The Election of 1800

The timeline is a little skewed here for dramatic purposes. Philip died in November 1801.

In these two lines, Jefferson and Madison are breaking the fourth wall and acknowledging that the last couple of songs have been about the Hamiltons' personal life and the sadness of Philip’s death.

On stage, Madison actually walks in still crying over “It’s Quiet Uptown” and blots his eyes with a handkerchief. This survives in the recording with Okieriete Onaodowan intentionally inserting a voice crack to convey his sadness over Philip’s death.

Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

A true student of the Enlightenment, Jefferson had a portrait of Sir Isaac Newton hung in his home alongside two others that he called the “trinity of the three greatest men the world had ever produced.” The other two men were John Locke and Francis Bacon.

Jefferson would later use these portraits to feed rumors that Hamilton was a monarchist. Jefferson told supporters that he had shown the “trinity” to Hamilton and that Hamilton paused dramatically, and then replied, “the greatest man …that ever lived was Julius Caesar”—a man reviled by early Americans for overthrowing the republic America was modeled upon. Jefferson was scandalized.

Today, some scholars believe that Hamilton was trolling Jefferson.

Within context, it’s likely that Jefferson is leading up to and referencing the fact that Aaron Burr is leading his own group into the 1800 election. This would be the “opposite reaction” to Hamilton’s rapid decline, and would be an “equal” consequence in a literary sense, as the parallels between Hamilton and Burr have been cleverly and completely established at this point.

Jefferson also quotes this law in “Washington On Your Side.”

It’s also kind of Ironic how Jefferson asks to get back to politics and proceeds to talk about physics.

Adams had passed a lot of unpopular laws during his presidency, including a direct tax. He also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which allowed any foreigner to be detained or deported, made it harder to become a citizen, and made it illegal to write items critical of the government. Adams' biographer David McCullough says that the President viewed them as wartime measures, and received support for this from staunch Federalists. But to Democratic-Republicans, and to some Federalists who weren’t so staunch, the laws were seen as counter to the goals of the Revolution.

In addition, Adams' fellow Federalists were angry because he wouldn’t declare war on France outright despite passing those war measures noted above. He also negotiated a peace, instead of continuing a Quasi-War. So he got it from all sides.

This is the second time Miranda uses “shat the bed” to indicate a figure failed. He says Charles Lee “shits the bed” at the Battle of Monmouth in “Stay Alive.”

This is a commentary on the friendship Jefferson and Adams shared. Having been close friends since the early days of the Continental Congress, the two had maintained their friendship through their political differences.

The Election of 1800 was the culminating point where the differences professionally became too personal for the friendship to survive, beginning a twelve-year-long silence between the two.

Thomas Jefferson had hired what was essentially an election “henchman” James Callender, the journalist who broke/leaked the Hamilton-Reynolds affair to the public, to run a smear campaign against Adams. It won Jefferson the election, but also cost him his friendship with Adams.

It wasn’t until 1812 when we see correspondence between the two commence once again. This communication chain served to rekindle the friendship that had been lost between the two, and would continue until their deaths, both occurring on the same day, July 4th 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

It is rumored that 90 year old Adams' final words were: “Jefferson still survives” as he was unaware that Jefferson had died five hours earlier in Monticello at the age of 82.

Jefferson is using a medical metaphor to describe how bad Adams has got it.

In the show’s timeline, perhaps Jefferson feels bad about Hamilton’s grief. But in the real world Philip died in 1801, and Hamilton was “missing in action” during the 1800 election because he was busy being de-facto commander of the army during the Quasi-War.

The term “missing in action” is a military term, perhaps used here to hint at Hamilton’s occupation in the army during this time. The implications of “missing in action” are varied; often soldiers who die are reported MIA if their bodies are never found or identified (recalling earlier images of Hamilton experiencing an inner death), but deserters are also reported MIA, and in the context of the musical Hamilton’s refusal to engage in politics can be seen as a desertion.

You weren’t so sympathetic a few songs ago, Thomas.

The word “faction” calls back to “Washington On Your Side” when Jefferson says, “we’ve fractured into factions.” This song has many parts that share the same melody as “Washington On Your Side” and these lyrical parallels helps strengthen that bond.

New York was “a large, crucial state” in national elections at the time. Jefferson himself regarded a Democratic-Republican victory there essential to winning the presidency. In the previous election of 1797, New York gave “all 12 of its electoral votes to Adams … allowing him to eke out a three-vote victory over Jefferson.”

Burr was key to winning this swing state; he’d spent the years after the war establishing a robust political career in New York. By 1800, he had twice been elected to the New York State assembly; was appointed New York State Attorney General; and, as we learned in “Schuyler Defeated,“ had been elected as a U.S. senator from the State of New York.

Artistically, this is a reference to Aaron Burr’s theme of “talk less, smile more” heard throughout the show.

The historical Aaron Burr was not quite so cryptic as Hamilton suggests; he was an abolitionist, a supporter of racial and gender equality, and a promoter of education, and his legislative votes and proposals reflected those views. But what is true is that he was not a political theorist.

