to its desire of taking part in the war, on the side of Franceand impatient to get hold of the reins of government-it withheld from the administration, every support within its power; giving it, at the same time, every possible annoyance--by supporting its enemies; by intimidating its friends; and by misrepresenting, and hiring unprincipled writers to misrepresent, its character, motives, and measures. Let these things be judged of, by the specimens, which were exhibited in Kentucky, and she will not be supposed the worst; yet the picture thus produced, and applied to the whole, will not be overcharged with deformity. Such is the nature of faction, in a government, deriving its organization from the great, and al most indiscriminate, mass of population throughout the country. It invests itself with popular epithets—it affects a love of liberty, and the rights of the people, which it represents as being in danger from those in office-it suggests specious theories for the public good-it lays hold of the prejudices and passions of the ill-judging, because ignorant, part of the multitude-it neglects, and disdains to use, the constituted organs of the public will, until after it has first corrupted or seduced them-but on the contrary, if they possess integrity, the aim is to bring them into disrepute. And for this purpose, they, and their writers, assail their official and private characters, with foul slanders, and gross perversions of facts; actual falsehoods, and base calumny. If such was the treatment which Washington received from the faction of his time, who shall hope to escape? And that it was, let his own reluctant declarations, and a thousand other testimonies public in those times, but which cannot be introduced into this history, testify to posterity.

Let it be distinctly understood, that honest differences of opinion, as to objects, or systems of policy, grounding themselves upon truth and an adherence to the true construction and application of the constitution, although carried into opposition, against both public men and measures, when employed consistent with those fundamental principles, truth, and the constitution; whatever aids may be derived from co-operation

exercised within the same restrictions, are fair-and no faction. It is falsehood, and the perversion of the constitution, or laws, which are scen to take place, in relation to governmental men, or measures, by means of others, which mainly distinguishes FACTION from an HONEST OPPOSITION.

The aim of the latter, is to displace, or correct, that which is really thought wrong; by the application of intelligence, and reason, to real matters of fact. While the ruling objects of faction, being the honour and emolument of its leaders; it resorts to sinister means; employs falsehood, and the vilest, as well as the most adroit means, to accomplish its ends.

Then those may be considered factious citizens, whether in a minority, or a majority, who from time to time agitate the people, by inflated, and inflammatory addresses, to their local feelings, or incidental prepossessions; in which the real state of public measures is misrepresented; the characters of public men, or their motives, traduced; or the violation of the constitution, or of constitutional law, urged upon them.

This is sometimes done, by restless and ambitious individuals, without concert, to gain distinction, and to acquire popularity, for future use. In the particular instance endcavoured to be illustrated in this part of the history, not overlooking other considerations, the course adopted and pursued, was prompted by aims and designs, as already suggested, still more profound and momentous. The objects were distinctly scen, though at some distance, in perspective, and the scheme of operations digested; which, could it be executed, was to leave WASHINGTON, and those of his political principles, out of office, and to put JEFFERSON in his place.

Democratic societies, their addresses, and publications, and all the mighty machinery of opposition to the federal government, were so many developments; while their connexion with the French minister, and their passion for France, but so many clues leading the minds of attentive observers, to the ulterior objects of the grand drama, at that time in rehearsal.

The circumstances of the times, were thought peculiarly favourable, by the leaders of the faction. The government

was involved in dispute with Great Britain-engaged in difficult negotiations with Spain--in jeopardy from France-actu ally at war with various tribes of Indians, on an extensive frontier-and agitated by intestine commotions, growing out of an attempt to raise internal revenue; of which the administration was greatly deficient; and without which, it was to become nerveless, and impotent. The faction was, therefore, presented with the flattering prospect of triumphing over that governmental administration, which had hitherto held it in check: and the leaders deemed it expedient to place their whole means in active requisition. Their ardent desire for a war with England, had two motives; one to embarrass the general government, which was unprepared for it; the other was, to aid France, and overthrow her opponents.

