This was sound Hamiltonian Federalism, and in entire consonance with the national sentiments of Mr.Webster.On the constitutional point, which he is said to have examined with some care, he decided in accordance with the opinions of his party, and with the doctrine of liberal construction, to which he always adhered.
On March 4, 1817, the fourteenth Congress expired, and with it the term of Mr.Webster's service.

Five years were to intervene before he again appeared in the arena of national politics.

This retirement from active public life was due to professional reasons.

In nine years Mr.Webster had attained to the very summit of his profession in New Hampshire.

He was earning two thousand dollars a year, and in that hardy and poor community he could not hope to earn more.