blood was shed. The leaders were tried and convicted of treason, but were afterwards pardoned.

18. About this time the tranquillity of the nation was threatened by the conduct of Great Britain. Since the peace of 1783, many things had happened to excite the hostility of the Americans. After war was again declared between England and France, the British government had adopted measures, which greatly interfered with the prosperity of American commerce. To pre

vent the calamity of a war, Washington sent Mr. Jay to the British court, with full power to conclude a commercial treaty.

19. In the spring of 1795, Mr. Jay's treaty was laid before congress. The republican party assailed most of its stipulations with violent opposition. The people generally throughout the country denounced the treaty. But the president, believing its provisions as favorable as could be obtained at that time, ratified it. This act of their beloved Washington soon silenced the clamors of the people. This treaty proved highly advantageous to American commerce, and saved the country from the

18. What happened about this time? Who was sent to the British court? 19. How did the people regard Jay's treaty? How did Washington regard it?

* In 1793, Great Britain, for the purpose of distressing France and shack. ling the commerce of the United States, passed an act prohibiting the export. ation of grain to France, and authorizing the capture of neutral vessels engaged in carrying it thither. In consequence of this, a great number of American vessels were captured, and carried to England. This act was followed by another equally offensive. Her armed ships were authorized to capture all vessels laden with goods from France or her colonies, or engaged in car. rying provisions or supplies to either. The Americans were indignant at these oppressive measures, and contended that "free ships made free goods;" or in other words, that all property on board neutral vessels, except contraband goods, had a right to pass free from seizure and confiscation. Another odious measure was justly complained of. Great Britain claimed the right of searching our vessels and compelling her seamen, wherever found, to serve on board her armed ships. This right of impressment was not confined to our ports, but her ships of war were in the habit of stopping vessels at sea, and taking from them such as they claimed were English sailors. Now as the Americans and the English spoke the same language, and were much alike in many other respects, it would be difficult to distinguish between individu. als of the two nations. Hence we see, that the right of impressment was liable to great abuse, and great numbers of American citizens were impressed and compelled to serve on board of British ships.

poverty and distress which must have attended a war with England.

20. At this time the province of Louisiana was in the possession of Spain. Several unsuccessful attempts had been made to negotiate with that nation respecting the navigation of the Mississippi. The people of Kentucky, whose interests were at stake, now became clamorous in their demands on the general government, and even made preparations to invade the Spanish province. But after Spain became involved in war with France, she consented to negotiate. Thomas Pinckney was sent to Madrid, and in October, 1795, a treaty was signed, which secured to the Americans the free navigation of the great western river.

21. In the same year a treaty of peace was also concluded with the government of Algiers. These commercial treaties with the powers of Europe soon revived the commerce of the nation, and opened a great source of wealth to our enterprising seamen. Yet fresh troubles now began to arise from the conduct of France. As the Americans had declined to join with her in the war against the despots of Europe, she became jealous of their friendship. Her ministers, however, professed the sincerest attachment, and one of them, Mr. Adet, brought over the colors of France, and presented them to the president. They were received with great pomp and ceremony, and by a unanimous vote of congress, they were deposited in the archives* of the nation.

22. Mr. Monroe, the American minister to France, was received by the French republic with the strongest

What did the treaty formed treaty secure?

20. To whom did Louisiana belong at that time? people of Kentucky propose? Why? When was a between Spain and the United States? What did this 21. When was a treaty concluded with Algiers? How were the treaties regarded by the nation? How did France begin to regard the United States? What did Mr. Adet do?

22. Did France try to engage the United States in a war with her enemies? How? After trying in vain, what was next done? What did the president do in 1796 ?

Archives, the apartment in which records are kept,-also the records and papers which are preserved as evidences of facts.

marks of good will. It was decreed, " that the flags of the two nations should be intwined together, and suspended in the legislative hall, as a mark of their eternal union and friendship." In this manner the French desired to induce the Americans to espouse their cause against the enemies of France. Finding all their attempts resisted, they adopted certain regulations respecting commerce, by which hundreds of vessels belonging to the United States were taken, and their cargoes confiscated. In 1796, the president recalled Mr. Monroe, and sent Charles C. Pinckney, to remonstrate with the French government, and to seek redress for these injuries. This year Tennessee was admitted into the Union.

