Albert Gallatin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Gallatin
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Gallatin by Gilbert Stuart, c. 1803
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| United States Minister to the United Kingdom | |
| In office September 1, 1826 – October 4, 1827 |
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| President | John Quincy Adams |
| Preceded by | Rufus King |
| Succeeded by | William Beach Lawrence (acting) |
| United States Minister to France | |
| In office July 16, 1816 – May 16, 1823 |
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| President | James Madison James Monroe |
| Preceded by | William H. Crawford |
| Succeeded by | James Brown |
| 4th United States Secretary of the Treasury | |
| In office May 14, 1801 – February 8, 1814 |
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| President | Thomas Jefferson James Madison |
| Preceded by | Samuel Dexter |
| Succeeded by | George W. Campbell |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 12th district |
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| In office March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1801 |
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| Preceded by | William Findley |
| Succeeded by | William Hoge |
| United States Senator from Pennsylvania |
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| In office December 2, 1793 – February 28, 1794 |
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| Preceded by | William Maclay |
| Succeeded by | James Ross |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin
January 29, 1761 Geneva, Republic of Geneva (now Switzerland) |
| Died | August 12, 1849 (aged 88) Astoria, New York, U.S. (now New York City) |
| Resting place | Trinity Church Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouses | Sophia Allegre (1789–1790) Hannah Nicholson (1793–1849) |
| Education | University of Geneva |
| Signature |  |
Albert Gallatin (born January 29, 1761 – died August 12, 1849) was an important Swiss-American politician and diplomat. Many people call him "America's Swiss Founding Father." He played a big role in shaping the early United States. He helped create the country's financial system and guided its foreign policy.
Gallatin was a key member of the Democratic-Republican Party. He represented Pennsylvania in both the U.S. Congress. He also held several powerful jobs under four presidents. His most famous role was as the longest-serving U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. He also helped start New York University and the American Ethnological Society.
Gallatin was born in Geneva, which is now in Switzerland. He spoke French as his first language. He was inspired by the ideas of the American Revolution. So, he moved to the United States in the 1780s. He settled in western Pennsylvania. He became an American citizen in 1785.
He was elected to the United States Senate in 1793. There, he became a strong opponent of Alexander Hamilton's money plans. But he was removed from office because he had not been a citizen long enough. After this, Gallatin helped calm angry farmers during the Whiskey Rebellion.
In 1795, Gallatin was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He helped create the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee deals with financial matters. He became the main speaker for the Democratic-Republican Party on money issues. He also helped Thomas Jefferson win the election of 1800.
His skill with money led to his appointment as Treasury Secretary. Under Jefferson, Gallatin cut government spending. He also put in place rules for how the government spent money. He helped pay for the Louisiana Purchase. He stayed in this job during James Madison's presidency. He helped reduce the national debt. Gallatin also helped negotiate the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. After the war, he helped create the Second Bank of the United States.
Later, Gallatin served as Ambassador to France and then to Britain. He worked to improve relations with these countries. He retired from politics in 1827. He then spent his life on civic and academic projects. He became the first president of the National Bank in New York. He also co-founded the American Ethnological Society. He studied Native American languages. This earned him the title "father of American ethnology." Gallatin also spoke out against slavery.
Contents
Albert Gallatin: Early Life and Journey to America
Albert Gallatin was born on January 29, 1761, in Geneva. At that time, Geneva was its own republic. His parents were wealthy, but they both died when he was young. A family friend, Mademoiselle Pictet, took care of him.
In 1773, Gallatin went to the Academy of Geneva. He read the ideas of thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire. He felt that Geneva was too old-fashioned. He was inspired by the Enlightenment. He believed in human goodness and freedom. The democratic spirit of the United States attracted him. He decided to move there.
In April 1780, Gallatin secretly left Geneva with a friend. They sailed on an American ship called "the Kattie." They arrived in Boston on July 14, 1780. Gallatin tried a trading business in Machias, Maine. He enjoyed the simple life there. Later, he worked as a French tutor at Harvard College.
Gallatin did not like living in New England. He wanted to be a farmer in the American West. This was the frontier at the time. He became a business partner with a French land buyer. They traveled to buy undeveloped lands. In 1785, he became an American citizen in Virginia. He bought land in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He built a stone house there called Friendship Hill.
Albert Gallatin's Family Life
In 1789, Gallatin married Sophie Allègre. But she died just five months later. He was very sad for several years. He even thought about going back to Geneva.
However, on November 1, 1793, he married Hannah Nicholson. Her father was a well-known naval officer. Albert and Hannah had two sons and four daughters. Three of their daughters died as babies. This marriage helped Gallatin politically and financially. The Nicholsons had connections in many states. Gallatin sold most of his land, except for Friendship Hill. He and Hannah lived in Philadelphia and other cities.
