His most grievous disappointment, however, was in the refusal of Congress to renew the charter of the Bank of the United States.

He used every possible effort to save this institution, which, in the condition of the country, was indispensable to a sound currency and the maintenance of specie payment.

But with the dead weight of Mr.Madison's silence, if not indifference, the struggle was unequal and the bank fell.

The course of Mr.Madison can hardly be excused.

Political history records few examples of a more cruel desertion of a cabinet minister by his chief.