Mr. Jefferson came into power; and John Randolph, triumphantly re-elected to Congress, was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means,—­a position not less important then than now.  He was the leader of the Republican majority in the House.  His social rank, his talents, his position in the House of Representatives, the admiration of the party, the confidence of the President, all united to render him the chief of the young men of the young nation.  It was captivating to the popular imagination to behold this heir of an ancient house, this possessor of broad lands, this orator of genius, belonging to the party of the people.  He aided to give the Republican party the only element of power which it lacked,—­social consideration.  The party had numbers and talent; but it had not that which could make a weak, rich man vain of the title of Republican.  At the North, clergy, professors, rich men, were generally Federalists, and it was therefore peculiarly pleasing to Democrats to point to this eminent and brilliant Virginian as a member of their party.  He discharged the duties of his position well, showing ability as a man of business, and living in harmony with his colleagues.  As often as he reached Washington, at the beginning of a session, he found the President’s card (so Colonel Benton tells us) awaiting him for dinner the next day at the White House, when the great measures of the session were discussed.  It was he who moved the resolutions of respect for the memory of that consummate republican, that entire and perfect democrat, Samuel Adams of Massachusetts.  It was he who arranged the financial measures required for the purchase of Louisiana, and made no objection to the purchase.  During the first six years of Mr. Jefferson’s Presidency, he shrank from no duty which his party had a right to claim from him.  Whatever there might he narrow or erroneous in his political creed was neutralized by the sentiment of nationality which the capital inspires, and by the practical views which must needs be taken of public affairs by the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means.

These were the happy years of his life, and the most honorable ones.  Never, since governments have existed, has a country been governed so wisely, so honestly, and so economically as the United States was governed during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson.  Randolph himself, after twenty years of opposition to the policy of this incomparable ruler, could still say of his administration, that it was the only one he had ever known which “seriously and in good faith was disposed to give up its patronage,” and which desired to go further in depriving itself of power than the people themselves had thought.  “Jefferson,” said John Randolph in 1828, “was the only man I ever knew or heard of who really, truly, and honestly, not only said, Nolo episcopari, but actually refused the mitre.”

For six years, as we have said, Mr. Randolph led the Republican party in the House of Representatives, and supported the measures of the administration,—­all of them.  In the spring of 1807, without apparent cause, he suddenly went into opposition, and from that time opposed the policy of the administration,—­the whole of it.