ff. 401.
