Daniel
Tompkins was the first Vice President to serve two consecutive terms for the same President since John Adams.
He was born in New York 1774. His parents had been tenant farmers, but had recently bought a middle class home in Scarsdale shortly before he was born. His father had served in the militia during the Revolutionary war.
After attending local schools he went to college at North Salem and later Columbia University in 1792. He graduated at the top of his class in 1795 and was admitted to the New York bar in 1797.
He married Hanna Minthrone who’s father was an active member of the Tammany Society. He started his political career working for his father-in-law canvassing the precinct for votes on behalf of Republican candidates.
Tompkins would often encourage men of moderate means to pool their resources so they could buy enough property to qualify for a vote.
He was elected to the New York state assembly in 1803. In 1804 He resigned when he received an appointment to the state supreme court where he served until his election as governor.
In 1807 Tompkins defeated the incumbent governor Morgan Lewis. He accused Lewis of being the candidate of the wealthy, and ran as a “humble farm boy” candidate.
Tompkins said during the campaign “There’s not a drop of aristocratical or oligarchial blood in my veins”. As governor he faced challenges from the Federalist in the legislature, and the threat of a British invasion from Canada.
He defeated Rufus King (future candidate for President against Monroe) for governor in 1816. During his term the New York state treasury couldn’t account for $120,000 dollars which started a long financial battle between the Governor and the state treasury.
He had declined James Madison’s offer to serve as Secretary of State in 1812, and Madison offered the position to fellow Virginian James Monroe. His reason for refusal was that the expense of moving, and supporting his family in Washington D.C. would not be covered by the salary he would receive.
Dewitt Clinton, nephew of Vice President George Clinton and future presidential candidate, had been a chief advisor and a major force behind
Tompkins political career. At first the two men would confer about the issues and affairs of the state government, but then they differed on Jefferson’s foreign policy. The relationship fell apart when
Tompkins endorsed James Madison over Clinton in the election of 1808.
When Monroe was nominated in 1816 compromises were made and Tompkins was nominated to appease the New York delegation. As Vice president
Tompkins was not very skilled when it came to presiding over the Senate, especially during the heated debates over Missouri statehood. In addition to having poor legislative skills he often complained of pain from injuries, and spent a lot of time in bed. He had thought of resigning, but eventually his health improved.
In 1820 Republican strategist, and future President, Martin Van Buren, tried to replace Thompkins on the ticket, but others felt that Monroe was so popular that a change of candidates wasn’t necessary. Monroe received an almost unanimous number of electoral votes, but some electors who voted for Monroe did not want to vote for Thompkins to be Vice President.
During his second term constant quarrels with the treasury department of New York kept him from his duties as Vice President. President Monroe stopped seeing Thompkins after he made some critical remarks to the Postmaster. To add to his problems he started consuming excessive amounts of his favorite alcoholic beverages.
Shortly after leaving office the State of New York came to an agreement and offered to pay Tompkins $60,000 for interest on money he had invested as governor. But it was too late to reverse his misfortune. Daniel
Tomkins died in 1825.
It is interesting to consider that the man who accepted James Madison's offer to be Secretary of State, after Daniel
Tompkins refused it, would go on to become a two term president with a famous doctrine named for him.
Daniel Tompkins life story is a lesson that success at one time does not necessarily equal success in the future. How does a man go from being at the top of his class at Columbia University, Governor of New York, Vice President of the United States, and then only be remembered for his suspected financial misconduct and an excessive desire for alcohol?
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