tionate to the offence. A vacancy occurring in the legislative representation from his county he was elected to fill out the term with the avowed purpose of carrying through a thorough revision of the code. He took his seat in December, 1797, and at once addressed himself to this self-imposed task. The bill embodying the desired reforms was passed in the following February, and the death penalty was abolished for all offences with the single exception of murder in the first degree, and a code efficient and yet humane was secured.
Thus began the year 1798, a year destined to be of the greatest influence upon his rising fortunes, and filled to overflowing with ceaseless and untiring labors. It was not till past mid-summer that the great questions of the year arose. The first note of resistance to the alien and sedition laws called him to the front, when, side by side with George Nicholas, he began the work of refuting their doctrines, breaking their force, and securing their repeal. Active as was his great friend, the leading part was by general consent conceded to Mr. Breckinridge, and with untiring industry and broad statesmanship he gained the best opinion of the leading men in Virginia and Kentucky as to the wisest course to pursue, and introduced the results of his labors into the House of Representatives in the form of the famous Resolutions of 1798. These resolutions meeting with universal applause throughout the State, greatly increased his popularity in his own State and with the Republican statesmen throughout the country. His future
