Were there any fears that Adams or the Federalists would cause trouble after Jefferson's victory?

by kaykhosrow

My highschool textbook emphasized how remarkable it was that there was a peaceful transition of power between Adams and Jefferson.

Were there any contemporary fears that the transition would be delayed or somehow turn violent?

Irishfafnir

Yes, although direct quotes will have to wait until I get home from work. In particular there had been fears from Republicans that the high Federalist dominated army would be used against the Republicans. In addition the governor of Pennsylvania( a Republican) indicated that he would be ready to march on Washington in conjunction with the Virginia militia if the Federalists attempted to impede Jefferson's election. Monroe (governor of Virginia) response to Pennsylvania was characteristically ambiguous, but there was a system of riders setup to allow for rapid communication between the two states. There is also considerable controversy among scholars regarding Virginia arming in preparation for the election. Some claim that the intent of constructing new armories was as a contingency for the election, others point to alternate explanations such as preparing for conflict against native peoples. In terms of actual Federalist actions to impede the election there are a few examples, supporting Burr is the most obvious, but Hamilton also attempted to get John Jay (governor of New York) to give the state to the Federalists, there are also statements from notable high federalists indicating a willingness to use the army against the Republicans (Jefferson also had this fear and informed his allies not to give the Federalists an excuse to use the army). After the election was settled there was a a movement orchestrated by former secretary of State Timothy Pickering to form an independent New England state, but it never amounted to much other than scheming.

You can read The Deadlocked Election of 1800: Jefferson, Burr, and the Union in the Balance by Roger Sharp a well known political historian of the Early Republic for more information