John’s father, Richard, was a staunch loyalist, which resulted in the senior Swanwick being forced to flee to New York after the British evacuation from Philadelphia, returning in 1783.
[1] Initially, he was not active politically, but supported the Federalist Party and the election of George Washington as President of the United States.
But his allegiance began to shift toward the Democratic-Republican Party as he opposed trade policy under Hamilton and Washington that favored British interests.
He later supported establishment of the Insurance Company of North America, which continues to exist as a unit of Chubb Limited.
His stance, in addition to his personal financial resources, and the unpopularity of Fitzsimmons helped him win the election by 58 votes.
He organized demonstrations in Philadelphia and supported a move in the House to refuse to fund the money necessary to execute the treaty.
Swanwick then broke with the Republicans and supported construction of frigates as authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 believing that the United States should have its own Navy and should build ships domestically rather than buying them from overseas.
His former partner Thomas Willing, refused to provide debt relief and only offered loans at high rates of interest.