The Election of 1824

"When the 261 electoral votes were counted, none of the candidates received a majority. [John Quincy] Adams carried New York and New England with 84, [Andrew] Jackson stood first with 99, [William] Crawford had 41, and [Henry] Clay had 37. That meant for the second time in twenty-five years, the election would be thrown into the House of Representatives...

John Quincy Adams was elected, thirteen states to eleven. Adams had picked up all six states that had not been initially committed and became the first minority president in the nation's history.

...When Adams did appoint Clay to the state department, Jackson's supporters were predictably furious. John Randolph called it a corrupt bargain: 'the combination of the puritan with the blackleg.' Clay challenged Randolph to a duel. Both fired at each other, and fortunately both missed. Such was the presidential transition of 1825." - John Marshall: Definer of a Nation

 And we think politics is divisive today!