I found all its offices in the possession
of a political sect, who wished to transform it ultimately into the
shape of their darling model, the English government; and in the mean
time, to familiarize the public mind to the change, by administering it
on English principles, and in English forms. The elective interposition
of the people had blown all their designs, and they found themselves and
their fortresses of power and profit put in a moment into the hands of
other trustees. Lamentations and invective were all that remained to
them. This last was naturally directed against the agent selected to
execute the multiplied reformations, which their heresies had rendered
necessary. I became of course the butt of every thing which reason,
ridicule, malice, and falsehood could supply. They have concentrated all
their hatred on me, till they have really persuaded themselves, that I
am the sole source of all their imaginary evils. I hope, therefore, that
my retirement will abate some of their disaffection to the government of
their country, and that my successor will enter on a calmer sea than
I did. He will at least find the vessel of state in the hands of his
friends, and not of his foes. Federalism is dead, without even the hope
of a day of resurrection. The quondam leaders, indeed, retain their
rancor and principles; but their followers are amalgamated with us
in sentiment, if not in name.
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