ABSTRACT
The active agency of Mr. Madison in procuring the passage, through the first Congress, of the tariff act of 1789, has been already stated. If there were any special reason why that measure should be regarded as having had an individual endorser, the paternity of it might be properly assigned to him. His administration commenced during the deranged condition of affairs which had originated under that of Mr. Jefferson, growing out of people's relations to the belligerent powers of Europe, and their embargo and non-intercourse laws. Nations, like individuals, when thrown by necessity upon their own resources, frequently find themselves to possess energies of which they had no previous knowledge. It may be well to anticipate the general argument by calling attention to the fact that this necessity is demonstrated conclusively by our condition under the administrations of Jefferson and Madison.
