David Buchanan

“ In America, the literary character of Fisher Ames appears to be held in high estimation; and some of his countrymen have even been absurd enough to compare him to Burke. We perused his essays with a curiosity greatly excited by so ambitious a comparison; but without being able to discover one trait of resemblance to that great master of political philosophy and eloquent composition;—without perceiving any thing much above mediocrity, either in thought or expression;—and with frequent feelings of tedium and disgust, excited by abortive strainings after imagery and eloquence. ”

“ In the convention for ratifying the federal constitution in 1788, Mr Ames acted a conspicuous part. He was chosen the same year a member of the House of Representatives, and for eight years he continued a firm supporter of Washington’s administration. In the contests occasioned in Europe by the progress of the French revolution, he appears to have been a keen partisan of the powers combined against France; and in the controversy which took place between Britain and America, respecting the privilege of the neutral powers during war, he espoused the cause of the belligerent ”

“ At a meeting of a Convention of Delegates assembled at Concord, he pointed out the certain mischiefs which would result from attempts of this nature; expatiating, in strong terms, on the futility and injustice of endeavouring to regulate by force the value of that which must be fixed in the market by the voluntary consent of the buyer and the seller. ”