Mr.
Webster had been one of the Federalist leaders in the old days, and when he returned to public life with all the distinction which he had won in other fields, he was at once recognized as the chief and head of all that now remained of the great party of Washington and Hamilton.

No Federalist could hope to be President, and for this very reason Federalist support was eagerly sought by all Republican candidates for the presidency.

The favor of Mr.Webster as the head of an independent and necessarily disinterested faction was, of course, strongly desired in many quarters.

His political position and his high reputation as a lawyer, orator, and statesman made him, therefore, a character of the first importance in Washington, a fact to which Mr.Clay at once gave public recognition by placing his future rival at the head of the Judiciary Committee of the House.
The six years of congressional life which now ensued were among the most useful if not the most brilliant in Mr.Webster's whole public career.

He was free from the annoyance of opposition at home, and was twice returned by a practically unanimous popular vote.