stances,) did not succeed. And although the attempt to call a convention was followed by others of the same kind; and in some counties neighbouring to Lexington, meetings called, and attended by the president of the democratic society of that place, and others, who urged the measure in speeches; yet, such was the good feeling, and sense of propriety, in a great majority of the people, that they discountenanced the ideaand the attempt fell abortive. Except in a very few counties, committees even were not appointed..

In fact, notwithstanding the information given by direction of the president, to Governor Shelby, and intended for public information, had been withheld from the people; and although much heat was excited among them, at places, they seemed disposed to rely upon their governments: and Washington still held the first place in the confidence of a majority.

Intelligent, and reflecting men, knew that so far as their rights, or interests, were confided to him, they would neither be neglected, nor abused. They knew, that the navigation of the Mississippi was not at his disposal, nor that of congressthat the army was advanced into the Indian country, for the protection of the frontier-that revenue was necessary, and that nothing could be done without its collection-that there was a prospect of an amicable adjustment of differences with Great Britain, and with Spain-and in short, that those who were agitating the people, and goading them on to violence, were chiefly restless and ambitious demagogues, and their dupes, whose object was to serve themselves, regardless of the public peace, or prosperity-that the course of prudence, as well as of duty, was to abstain from their measures: and they did so. They had however, other, and new adventures, offered to them, for future topics of history.

It will be recollected that the year 1793 has already been noticed, as producing democratic societies, and the intrigue of Genet; but it remains to bring up the arrears of its occurrences in relation to the excise, or tax on domestic distilled spiritous liquors. As this tax was imposed by an act of con

gress,,it of course was uniform throughout the United States:and Kentucky came in for her share, but no more. Inasmuch however, as she was emphatically a grain country, so she was also a whiskey making country; and upon the subject of excise, as well as that of the navigation of the Mississippi, the demo cratic societies of Kentucky and the western parts of Pennsylvania conceived unwonted sympathy and fondness for each other.

Early in 1793 it was observed, that in Pennsylvania the opposition to the excise assumed an increased activity; that as the year advanced, the opposition grew; and that the institution of democratic societies was followed by the erection of liberty poles, which was the standard of opposition to the law.

While these proceedings were carefully and anxiously watched by the malecontents in this state, they were imitated, with the more caution, as they were seen at a distance, and it was suggested of them, as being obvious, that government would be compelled to interfere-the result of which, at the time, although doubtful, could not be contemplated without apprehension. There was also the less occasion for a forcible opposition in Kentucky, as George Nicholas had undertaken, in the character of lawyer for distillers, to prevent judgments against them for infractions of the law; and Judge Innis, who. alone held the court, was contented that the law should not be executed.

If, nevertheless, great heat was produced, it was to be ascribed to the influence of a few individuals, and especially to the publications and debates of the Lexington democratic society, whose history has already been given, rather than to any proneness among the people towards disorder or violence. On the contrary, they resisted in a remarkable manner, the strong and reiterated attempts made upon their fidelity by speeches, and by newspapers, teeming, as has been shewn, with counsel, remonstrance, resolutions, or aggravation.

Opposition to the general government, hostility to England, and devotion to France, were the moving causes, as they were

obvious features, in the exhibition of this drama. The various shifting of the batteries to the different points of attack, were but so many evidences of generalship, or zeal, among the leaders; and of the devotedness and industry of partisans. It is no matter of wonder, if the people went astray, when their government and judges were ready to mislead them.

It does not belong to this history, or else it might here be told, how Mr. Jefferson's partialities to France, and Mr. Hamilton's impartial course towards all foreign nations, the first being secretary of state, the other secretary of the treasury, of the United States, and both in the president's cabinet council; no less than the prepossessions of the latter in favour of federalism, and of the former to anti-federalism, rendered them opponents, rivals, and enemies; to the great personal distress of Washington, ever detrimental to the public service, and even ominous to the peace of the United States-and how, notwithstanding the most friendly, and soothing attentions of the president, to Mr. Jefferson, that gentleman involved him, in the bitterness of his resentments against Hamilton; and after receiving from the president, expressions and assurances, such as should have satisfied him, could implicate Washington, in the grossest terms of newspaper invective, misrepresentation and abuse: or what. was to the same effect, patronise dependents, and pay hire lings, to do it for him. In relation to this schism in his cabinet, said the president to Mr. Jefferson, "How unfortunate, and how much is it to be regretted then, that while we are encompassed on all sides, with avowed enemies, and insidious friends, inter nal dissensions should be harrowing, and tearing out our vitals." He then commends charity and forbearance, and says, "for if instead of laying our shoulders to the machine, after measures are decided, one pulls this way, and another that, before the utility of the thing is fairly tried, it must inevitably be torn asunder."

Again, after Mr. Jefferson had presented him some documents, designed to prove, that though desirous of stagnating the constitution, or rendering its adoption partial, until it could be amended, that yet, he wanted it adopted; the president

said, "I did not require the evidence of the extracts which you enclosed 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;" and then adds his regret at existing differences, &c.

With what effect, the publications in "The National Gazette," edited by one of Mr. Jefferson's clerks, his own letter to Matzei, and the publications of Bache, Duane, and Callander, as explained by their practical results, will demonstrate. When the party was organized, whatever Mr. Jefferson said, did, or countenanced, in his private capacity, might be written out as a law for the opposition, to the administration of the general government. The democratic society of Philadelphia, was remodelled after the arrival of Genet, and made the prime machine for disseminating faction throughout the United States, as that in Lexington was more particularly designed to operate in Kentucky; where an idea of its use and activity, has already been displayed. It remains to shew, from some extracts of letters, what the president thought of the treatment he received. He said "The arrows of malevolence, therefore, however barbed, and pointed, can never reach my most valuable part; though while up as a mark, they will be continually aimed at me. The publications in Freneau's, and Bache's papers, are outrages upon common decency." Freneau was employed in Mr. Jefferson's office, and editor of the National Gazette.

In another letter, he said-"To misrepresent my motives; to reprobate my politics; and to weaken the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are objects which cannot be relinquished by those who will be satisfied with nothing short of a change in our political system."

In another letter, he complained of his treatment as "being too gross for a negro, or even a malefactor."

Of democratic societies, it has been said by an impartial observer, that: "Faithful to their supposed founder, and true to the real objects of their association, these societies continued, during the term of their political existence, to be the resolute champions of all the encroachments attempted by the agents

of the French republic, on the government of the United States, and the steady defamers of the views and measures of the American executive."

In Kentucky, the course of opposition was to dissuade intelligent and respectable persons, from accepting, or exercising any office, under the revenue laws of the United States-and to this application of his talents, did the governor condescend; urging to those who had accepted, that it was an odious employment, and that it would destroy their popularity, and prevent their future promotion. It having been an object with the inspector of the revenue, to engage the best informed men he could, to accept appointments, knowing that such would not only understand the law with most facility, but that they would also execute it, in the least offensive manner. Even the governor, as well as others of influence, thought themselves worthily employed, in counteracting the views of the inspector, as by so doing, the business of necessity, must cease, or fall into ignorant hands, whose execution of it, would be defective; of which advantage would be taken, while censure and clamour would be accumulated upon the head of the principal officer in the state.

It is conceded that his appointment was peculiarly ungrate ful, to such men as Brown, Innis, the remnants of old, and members of present intrigues, democratic societies, with which the country was infested; and with whose members her principal offices were filled. For there was an utter repugnance of feeling, and a total opposition of character, between Colonel Marshall, and such men.

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The seasons however, succeeded each other, as usual; and if there was any violence offered, it fell upon the innocent horse of the collector, whose tail, or mane was sometimes disfigured; or the bridle cut, or the saddle soiled, while the officer was in the execution of his duty.

In November, the legislature convened, and went to law making, according to precedent.

The first act to be noticed, was one to revise the laws of the commonwealth. Nothing was done under it. In the next