Frederick Bates was born into a slave-holding family in Goochland County, Virginia. He settled in Detroit, where he became the city's first postmaster. Bates was appointed secretary of the Louisiana Territory and later served as acting governor of the Missouri Territory. He was elected as the second governor of Missouri, where he passed away in office. Throughout his career, Bates held significant roles in territorial administration and governance, including overseeing land claims in the Louisiana Territory.

Frederick Bates's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of traditionalism and calculated pragmatism. Born into a slave-holding family, his early life and policy stances on slavery reveal a deeply entrenched adherence to the status quo. Yet, his governance in the Missouri and Louisiana Territories, where he navigated complex land claims and territorial administration, suggests a strategic, highly localized approach to power. Bates's legislative maneuvers, particularly his unexpected convergence with opposing factions on certain issues, hint at an ideologically agile politician who prioritized regional interests over rigid ideological lines.