Some of the Republican members of Congress, however, went over to the Federalist side, and Jefferson's party was presently reduced to a feeble and dispirited minority.

Loyal addresses rained upon Adams.

There appeared a new national song, _Hail Columbia_, which was sung all over the land and which was established in lasting popularity.

Among its well-known lines is an exulting stanza beginning: "Behold the chief who now commands, Once more to serve his country stands." This is an allusion to the fact that Washington had left his retirement to take charge of the national forces.

The envoys had been threatened that, unless they submitted to the French demands, the American Republic might share the fate of the Republic of Venice.