ndidate for United States
Senator but was defeated. He was, however, chosen a member of congress
and took his seat in that body in 1789.

Alexander Hamilton was at the head of the treasury department and
Madison was obliged either to support the great series of financial
measures initiated by the secretary, or distinctly abandon his former
associate and range himself on the side of the republican opposition. He
adopted the latter course. Although he had warmly espoused the adoption
of the constitution, he was now convinced of the necessity of a strict
construction of the powers which it conferred upon the general
government. He accordingly opposed the funding bill, the national bank,
and Hamilton's system of finance generally.

His affection for Washington, and long friendship for Hamilton, rendered
such a step peculiarly disagreeable to a man of Madison's amiable and
kindly disposition, but the tone of his opposition did not alienate his
friends. Occupying, as he did, the middle ground between the violent
partisans on both sides he labored to reconcile the antagonism of the
two parties, and always retained the same cordial regard for Washington.

On Jefferson's return from France, Madison was solicited to accept the
mission and it was kept open for twelve months awaiting his decision. He
declined the place, as he afterwards did the position of Secretary of
State on the retirement of Jefferson, from a firm conviction that the
radical antagonism of views between himself and a majority of the
members of the cabinet would render his acceptance of either office
fruitful in misunderstandings and collisions.

He remained in congress, becoming thoroughly identified with the
Republicans, and soon became the avowed leader in congress. In 1794 he
gave his full support to its foreign policy by moving a series of
resolutions, based upon the report of Jefferson, advocating a
retaliatory policy toward Great Britain, and commercial discriminations
in favor of France. These resolutions he supported in a speech of great
ability. In March, 1797, his term expired, and he returned to Virginia.

The insulting treatment of the American envoys to France and the war
message of President Adams were about to be followed by the passage of
the alien and sedition laws. The Republicans vainly tried to stem the
popular current in favor of the measures of the administration. The
passing of the alien and sedition laws in July, 1798, gave them the