liberty so far as to have put in jeopardy its very existence. Such, however, are the facts; and, with these staring us in the face, this day ought to be a day of jubilee in the United States."

And this farrago of blasphemy, absurdity, and ingratitude was the farewell of the democratic press to the Father of American Independence!

CHAPTER XV.

I'

MOUNT VERNON.

T is refreshing to turn from the violence and

malignity described in the last chapter, to the tranquil and beautiful home on the banks of the Potomac, where the tired hero was at length to find repose. There, in the midst of the well-known woodlands, by the side of the familiar stream, his fancy could stray back to the happy days of youth, and recall the images of old friends long departed. He has left on record that he often cast his eyes towards Belvoir, the ancient home of the Fairfaxes, now in ruins, and thought with regret of the pleasant times, before war and revolution had severed so many ties of neighbourhood and affection. But he had the consolation which springs from the consciousness of duty unflinchingly performed, and many delights and blessings seemed reserved for his honourable He was venerated by all the best of his

cid age.

countrymen, beloved by his friends, almost adored by his family and dependents-and the envious whispers of faction could hardly reach him in those peaceful retreats. The wife of his bosom was worthy of all his tenderness, and, although heaven had denied him children, he was not without the sunshine of young faces in his house, and the glad sound of youthful voices. Mrs. Washington's son by her first marriage had left a boy and girl to the care of their grandmother, nephews and nieces were frequent visitors at Mount Vernon, and young Lafayette had there sought shelter and protection from his father's old comrade in arms. The general had, moreover, the congenial occupation of repairing his longneglected home, putting his estate into order, and following those agricultural pursuits in which he delighted. In spite of the hardships he had gone through, his health seemed yet unimpaired, and his frame still vigorous; and it was no presumption to hope that he might continue for many years in the enjoyment of his well-earned rest.

Meanwhile, Mr. Adams had retained the late cabinet in office. They were members of the Federalist party, trusted by Washington, and likely to continue his policy. They were, moreover, in

habits of confidential communication with Hamilton, whose influence would therefore still be felt in the government. Colonel Pickering, the Secretary of State, and Mr. Wolcott, the Secretary of the Treasury, were notoriously friends of Hamilton. On the other hand, the views of Mr. Jefferson, the Vice-President, were known to be with the opposition, especially on the subject of the relations of America with France. Those relations were becoming daily more and more unsatisfactory. The Directory, which had succeeded to power after the fall of Robespierre, if less bloodthirsty, was quite as arrogant as its predecessors. It had adopted a tone towards America, which appeared to be one of command rather than remonstrance. The treaty with England was held to be an offence to France, complaints of breaches of neutrality were laid against the American Government, and, when Mr. Monroe was recalled from Paris to make way for another minister, the Directory declared that no other envoy would be received from the United States, until all grievances had been redressed. This declaration was accompanied by words of insult and menace. "The French Republic hopes," said Barras, "that the successors of Columbus, of Raleigh, and of Penn,

ever proud of their liberty, will never forget that they owe it to France! . . . In their wisdom, they will weigh the magnanimous benevolence of the French people, against the artful caresses of perfidious plotters, who meditate to draw them back to their ancient slavery. . . . They will find in the French people the republican generosity, which knows how to grant peace, but which knows also how to make its sovereignty respected.” Along with this bombast came measures of a stringent character, directed against the commerce of the United States. The doctrine, that free ships make free goods, which had formed part of the old treaties with France, was declared to be abolished; the French cruisers were ordered to seize all British property found on board of American vessels, and all provisions bound for England; and it was announced, that Americans serving on English ships would be treated as pirates. The policy of the French Government was evidently one of intimidation, by which America was to be coerced into compliance with the designs of her sister-republic.

But the Directory had miscalculated the character of the American people. Singularly open to the influences of cajolery, that people had yet retained