What events happened before Washington left office that might led to his warning against political parties?

Answer 1

It was the time of the writing of the Constitution. The Democrat-republicans wanted to hang onto the Articles of Confederation. They feared a larger, central powered federal government. Patrick Henry believed it was an attempt by the Federalists to do away with slavery. To a degree, he was correct.

Financially, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy, still having to pay the debt of the Revolutionary War and with no military to speak of, was being pressed further by the rampant piracy, kidnappings and demands for ransom taking place in the Mediterranean. Washington's hands were tied, all he could do was pay the demanded ransoms and hope that it would all end soon. As "President" he had very limited power and again, with no military, could not afford an international incident.

Hamilton suggested that the federal government fund a military to deal with such issues and also proposed that the country open itself up to foreign commerce. The Democrat-republicans balked. Jefferson, suggested that each state commit some of its militias to the cause of protecting our merchant ships. He was also opposed to the notion of foreign commerce. The states refused to commit troops. Jefferson then proposed (as if it were his idea) that the federal government produce a military.

When Jefferson finally realized the dire situation of the finances, he agreed that we should open trade negotiations. Hamilton pushed to do business with England. Jefferson was appalled. In his mind, the English were still our enemy. Instead, he suggested we do business with France. Trouble was, France was in the midst of a bloody revolution. Jefferson was willing to turn a blind eye to the wanton bloodshed and disregard for personal property.

Hamilton sent John Jay to England to negotiate a treaty to do business with them AND to get protection from the English Navy for U.S. merchant ships plying their trade in the Med.. What Jay returned with was far less than desirable. To say the least, it heavily favored the English. Jefferson openly accused Washington who signed off on the treaty, of treason. In fact, Jefferson REPEATEDLY openly accused Washington of treason.

The accusations wore him down and eventually, Washington announced that he would leave office. He wrote his Farewell Address to the nation and it was Hamilton who reworded it. In the original draft, Washington made clear mention of Jefferson, the accusations and the French (who had spies in this country looking to overthrow the fledgling government). Washington intended to warn the nation about Jefferson and his alliances with the French but Hamilton softened the rhetoric and reworded it so as to not come off as sour grapes. Instead of "...entanglements with the French" it became simply "foreign entanglements." And the same holds with his comments about political parties.

Source(s):BA in History

"Dangerous Nation" by Prof. Robert Kagan, copyright 2006, Alfred A. Knopf (publisher)