In a political landscape dominated by people like Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison with big ideas about how government ought to work—and political agendas built around those ideas—Burr was a workaday politician who just wanted to win elections, write a few laws, and enjoy the privileges of power and office. Hamilton could never have opportunistically switched to the Democratic-Republican Party like Burr did; nor could Jefferson have switched to the Federalists. Both of them were invested in the ideologies of their parties. Burr was not.

In some ways, it’s as though the twin brother of today’s Senator Burr (who is distantly related to Aaron) had been sent back to 1776. Given the distaste with which modern Americans view their politicians, it’s no wonder that deeply ideological founders like Hamilton would have thought Burr unworthy of office.

Artistically, this is a reference to Aaron Burr’s theme of “talk less, smile more” heard throughout the show.

The historical Aaron Burr was not quite so cryptic as Hamilton suggests; he was an abolitionist, a supporter of racial and gender equality, and a promoter of education, and his legislative votes and proposals reflected those views. But what is true is that he was not a political theorist.

In a political landscape dominated by people like Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison with big ideas about how government ought to work—and political agendas built around those ideas—Burr was a workaday politician who just wanted to win elections, write a few laws, and enjoy the privileges of power and office. Hamilton could never have opportunistically switched to the Democratic-Republican Party like Burr did; nor could Jefferson have switched to the Federalists. Both of them were invested in the ideologies of their parties. Burr was not.

In some ways, it’s as though the twin brother of today’s Senator Burr (who is distantly related to Aaron) had been sent back to 1776. Given the distaste with which modern Americans view their politicians, it’s no wonder that deeply ideological founders like Hamilton would have thought Burr unworthy of office.

Jefferson and his Democratic Republicans supported the French Revolution, while the Federalists (originally led by Hamilton) wanted closer ties with the British.

Jefferson argues that despite receiving criticism for his fondness of France, committing to those views illustrates his knowledge of global politics. In context, it’s also a pretty sick burn about the absurd tendency Burr has to avoid questions, implying that he can’t even give a straightforward answer to a simple geography question.

The joke here may also tap into the stereotype that Americans, including our politicians, are terrible at geography (see: President George W. Bush not being able to name world leaders, rumors that former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin thought Africa was a single country, and former Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson not knowing what Aleppo is). However, it doesn’t really help his public perception as elitist that he makes jabs like this…

In a letter to W.T. Barry, James Madison famously says,

A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. "

Madison was a smart politician with a firm grasp of political theory, and his advice was able to push Jefferson over the edge to victory.

Callback to the moment in “We Know” where Madison is reading the letter from James Reynolds and Jefferson interrupts saying “Whaaaat” in the exact same tone.

Reprises Jefferson, Burr, and Madison’s singing complaint about Hamilton earlier in the show:

It must be nice, it must be nice

To have Washington on your side

That Hamilton replaces Washington – who had died the previous year at the age of 67 – in this reprise shows that despite his political downfall, he is still seen as a key political figure that holds public sway, a “host unto himself”. It also recalls Washington’s comments in songs such as “Right Hand Man” and “History Has Its Eyes on You” (as well as his habit of referring to Hamilton as “son”, to the latter’s chagrin) which suggested that he saw Hamilton as being in some capacity a successor.

It’s also a tad bit ironic, seeing as the last time this melody appeared, they were looking to ruin Hamilton rather than get on his good side.

Reprises Jefferson, Burr, and Madison’s singing complaint about Hamilton earlier in the show:

It must be nice, it must be nice

To have Washington on your side

That Hamilton replaces Washington – who had died the previous year at the age of 67 – in this reprise shows that despite his political downfall, he is still seen as a key political figure that holds public sway, a “host unto himself”. It also recalls Washington’s comments in songs such as “Right Hand Man” and “History Has Its Eyes on You” (as well as his habit of referring to Hamilton as “son”, to the latter’s chagrin) which suggested that he saw Hamilton as being in some capacity a successor.

It’s also a tad bit ironic, seeing as the last time this melody appeared, they were looking to ruin Hamilton rather than get on his good side.

A recurring Burr theme (“Aaron Burr, Sir,” “The Room Where It Happens”). But here, where Burr is running a successful campaign with the strategy, the tone and melody are different: urgent and triumphant, but also strident and even manic. His words sound a little forced; his voice nearly cracks at the end of the verse. There’s an instability to Burr in this moment, a feeling that he’s teetering between a euphoric “Yes, this is working!” and crazed “This has GOT to work!”

It’s also sung in another new musical style for Burr, echoing Burr’s tendency to shift his stance depending on what he thinks the situation calls for. This whole section is reminiscent of rock/pop-punk musicals, particularly Spring Awakening.

The Burr here, may be a reference to a cut song,
Let It Go. The song came after the orignal Schuyler Defeated (which is different from the one on Brodway). Both are used in reference to a goverment spot. In Let It Go, its refering to Aaron Burr becoming senator. While here its refering to him being a presidential candidate.

