George Clinton served as the fourth Vice President of the United States from 1805 to 1812. As vice president to both President Thomas Jefferson and President James Madison, Clinton was one of two men to serve as second-in-command in two administrations.
Early Life
George Clinton was born in 1739 in Little Britain, New York. After fighting in the French Indian War, he moved to New York City to study law. He became a district attorney and was later elected to the New York assembly. When the Revolutionary War started, he resigned his position to serve in the Continental Army and protect New York from the British.
In 1777, Clinton was elected the first governor of New York. However, he continued to serve as a brigadier general in the Continental Army for the remainder of the war. He was re-elected five times and served until 1795. After retiring from public office, he was elected again in 1801 and served as the state’s third governor.
Clinton was a vocal critic of Constitution during the ratification debates, believing that a strong central government would trample states’ rights. Many scholars believe that Clinton may have been the antifederalist who wrote articles in the New York Journal under the pseudonym “Cato.”
Vice Presidency
After several failed attempts to secure the vice presidency, Clinton was elected to the office in 1805. He replaced Aaron Burr who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel and almost brought the Jefferson Administration down with him.
By the time he reached the vice presidency, Clinton was old and frail. As Senator William Plumer remarked, “George Clinton the Vice President . . . is an feeble old man . . . What a vast difference between him & Aaron Burr! One would think that the office was made for Clinton, & not he for the office.”
In 1808, Clinton had eyes on the presidency. However, the Republicans had already deemed James Madison as Jefferson’s successor, so they re-nominated Clinton to a second term as vice president. He only received eight electoral votes for president, but won the office of vice president.
Clinton begrudgingly assumed the vice presidency under Madison, although he disagreed with many of his foreign and domestic policies. He also cast a key vote that prevented the Bank of the United States from being re-chartered. In explaining his vote, Clinton argued that “Government is not to be strengthened by an assumption of doubtful powers.” Clinton gradually attended fewer Senate sessions due to his failing health. He died in office on April 20, 1812.
