For Fear of an Elective King

Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon

Description

In the spring of 1789, within weeks of the establishment of the new federal government based on the U.S. Constitution, the Senate and House of Representatives fell into dispute regarding how to address the president. Congress, the press, and individuals debated more than thirty titles, many of which had royal associations and some of which were clearly monarchical. For Fear of an Elective King is Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon's rich account of the title controversy and its meanings. The short, intense legislative phase and the prolonged, equally intense public phase animated and shaped the new nation's broadening political community. Rather than simply reflecting an obsession with etiquette, the question challenged Americans to find an acceptable balance between power and the people's sovereignty while assuring the country's place in the Atlantic world. Bartoloni-Tuazon argues that the resolution of the controversy in favor of the modest title of "President" established the importance of recognition of the people's views by the president and evidence of modesty in the presidency, an approach to leadership that fledged the presidency's power by not flaunting it.How the country titled the president reflected the views of everyday people, as well as the recognition by social and political elites of the irony that authority rested with acquiescence to egalitarian principles. The controversy's outcome affirmed the republican character of the country's new president and government, even as the conflict was the opening volley in increasingly partisan struggles over executive power. As such, the dispute is as relevant today as in 1789.

Sujets

• Histoire
• USA
• History of the Americas
• Central
• États-Unis

Informations

• Publié par: Cornell University Press
• Date de parution: 08 septembre 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780801471919
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

FOR FEAR OF AN ELECTIVE KING

FOR FEAR OF AN ELECTIVE KING

GEORGE WASHI NGTON AND T HE PRESI DE NT I AL T I T L E CONT ROVE RSY OF 1789

K at h l e e n B a rto lo n i Tu a z o n

CORNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS Ithaca and London

Copyright © 2014 by Cornell University

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.

First published 2014 by Cornell University Press

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bartoloni-Tuazon, Kathleen.  For fear of an elective king : George Washington and the presidential title controversy of 1789 / Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon.  pages cm  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 978-0-8014-5298-7 (cloth : alk. paper)  1. Presidents—United States—History—18th century. 2. Forms of address—United States— History—18th century. 3. Executive power—United States—History—18th century. 4. Political culture— United States—History—18th century. 5. United States—Politics and government—1789–1797. 6. Washington, George, 1732–1799. I. Title.

 JK511.B39 2014  973.4'1—dc23

2014007803

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Cloth printing

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To Francesca and Raul, with gratitude and love

Co n t e n t s

Acknowledgmentsix

 Introduction: The Title Controversy and the Early Presidency 1. An “Improper Distinction of Ranks”: The Persistence of Titles 2. The Third Body of Washington: Sovereignties in Confusion 3. Protecting the Presidency: A Republican Dilemma 4. Debating a “Doubtful Power”: The Legislative Battle Engaged 5. “Strange Contradictions”: The People Confront Status Distinction 6. A “Dangerous Vice”: Leaders under Scrutiny  Conclusion: The Path to American Democratic Leadership

Appendix167 Notes169 Bibliography227 Index245

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A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s

My story of the title controversy began with the archives and exemplary documentary editors of the First Federal Con- gress Project (FFCP) in Washington, DC. With unflagging good nature, Charlene Bickford, Kenneth Bowling, William (Chuck) diGiacomantonio, and Helen Veit answered my questions, gave lessons in manuscript reading, and shared my excitement with discoveries big and small. The high standards of the FFCP are testaments to their professionalism. My historian’s work ethic and understanding of research methods has blossomed in my time working with them. Ken Bowling also provided insights on the revolutionary era and the early Republic that saved me more than once from shallow or over simplified interpretations and challenged me to dig deeper. I am grateful for their time and efforts on my behalf. Richard Stott of George Washington University (GWU), in his calm and steady way, contributed immensely to my understanding of the era’s his- toriography. Other historians at GWU also proved inspiring and supportive. In particular, James Horton offered pivotal help on my argument, Dewey Wallace honed my understanding of religion’s place in eighteenth-century America, and Andrew Zimmerman happily brainstormed on theoretical concepts. Elizabeth Fenn, now at the University of Colorado Boulder, had faith in me from the earliest days and braved the hot Potomac summer to support me, as did Tyler Anbinder and Tom Long. And Denver Brunsman’s advice as I developed my manuscript has been as helpful as his collegial gen- erosity has been appreciated. I am also grateful for the assistance given by Barbara Austen of the Con- necticut Historical Society Museum, Elaine Grublin and the Adams Family Papers staff of the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Guggenheim Library, Leo Hershkowitz, James Hutson, John Kaminski, and Reverend James Smy- lie. In addition, I thank Jack Greene and the late Edmund Morgan, both of whom took me seriously and answered my inquiries. I also benefited from the incisive feedback given by my writing group, and Andrew Bell and Varad Mehta, especially, kept life lively through noisy

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