This is Burr’s mantra throughout the whole play, beginning in “Aaron Burr, Sir.” Now, as much as advice to others, it’s his own internal reminder as he campaigns.

“Shake hands with him!” accentuates Burr’s tendency to be a bit too polite regarding important issues. Talking less and smiling more is somewhat of a diplomatic tactic, as no disagreement is voiced to anything.

“Charm her!” has us recall his womanizer status that is shown throughout the musical, such as in “The Schuyler Sisters” and “A Winter’s Ball.”

After beginning the line with “it’s 1800,” listeners might expect a more progressive message for the new century, like “Ladies, vote for Burr!” Unfortunately—though to comedic effect—the best he can do is tell them to pressure their husbands; women had no right to vote in this era.

Still, perhaps this counted for progressive at the time. Burr himself was an outspoken proponent of women’s rights. When he was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1783, he even submitted a bill to allow women to vote.

However, women were not granted that right until August 20th, 1920 when the 19th Amendment was passed. Even then, there was a blatantly racial divide. Although black women could technically vote, special “tests” were put in place to keep them disenfranchised. Furthermore, Native Americans as a whole could not vote until 1947. See here for more information on voting rights in America.

The line “Tell your husbands ‘Vote for Burr!’” is significant also as an illustration of Burr’s campaign strategy. He was well-known to be a charmer as a young man, “reliable with the ladies,” so it would make sense for him to put his charm to good use with the wives of voters. He could gain popularity with the wives, who would talk him up to their husbands, without requiring him to talk policy, or commit to any political agenda.

Neither does Hamilton, neither does Hamilton.

Although the libretto does label these characters as “Female Voter”, that’s mostly an anachronism. As legal theorist William Blackstone put it, in English—and thus American—common law at the time, “the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage”, and so married women had very few rights of their own. New Jersey allowed women who owned property to vote, but that usually only included widows or spinsters.

Nevertheless, women participated in early American political life in other ways; they attended rallies and marches, organized causes, lobbied legislatures, and hosted salons where men and women discussed political topics. Some wrote or spoke on political topics. A few even participated in riots. And as the partner responsible for the household, women often organized boycotts and pressured merchants to uphold them.

Gradually, women were edged out of their early political role, but this only caused them to organize for their right to vote. Women would eventually win that right nationwide when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920.

There are several layers of meaning here:

• Jefferson’s Democratic–Republican Party was widely considered to favor closer ties with France, while Hamilton’s Federalist Party was considered to favor England.

• As highlighted in “What’d I Miss”, Jefferson was the American ambassador to France and participated in the early stages of the French Revolution.

• And of course, this is another subtle reference to the fact that Daveed Diggs plays Lafayette, a Frenchman, in the first act and plays Jefferson in the second.

Although the libretto does label these characters as “Female Voter”, that’s mostly an anachronism. As legal theorist William Blackstone put it, in English—and thus American—common law at the time, “the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage”, and so married women had very few rights of their own. New Jersey allowed women who owned property to vote, but that usually only included widows or spinsters.

Nevertheless, women participated in early American political life in other ways; they attended rallies and marches, organized causes, lobbied legislatures, and hosted salons where men and women discussed political topics. Some wrote or spoke on political topics. A few even participated in riots. And as the partner responsible for the household, women often organized boycotts and pressured merchants to uphold them.

Gradually, women were edged out of their early political role, but this only caused them to organize for their right to vote. Women would eventually win that right nationwide when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920.

These lines reference a common trope found in political journalism during the past decade: which presidential candidate would you rather have a beer with? Burr initially ingratiated himself to Hamilton with this exact salt-of-the-earth tactic in “Aaron Burr, Sir.”

In 2004, a Zogby/Williams Identity Poll found that 57% of undecided voters would rather have a beer with Bush than Kerry:

President Bush, despite his many problems, strikes most of the American people as a pretty nice guy — the kind of guy they would feel comfortable with if he showed up at their front door. The more standoffish Kerry projects little warmth. A recent Zogby/Williams Identity Poll reflected that. It found that 57% of undecided voters would rather have a beer with Bush than Kerry. (In Bush’s case, it would be a nonalcoholic beer.)

Bush was perceived by many as friendly and likeable, while Kerry was frequently portrayed as elitist. Here, Miranda is helping the audience out by drawing a comparison between Bush and Burr, and Kerry and Jefferson, translating the election of 1800 into more familiar terms.

However, the perception of Jefferson as “elitist” is not technically accurate. Jefferson worked very hard to cultivate a “man of the people” reputation. He famously greeted visitors to the presidential mansion in his robe, and was very casual in his demeanor.

Jefferson criticized Hamilton for his elitism, including his fashionable style of dress (as he does in “Cabinet Battle #2” and “Washington On Your Side”). Ironic, because Jefferson was a wealthy land-owner who never had to work, but Hamilton relied on his law practice to support his family.

