When on June 29,1793, publication began of a series of eight articles signed "Pacificus," it was well known that Hamilton was the author.

The acute analysis and cogent reasoning of these articles have given them classic rank as an exposition of national rights and duties.

Upon minds open to reason their effect was marked.

Jefferson wrote to Madison, "For God's sake, my dear Sir, take up your pen, select the most striking heresies, and cut him to pieces in the face of the public." Madison did take up his pen, but he laid it down again without attempting to controvert Hamilton's argument.

The five articles which Madison wrote over the signature "Helvidius" do not proceed farther into the subject than a preliminary examination of executive authority, in which he laid down principles of strict construction of the Constitution which have never been adopted in practice and which are now interesting only as specimens of dialectic subtlety.
Although as an electioneering tactician Jefferson had superior ability, neither he nor any of his associates was a match for Hamilton in debate.
As the issues were discussed, the Jeffersonians lost ground, and for this they put the blame on Genet.