retain the office he then held, instead of seeking the retirement he so much desired; holding that the condition of the state demanded that he sacrifice his private wishes to the public good.

Some portions of the summer and fall of 1793 were particularly unhealthy in Philadelphia, where yellow fever had broken out, and raged with great virulence. As a consequence, it was not until the 2d day of December that a quorum of Congress was present. On the 3d the speech of the President was delivered; it was followed, two days later, by a written message, referring specially to the relations with France and Great Britain. These had for some time been questions of great moment to the government, and had been subject of discussion between the secretary of state, Mr. Jefferson, and Edmund Genet, on the part of France; and with Mr. Hammond, on the part of England. France had proposed a treaty for a new arrangement of commercial relations with the United States, while Great Britain was not disposed to take any step in that direction, On the opening of Congress was achieved a victory for the republicans in the election of one of their party-Mr. Muhlenberg-as speaker; it also witnessed the close of Mr. Jefferson's administration of the office of secretary of state, the unpleasant relations he had with Colonel Hamilton, and his desire for retirement from the cares of public life, leading to his resignation. The subject of protection to commerce was the most important feature in Congress. With this object in view Mr. Madison introduced a series of resolutions proposing additional duties on the manufactures and shipping of foreign countries having no commercial treaty with the United States. He said that one of the chief objects of the Constitution was to vest in the general government the power of regulating commerce, with a view to enforce reciprocity from foreign governments. "The time was now come when the exercise of this power, with moderation, firmness, and decision, was called for. It was in the power of the United States, by exerting their natural rights, without violating the rights, or even equitable pretensions of other nations-by doing no more than most nations do for the protec tion of their interests, and much less than some,-to cause their interests to be properly respected."

Discussion of the subject was postponed to the 13th of January, when Mr. Smith, of South Carolina, became the mouthpiece of Colonel Hamilton in the opposition to the course proposed by Mr. Madison, his principal argument being that discrimination regarding duties might provoke war with Great Britain, which was greatly to be deprecated in the then state of affairs. To this Mr. Madison replied with his usual conciseness and thoroughness; and later in the course of the debate made still another speech in reply to the opposition. After three weeks' discussion the question was had on the first of the resolutions, which was carried by a vote of fifty-one to forty-six. The opposition being fearful that the remainder of the resolutions would pass,

proposed that further consideration be postponed until the first Monday in March, which suggestion was acceded to by about the same vote that carried the first resolution. Information regarding continued outrages upon the commerce of the United States by Great Britain having been received previous to the time appointed for the calling up of the remaining resolutions, consideration was postponed until the 10th of March, to afford time for more authentic and accurate information. This was forthcoming in a few days, to the effect that large numbers of American vessels had been seized and condernned in the West Indies, ostensibly "on the pretext of enforcing the laws of the monarchy with regard to the colony trade." The resolutions were again postponed until after a resolution had been introduced for the levying of an army of fifteen thousand men, to hold themselves in readiness to respond to any call made within two years. This resolution was laid aside, and the commercial resolutions taken up, and after two days' discussion they were again laid aside to take up the more pressing subject of an embargo, that had in the meantime arisen. On the 26th of March, an embargo was laid by the direct and immediate action of Congress, for a period of "thirty days, on all ships and vessels in the ports of the United States bound to any foreign port or place." On the 16th of April, the President nominated Mr. John Jay, chief justice of the United States, to a special mission, having in view an adjustment of the difficulties that had arisen with Great Britain. The military measures brought forward by the federalists met with no success, being rejected in the House by a vote of fifty to thirty. This important session of Congress was finally adjourned June 9, 1794.

Mr. Madison was married on the 15th day of September, 1794, to Mrs. Dorothea Payne Todd, at the residence of Mr. Steptoe Washington, who had previously married a sister of Mrs. Todd. She was a native of Virginia, but had accompanied her parents to Philadelphia, and while yet young had married Mr. Todd, a member of the Pennsylvania bar, who soon after died, leaving her, a very attractive widow, with an only son. Mr. Madison became a successful suitor for her hand, and she continued for the space of forty-two years, and during the remainder of his eventful life, the faithful and tender companion, the helpmeet and ornament of his household.

The adjourned session of Congress convened the 3d day of November, but it was not until the 18th that a quorum was present. The President's speech on the 19th was largely devoted to the insurrection in western Pennsylvania, which was the effect of attempted enforcement of the obnoxious excise laws; the militia had been called out to quell the riot, on the representation of the secretary of the treasury that this was the only proper course to pursue. A large number of arrests were made, and two men

convicted of treason, but by the clemency of the President all were granted amnesty.

During this session of Congress was consummated Jay's treaty with England, which, however, was not received in America until the 7th day of March, 1795, three days after adjournment. It was not made public until the 1st of July, and confirmed the unfavorable impressions that had already been formed. Much delay was had in considering the different clauses of the treaty, and it was not until the 18th of August that the President, with many misgivings, attached his signature, which was attested by Edmund Randolph, secretary of state.

As early as December, 1794, Mr. Jefferson wrote Mr. Madison, deprecating his retirement to civil life, as he had learned was his intention, and expressed the hope that he might become the nominee of the republican party for President. This Mr. Madison was not, in his own mind, prepared to accept, and, as future events proved, the time was not yet ripe for such candidacy, Mr. Jefferson himself being selected for that place in opposition to Mr. Adams, who was nominated by the federalists. The fall elec tions of 1796 resulted in the election of John Adams as President, and his opponent, Thomas Jefferson, as Vice President. On the 4th of March, 1797, the President and Vice President were installed. Just previous to the inauguration Mr. Adams had a private interview with Mr. Jefferson, in which he revealed more regarding the plans he intended to pursue in the course of his administration, than he ever told thereafter. He proposed tc . send a mission to France that should satisfy that nation, and from its composition should also satisfy the different sections of the United States. He was determined to join Gerry, Madison, and Pinckney in such mission, and desired Mr. Jefferson to consult Mr. Madison, and obtain his views regarding the appointment. The President and Vice President again met, at the residence of the ex-President, and, leaving at the same time, Mr. Jefferson informed him of the conversation he had had with Mr. Madison. The President replied that since the consultation of a few days previous, some objections had been raised, which he had not contemplated. It transpired that a cabinet meeting had been held, which had developed a strong opposition to Mr. Madison, on the part of the federal members, who were determined that no leading representatives of the opposition should hold office, that being the policy dictated by their leader, Alexander Hamilton, the late sec retary of the treasury.

The beginning of the Adams administration was the close of Mr. Madiison's service as member of the House of Representatives. He soon returned to Montpelier, remaining on his estate until the following year, when he accepted a seat in the Virginia legislature, where he could the better oppose the administration of President Adams. In the course of the legislative term. He took a decided stand against the alien and sedition laws, which had