And a "sedition law," imposing fine and imprisonment for "any false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the government of the United States, or either house of Congress, or the President." These measures are not justly chargeable to John Adams.

They were not recommended nor desired by him; but were brought forward and urged by Gen.
Hamilton and his friends.

Nevertheless upon Mr.Adams was heaped the odium they excited.

The leading measures of his administration--the demonstration against France; the standing army; the direct taxation; the alien and sedition laws--all tended to injure his popularity with the mass of the people, and to destroy his prospects of a re-election to the presidency.

The perplexities he was compelled to encounter during his administration, may be conceived on perusal of his language in a letter dated March 17, 1797:-- "From the situation where I now am, I see a scene of ambition beyond all my former suspicions or imaginations; an emulation which will turn our government topsy-turvy.