Burr would attend various social functions as part of his “open campaign,” and it might surprise people to see him out and about as a member of society, especially as a famous person who’s aspiring to high office. The star-struck undercurrent here implies that somewhat. It’s not unlike present-day fundraisers where a heavy hitter might make a surprise appearance. This entire section gives the idea that Burr was trying to identify himself with the common worker class.

Additionally, there’s a bit of background that the musical doesn’t really touch:

First, Burr had a reputation as a lawyer who would represent both the working class and the upper class, so he was familiar across the board to NYC residents.

And second, Burr had a reputation as an outrageous flirt who appreciated the company of women, so they might understandably be interested in meeting him.

These lines reference a common trope found in political journalism during the past decade: which presidential candidate would you rather have a beer with? Burr initially ingratiated himself to Hamilton with this exact salt-of-the-earth tactic in “Aaron Burr, Sir.”

In 2004, a Zogby/Williams Identity Poll found that 57% of undecided voters would rather have a beer with Bush than Kerry:

President Bush, despite his many problems, strikes most of the American people as a pretty nice guy — the kind of guy they would feel comfortable with if he showed up at their front door. The more standoffish Kerry projects little warmth. A recent Zogby/Williams Identity Poll reflected that. It found that 57% of undecided voters would rather have a beer with Bush than Kerry. (In Bush’s case, it would be a nonalcoholic beer.)

Bush was perceived by many as friendly and likeable, while Kerry was frequently portrayed as elitist. Here, Miranda is helping the audience out by drawing a comparison between Bush and Burr, and Kerry and Jefferson, translating the election of 1800 into more familiar terms.

However, the perception of Jefferson as “elitist” is not technically accurate. Jefferson worked very hard to cultivate a “man of the people” reputation. He famously greeted visitors to the presidential mansion in his robe, and was very casual in his demeanor.

Jefferson criticized Hamilton for his elitism, including his fashionable style of dress (as he does in “Cabinet Battle #2” and “Washington On Your Side”). Ironic, because Jefferson was a wealthy land-owner who never had to work, but Hamilton relied on his law practice to support his family.

Miranda repeats this ensemble refrain with increasing insistence, a metaphor for the growing Federalist interest in Hamilton’s presidential endorsement. The chorus grows louder, adds voices, increases counterpoint, as the public’s demand for Hamilton’s opinion comes to a head at “If you had to / Choose / Choose / Choose!”

It’s interesting to note the use of the word “voting”: Hamilton didn’t actually have a vote in this contest, only influence with the people who did.

Recalling the previous song “It’s Quiet Uptown”.

By having him sing this callback, which is so at odds with the rest of the song, he separates himself from the rest of the people singing. He’s still mourning the loss of his son rather than focusing on politics. However, his people interrupt him and by the end of the song they have forced him back to the public eye. In this way, the song completes Hamilton’s mourning process, which was begun back in “Stay Alive (Reprise)” and “It’s Quiet Uptown.”

This is also one of many examples of Hamilton refusing to sing along with others' melodies and inserting his own instead. “It’s Quiet Uptown” was the first time he sang anyone else’s melody (Eliza’s).

The ensemble also seems to cut the last sounds of “uptown” off. In this way, it shows their urgency/pestering of Hamilton for him to make up his mind.

This is a bit anachronistic; there was no Jefferson-or-Burr question until after they tied. To say “John Adams doesn’t stand a chance” implies that he’s still in the race, but in reality Burr only became a viable option after Adams was eliminated by the electoral vote. (See more about the historical details below.)

However, many of the Federalists didn’t support Adams in this election after his first term, so this statement, while inaccurate, could be one made from a Federalist perspective.

Recalling the previous song “It’s Quiet Uptown”.

By having him sing this callback, which is so at odds with the rest of the song, he separates himself from the rest of the people singing. He’s still mourning the loss of his son rather than focusing on politics. However, his people interrupt him and by the end of the song they have forced him back to the public eye. In this way, the song completes Hamilton’s mourning process, which was begun back in “Stay Alive (Reprise)” and “It’s Quiet Uptown.”

This is also one of many examples of Hamilton refusing to sing along with others' melodies and inserting his own instead. “It’s Quiet Uptown” was the first time he sang anyone else’s melody (Eliza’s).

The ensemble also seems to cut the last sounds of “uptown” off. In this way, it shows their urgency/pestering of Hamilton for him to make up his mind.

Another line that drives home how far Hamilton has fallen since his glory days as Washington’s right hand man. The meter of this repeated line is the same as “Treasury or State?” in “Non-Stop”, that is, Hamilton’s cocky response to President Washington’s request that Hamilton join his cabinet.

In “Non-Stop,” the closing number of the first Act, Hamilton is on the rise, a key enough adviser to Washington that he can state his preferred choices for Cabinet role, and has reason to hope that this role will lead to a future presidency.

