Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/224

 182 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS tion will cover his opposition to Hamilton s national bank ; and indeed, with the considerations here given as a clew, there is little or nothing in Mr. Madison s career in congress that is not thoroughly intelli gible. At the time, however, the Federalists, disap pointed at losing a man of so much power, mis understood his acts and misrepresented his motives, and the old friendship between him and Hamilton gave way to mutual distrust and dislike. Mr. Madison sympathized with the French revolu tionists, though he did not go so far in this direc tion as Jefferson. In the debates upon Jay s treaty with Great Britain he led the opposition, and sup ported the resolution asking President Washing ton to submit to the house of representatives copies of the papers relating to the negotiations. The resolution was passed, but Washington refused on the ground that the making of treaties was intrusted by the constitution to the president and the senate, and that the lower house was not en titled to meddle with their work. At the close of Washington s second administra tion Mr. Madison retired for a brief season from public life. During this difficult period the coun try had been fortunate in having, as leader of the opposition in congress, a man so wise in counsel, so temperate in spirit, and so courteous in de meanor. Whatever else might be said of Madison s conduct in opposition, it could never be called