ular friends, his desire and purpose to retire from public life. His advanced age* furnished one consideration for this resolution; and he expressed the opinion also, that the time for an individual to occupy the chair of chief magistrate, in an elective, republican government, should not be extended to a long period. He had reason moreover to hope, that the difficulties both with England and France would be removed; or be less dangerous in future to the peace of the United States. But should new disputes arise, he was not disposed to admit that others might not meet them with proper discretion and firmness. When, therefore, some of his friends urged him to be again a candidate for the presidency, from solely patriotic motives, he was not persuaded that it was his duty to comply with their advice. In September, 1796, he publicly announced his determination to decline being a candidate for the presidential chair at the approaching election; and gave his parting advice to the people of the United States, in which he eloquently expressed his ardent wishes for the continuance of their liberty and prosperity, and urged them to cherish a sacred regard for the Constitution, and for the preservation of the Union.†

The prominent candidates for the presidency were John Adams of Massachusetts, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. The former, it was well understood, would mainly pursue the policy of Washington; and the latter would favor measures of a different character, in some points of important and general interest. Mr. Jefferson was considered partial in his feelings and views towards the French government, and Mr. Adams as more friendly to Great Britain than a citizen of the American republic ought to be. These

* In March, 1797, he would be in his 67th year.

+ His conviction of the necessity of religion and morality will be perceived from the following extract. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, the firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with public and private felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligations desert [do not attend] the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice. And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of a peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." The excesses and crimes of infidel France, at that period, not improbably suggested these most just and salutary remarks.

were the prevailing and popular opinions of the day; and however unjust they might be, they had an unhappy influence on the great body of the people. It cannot be doubted, however, that Mr. Jefferson was more disposed to conciliate the French rulers, or to adopt measures to gratify them, than many intelligent politicians deemed proper; or that Mr. Adams considered it highly important to avoid a war with England, and a close alliance with France, as was the wish of his opponents, when there was no stability in its government, and when successive revolutions were distracting and convulsing that nation.

While the presidential election was pending before the people, in the latter part of the year 1796, the French minister had the presumption to interfere, (and not very indirectly,) by publishing an address to the people of the United States, reminding them of their obligations to France; and strongly intimating that they ought to elect a chief magistrate who was known to be friendly to that nation, instead of one who was not disposed to favor it, while it was contending for the rights of man. Very improper reflections were made on the character of Washington and his measures; and a different political course, it was suggested, was necessary to preserve the friendship of the French government. The political friends of the administration condemned in strong terms such improper conduct; and to the honor of many of those in the opposition, at that time, this interference of the French minister was disapproved, as dangerous to the independence of the United States; and the influence which it was intended to produce was lost upon the people generally.

Congress met again the first Monday of December, 1796, as provided by the Constitution; and the address of the President on the occasion was highly characteristic of Washington, at once temperate, dignified, and firm. The speech fully proved his strong conviction that the course he had pursued was the most honorable and proper, and most conducive to the welfare and prosperity of the United States. The great and increasing opposition to his measures did not induce him to waver in the full expression of his political opinions and views, with regard either to the past or the present.

He referred to the restoration of tranquillity in the western parts of Pennsylvania, which had been the scene of forcible opposition to the laws, from great discontent of the act laying an excise on spirits of domestic manufacture; to the efforts made, and in some degree successful, for a more

humane and pacific system toward the Indian tribes within the territory of the United States; and gave a general statement of the measures which had been pursued in fulfilment of treaties with foreign nations.*

The speech referred more particularly to the conduct of the French government, in authorizing or suffering its ships of war to cause embarrassments and injuries to the commerce of the United States, especially in the West Indies; and expressed an apprehension that further difficulties might arise to the American trade and navigation. "It has been my constant, my sincere, and earnest desire," he said, "in conformity with that of the nation, to maintain cordial harmony, and a perfectly friendly understanding with this republic. This wish remains unabated; and I shall persevere in the endeavor to fulfil it to the utmost extent of what shall be consistent with a just and indispensable regard to the rights and honor of our country; nor will I easily cease to cherish the expectation, that a spirit of justice, candor, and friendship, on the part of that republic, will eventually ensure success. In pursuing this course, however, I cannot forget what is due to the character of our own government and nation; or to a full and entire confidence in the good sense, patriotism, self respect, and fortitude of my countrymen.'

