CLINTON, GEORGE
\klˈɪntən], \klˈɪntən], \k_l_ˈɪ_n_t_ə_n]\
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(1739-1812) Vice-President of the United States, was a soldier in the French and Indian War and a member of the New York Assembly, in the first part of the Revolution he was for a short time member of the Continental Congress, and then served in the field. As a brigadier-general he defended unsuccessfully the Highland forts against the British in 1777. For the long period of 1777-95 he was Governor of the State, and threw his great influence against the ratification of the Federal Constitution. Thereafter he was an Anti-Federalist and Republican leader. He received a few votes for Vice-President in 1789, fifty votes for Vice-President in 1792 and several in 1796. He was again Governor in 1801-04, and was elected Vice-President in 1804, serving as such, under Jefferson and Madison, until his death. In 1811 he gave the casting vote against the U. S. Bank.
By John Franklin Jameson