At the same time he avoided personal attack in the dignified way which was characteristic of him, despite the extraordinary temptation to indulge in invective and telling sarcasm to which Jackson by his ignorance and presumption had so exposed himself.

The bill was lost, the great conflict with the bank was begun, and the Whig party was founded.
Another event of a different character, which had occurred not long before, helped to widen the breach and to embitter the contest between the parties of the administration and of the opposition.

When in 1829 Mr.McLane had received his instructions as Minister to England, he had been directed by Mr.Van Buren to reopen negotiations on the subject of the West Indian trade, and in so doing the Secretary of State had reflected on the previous administration, and had said that the party in power would not support the pretensions of its predecessors.

Such language was, of course, at variance with all traditions, was wholly improper, and was mean and contemptible in dealing with a foreign nation.

In 1831 Mr.Van Buren was nominated as Minister to England, and came up for confirmation in the Senate some time after he had actually departed on his mission.