HISTOKY OF VERMONT. 3il 



ivithoiit more exceptions than had been usual. 

 The fcu«tomary business of the state was attend- 

 ed to with diligence and calmness ; and was 

 transacted without the appearance of partiaUty, 

 discord, violent animosity, or the intrigues and 

 injustice of faction. 



The federalists at Vergennes in 1798, had 

 introduced the custom of addressing the presi- 

 dent of the United States, If this was but a 

 decent piece of respect to Mr^ Adams, it was 

 fit and proper that the same kind of respect 

 should be shown to Mr. Jefferson ; and the re- 

 publicans concluded that at his f^st introduction 

 into office, they could do no less than to imitate 

 the former example and practice, by now mak- 

 ing a respectful address to the president of their 

 particular choice and esteem. A committee was 

 appointed, and leported an address to Mr. Jef- 

 ferson. The address express(id a strong attach- 

 ment to the constitution, to the presidency, and 

 to Mr. Jefferson's person, political opinions, and 

 administration. It announced their full appro- 

 bation of the political sentiments, which the pre- 

 sident had expressed in his inaugural speech ; 

 contained a brief description of the objects which 

 they hoped the federal government would pur- 

 sue ; and expressed a wish that " no one des- 

 cription of citizens might be ever favored at 

 the expence of any other."* The composition 

 eculd scarcely be ,said to rise to elegance, but it 

 was moderate for the time and occasion, and did 

 not contain any reflection on the former admin- 

 istration ; and was rather a description of prin- 

 ciples really republican, than the violent produc- 

 tion of any scheme of party politics. 



• Page lOa. 



