Jefferson and the Vice Presidency

Relations with France reached a low point during the Adams Administration with far-reaching consequences for both Vice President Jefferson and President John Adams.

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, initially drafted by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, respectively, were issued by the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures in response to the federal Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

When Thomas Jefferson was elected vice president under John Adams, one of his concerns was a lack of rules. A chief duty of the vice president was to preside over the Senate, and the few governing rules established in the Constitution left much to the discretion of the presiding officer. Even before taking office, he began research that would result four years later in "A Manual of Parliamentary Practice."

The 1796 Presidential election was the first to field candidates from opposing parties with Federalists John Adams and Charles Pickney running against Democratic-Republicans Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Prior to the 12th Amendment, Electors cast two votes for President and the winner became President while the runner-up became Vice President. In 1796, a split ticket resulted in Adams becoming President and Jefferson becoming Vice President.