President Henry Knox?

Henry Knox was an interesting fellow--among other things, he was an American general in the Revolutionary War, a friend of Washington and Hamilton, and one of the first people to serve as Secretary of War. And he was not disinterested in politics--aside from serving as Secretary of War, he was an advocate for the new U.S. Constitution, and served in smaller political offices in his later years. His death in 1806 at age 56 was accidental, and seems like it could have been easily averted. So:

1. What circumstances might cause him to seek the Presidency? Wikipedia claims he was suggested as a vice president for Washington, but turned it down as he preferred to remain Secretary of War. What might compel him to accept such an offer?

2. Providing he were elected, what would a Knox Presidency look like in terms of policies and long-term consequences?
 
Henry Knox was an interesting fellow--among other things, he was an American general in the Revolutionary War, a friend of Washington and Hamilton, and one of the first people to serve as Secretary of War. And he was not disinterested in politics--aside from serving as Secretary of War, he was an advocate for the new U.S. Constitution, and served in smaller political offices in his later years. His death in 1806 at age 56 was accidental, and seems like it could have been easily averted. So:

1. What circumstances might cause him to seek the Presidency? Wikipedia claims he was suggested as a vice president for Washington, but turned it down as he preferred to remain Secretary of War. What might compel him to accept such an offer?

2. Providing he were elected, what would a Knox Presidency look like in terms of policies and long-term consequences?

If John Adams died during his first term as vice-president, there would be pressure to find another Massachusetts Federalist to serve as Washington's VP. Maybe in that event, Knox would find it his duty to accept. (John Hancock would be an alternative, but his health was failing. ) If Knox defeats George Clinton in 1792, he is a logical choice to succeed Washington upon the latter's retirement. (Unlike Adams, Knox will get Hamilton's wholehearted support; in OTL while Hamilton nominally supported Adams he was really maneuvering to make Thomas Pinckney president, as I note at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/soc.history.what-if/7253bIWLxPU/Zo1lr6H2s_0J) Also, I don't think Knox will be as unpopular in the South as Adams was. So I could certainly see Knox defeating Jefferson in 1796, perhaps more decisively than Adams did in OTL.
 
The funny thing is, just yesterday I was pondering if there was any way for General Knox to become President Knox.
 
If John Adams died during his first term as vice-president, there would be pressure to find another Massachusetts Federalist to serve as Washington's VP. Maybe in that event, Knox would find it his duty to accept. (John Hancock would be an alternative, but his health was failing. ) If Knox defeats George Clinton in 1792, he is a logical choice to succeed Washington upon the latter's retirement. (Unlike Adams, Knox will get Hamilton's wholehearted support; in OTL while Hamilton nominally supported Adams he was really maneuvering to make Thomas Pinckney president, as I note at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/soc.history.what-if/7253bIWLxPU/Zo1lr6H2s_0J) Also, I don't think Knox will be as unpopular in the South as Adams was. So I could certainly see Knox defeating Jefferson in 1796, perhaps more decisively than Adams did in OTL.

Hmm, seems relatively plausible. Did Adams have any major health issues during that period, or would his death require some chance occurence?
 
Hmm, seems relatively plausible. Did Adams have any major health issues during that period, or would his death require some chance occurence?

It not be difficult. Many diseases were untreatable so killing Adams would be easy. Or he can just drop from back of horse.
 
Top