of money before any negotiation could be opened. To this insulting demand, a decided negative was given. A compliance was nevertheless repeatedly urged, until at length the envoys refused to hold with them any further communication. After remaining several months at Paris, pressing in vain to be received and heard, two, who were federalists, were ordered to leave France, but Mr. Gerry, who was a republican, was permitted to remain, and was invited singly to enter into discussions relating to the commencement of a negotiation. 4. When these events were known in the United States, they excited general indignation. The spirit of party appeared to be extinct. "Millions for defence, not a cent for tribute," resounded from every quarter of the union. The treaty of alliance with France was declared by congress to be no longer in force. Authority was given for capturing armed French vessels. Provision was made for raising immediately a small regular army; and, in case events should render it expedient, for augmenting it. A direct tax and additional internal duties were laid. 5. To command the armies of the United States, president Adams, with the unanimous advice of the Senate appointed George Washington. He consented, but with great reluctance, to accept the office, declaring, however, that he cordially approved the measures of the government. 6. No opportunity was presented of testing the courage and skill of the American troops. At sea, a desperate action was fought between the frigate Constellation, of 38 guns, commanded by commodore Truxton, and the French frigate L'Insurgente, of 40 guns. The latter, although of superior force, was captured. The same intrepid officer, in a subsequent action, compelled another French frigate of 50 guns, to strike her colors, but she afterwards escaped in the night. 7. The United States, in arms at home and victorious on the ocean, commanded the respect of their enemy. The directory made overtures of peace. The president immediately appointed ministers, who, on their arrival at Paris, found the executive authority in the possession of Bonaparte as first consul. They were promptly accredited, and in September, 1800, a treaty was concluded satisfactory to both countries. 8. While this negotiation was in progress, the whole American people were overshadowed with gloom, by the sudden death of the Father of his country. On the 14th of December, 1799, after an illness of one day only, general Washington expired. Intelligence of this event, as it rapidly spread, produced spontaneous, deep, and unaffected grief, suspending every other thought, and absorbing every different feeling. 9. Congress, then in session at Philadelphia, immediately adjourned. On assembling the next day, the house of representatives resolved, "that the speaker's chair should be shrouded in black, and the members wear black during the session; and that a joint committee should be appointed to devise the most suitable manner of paying honor to the memory of the MAN first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." 10. The senate, on this melancholy occasion, addressed a letter of condolence to the president of the United States. "This event," they observe, "so distressing to all our fellow citizens, must be particularly heavy to you, who have long been associated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, sir, to mingle our tears with yours. On this occasion it is manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns a father. The Almighty Disposer of human events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to HIM who maketh darkness his pavilion. 11. "With patriotic pride we review the life of our WASHINGTON, and compare him with those of other countries who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendor of victory. 12. "Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God, his glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on earth in his spotless example-his spirit is in heaven. Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic general, the patriotic statesman, and the virtuous sage: let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labors, and of his example, are their inheritance." 13. Agreeably to the report of the committee, and the unanimous resolves of congress, a funeral procession moved from the legislative hall to the German Lutheran Church, where an oration was delivered by general Lee, a representative from Virginia. The procession was grand and solemn, the oration impressive and eloquent. Throughout the union similar marks of affliction were exhibited. A whole bereaved people appeared in mourning. In every part of the republic, funeral orations were delivered, and the best talents of the nation were devoted to an expression of the nation's grief. 14. In pursuance of the law enacted in 1790, a place had been selected on the Potomac, a few miles above Mount Vernon; for the permanent seat of the national government. Within a district ten miles square, which was called the District of Columbia, a city was laid out, to which the name of Washington was appropriately given. Public buildings having been erected, the officers of government removed to that place in 1800, and in November of that year, congress, for the first time, there commenced its session. 1 15. At this period, a presidential election again recurred. From the time of the adoption of the constitution, the republican party had been gradually increasing in numbers. The two parties being now nearly equal, the prospect of success inspired both with uncommon ardor. The federalists supported Mr. Adams and general Pinkney; the republicans, Mr. Jefferson and colonel Burr. The two latter received a small majority of the electoral votes; and as they received also an equal number, the selection of one of them to be president devolved upon the house of representatives. After thirty-five trials, during which the nation felt intense solicitude, Mr. Jefferson was chosen. Colonel Burr received the votes of the federalists, and lost, in consequence, the confidence of his former friends. By the provisions of the constitution, he became, of course, vice-president. 