23. The second term of Washington's administration, was now drawing to a close. In the fall of 1796, he published a farewell address to the citizens of the United States, in which he expresses his determination to retire from public life, and spend his remaining days in peace and quiet. He expressed for his country all the tenderness of a father's solicitude and affection; pointing out the dangers to which she would be exposed, and warning every citizen with solemn earnestness to shun the evils, which already threatened the dissolution of the union, and the downfall of the nation.

24. This address was received with that profound respect and veneration for its author, which the whole nation had been cherishing for years. The most gratifying testimonials of the affection and gratitude of his countrymen, followed the hero and the statesman, as he retired to the bosom of his beloved family at Mount Vernon. The two great parties of the nation now brought forward their candidates for the presidency. The federalists supported John Adams, and the republicans Thomas Jefferson. The contest was nearly equal. Mr. Adams was, however, chosen president, and Mr. Jeffer

23. When did Washington publish his farewell address?

24. Who were brought forward as candidates for the presidency? By what party was John Adams supported? Thomas Jefferson? Who was elected president? Who vice-president? When did they enter upon the duties of their office?

son vice-president. They entered upon the duties of their office the 4th of March, 1797.*

7

ADAMS' AND JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

1. Mr. Adams, at the commencement of his administration, found the nation involved in difficulties with France. Mr. Pinckney, who had been sent by Washington to adjust existing differences between the two republics, had been rejected by the Directory, or French government, and ordered to quit the country without delay. Depredations were frequently committed on the commerce of the United States, in direct violation of the treaties existing between the two nations. In this state of affairs, President Adams issued his proclamation, and assembled congress on the 15th of June. That body took a decided stand against the demands of the French, and authorized the president to adopt measures to raise an army, enlarge the navy, and increase the revenue of the nation.

2. As the president sincerely desired to avoid war, he appointed John Marshall and Elbridge Gerry joint envoys with Mr. Pinckney, and instructed them to secure, if possible, an honorable reconciliation with the French.

1. How was Mr. Pinckney received by the French government? When was congress assembled? What was the cause of our difficulty with France? A. Our refusal to assist her in her wars against England and other nations of Europe. "We have assisted you," said she, "in your war against England, and now we expect you to assist us in our wars.'

2. Who were appointed envoys?

By examining the constitution of the United States, at the close of this work, you will see that the president is chosen by electors appointed by the several states. Each state appoints as many electors as they have members in congress. If they have six representatives and two senators in congress, they choose eight electors. As the constitution originally stood, each elector voted for two candidates, without specifying which he intended for president, or which for vice-president. The candidate who received the highest num ber of votes, provided it was a majority of the whole, was elected president; and he who received the next highest number, was elected vice-president. In 1804, the constitution was amended, requiring the electors to name in their ballots the persons voted for as president and vice-president.

But the new commissioners were also rejected, though permitted to remain at Paris. Agents of the directory at length intimated that a "liberal grant of money" might lead to terms of accommodation. "Millions for defence," the Americans replied, "but not one cent for tribute."

3. Pinckney and Marshall were ordered to leave the country, but Mr. Gerry, who was thought to be more favorable to the French, was afterwards solicited to negotiate. This he declined. In 1798, when these facts were made known in America, all parties united in calling loudly upon the government to assert the rights of the nation. Washington was unanimously appointed commander-in-chief of the American forces. The navy was authorized to cruise against the armed vessels of France.

The

4. The army was not called into action. But two naval battles were fought in the West Indies. The French frigate L'Insurgent of 40 guns, was captured by the Constellation of 38 guns, under the command of Commodore Truxton. The same commander also attacked another ship of 50 guns, and compelled her to strike her colors, but in the night she made her escape. French, perceiving the determined spirit of the Americans, and not wishing to be involved in war with them, received, in 1799, commissioners appointed by the president. When they arrived in France, they found the government of the nation in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte, with whom a treaty of peace was concluded.

5. In the mean time, the people of America were filled with grief at the sudden death of Washington. He died on the 14th of December, 1799, after an illness of only one day. Never was a man more deeply lamented. In the house of representatives, it was resolved, "that the speaker's chair should be shrouded in black,

3. How were they treated? Who was appointed commander-inchief of the American forces? What was our navy authorized to do? 4. What naval battles were fought? When was a treaty of peace concluded?

5. When did Washington die? What token of respect was paid to his memory in congress?