If they supported, as they did, the insolent usurpations, and more extravagant pretensions of Genet, it was but to ensure his influence to their side--if they countenanced democratic sociéties, and abused the whiskey tax, it was to extend and organize disaffection to federalists, and the government--if they fomented insurrection, it was to obstruct the collection of the revenue-if they abused and opposed the mode of making war with the Indians, it was to destroy or abolish the little army which the government had on the frontier. It is well known, that the position of General Wayne, gave some of our Kentucky patriots of the day, most exquisite pain. For they were no less desirous of removing whatever might annoy them, than they were vigilant to avail themselves of every circumstance in their favour.

The government, ostensibly founded on the virtue and intelligence of the people, might reasonably be supposed to have secured to the most intelligent and virtuous part of them, an ascendency in her councils. But no such thing. The government, in fact, emanating from the popular mass, almost without distinction, is no less dependent on their ignorance, vice, and folly, than on their better qualities and qualifications. It is a government radically and essentially dependent on POPULAR OPINION; in the formation and support of which, their follies

and vices are as likely to take the lead, as their wisdom and virtue. One thing is offered, as the result of experience, and worthy of further observation; which is, that politicians who rely upon the latter, will fail twice, where those who depend upon the former, will fail once. While it is to be admitted, this was no secret to the leaders of the opposition; but on the contrary, was the basis of their calculation, and the foundation of their hope and expectation of success. To effect the change desired in the administration, it was first necessary to produce a change in the sentiments and opinions of the great body of the American people. But in the affairs of government, ever intricate to the people, because beyond their comprehension, they are compelled to look to a few men, or to one man, in whom they place confidence, as their guide. At the time treated of, Washington was, and had been, that man, with all that part of the American people who were denominated federalists. The other portion, known as anti-federalists, had not, until very recently, and perhaps not in December, 1793; any ostensible and avowed head. Previous to that time, however, some of the knowing ones had looked to Mr. Jefferson as the man. Nor was he, without intimations of the kind— which he received with equal gratification, and complacency. Nor was it very long before a suspicion, growing out of his own conduct, was attached to him, of DESIGNING TO SUPPLANT WASHINGTON IN THE GOOD OPINION AND CONFIDENCE OF HIS counTRYMEN. He could not remain ignorant of his being understood. He could not retain his official situation-became restless in his office--intimated an intention of resigning-and did actually resign in the course of the winter: thenceforth standing out as the man avowed: to whom the faction then looked up to as their head.

The complete development of this intrigue, belongs to the history of the United States; to which this has no pretension, farther than Kentucky is concerned; and even that, although an indispensable part of her history, will, it is not doubted, extort execrations, that will fall on the book, and on the author, with the design, if not the effect, of traducing both.

counsels, as an

From the representations already given, it will be perceived, that President Washington, must have found himself in very unpleasant circumstances. Yet, however disaffection, or treachery, might wound his feelings as a man, they but stimulated his vigilance, without embarrassing his officer of the nation. He had solicited the recall of Genet. He was still supported by faithful friends, in the cabinet; and by the majority of the people, throughout the United States. The energies of his mind were devoted to the service of his country, and to promote and harmonize the interests of every part. The preservation of peace with the great powers of Europe, was, in his judgment, indispensable to the prosperity, perhaps to the existence, of the union of the states. To preserve the neutrality which he had declared, was but a necessary means to the great end proposed.

Additional instructions were given to General Wayne. Among other things, a military post was ordered to be established at Massac, on the Ohio-that if peaceful means should fail of its desired effect, upon the Frenchified part of the citizens of Kentucky; that they might be operated upon by those of a more pungent nature, should they attempt to carry their provisions, arms, and ammunition, by that route to the Spanish territories, with hostile intent-the scruples of Governor Shelby, to the contrary, notwithstanding. What would have, been the termination of this particular branch of the grand scheme for revolutionizing the government, cannot be known, and need not be conjectured, if a revolution had not taken place in France; which produced the recall of Genet, occasioned the condemnation of his measures, and the utter defeat and dismay of his agents. Until this event was known in Kentucky, the project was in operation; and as it would seem from subsequent disclosures, all but ready to resolve itself into military practice and evolution. The Democratic society, in the mean time, co-operating with unabated activity, and good will. Of the governor, and the sole judge of the federal court, it need only be said, that they saw, and permitted.

On the 4th of May, 1794, a special request, was published, that the members of the Democratic society would attend a