User:Atcovi/VA and US History/The Age of Jefferson through the Era of Good Feelings

Simplifying the Presidency

 * Jefferson, as president and head of the Dem-Rep party, tries to (counteract the national debt):
 * Shrinks the gov't (diplomacy)
 * Reduce the size of the military
 * Reduce the size of federal gov't's bureaucracy
 * Repealed taxes (especially the whiskey tax)
 * Shrinks the gov't
 * Purchases LA

Very informal (shows up to a formal dinner with relaxed clothing).

He maintained Hamilton's Bank. It was probably a back-handed deal with Hamilton: Jefferson keeps the bank because Hamilton got him to win the party leader vote vs. Burr. He only names Republicans to his cabinet and to avoid what happened with Washington's cabinet (negative energy).

The Judiciary Act of 1801 creates more jobs for the people. They will have a Federalist dominated judicial branch. John Marshall is one of the judges appointed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has to borrow courts, but now the judicial branch has developed into a powerful branch (Equal power).

Marbury vs. Madison

 * William Marbury - One of the midnight appointees, Federalist who was appointed under the Federal Act of 1801. He is going to be the Justice of the Peace (perform marriage ceremonies and enforce wills) in Maryland. Marbury never got the contract to back up his appointment. Adams actually signed the paperwork and Martial sealed and signed it but it was not put "for mail". He was not the only one to have not received his paperwork.

James Madison took these documents up to TJ and TJ said not to put it in the mail so that the Federalists don't populate the judiciary branch.

Marbury sues Madison for his paperwork. The reason that it ends up in the SC is because of what the Judiciary Act of 1789 did. It said that the SC could hear any case where a federal official is sued. In this case, Madison is the Secretary of State.

Madison didn't even show up for the case, showing how little respect he gave for the court. Marshall hears the case here, who he had more sympathy for Marbury (both Federalists).

The outcome was that Marshall sides with Marbury. The "writ of mandamus" (court order) would command that Madison should turn over the paperwork.

The big question was "Can the SC grant Marbury one?", which is a big no. Marshall should not be even hearing this case as it is not an SC decision. The 1789 Judiciary Act is considered "unconstitutional" because it expands the power too much. Congress cannot be telling the Court what to do. The irony is that Marshall is doing something unconstitutional as he is ruling on Federal law which is not an expressed power in the Constitution. This is a show of checks and balances.

But Marbury never got his job at the end. Jefferson is not very happy (concerned with Marshall's act)/annoyed (he can appoint DR judges).

The Louisiana Purchase

 * The French give LA to Spain under a treaty in 1762.
 * In 1800, Bonaparte forces Spain to give the territory back to the French. The French are turning away American farmers from the Port of New Orleans. TJ gets involved.

Bonaparte loses interest in LA as the Santiago Domingo slave rebellion takes place and the English start fighting the French.


 * In 1801, the Treaty of Pickney is still active.

TJ sends James Monroe to the French authorized spending of 10 million dollars to purchase New Orleans and the strip of Northern Florida. If the French refuse, the US will ally with the British and fight Bonaparte. Bonaparte makes a counter-offer by offering the whole territory of Lousiana for 15 million dollars. Bonaparte needs money very fast.
 * The Offer

All control of money is for Congress.

Jefferson has to make a decision between sticking with strict interpretation vs. flip-flopping. TJ says that the constitution says that the president is the Commander of Chief and is responsible for national security. As commander of chief, it is necessary and proper for TJ to acquire this land and authorize the extra 5million to ensure security.

He doubles the size of the US.