By “The Election of 1800,” Hamilton is ruined personally (“It’s Quiet Uptown”) and politically (“Never gon' be president now!”). The best he can do is weigh in on which of his bitter enemies, Jefferson or Burr, should become president. The similar pattern between “Treasury or State” and “Jefferson or Burr” is thus a cruel irony highlighting how Hamilton has become a shadow of his former self.

A “lose-lose” or “no-win” situation is one in which there are no good choices, as both put one at a disadvantage. As far as the public is concerned, the choice is lose-lose for Alexander because both Jefferson and Burr are Democratic-Republicans; we know that it’s worse than that: Jefferson represents the antithesis of Federalist political stances, and Burr stands for nothing.

Like some of the other lines in the song, this reflects language that we still hear during presidential elections. There are usually many people who do not particularly like either of the two mainstream candidates, and say that they will only vote for “the lesser of two evils,” or the one who they think is less bad (as Hamilton is doing here).

Another line that drives home how far Hamilton has fallen since his glory days as Washington’s right hand man. The meter of this repeated line is the same as “Treasury or State?” in “Non-Stop”, that is, Hamilton’s cocky response to President Washington’s request that Hamilton join his cabinet.

In “Non-Stop,” the closing number of the first Act, Hamilton is on the rise, a key enough adviser to Washington that he can state his preferred choices for Cabinet role, and has reason to hope that this role will lead to a future presidency.

By “The Election of 1800,” Hamilton is ruined personally (“It’s Quiet Uptown”) and politically (“Never gon' be president now!”). The best he can do is weigh in on which of his bitter enemies, Jefferson or Burr, should become president. The similar pattern between “Treasury or State” and “Jefferson or Burr” is thus a cruel irony highlighting how Hamilton has become a shadow of his former self.

Cast your mind back to Non-Stop, and the conversation between Burr and Hamilton that happened. You know, this one. The one where Hamilton is asking for political support, while Burr is lying in wait to see which way the wind will blow.

Sound familiar? It should, because this conversation in 1800 is remarkably similar to that, except the roles are reversed. Burr is asking for political support, while Ham is lying in wait.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better example of how Ham and Burr switch tactics in Act 2.

Additionally, the bass in the background plays the Non-Stop theme (though the one from before the mentioned conversation), but far slower than when it was playing for Hamilton, showing how tired Burr is.

This exact sequence of the introductory “Aaron Burr, Sir” motif hasn’t been heard since “The Story of Tonight (Reprise).” That was one of the friendliest encounters Burr and Hamilton ever have in the show, possibly not less because Hamilton was more than a little drunk for the exchange. Here, once again we see one of the men at one of the happiest moments of his life, and more than a little drunk with it. However, there’s more history and even less amiability underscoring this new interaction. The accompaniment reflects this, with an agitated, uneasy evolution of the theme that always accompanies this exchange.

The refrain of “it isn’t Aaron Burr” here looks a lot like an answer to “But if you had to choose,” hinting at Hamilton’s eventual decision—not so much for Jefferson as against Burr.

Burr says Alexander’s first name here, perhaps a sign that he wishes to reconcile and have a friendship again so he can win?

At this point in American politics, presidential candidates did not kiss babies or make stump speeches. The candidates themselves were supposed to remain above the fray, leaving campaigning to surrogates.

Burr can be considered the father of political campaigning. He established a bustling campaign headquarters, which was open for nearly two months. He created a list of every New York City voter with detailed descriptions of their political leanings, financial status, and temperament. He organized his supporters, who went electioneering door-to-door. It was the 1800s version of a get-out-the-vote initiative.

In another sense, “openly campaigning” is “new” for Burr, since he is actually going after what he wants and championing himself rather than waiting for it.

Leslie Odom Jr’s acting here is impeccable. You can hear him smiling through gritted teeth, unwilling to completely set down the campaign persona for even a second, despite the strain. Kinda wish you’d been talking more and smiling less at this point, huh, Burr? Your jaw must be aching.

This is one of the moments where the show uses history to take shots at the present. We now live in a nation where top politicians spend nearly as much time fundraising as they do running the country.

Still behind a gritted-teeth smile, Burr is giving his best impression of a “Sir” intended to convey “Sir, would you kindly get lost already?”

Burr isn’t lying in wait anymore, he’s actually going after what he wants. Maybe Hamilton’s finally rubbing off on him, after all, he’s the one who taught Burr that “you don’t get a win unless you play in the game.” Burr attempts to convince Hamilton that he’s just doing what Hamilton would do. But he’s missed Hamilton’s point—to fight for your deeply-held beliefs, whereas Burr is simply “chasing what he wants” for personal gain.

Of course, Hamilton promptly makes damn sure Burr isn’t going to get what he wants.

The result of the Electoral College vote was indeed a tie. Under the original Constitution, each of the 138 members of the Electoral College could cast two votes. Whichever candidate received the majority of votes would become president, and the runner-up would become vice-president. When the votes were counted, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes. Adams received 65, Pinckney received 64, and John Jay (who had not been running) received 1.

