made use of by
the faction of Virginia. By a dexterous management of these they
have brought into popular disrepute, and even into popular odium,
some of the wisest and best characters in the United States.

War is waged by this faction against every candidate who possesses
the union of requisites. Independent fortune, independent
principles, talents, and integrity are denounced as badges of
aristocracy; but if you add to these good manners and a decent
appearance, his political death is decreed without the benefit of a
hearing. In short, with a few exceptions everything that appertains
to the character of a gentleman is ostracized. That yourself and
Mr. Jay should be no favorites in Virginia, is not to be wondered
at. But all those whose good opinion is worth your acceptance
entertain for you both the same veneration and esteem, and hear the
aspersions of your enemies with the same indignation that I do;
who, after the closest examination, and the purest conviction can
conscientiously subscribe myself etc.

In the autumn the whiskey disturbances in western Pennsylvania assumed
such serious proportions that Hamilton insisted upon recourse to arms.
With his usual precision he had calculated the numbers of the
insurgents, and the amount of troops necessary to overwhelm them.
Washington issued requisitions for fifteen thousand men, and set out
with the troops, his first intention being to command in person.
Hamilton accompanied him, and upon the President's return to
Philadelphia, assumed the general superintendence of the army, whose
commander, Henry Lee, was one of his devoted adherents. Many motives
have been ascribed to Hamilton for this exceptional proceeding, and
Washington was bitterly assailed for "not being able to move without his
favourite Secretary at his elbow," and for giving additional
conspicuousness to a man whose power already was a "menace to Republican
liberties." Randolph, then the nominal Secretary of State, but quite
aware that while Hamilton remained in the Cabinet he was but a
figurehead, was so wroth, that later, in his futile "Vindication,"
following what practically was his expulsion from the Cabinet, he
animadverted bitterly upon a favour which no one but Hamilton would
have presumed to ask. Fauchet, the successor of Genet, in the
intercepted letter to his government, which brought about the fall of
Randolph, con