16. The causes which rendered Mr. Adams unpopular and led to a change in the administration were, his apparent coldness towards the French revolution; the charge that the federalists generally were partial to Great Britain; the expenditure of money for building a navy and for other purposes alleged to be impolitic or useless; the enactment of the alien law, by which the president was authorised to compel suspected foreigners to leave the country, and of the sedition law which provided that the authors and publishers of false and malicious accusations against the president and members of congress should be prosecuted and punished. But more effectual than these was the charge that Mr. Adams, and the party which supported him, entertained political opinions less favorable to liberty than those of the party which opposed him.-By deserting a man so distinguished as Mr. Adams for his talents, for his experience in political affairs, and for the important services which he had rendered to his country in the revolutionary struggle, the people shewed how jealous they were of the liberty they had obtained, and how firmly they were determined to guard it from even possible danger. 17. The control of the government being now transferred to the republican party, they, at the next session of congress, repealed, after a long and eloquent debate, a law altering the judicial system, which had been passed at the close of Mr. Adams's administration. This repeal annihilated the offices of sixteen judges, who had just been appomted. At the same session, the internal duties were also abolished. 18. A second census of the people, referring to 1800, was completed in 1801. They amounted to 5,319,762, having in ten years increased nearly one milllon four hundred thousand. In the same number of years the exports increased from nineteen to ninety-four millions, and the revenue from 4,771,000 to 12,945,000 dollars! This rapid advance in the career of prosperity has no parallel in the history of nations, and is to be attributed principally to the institutions of the country, which, securing equal privileges to all, give to the enterprise and industry of all, free scope and full encouragement. 19. In 1802, the state of Ohio was admitted into the union It was formerly a portion of the Northwestern Territory, for the government of which, in 1787, an ordinance was passed, by the continental congress. With commendable foresight they provided that slavery, the source of weakness, of poverty, and of crime, should never exist in that extensive and fertile region. This is doubtless one of the causes of the unparalleled rapidity of its population. In thirty years from its first settlement, the number of its inhabitants exceeded half a million. The state of Tennessee, which was previously a part of North Carolina, and lies between that state and the river Mississippi, was admitted in 1796. 20. The right of deposite at New-Orleans, conceded to the citizens of the United States by Spain, and necessary to the people of the western country, had, until this period, been freely enjoyed. In October, the chief officer of that city, prohibited the exercise of it in future. This violation of a solemn engagement produced, throughout the states of Ohio and Kentucky, indignant clamor and violent commotion. In congress, a proposition was made to take possession, by force, of the whole province of Louisiana, and the injured people of the west were eager for permission to avenge their wrongs, and to regain their rights, by the sword. 21. A more pacific course was adopted. Knowing that the province had been ceded, although not transferred, to France, the president instituted a negotiation to acquire it by purchase. In April, 1803, a treaty was concluded, conveying it to the United States for fifteen millions of dollars. 27 The territory thus added to the national domain, was first discovered by the French, who, in 1699, began a settlement within its limits. It continued a colony of that nation until 1762, when it was ceded to Spain. In her possession it remained, slowly increasing in population, until October, 1800 when it was retroceded to France, and by her was afterwards, as has been related, transferred to the United States. The inhabitants, a mixture of French and Spaniards, were not numer ous. Its boundaries have never been defined. They embrace, at a moderate estimation, a territory more extensive than some of the most powerful European kingdoms, and in many parts the soil is exceedingly fertile. Its acquisition was considered, by the United States, of the greatest importance, as it gave them the entire control of a river, which is one of the noblest in the world. 23. Since the year 1801, war had existed between the United States and Tripoli, one of the states of Barbary, situated on the coast of the Mediterranean. No memorable event occurred until 1803, when a large squadron, under the command of commodore Preble, was despatched into that sea. On arriving before Tripoli, captain Bainbridge, in the frigate Philadelphia, of 44 guns, was sent into the harbor to reconnoitre. While in eager pursuit of a small vessel, he unfortunately advanced so far that the frigate grounded, and all attempts to remove her were in vain. The sea around her was immediately covered with Tripolitan gun-boats, and captain Bainbridge was compelled to surrender. The officers were considered as prisoners of war; but the crew, according to the custom of Barbary, were treated as slaves. 24. At the capture of this frigate, the enemy rejoiced and exulted beyond measure. Lieutenant Stephen Decatur conceived the design of retaking or destroying her. Commodore Preble, applauding the spirit of the youthful hero, granted him permission to make the attempt. In February, 1804, he sailed from Syracuse, in a small schooner, having on board but seventy-six men, entered undiscovered the harbor of Tripoli, and advancing boldly took a station alongside the frigate. Perceiving the crew in consternation, Decatur sprang on board, his men followed, and with drawn swords rushed upon the enemy. The decks were soon cleared, some being killed, and others driven into the sea. 25. A heavy cannonade upon the frigate, from the batteries on shore and the corsairs near, was now commenced, and several vessels of war were seen approaching. She was set on fire and abandoned, none of the party being killed and but four wounded. Throughout all the piratical states, this brilliant exploit exalted the reputation of the American arms. The president, in reward of his address and bravery, promoted lieutenant Decatur to the rank of post-captain in the navy. 26. While the squadron remained before Tripoli, other deeds |