Favorable or Unfavorable #234: Samuel Dexter

[vcczar]

Samuel Dexter of MA was, like Adams, a moderate Federalist who eventually joined the Jeffersonian Republicans. Dexter might also be a sort of proto-Know Nothing based on actions 1795 and 1813. Many anti-catholics were also prohibitionists because they often associated Catholics as heavy drinking (b/c wine at communion?). Meanwhile, Massachusetts still had a puritan strain to them -- still do but it's got the Irish Catholic "good works" mentality to it now. It is possible that Dexter's 1795 action wasn't to be taken seriously since it was in response to someone suggesting that immigrants w/ European noble titles should have to renounce those titles. Dexter shot back with his suggestion, which upset Madison and the catholic Charles Carroll of MD. 

His actions:

Dexter, Samuel	1795	Upsets some Jeffersonians (such as Madison) when suggests Catholic immigrants be required to renounce allegiance to the Pope
Dexter, Samuel	1799	Write Senate eulogy on Washington's death
Dexter, Samuel	1800	appointed Sec of War for Adams after McHenry is fired
Dexter, Samuel	1801	Moved to Treasury to replace Wolcott; Adams does not fill War vacancy before his term ends.
Dexter, Samuel	1801	Agrees to stay on as Sec of Treasury for Jefferson for a few months until Gallatin can take over
Dexter, Samuel	1812	Breaks w/ Federalists to support the war and joins Jeffersonian Republicans
Dexter, Samuel	1813?	Becomes a very early leader in the Temperance Movement, presiding over MA's 1st Temperance Org
Dexter, Samuel	1815	Declines Madison's offer of Amb to Spain

[vcczar]

I'm not strongly unfavorable to him. This is just assuming he was serious about the 1795 action. If he wasn't serious about it, then I might give him favorable.