French, as the cause of mankind at large. He had, however, a decided majority; and Mr. John Adams was again elected vice-president.

Through the whole course of his second presi dency, the danger of America was great and imminent, almost beyond example. The spirit of change, indeed, at that period, shook all nations. But in other countries it had to encounter ancient and solidly established power. It had to tear up by the roots long habits of attachment in some nations for their government, of awe in others, of acquiescence and submission in all. But in America the government was new and weak.

It was during this period that the president of the United States had to encounter and suppress an insurrection excited in the western counties of Pennsylvania. His character and office had been reviled; his authority had been insulted; his safety and his life had been threatened. Yet neither resentment, nor fear, nor even policy, could extinguish the humanity that dwelt in the breast of Washington. Never was there a revolt of such magnitude quelled with the loss of so little blood. In the month of October, 1796, Mr. A. D. Washington publicly declared his resolution of retiring from public life, and strictly enjoined those who were most sincerely attached to him by ties of friendship, not to nominate him on the ensuing election. The resignation of this great man at this period was deplored by all the moderate party in America, and by the government party in Great-Britain. By the latter he was considered as a steady friend; and was indeed regarded as the leader of what was called the English party in America. Such are the vicissitudes of political connexion. In 1776, he was considered

1796.

in England as a proscribed rebel: in 1796 he was regarded as the best friend that England had in the United States. In 1776 his destruction was thought the only means of preserving America to Great-Britain; in 1796 his authority was esteemed the principal security against her falling under the yoke of France. At the former period he looked to the aid of France as his only hope of guarding the liberties of America against England: at the latter he must have considered the power of Great Britain as the main barrier of the safety of America against France.

Nothing was more certain than his re-election, if he had deemed it right to offer himself as a candidate. The conduct however which he pursued, was the wisest he could have adopted. All the enemies, and many of the best friends, of the American government believed that it had a severe trial to encounter when the aid of Washington's character should be withdrawn from its executive government. Many seriously apprehended that it had scarce vigour enough to survive the experiment. It was fit, then, that so critical an experiment should be performed under his eye; while his guardian wisdom was at hand to advise and assist in the change.

The election of the first successor to Mr. Washington was the most important event in the history of the infant republic. Nothing could be conducted in a more dignified manner: the choice fell upon John Adams as president, and upon Thomas Jefferson as vice-president. The functions of the new president were not to commence till the 4th of March, previous to which he repaired to the house of representatives to take the necessary oaths. At this

A. D.

1797.

ceremony were a multitude of spectators of high rank; one of whom, after minutely describing all that passed, adds these words: "Nothing can be more simple than the ceremony of this installation; but this very simplicity has something in it so delightful, so noble, and so nearly resembling the grandeur of antiquity, that it commands our reverence, and seizes upon our worthiest affections. I speak at least of the effect it produced on my feelings. This change of the persons exercising the most awful functions of the state, with so little pomp, but with so great solemnity; and which places a man, who the evening before was among the crowd of simple citizens, at the head of the government; while he who held the first office of the state the preceding evening, is returned again to the class of simple citizens-is full of the qualities that constitute true greatness *." After various and repeated insults from the French government by means of their envoy M. Genet, the United States found it necessary to arm in their own defence. They had for years endured with a patience of which there is scarcely any example in the history of states, all the contumely and wrongs which successive administrations in France had heaped upon them. Their ships were every where captured; their ministers were but prisoners at Paris; while agents, some of whom were indeed clothed in the

A. D. 1798.

*See vol. iv. p. 365, of Travels through the United States of North America, the country of the Iroquois, and Upper Canada, in the years 1795, 1796, and 1797, by the duke de la Rochefaucault Liancourt. A work abounding with real information on almost all useful topics, and which cannot be too strongly recommended.

sacred character of ambassadors, had endeavoured to excite the seeds of civil war. The United States resolved to arm by land and by sea. The command of the army was bestowed on general Washington, which he accepted because he said he was convinced that every thing they held dear and sacred was threatened; though he had flattered himself that he had quitted for ever the boundless field of public action, incessant trouble, and high responsibility in which he had so long acted so conspicuous a part." In this office he continued during the short period of his life which still remained. On the 12th day of December 1799, he was seized with an inflammation in A. D. his throat, attended with fever, which notwithstanding the efforts of his physicians, termi nated his valuable life in two days, in the 68th year of his age and in the 23d year of American independence; of which he may be regarded as the founder. He died fully impressed with those sentiments of piety which had given vigour and consistency to his virtue, and had adorned every part of his blameless and illustrious life.

1799.

The precautions which the American States took against the injustice of the French government preserved their independence, without coming to an open rupture, and all differences were at length composed by a treaty of amity and commerce, which was signed at Paris, on A. D. the 30th of September, by plenipotentiaries 1800. from the two republics. Early in the following year intelligence was received in London that a ratification of the treaty between France A. D. and America had taken place. About the same period came on the election for a new president in the United States. Mr. Jefferson, vice

1801.

president, and Mr. Burr, were candidates for this important office. The election was carried on with great warmth by both sides. The ballotting was renewed thirty-one times during three successive days. The thirty-second time decided the contest in favour of Mr. Jefferson. Since this period the contending parties that, during the former periods of the French revolution, had greatly divided the people in the United States, have considerably subsided, and there is every reason to hope and believe that the peace and prosperity of the United States are fixed on a permanent basis.

At the time of the completion of the new constitution, and the first sitting of the new congress in 1789, the Union consisted of no more than thirteen states; but since that period seven others have been added, in the manner prescribed by the constitution. Kentucky, which was formerly a district dependent on the state of Virginia; and Vermont, which was a part of New-Hampshire, were raised into states in the year 1791 and in 1796 Tennes. see, formerly part of North-Carolina, was admitted as an independent state. Since that period the Maine, the territory north-west of Ohio, the Indiana territory, and Missisippi territory, have been recognized as states belonging to the Federal Government and very lately Louisiana has been

1803.

ceded by Spain to the United States of A. D. America. Louisiana was discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1512; it afterwards came into the possession of the French, who about the middle of last century claimed and possessed, as Louisiana, all that part of the new continent which was bounded on the south by the gulf of Mexico, on the north by Canada, and on the east and west indefinitely, comprehending a greater.