st it, from New Hampshire to Georgia, can be
accounted for? The apprehensions so extensively diffused on its
first publication, will be vouched as proof that the treaty is bad,
and that the people held it in abhorrence.

"I am not embarrassed to find an answer to this insinuation.
Certainly a foresight of its pernicious operation could not have
created all the fears that were felt or effected: the alarm spread
faster than the publication of the treaty; there were more critics
than readers. Besides, as the subject was examined, those fears
have subsided. The movements of passion are quicker than those of
the understanding: we are to search for the causes of first
impressions, not in the articles of this obnoxious and
misrepresented instrument, but in the state of the public feeling.

"The fervor of the Revolutionary war had not entirely cooled, nor
its controversies ceased, before the sensibility of our citizens
was quickened with a tenfold vivacity, by a new and extraordinary
subject of irritation. One of the two great nations of Europe
underwent a change which has attracted all our wonder, and
interested all our sympathy. Whatever they did, the zeal of many
went with them, and often went to excess. These impression met with
much to inflame, and nothing to restrain them. In our newspapers,
in our feasts, and some of our elections, enthusiasm was admitted a
merit, a test of patriotism; and that made it contagious. In the
opinion of party, we could not love or hate enough. I dare say, in
spite of all the obloquy it may provoke, we were extravagant in
both. It is my right to avow, that passions so impetuous,
enthusiasm so wild, could not subsist without disturbing the sober
exercise of reason, without putting at risk the peace and precious
interests of our country. They were hazarded. It will not exhaust
the little breath I have left, to say how much, nor by whom, or by
what means they were rescued from the sacrifice. Shall I be called
upon to offer my proofs? They are here. They are everywhere. No one
has forgotten the proceedings of 1794. No one has forgotten the
capture of our vessels, and the imminent danger of war. The nation
thirsted, not only for reparation, but vengeance. Suffering such
wrongs, and agitated by such resentments, was it in the p