So then Jefferson and Burr, previously running mates, found themselves rivals. According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, in the event of a tie, the decision was to be made by the House of Representatives. Each of the 16 states (Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee had joined by 1800) would cast a single vote. Between February 11 and 17, 1801, the House cast 35 ballots, and each time the result was a deadlock.

In a letter to Delaware Congressman James A. Bayard written the previous December, Hamilton wrote:

Be assured my dear Sir, that [Burr] has no principle public or private. […] Let me add that I could scarcely name a discreet man of either party in our State, who does not think Mr Burr the most unfit man in the U. S. for the office of President. […] For Heaven’s sake my dear Sir, exert yourself to the utmost to save our country from so great a calamity.

When a 36th ballot was cast on February 17, Bayard and his allies from Maryland and Vermont cast blank ballots. Jefferson received 10 votes, and Burr received 4 votes. Delaware and South Carolina had cast blank ballots. Jefferson was elected President, and Burr became Vice-President.

The deadlock situation encountered during this election led to the adoption of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804, which introduced separate ballots for the presidency and the vice-presidency.

The result of the Electoral College vote was indeed a tie. Under the original Constitution, each of the 138 members of the Electoral College could cast two votes. Whichever candidate received the majority of votes would become president, and the runner-up would become vice-president. When the votes were counted, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes. Adams received 65, Pinckney received 64, and John Jay (who had not been running) received 1.

So then Jefferson and Burr, previously running mates, found themselves rivals. According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, in the event of a tie, the decision was to be made by the House of Representatives. Each of the 16 states (Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee had joined by 1800) would cast a single vote. Between February 11 and 17, 1801, the House cast 35 ballots, and each time the result was a deadlock.

In a letter to Delaware Congressman James A. Bayard written the previous December, Hamilton wrote:

Be assured my dear Sir, that [Burr] has no principle public or private. […] Let me add that I could scarcely name a discreet man of either party in our State, who does not think Mr Burr the most unfit man in the U. S. for the office of President. […] For Heaven’s sake my dear Sir, exert yourself to the utmost to save our country from so great a calamity.

When a 36th ballot was cast on February 17, Bayard and his allies from Maryland and Vermont cast blank ballots. Jefferson received 10 votes, and Burr received 4 votes. Delaware and South Carolina had cast blank ballots. Jefferson was elected President, and Burr became Vice-President.

The deadlock situation encountered during this election led to the adoption of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804, which introduced separate ballots for the presidency and the vice-presidency.

The result of the Electoral College vote was indeed a tie. Under the original Constitution, each of the 138 members of the Electoral College could cast two votes. Whichever candidate received the majority of votes would become president, and the runner-up would become vice-president. When the votes were counted, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes. Adams received 65, Pinckney received 64, and John Jay (who had not been running) received 1.

So then Jefferson and Burr, previously running mates, found themselves rivals. According to Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution, in the event of a tie, the decision was to be made by the House of Representatives. Each of the 16 states (Vermont, Kentucky, and Tennessee had joined by 1800) would cast a single vote. Between February 11 and 17, 1801, the House cast 35 ballots, and each time the result was a deadlock.

In a letter to Delaware Congressman James A. Bayard written the previous December, Hamilton wrote:

Be assured my dear Sir, that [Burr] has no principle public or private. […] Let me add that I could scarcely name a discreet man of either party in our State, who does not think Mr Burr the most unfit man in the U. S. for the office of President. […] For Heaven’s sake my dear Sir, exert yourself to the utmost to save our country from so great a calamity.

When a 36th ballot was cast on February 17, Bayard and his allies from Maryland and Vermont cast blank ballots. Jefferson received 10 votes, and Burr received 4 votes. Delaware and South Carolina had cast blank ballots. Jefferson was elected President, and Burr became Vice-President.

The deadlock situation encountered during this election led to the adoption of the Twelfth Amendment in 1804, which introduced separate ballots for the presidency and the vice-presidency.

“Yo” is a motif in the musical signifying something big and sudden about to happen.

Hamilton answers the constant urges to choose a candidate, and in doing so he starts with a common starter phrase in many types of rap/hip hop. “Yo” is usually used as a substitute for “Hey,” which in the rest of the track is normally used as a flirting term. By saying “Yo,” Hamilton is preparing the audience for something interesting, and telling them to listen up.

Miranda turns the music from the high point of “Washington On Your Side” on its head. At this point in the previous song, the Virginians furiously lambasted Hamilton; here Hamilton in effect does the opposite, endorsing Jefferson for president.

The ensemble’s persistence to know his opinion wasn’t reflected in reality; the public really didn’t want to know. After his pamphlet calling out John Adams, Hamilton had basically destroyed his political reputation and had little power among the Federalists, who were the only people who at least cared a little.

This line demonstrates how much harm the Reynolds Affair and subsequent events had on Hamilton’s standing. It’s a juxtaposition against his refrain in Non-Stop, “They are asking me to lead.” Now they are just asking for his opinion.

Miranda uses the melody from “Washington On Your Side” while Hamilton is doing the opposite of the action in that song: in “Washington…”, the Virginians furiously lambasted Hamilton; here Hamilton does the opposite, endorsing Jefferson for president.

Back during “Washington on Your Side,” Burr, Jefferson and Madison complained about Hamilton’s position of power, saying “This immigrant isn’t somebody we chose.” Now, the tables are turned, and Hamilton gets to take over the leitmotif. As each of these Democrat-Republicans looks to Hamilton, relying on his support, “this immigrant” will effectively choose the next President on the country’s behalf.

He says “promote,” which can be read in two similar, but different ways: promote as in support or endorse (for the presidency), and promote as in give a promotion (to the highest office in the land).

The Off-Broadway version of this line went “If you were to ask me who I’d prefer… don’t vote Burr.” Miranda changed the line because he felt the “prefer… Burr” rhyme was too obvious to the audience, and he wanted to keep the suspense for one more line (Hamilton: The Revolution, pg. 260).

The printed lyrics say otherwise, but to some ears, the ‘Oh!’s here sound progressively more like ‘Burr!’s, misleading listeners as to Hamilton’s eventual response.

This is true.

In the real Election of 1800, Hamilton wrote:

Mr. Jefferson, though too revolutionary in his notions, is yet a lover of liberty and will be desirous of something like orderly Government – Mr. Burr loves nothing but himself – thinks of nothing but his own aggrandizement – and will be content with nothing short of permanent power [struck: and] in his own hands – No compact, that he should make with any [struck: other] passion in his [struck: own] breast except [struck: his] Ambition, could be relied upon by himself – How then should we be able to rely upon any agreement with him?

Jefferson and Madison join the ensemble here in surprise.

They might have thought it would be nice, but by their surprise, it seems they didn’t anticipate it becoming a reality.

We’ve seen plenty of examples of their disagreements, but historically, there were indeed several instances where Jefferson and Hamilton agreed (as expected, considering the lengths of their respective political careers). For example, as recounted in this 1790 letter from George Washington:

With respect to Dingwell, I join Colo. Hamilton & Mr Jefferson in opinion that it is no more than a catchpenny plan

In a letter written in the December of 1800, Hamilton wrote:

My opinion is, after mature reflection, that if Jefferson and Burr come with equal votes to the House of Representatives to support Jefferson, the former ought to be preferred by the Federalists […] Mr. Jefferson is yet a lover of liberty […] Mr. Burr loves nothing but himself […] In a choice of Evils, let them take the least – Jefferson is in every view less dangerous than Burr.

This is also nicely mirrored through Burr’s musical style. He has the least distinctive musical fingerprint of all the show’s characters, switching genres from number to number—quite literally changing his tune to whatever best suits his ends.

Throughout the musical, Burr’s modus operandi has been to maintain a poker face, not provide his opinion on much, and say very little. Now this has caused his downfall as no one knows what his intentions are or if they are to be trusted.

The Virginians' surprise at Hamilton’s endorsement plays hilariously here, replacing “It might be nice” with the shocked, yet gleeful “Well, I’ll be damned.”

The final vote count in the House was 10 votes for Jefferson, 4 votes for Burr, and 2 blank ballots.

While 62.5% vs 25% could be called a landslide, it’s certainly nothing like other elections in US history, such as the election of 1972 (96.8% vs 3.1%) or the election of 1984 (97.6% vs 2.4%).

Burr’s response to the defeat versus Jefferson’s response to the defeat really shows and even juxtaposes their personalities. Burr is still standing by his beliefs of “Talk less, Smile more” and is humbly congratulating Jefferson, while Jefferson laughs in his face, and tells Burr exactly what he thinks about him.

In a way, Jefferson’s reaction to Burr emphasizes Burr’s lack of audacity when it comes to speaking his mind.

As Burr tries to congratulate and be humble with Jefferson, his past buddy-man is suddenly very transparent and sarcastic with him and lets out his true colors with him. This lets the crowd know that Jefferson had no true relation with Burr, and that he has no plans of working with him in the same way much anymore.

Chernow notes that Jefferson didn’t trust Burr because Burr, once a loyal running mate, said if he was chosen as president when the House of Representatives voted, he would not turn it down. Jefferson worked hard to ostracize Burr when he was vice-president. Burr once joked, “I… now and then meet the [cabinet] ministers in the street.”

Burr actually DID get to be vice president, but he was the last runner-up to automatically gain that office.

According to senate.gov:

Our Constitution’s framers created the vice presidency almost as an afterthought. In setting up a system for electing presidents, they devised an electoral college and provided that each of its members was to vote for two persons, “of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.” In those days when loyalty to one’s state was stronger than to the new nation, the framers recognized that individual electors might be inclined to choose a leader from their own immediate political circle, creating the danger of a crippling deadlock, as no one candidate would win a plurality of all votes cast. By being required to select one candidate from outside their own states, electors would be compelled to look for individuals of national stature. Under the system the framers created, the candidate receiving the most electoral votes would be president. The one coming in second would be vice president.

