 <unk> ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Massachusetts in 1807 and 1808 against a rising tide of <unk> in the state , losing both times to moderate Republican James Sullivan . The <unk> gained control of the state legislature in 1808 in a backlash against Republican economic policies , but <unk> was criticized for his failure to aggressively support state protests against the <unk> Act of 1807 , which had a major negative effect on the state 's large merchant fleet . <unk> was in 1808 elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives , where he successfully led <unk> efforts to ensure the selection of a <unk> slate of presidential electors . He also spearheaded actions to drive Senator John <unk> Adams from the <unk> Party over his support of Thomas Jefferson 's foreign policy . The legislature elected Adams ' successor nine months early , and gave Adams sufficiently <unk> instructions that he resigned the post and joined with the Republicans . 
