[Izulde]

The Finance Federalists extracted a concession for supporting Alexander Hamilton in the leadership race for the Federalists - none of the Conservatives faction would challenge Philip J Schuyler in the New York 4th District primary. The younger Schuyler was being tapped by the monied interests to eventually take over for Richard Stockton.

As President Jefferson re-assembled his cabinet, there was the surprise appointment of the talented Finance Federalist and first United States Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Stoddert to the Ambassadorship to Prussia. The 62 year-old accepted with delight.

Received with anger was the appointment of turncoat John Quincy Adams to Attorney General. Furious, the Finance Federalists voted to block him, a move they were joined in by Hamilton's loyalists. It was immaterial - an 8-1 confirmation vote in the Senate Judicial Committee, 34-2 in the Senate. To make matters even worse, JQA gained Governing ability, expertise in Energy and Welfare, became the most talented administrator in the country (5 Admin - maxed), and lost obscurity when news of the attempt to block him made the papers.

Even more infuriating, JQA's skill at convincing the other Federalist factions not to fight his appointment demonstrated his increased Command (Now 3). Conversations in Democratic-Republican circles suggested that he would make a potential Presidential candidate some day.

The bad news didn't end there. Stoddert found himself having to deal with increased hostility over trade disputes with Prussia, and Jeremiah Smith became Incoherent, further damaging the 47 year-old's prospects of one day taking New Hampshire's statehouse.

Even the silver lining came with its troubles: Philip van Cortlandt, the former Representative, showed increasing skills in every area, and returned the faction to 3 politicians with Command as a result... but at 57 years old, he seemed unlikely to have a particularly lengthy career even if he did find his way back into the House or appointed to the Senate.