As yet, however, there existed only tendencies toward parties and not clearly defined political groups. The voting in the early sessions of Congress was far from consistent. The members gave little indication that they regarded themselves as adherents of parties whose fortunes depended on preserving an unbroken alignment for or against the Government. How little coherence the opposition possessed was apparent when Giles, of Virginia, presented a resolution censuring Hamilton for his management of the Treasury. Despite the unpopularity of Hamilton and the general distrust of his policy in Republican circles, the opposition could muster only seven votes in favor of the resolution, in the closing hours of the Second Congress. The presidential election of 1792, therefore, was not properly a contest between parties. When Washington consented reluctantly to serve a second term, his unopposed reelection was assured. The Republicans expressed their opposition only by supporting for Vice-President, George Clinton, of New York, whose Anti-Federalism was well known, instead of John Adams, of Massachusetts. The congressional elections of this year resulted in the choice of men whose leanings were rather Republican than Federalist. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Besides the works of Hildreth and of McMaster, there are several compendious histories which treat of the beginnings of the new government. Among these are James Schouler, _History of the United States under the Constitution_ (7 vols., 1880-1913), and E. M. Avery, _History of the United States and its People from their Earliest Records to the Present Time_ (7 vols., 1904- ). The events of the Administrations of Washington and Adams are narrated by J. S. Bassett, _The Federalist System_ (in _The American Nation_, vol. 11, 1906). Among the special studies of importance are D. R. Dewey, _Financial History of the United States_ (1903); C. R. Fish, _The Civil Service and the Patronage_ (1905); H. B. Learned, _The President's Cabinet_ (1912); and W. W. Willoughby, _The Supreme Court of the United States_ (1890). There are many biographies of the Federalist leaders. Among the best are W. C. Ford, _George Washington_ (2 vols., 1900); W. G. Sumner, _Alexander Hamilton_ (1890); F. S. Oliver, _Alexander Hamilton; an Essay on American Union_ (1907); J. T. Morse, _John Adams_ (1885); W. G. Brown, _Life of Oliver Ellsworth_ (1905). Of contemporary writings none will give a more intimate view of politics than Senator William Maclay's _Journal_ (1890). William Sullivan, _Familiar Letters on Public Characters_ (1834), gives some lively sketches of notable figures, but he writes with a strong Federalist bias. CHAPTER IV THE TESTING OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT