Had we observed good faith, and the western posts had been withheld from us by Great Britain, we might have appealed to God and man for justice." "What a misfortune it is," said he in reply to the secretary for foreign affairs, "that the British should have so well grounded a pretext for their palpable infractions, and what a disgraceful part, out of the choice of difficulties before us, are we to act!" [Sidenote: Rise of parties in the United States.] The discontents arising from the embarrassments in which individuals were involved, continued to increase.

At length, two great parties were formed in every state, which were distinctly marked, and which pursued distinct objects, with systematic arrangement.
The one struggled with unabated zeal for the exact observance of public and private engagements.

By those belonging to it, the faith of a nation, or of a private man was deemed a sacred pledge, the violation of which was equally forbidden by the principles of moral justice, and of sound policy.

The distresses of individuals were, they thought, to be alleviated only by industry and frugality, not by a relaxation of the laws, or by a sacrifice of the rights of others.
They were consequently the uniform friends of a regular administration of justice, and of a vigorous course of taxation which would enable the state to comply with its engagements.

By a natural association of ideas, they were also, with very few exceptions, in favour of enlarging the powers of the federal government, and of enabling it to protect the dignity and character of the nation abroad, and its interests at home.
The other party marked out for themselves a more indulgent course.
Viewing with extreme tenderness the case of the debtor, their efforts were unceasingly directed to his relief.