Many of the leading citizens of the town endorsed the policy of the President, while a decided majority strongly opposed it. The bitter feeling continued to increase. Not only was Fredericksburg in a state of ebullition, but such was the case with the people throughout the entire country. Fredericksburg was the first to speak her views publicly, which has always been characteristic of her people when questions affecting the public good were to be considered. A public meeting of the people was called at the courthouse by the friends of the administration to consider and adopt an address to the President, which was then the prevailing mode of communicating popular approval of the conduct of high officials. The meeting was extensively advertised and efforts were made to have it largely attended. This brought on a lively contest. The anti-administrationists of the town determined to try their strength with their opponents by attending the meeting, vote down their address and adopt resolutions setting forth their views and condemning the policy of the administration. To accomplish this the town was thoroughly canvassed by them, which had already been done by the other party, and the courthouse was filled to its utmost capacity. The meeting was held on the 14th day of May, 1798, and the "Virginia Herald," the presidential organ of the town, gave the proceedings in full, which will show the temper of the people and their defiant condemnation of the foreign policy of President Adams. The Herald said: "On Monday the citizens of this corporation met, agreeably to notification published in the public papers, to express their sentiments on the present important and critical situation of this country. The meeting was called by the friends of the Executive, whose object was to address the President of the United States and to express their entire approbation of his conduct with respect to our foreign relations. "An address to this effect was prepared and presented by Thomas R. Rootes, Esq., which he supported by very lengthy arguments. He was followed by Capt. John Mercer, Col. John Minor and Col. John F. Mercer, who successfully combatted the various arguments adduced by Mr. Rootes in support of his address. And the following resolutions then, prepared by Dr. David C. Ker, were approved and adopted. A division was called for on the address and resolutions and tellers appointed to take the number of votes, who reported that two-thirds of the citizens present were in favor of the resolutions. The meeting was more numerous than any we have ever seen in this place. During the whole of the discussion the most perfect order and decorum prevailed." The resolutions, adopted in place of the address, will be interesting reading to our people, even in this day. They are as follows: