and thus putting the frontiers in a state of defence. A bill was accordingly introduced, which met with an opposition more warm and pointed, than any that had hitherto agitated that house; but the bill was finally carried, and a committee appointed, as a committee of ways and means to make provision for the support of this army. This committee directed the secretary of the treasury to devise means, and report to the house; here opened another sharp conflict of wordy war, which was finally closed by the acceptance of the report of the secretary of the treasury; and Congress adjourned.

With the adjournment of Congress their conflicting passions closed; but they carried the seeds of them into their retirement, where they were sown amongst their constituents, and where they became general throughout the nation. Thus we have witnessed the origin of party, the causes that produced it, and some slight effects that have resulted from those causes.

I shall avoid all remarks, either upon the original, or subsequent causes; but proceed to disclose their effects in the subsequent narrative, with all that impartiality, the nature, importance, and delicacy of the subject demands; as far as my pen can be controuled by the principles of candour, and of truth.

The bold measures devised, and pursued by the secretary of the treasury, gave an early alarm to the secretary of state, which grew and acquired strength, as the administration progressed, until it issued in open, and irreconcileable variance, and opposition.

The fundamental principles of this variance, and opposition, were a jealousy, that the one was the advocate for too great an accession of power to the administration, or rather to the constitution, through the executive, and that the other was disposed to place more dependence on the state governments, than was consistent with the safety of

the general government, and the nation, and here they were at issue.

Perhaps it may be said with truth, that the nation had never witnessed a more interesting, and important crisis, than this, in fixing the first principles of the federal government, and in giving the first energies to its operations. Perhaps it may with equal truth be said, that at no one time had God caused a coincidence of events, to bring into action so great a combination, or rather effort of character, as is here displayed in that of the executive, and his two secretaries; characters widely different, yet each one, for the station in which he was called to act, the greatest, that this nation, or perhaps any other, could have produced.

Mr. Hamilton, who had been born and educated under a monarchical government,* possessed high, and correct views, of a well organized, efficient government, and as a wise and able financier, endeavoured to give to the federal government, that permanence, and energy, that should render it the palladium of the nation.

Mr. Jefferson, who had been born, and educated in America, and who well understood the genius of the American character; who had lived through that period which has been noticed in the former part of this volume, under the title of causes that led to the revolution, as well as through the revolutionary war, and knew full well with what a jealous eye the Americans guarded their liberties; saw, or thaught he saw, that Mr. Hamilton, by attempting to gain too much, might endanger the whole, and call forth the same opposition against the federal government, which had been exerted against the British government.

Upon this ground the secretaries were at issue; and between the strife, and variance of two men, of such dis

tinguished, and such popular talents, the wisdom, virtue, integrity, and high popularity of the executive held a balance, that preserved the government, and kept the nation steady. This strife of party, became so alarming, as well as painful to the president, that he addressed to Mr. Jefferson the following letter, bearing date August 23d, 1792. After remarking upon the foreign relations of the government, the president thus proceeds.

"How unfortunate, and how much is it to be regretted then, that while we are encompassed on all sides with avowed enemies, and insiduous friends, internal dissentions should be harrowing, and tearing our vitals. The last to me, is the most serious, the most alarming, and the most affecting of the two; and without more charity for the opinions of one another, in governmental matters, or some more infallible criterion by which the truth of speculative opinions, before they have undergone the test of experience, are to be fore-judged, than has yet fallen to the lot of fallibility, I believe it will be difficult, if not impracticable to manage the reins of government, or to keep the parts of it together; for if instead of laying our shoulders to the machine, after measures are decided on, one pulls this way and another that, before the utility of the thing is fairly tried, it must inevitably be torn asunder, and in my opinion, the fairest prospect of happiness, and prosperity that ever was presented to man, will be lost forever.

66

'My earnest wish, and my fondest hope therefore is, that instead of wounding suspicions, and irritating charges, there may be liberal allowances, and mutual forbearances, and temporising yielding on all sides. Under the exercise of these, matters will go on smoothly; and if possible more prosperously. Without them, every thing must rub the wheels of government will clog, our enemies 'will

!

9

triumph; and by throwing their weight into the disaffected scale, may demolish the goodly fabric we have been erecting.

"I do not mean to apply this advice, or these observations to any particular person, or character. I have given them, in the same general terms, to other officers of the government,* because the disagreements, which have arisen from difference of opinions, and the attacks which have been made upon almost all the measures of governntent, and most of its executive officers, have for a long time filled me with painful sensations, and cannot fail, I think, of producing unhappy consequences, at home, and abroad."

This friendly, yet gentle admonition, not producing the desired effect, the president addressed the following to the secretary of the treasury, in answer to his reply to a former address.

"I did not require the evidence of the extracts, which you enclosed to me, to convince me of your attachment to the constitution of the United States, or of your disposition to promote the general welfare of this country; but I regret, deeply regret, the difference of opinion, which has arisen, and divided you, and another principal officer of the government; and wish devoutly there could be an accommodation of them by mutual yieldings.

"A measure of this sort would produce harmony, and consequent good in our public councils; and the contrary will inevitably produce confusion, and serious mischiefs, and for what? because mankind cannot think alike; but

The secretary of the treasury and attorney general.

See the Gazette of the United States, on the part of the treasury, and the National Gazette, on the part of the department of state.

would adopt different means to attain the same end. For I will frankly, and solemnly declare, that I believe the views of both to be pure, and well meant, and that experience only will decide with respect to the salubrity of the measures, which are the objects of this dispute.

"Why then, when some of the best citizens of the United States, men of discernment; uniform and tried patriots ; who have no sinister views to promote; but are chaste in their ways of thinking, and acting; are to be found, some on one side and some on the other of the questions, which have caused these agitations; why should either of you be so tenacious of your opinions, as to make no allowance for the other.

66

"I could, and indeed was about to add more upon this interesting subject; but will forbear, at least for the present, after expressing a wish, that the cup which has been presented to us may not be snatched from our lips, by a discordance of action, when I am persuaded there is no discordance in your views. I have a great, and sincere. regard for you both, and ardently wish that some line could be marked out, by which both of you could walk."

Thus far for the origin of party in the United States, which at this time began to become seriously involved in the politics of Europe; but more immediately in that wonderful phenomanon, the French revolution. The partialities of the nation, at large, towards the French nation, led them to take an early interest in the affairs of that sister republic, (then so called,) which also became a subject of serious alarm to the government.

At this eventful moment, an insurrection broke out in the back counties of Pennsylvania, west of the mountains, excited by some ambitious demagogues, against the excise, or tax on domestic spirits. This insurrection threatened the peace, and safety of the government at this time, as