old fire of party. He that was for the embargo was a 'Democrat ;' he that was against it, a 6 Federalist.' It was a wall between the parties, to be seen and almost felt with the hand, (so strong was it,) in every State, city, county, town, village or hamlet of the United States, and in every class and condition of the people, high or low, rich or poor.' It was the touchstone of principle."

During the discussion of foreign topics, several domestic incidents occurred which temporarily kindled the flame of party spirit. Among these was the trial of Judge Chase and others by impeachment, "Burr's insurrection," and the “ newspaper war."

Mr. Jefferson declining a re-election, at a caucus of the Democratic Congressmen, Mr. Madison was placed in nomination for President. John Quincy Adams was a participator in this caucus. The Democrats had more to fear from dissensions among themselves than from the Federalists. James Monroe was a rival candidate for nomination. Two days prior to the congressional caucus, two separate meetings were held at Richmond by the friends of Messrs. Madison and Monroe. Mr. Madison had received the indorsement of a hundred and thirty-four members of the Virginia Assembly. The other caucus was attended by sixty, fifty of whom voted for Mr. Monroe, and ten for Mr. Madison. Two distinct electoral tickets were nominated and the canvass earnestly commenced. About the same time a formal protest against Mr. Madison's nomination was published over the signatures of seventeen members of Congress. The authors of this protest discussed and proclaimed Mr. Madison's unfitness for the presidency, but made no suggestion of a person whom they deemed suitable for that post. George Clinton was urged in certain quarters; but a serious division among the Democrats of New York damaged his prospects.

Clinton had been placed in nomination for Vice-President by the caucus that designated Mr. Madison for President, and some threats were thrown out to substitute another in his place, did he continue to persist in running for President. This threat was not acted upon. This triangular contest was carried on with no little bitterness. The Federalists adhering, for the most part, to their own candidates, Charles C. Pinckney and Rufus King, made an active campaign against the Democrats.

The embargo, affecting as it did the pecuniary prosperity, the tenderest interest of a large class of the people, awakened a fierce and determined opposition. But the Democrats were too strongly intrenched to be easily overthrown, and succeeded in electing James Madison, as the successor of Mr. Jefferson, by a vote of 122 to 47 for C. C. Pinckney. George Clinton was elected Vice-President, receiving 113 votes to 47 for his opponent, Rufus King. Six votes were thrown by the Democrats for George Clinton, as President; nine were given to John Langdon for Vice-President, three to James Madison, and three to James Monroe. The Federal candidates were supported in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Delaware, with three districts in North Carolina and two in Maryland.

Mr. Jefferson retired from the Presidency with the pleasing satisfaction of duties well and faithfully discharged. His entire course as the Executive of the United States was consistent with itself, and calculated to promote the general interests of the country.

CHAPTER VI.

ADMINISTRATION OF JAMES MADISON, 1809-1817,

MR. JEFFERSON's term of office expiring on the 3d of March, 1809, James Madison took the oath of office and delivered his inaugural address on the day following. He immediately organized his Cabinet by the appointment of Robert Smith, Secretary of State; William Eustis, Sec retary of War; and Paul Hamilton, Secretary of the Navy. Albert Gallatin was continued as Secretary of the Treasury; Cæsar A. Rodney, as Attorney-General, and Gideon Granger, as Postmaster-General.

The Administration had signally triumphed over all opposition at home, and insured to itself domestic peace and tranquillity, were it not for the lowering aspects of European events. Each succeeding year had added to the perplexities and complication of foreign affairs, until there seemed little hope of an adjustment without an appeal to the sword.

In consequence of the critical state of the nation and apprehensions of a war with England or France, the eleventh Congress convened, in accordance with an act of the previous session, on the 22d of May, 1809. Joseph B. Varnum, of Massachusetts, a Democrat, was elected Speaker. The non-intercourse act substituted for the embargo, at the last session of the tenth Congress, was continued with some modifications.

A temporary calm was effected through the proposals of Mr. Erskine, British Minister; in making which, however, he exceeded his powers. He trusted to the approval of the home government in what seemed to him so reasonable and just. In this he was disappointed. He was recalled. This result gave the Federal opposition occasion for great rejoicing. They were not loth to avail themselves of the opportunity. They charged that the whole proceeding was a trick to affect the elections. The accusation was utterly void of truth, but it operated prejudicially to the Administration. There were, also, signs of defection among the Democrats. Many of them began to doubt whether the policy of the President was not too lukewarm and conciliatory.

The regular session of the eleventh Congress commenced on the 27th of November, and terminated on the 1st of May. During this period few acts of general interest were passed.

At the second session of the eleventh Congress an exciting contest sprang up on an attempt to recharter the National Bank. According to the terms of the present charter, its existence would cease on the 4th day of March, 1811. Little had been done save a report favorable to the Bank from Mr. Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury. This was submitted March 2d, 1809. On the 4th of January, 1811, in answer to a petition, a bill favoring the recharter was reported. After an animated and exciting debate, a motion to indefinitely postpone, prevailed in the House by a vote of 65 to 64. The subject was treated in the main as a party one. The fact of the Bank being mostly under the direction of Federalists gave point to the speeches of the Democrats, who laid great stress on the arguments of Mr. Madison, delivered against the original act of incorporation.

A like result attended a similar petition to the Senate. A bill was reported and ably advocated by Wm. H. Crawford, who was seconded by an array of able speakers. The most powerful speeches made against the re-charter were those of Wm. B. Giles of Virginia, and Henry Clay of Kentucky. The motion to strike out the first section resulted in a tie vote of 17 to 17. The Vice-President gave his casting vote in favor of striking out, and the bil. was lost. The Senate was constituted politically, of twenty-four Democrats and ten Federalists. The vote shows a strong Democratic support of the measure. Subsequent attempts to extend the time of the present charter likewise failed.

The eleventh Congress expired by constitutional limitation on the 3d of March, 1811, and the twelfth convened, by proclamation of the President, a month prior to the time fixed by law, on November 4th, 1811. As in the last Congress, the Federalists were in a hopeless minority in both branches. In the Senate they had but six members, in the House but thirty-six. The opinions of the Federalists were ably maintained, while the Democrats were weakened by a division into two hostile sections. Messrs Smith and Leib, who had been at antipodes with the administration, were now joined by Mr. Giles and a number of less noted members. The character of the House was revealed in the choice of a speaker. Henry Clay was chosen by 75 votes, to 35 for Wm. W. Bibb, the Gallatin and peace candidate.

The question of Mr. Madison's successor began to agitate the public mind at an early day. The Virginia. legislative caucus had already nominated electors, with a view to the re-election of Mr. Madison. Pennsylvania imitated this example. But the leaders of the war party were unwilling to accept him as a candidate so long as he