George Clinton: New York’s Warrior-Statesman
George Clinton (1739-1812) of New York was a veteran of the French and Indian War and Revolution who served in Continental Congress, chancellor of Columbia College and as governor, and served as both Thomas Jefferson’s and James Madison’s vice president; he died in office.
George Clinton: New York’s Warrior-Statesman
George Clinton (1739-1812) of New York was a veteran of the French and Indian War and Revolution who served in Continental Congress, chancellor of Columbia College and as governor, and served as both Thomas Jefferson’s and James Madison’s vice president; he died in office.
Clinton joined the British Army at age 18 to fight in the French and Indian War, serving as a lieutenant of rangers in an expedition against Fort Frontenac. After the war, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and started a practice in Little Britain, New York. It was during this time Clinton became a district attorney and a surveyor. He was elected to the New York legislature in 1768 and joined the colony’s Committee of Correspondence six years later. On May 15, 1775, Clinton was elected to Continental Congress, where he voted in favor of the Declaration of Independence, but he was summoned to serve as a brigadier general in the Continental Army before he had a chance to sign it.
In 1777, Clinton was elected the first governor of the State of New York. He was known for his hatred of Loyalists and kept taxes low by confiscating Loyalist property and money. Continental Congress had no power to tax and had few funds during the Revolution so states had quotas of troops and munitions they were obligated to provide to the Continental Army; even so, Gen. George Washington found it difficult to provide food, clothes and weapons for his men. The commander-in-chief wrote his good friend Gov. Clinton on Feb. 16, 1778, from Valley Forge: "... I am calling upon all those, whose stations and influence enable them to contribute their aid upon so important an occasion; and from your well known zeal, I expect every thing within the compass of your power, and that the abilities and resources of the state over which you preside, will admit. ..." Clinton obliged and provided supplies to troops at the encampment.
After the war, Clinton opposed ratification of the new U.S. Constitution until the Bill of Rights was added, and he served as president of the state ratifying convention. Several anti-Federalist essays penned in New York newspapers under the pseudonym Cato during this time are attributed to Clinton, although it can’t be known for certain if they were his. He also served as president of Columbia College between 1784 and 1787. Clinton was a candidate in the first three presidential elections and in 1808, although it’s unlikely he was a willing candidate. He rode with Washington to his presidential inauguration in New York City in 1789 and hosted a celebratory dinner for the first president. When his first stint as governor ended, Clinton was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1800 but was reelected to the governor’s office a year later.
In 1804, Clinton was elected to the vice presidency under President Thomas Jefferson (the first time a president-vice president was elected under the 12th Amendment). Four years later, he was elected back to the executive branch as James Madison’s vice president, the first person to serve as vice president with two different presidents.
Clinton Counties in New York, Ohio and Illinois are named in his honor. Statues of him are erected in Washington, D.C. and at the U.S. Capitol.
"Forgotten Founding Fathers" is a weekly series updated Saturdays on the lesser-known contributors to the Revolution and the seeds of American liberty. Check out the whole series! Also be sure to check out Aphra Behn's "Founding Mothers" series!