Albert Gallatin's Early Political Career
His Time in the Pennsylvania Legislature
In 1788, Gallatin was chosen as a delegate. He attended a state meeting to discuss changes to the U.S. Constitution. In the next two years, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
As a public official, he joined the Anti-Federalists. This group opposed some of the new federal government's powers. He became known as an expert in finance and taxes. This was because of his work on the Ways and Means Committee.
Serving in the United States Senate
Gallatin was elected to the United States Senate in early 1793. He quickly became a strong opponent of Alexander Hamilton's financial plans. But in February 1794, he was removed from the Senate. This was because he had not been a citizen for the required nine years.
This event was important for the Senate. At that time, Senate meetings were private. But senators were worried about looking like they wanted to create an aristocracy. So, they opened their meetings to the public for the first time. This happened during the debate about Gallatin's seat. After that, open sessions became normal for the Senate.
The Whiskey Rebellion and Gallatin's Role
Gallatin strongly opposed a tax on whiskey that started in 1791. Whiskey production was important for the economy in the western parts of the country. In 1794, after he left the Senate, the Whiskey Rebellion began. Farmers were angry about the whiskey tax.
Gallatin did not join the rebellion. But he thought President George Washington's military response was too strong. Gallatin helped convince many angry farmers to end the rebellion. He told them that if one part of the country used force against the whole, the government would end. The rebellion stopped when the army arrived, and there was no fighting.
Gallatin in the House of Representatives
After the Whiskey Rebellion, Gallatin was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He took his seat in March 1795. He became the main financial expert for the Democratic-Republican Party.
In 1796, Gallatin wrote a book about U.S. finances. It criticized the Federalist Party's financial plans. Some historians believe Gallatin helped create the House Ways and Means Committee. This was to limit Hamilton's power over money issues. After James Madison left the House, Gallatin became the Democratic-Republican leader there.
During the Quasi-War with France, Gallatin criticized military spending. He also opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws limited freedom of speech and made it harder for immigrants to become citizens. In the close election of 1800, Gallatin helped Thomas Jefferson win against Aaron Burr.
Albert Gallatin: Secretary of the Treasury
Serving Under President Jefferson
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Albert Gallatin was very skilled in public finance. So, he was the clear choice for Jefferson's Secretary of the Treasury. Jefferson said Gallatin was the only one who truly understood the Treasury's finances. Gallatin started in May 1801 and was confirmed in January 1802. He became one of the three most important officials in Jefferson's government.
Gallatin, along with Secretary of State Madison and Jefferson, often ran the government. This was especially true when Jefferson and Madison were at their homes. Gallatin also helped Jefferson make his speeches and policies more moderate.
Gallatin worked to lower taxes, spending, and the national debt. Reducing the debt was a key goal for his party and for Gallatin himself. When he took office in 1801, the national debt was $83 million. By 1812, it had fallen to $45.2 million.
Gallatin worked with John Randolph to cut federal spending. They also removed or ended all internal taxes, including the whiskey tax. He greatly reduced military spending, especially for the United States Navy.
Even though he disliked debt, Gallatin strongly supported and arranged the money for the Louisiana Purchase. In this deal, the U.S. bought a huge area of land from France. Both Jefferson and Gallatin believed that controlling the port of New Orleans was vital for the growth of the Western United States. Gallatin helped convince Jefferson that the purchase was necessary. Gallatin also supported and helped plan the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This expedition explored lands west of the Mississippi River.
Gallatin also oversaw a big increase in public land sales. He wanted to sell land directly to settlers, not just to land speculators. He increased the number of federal land offices from four to eighteen. In 1812, the General Land Office was created to manage public lands.
To help develop western lands, Gallatin supported internal improvements like roads and canals. He especially wanted to connect areas west of the Appalachian Mountains. In 1808, Gallatin proposed a $20 million federal plan for infrastructure. This included canals and a road from Maine to Georgia. Many of his ideas were built later by states or private groups. But Gallatin did get funding for the National Road. This road connected Cumberland with Wheeling.
During Jefferson's second term, France and Britain were fighting in the Napoleonic Wars. Both countries tried to stop American trade with their enemy. The British practice of impressment was very upsetting. They forced captured American sailors to work on British ships. Jefferson proposed the Embargo Act of 1807. This act stopped almost all American foreign trade. Gallatin disagreed with the embargo, but he had to enforce it. The embargo did not work well and caused problems in New England. Despite this, James Madison won the 1808 presidential election.
Serving Under President Madison
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After Madison became president, he wanted Gallatin to be Secretary of State. This was usually the most important cabinet job. But the Senate opposed this. So, Madison kept Gallatin as Treasury Secretary. Gallatin was unhappy with this decision. He often faced criticism from some politicians and journalists. He thought about resigning, but Madison convinced him to stay.
In 1810, Gallatin suggested a federal loan program to help new manufacturers. But Congress did not approve it. He also failed to convince Congress to renew the charter of the First Bank of the United States. This bank was important to the country's financial system. In January 1811, the bank was closed after very close votes in Congress. Gallatin was very upset and offered to resign. But he withdrew his resignation after Madison made changes in his cabinet.
After the Embargo Act was repealed, Gallatin had to enforce new trade laws. These laws still limited trade with Britain and France. But they did not stop attacks on American ships. In June 1812, Madison declared war on Britain. This started the War of 1812.
The U.S. tried to invade Canada, but British forces stopped them. The U.S. had some success at sea. But the British blocked American ports. Without the national bank and with less money from trade, Gallatin struggled to pay for the war. He reluctantly created new tax laws and raised tariffs. He also sold government bonds to investors. Wealthy investors like Stephen Girard and John Jacob Astor helped fund the war. During the War of 1812, the national debt grew a lot. It went from $45 million in 1812 to $127 million in 1816.
Albert Gallatin: Diplomat
In 1813, President James Madison sent Gallatin to St. Petersburg, Russia. He was one of five American negotiators for a peace treaty to end the War of 1812. The first talks in Russia quickly failed. While waiting for new talks, Gallatin was replaced as Treasury Secretary.
Negotiations with the British finally started in Ghent in mid-1814. The talks lasted four months. The British were tired of fighting after defeating Napoleon. In December 1814, both sides signed the Treaty of Ghent. This treaty mostly returned things to how they were before the war. The treaty did not mention impressment. But this issue became less important after Britain defeated Napoleon for good. Gallatin's patience and skill helped make the treaty a success.
After the war, Gallatin negotiated a trade treaty with Britain. He was happy that the war led to the U.S. controlling western lands. The British stopped supporting Native Americans who wanted their own state. He also noted that the war helped the U.S. create permanent taxes and military forces.
When Gallatin returned from Europe in 1815, he declined to be Treasury Secretary again. But he did help convince Congress to create the Second Bank of the United States. This bank replaced the one that had closed. Gallatin then became ambassador to France. He served there from 1816 to 1823. He enjoyed living in Paris. While in France, he helped negotiate two treaties with Britain. These treaties solved issues from the War of 1812. They also set up joint control over Oregon Country.
When he returned to the U.S., Gallatin agreed to be William H. Crawford's running mate in the 1824 presidential election. But he later withdrew from the race. Gallatin never wanted the job. He was worried that Andrew Jackson might win the election. He saw Jackson as unfit for the presidency. John Quincy Adams eventually won the election.
Gallatin and his wife returned to Friendship Hill. In 1826, Gallatin became ambassador to Britain. He negotiated an extension of the agreement for Oregon Country. He returned to the United States in November 1827.
Albert Gallatin: Later Life and Legacy
In 1828, Gallatin moved to New York City. He became president of the National Bank of New York. He tried to convince President Jackson to renew the Second Bank of the United States. But Jackson vetoed the bill, and the bank lost its federal charter.
In 1831, Gallatin helped found New York University. In 1843, he became president of the New York Historical Society. In the 1840s, he opposed President James K. Polk's expansion plans. He wrote a popular pamphlet called Peace with Mexico. It called for an end to the Mexican–American War.
Gallatin was very interested in Native Americans. He wanted them to join European-American culture. He gathered information from government contacts and explorers. He became friends with Cherokee leader John Ridge. Ridge gave him information about the Cherokee language. Gallatin published two works about Native American languages. His research led him to believe that Native Americans came from Asia. In 1843, he co-founded the American Ethnological Society. He was its first president. Because of his studies, he is called "the father of American ethnology."
Gallatin's wife, Hannah, died in May 1849. Albert Gallatin died on August 12, 1849, in Astoria, New York. He was 88 years old. He is buried in Trinity Churchyard in New York City. He was the last living member of Jefferson's cabinet. He was also the last surviving senator from the 1700s.
Many places are named after Gallatin. These include counties, roads, and streets. The Gallatin River was named by the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is one of three rivers that form the Missouri River. Gallatin County, Montana and Gallatin, Tennessee are also named for him. His home, Friendship Hill, is now a National Park Service site. A statue of Gallatin stands at the northern entrance of the Treasury Building. New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study is also named after him.
In 1791, Gallatin was elected to the American Philosophical Society.
Images for kids
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Statue of Albert Gallatin in front of the northern entrance to the United States Treasury Building
See also
In Spanish: Albert Gallatin para niños
- Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site
- Gallatin Bank Building
- List of foreign-born United States Cabinet members
- List of United States senators born outside the United States