In the election of 1800, however, the constitutional system for electing presidents broke down, as both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. … When the stalemate was finally broken, the House elected Jefferson president, thus making Aaron Burr our third vice president. Within four years of this deadlocked election, Congress had passed, and the necessary number of states had ratified, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, instituting the present system wherein electors cast separate ballots for president and for vice president.

Burr actually DID get to be vice president, but he was the last runner-up to automatically gain that office.

According to senate.gov:

Our Constitution’s framers created the vice presidency almost as an afterthought. In setting up a system for electing presidents, they devised an electoral college and provided that each of its members was to vote for two persons, “of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.” In those days when loyalty to one’s state was stronger than to the new nation, the framers recognized that individual electors might be inclined to choose a leader from their own immediate political circle, creating the danger of a crippling deadlock, as no one candidate would win a plurality of all votes cast. By being required to select one candidate from outside their own states, electors would be compelled to look for individuals of national stature. Under the system the framers created, the candidate receiving the most electoral votes would be president. The one coming in second would be vice president.

In the election of 1800, however, the constitutional system for electing presidents broke down, as both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. … When the stalemate was finally broken, the House elected Jefferson president, thus making Aaron Burr our third vice president. Within four years of this deadlocked election, Congress had passed, and the necessary number of states had ratified, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, instituting the present system wherein electors cast separate ballots for president and for vice president.

Burr actually DID get to be vice president, but he was the last runner-up to automatically gain that office.

According to senate.gov:

Our Constitution’s framers created the vice presidency almost as an afterthought. In setting up a system for electing presidents, they devised an electoral college and provided that each of its members was to vote for two persons, “of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.” In those days when loyalty to one’s state was stronger than to the new nation, the framers recognized that individual electors might be inclined to choose a leader from their own immediate political circle, creating the danger of a crippling deadlock, as no one candidate would win a plurality of all votes cast. By being required to select one candidate from outside their own states, electors would be compelled to look for individuals of national stature. Under the system the framers created, the candidate receiving the most electoral votes would be president. The one coming in second would be vice president.

In the election of 1800, however, the constitutional system for electing presidents broke down, as both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. … When the stalemate was finally broken, the House elected Jefferson president, thus making Aaron Burr our third vice president. Within four years of this deadlocked election, Congress had passed, and the necessary number of states had ratified, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, instituting the present system wherein electors cast separate ballots for president and for vice president.

Burr actually DID get to be vice president, but he was the last runner-up to automatically gain that office.

According to senate.gov:

Our Constitution’s framers created the vice presidency almost as an afterthought. In setting up a system for electing presidents, they devised an electoral college and provided that each of its members was to vote for two persons, “of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.” In those days when loyalty to one’s state was stronger than to the new nation, the framers recognized that individual electors might be inclined to choose a leader from their own immediate political circle, creating the danger of a crippling deadlock, as no one candidate would win a plurality of all votes cast. By being required to select one candidate from outside their own states, electors would be compelled to look for individuals of national stature. Under the system the framers created, the candidate receiving the most electoral votes would be president. The one coming in second would be vice president.

In the election of 1800, however, the constitutional system for electing presidents broke down, as both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. … When the stalemate was finally broken, the House elected Jefferson president, thus making Aaron Burr our third vice president. Within four years of this deadlocked election, Congress had passed, and the necessary number of states had ratified, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, instituting the present system wherein electors cast separate ballots for president and for vice president.

Burr actually DID get to be vice president, but he was the last runner-up to automatically gain that office.

According to senate.gov:

Our Constitution’s framers created the vice presidency almost as an afterthought. In setting up a system for electing presidents, they devised an electoral college and provided that each of its members was to vote for two persons, “of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves.” In those days when loyalty to one’s state was stronger than to the new nation, the framers recognized that individual electors might be inclined to choose a leader from their own immediate political circle, creating the danger of a crippling deadlock, as no one candidate would win a plurality of all votes cast. By being required to select one candidate from outside their own states, electors would be compelled to look for individuals of national stature. Under the system the framers created, the candidate receiving the most electoral votes would be president. The one coming in second would be vice president.

In the election of 1800, however, the constitutional system for electing presidents broke down, as both Jefferson and Aaron Burr received the same number of electoral votes. … When the stalemate was finally broken, the House elected Jefferson president, thus making Aaron Burr our third vice president. Within four years of this deadlocked election, Congress had passed, and the necessary number of states had ratified, the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution, instituting the present system wherein electors cast separate ballots for president and for vice president.

This is likely a callback to (or reuse of) a cut line from “Cabinet Battle #2,” where Jefferson told Hamilton to say hello to Angelica.

JEFFERSON: Can you do me a favor?
HAMILTON: Depends. I can try.​
JEFFERSON: Can you tell Angelica Schuyler I said hi?