2959. FEDERALISTS, Impotent.—
The
federalists have not been able to carry a single
strong measure in the lower House the
whole session [of Congress]. When they
met, it was believed they had a majority of
twenty; but many of these were new and
moderate men, and soon saw the true character
of the party to which they had been well
disposed while at a distance. The tide, too,
of public opinion sets so strongly against the
federal proceedings, that this melted off
their majority, and discouraged the heroes of
the party.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 329.
Ford ed., vii, 446.
(Pa.,
May. 1800)