In this speech, the President recommended to the attention of Congress an increase of the navy, as necessary for the safety of the country, with so extensive a seacoast exposed to foreign powers, and as a protection to the commerce of the United States. Every member of the administration, at that time, was in favor of an increase of the naval establishment; and yet what appears to have been so important and essential, found dissentients in the party, which had then opposed the leading measures of government for five years. Mr. Adams, the Vice President, was decidedly and warmly in favor of such a measure; and General Knox, while Secretary at War, had expressed the same opinion with Mr. Adams.

The solicitude of President Washington for the adoption of some plan or measures for reducing the national debt was also expressed, in this his closing speech to Congress, by reiterating his admonitions on this subject. A work of magnitude had been performed, by the federal government,

The treaty with Algiers had stipulated the payment of money, as a condition of their forbearance to depredate on the American commerce. It was the only method to negotiate with that nation, and to save the citizens of the United States from imprisonment and slavery.

within the eight years of its operation, by restoring the credit of the nation by paying the interest of the public debt, and discharging the current expenses of government. The original debt to foreigners had also been paid; but new loans had been made for that purpose, though on more favorable terms, than attended all former ones. To keep up the credit of the country, it was in his opinion necessary to provide for an augmentation of the revenue, and to obtain loans at a still less rate of interest. In a time of peace, and with a large increase of population, he believed that good policy dictated a reduction of the public debt, rather than to allow it to accumulate, or to remain as it was, as a burden to the next generation, which might have new and extraordinary expenses to provide for.

When Washington retired from office, the nation lost the services of an able politician, a sincere patriot, and a faithful and ever watchful chief magistrate; one who combined in a peculiar degree a high sense of national honor and dignity, with great economy in public expenditures, and personal simplicity and purity of character. During the eight years of his wise and upright administration, the federal government was made instrumental of all the benefits and blessings, which the most sanguine had anticipated; and political and general stability succeeded a period of national degradation and imbecility, which, in 1786, had alarmed those least likely to despair.

CHAPTER V.

John Adams elected President, and Thomas Jefferson Vice President. Political Parties more strongly marked. President and Vice President of different Political Views. Embassies to France. Preparations for War with that Nation. Great Opposition to President Adams's Measures. Provisional Army. Direct Taxes. President's Message, 1799. Opposition in Pennsylvania to Direct Tax. Measures to suppress it. Conduct of Executive approved by the Majority of Senate and House. Laws of Congress, 1799— 1800. Bankrupt Law. Defensive Measures. Indiana made a Territory. Additional Laws to prohibit Slave Trade. Increase of Routes for the Mail. Opposition to Navy and to other Defensive Measures. Envoys to France. Treaty Conditionally Confirmed. Last Session of Congress, during the Presidency of Adams. His Address to Congress. W. Marshall Secretary of State, and Chief Justice. Presidential Election, 1800, Warm and Active.

MR. ADAMS received a plurality of the votes of the electors for President, and Mr. Jefferson, for Vice President ;* and they were inducted into office on the fourth of March, 1797. The two great political parties in Congress and in the nation were almost equally balanced; and the administration was constantly embarrassed by a powerful opposition. For Mr. Adams pursued the policy of his predecessor, which it was well understood he had invariably approved; and it was to be expected, that he would fail to please where the former had been opposed and censured. The rulers of France did not meet the friendly assurances of Mr. Pinckney, in an amicable spirit; but continued to complain of the United States as ungrateful, and to rise in their demands for direct aid, as due to their forbearance to inflict greater injuries, as well as for the services of that na

* Mr. Adams was a delegate from Massachusetts to the first continental Congress, September, 1774; and he and Mr. Jefferson were of the committee of that august body, in 1776, which reported the Declaration of the Independence and sovereignty of the United States. In 1778, he was appointed Envoy to France; in 1780, to Holland; and in 1784, to England; being the first minister from the United States to that Court, soon after the peace of 1783, in which he was one of the negotiators. He performed the high and arduous duties of these several stations, with great ability, fidelity, and uprightness. He returned to America in 1788, and was the first Vice President in the federal government, and held the office during the whole time Washington was chief magistrate. Mr. Jefferson was chairman of the committee of Congress to prepare the Declaration of Independence, was several years a distinguished member of that assembly; sometime Governor of Virginia, his native State; a minister to France in 1785, '86, and '87; and first Secretary of State in the government of the Union, which he held till his resignation in 1794.