23 Facts About Fisher Ames

Fisher Ames was a Representative in the United States Congress from the 1st Congressional District of Massachusetts.

Fisher Ames was an important leader of the Federalist Party in the House, and was noted for his oratorical skill.

Fisher Ames belonged to one of the oldest families in Massachusetts and in his line of his ancestry was William Ames.

Fisher Ames was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Dedham in 1781.

Fisher Ames was most at home around the farmers and laborers with whom he grew up.

Fisher Ames, on the other hand, liked to dress well, hobnob with Boston society, and was an influential Federalist.

Fisher Ames was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1793.

Fisher Ames had six children, including John, Seth, and William with his wife, Frances.

Fisher Ames owned a farm on Federal Hill in Dedham that he rented out.

Fisher Ames was elected to the First United States Congress, having beaten Samuel Adams for the post.

Fisher Ames was a member of the Federalist Party, specifically its Essex Junto.

Fisher Ames served in the Second and Third Congresses and as a Federalist to the Fourth Congress.

Fisher Ames offered one of the first great speeches in American Congressional history when he spoke in favor of the Jay Treaty.

Fisher Ames vigorously defended the interests of New England, such as opposing a tax on molasses.

For example, in 1789 Fisher Ames argued against the appointment of Thomas Willing as the President of Hamilton's newly created Bank of the United States.

Fisher Ames became concerned by the rising popularity of Jefferson's Republicans, who advocated the United States adopt Republican type representative government along the lines of post-Revolution government in France.

Fisher Ames felt Federalism around a clear and firm constitution was the model the United States should follow to prevent the fledgling nation from failing.

Fisher Ames was outspokenly opposed to slavery, as were both of his parents.

Fisher Ames supported the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts in the early 1780s, and advocated all newly independent states outlaw slavery in the aftermath of the American Revolution.

Nathaniel Fisher Ames wrote in his diary that his brother had convinced "a few deluded people" into signing the letter by "squeezing teazing greazing" them with food and drink.

Fisher Ames supported calling Joshua Bates as minister of the First Church and Parish in Dedham, but later left that church and became an Episcopalian.

Fisher Ames got his start in politics by writing essays in the local press under the pen names of Camillus and Lucius Junius Brutus.

Fisher Ames published a number of essays, critical of Jefferson's followers.