This address was echoed from both houses of Congress, with all that glow of mutual confidence and affection which had marked the replies of former sessions, excepting that part which related to the treaty with the Cherokees ; here a reflection was cast on the president for his neglect of the rights of the state of Georgia; but it was passed over, without further notice.

The secretary of the treasury followed these addresses with sundry reports, suggesting such further measures as were considered necessary to complete the establishment of public credit.

The first object recommended in this report, was an increased duty on wines, spirits, teas, coffee, &c. together with a duty on domestic distilled spirits. When the bill was introduced to support this report, it opened the floodgates of the passions, and produced a torrent of debate, in which reason, good sense, and even common decency and common sense were carried away in the storm ; which sometimes vibrated to one point, and sometimes to another; in which, a general increase of duties on imported articles was proposed, with a duty on stamps, or stamped paper, as a substitute for the duty on domestic distilled sprits, &c. An amendment was proposed to strike out the duty on domestic spirits; but was lost; 36 to 16; and when the storm had raged through all the threatening terrors of wordy war, the original bill was carried by a majority of 35 to 21.

The secretary of the treasury next appeared with a recommendation for a national bank. This, like the other recommendations, opened another war of words, and the whole artillery of the south was played off against the bill, as being unconstitutional, as well as inexpedient. These arguments were met by the thunders of the north, and these two great sections of the union, now appeared for

the first time, arrayed in martial phalanx, against each other.

This all important question thus becoming serious, the president called up the attention of the heads of departments to examine its merits, who were required to give their opinions to the president in writing.

In this arduous struggle the secretary of the treasury supported his measure against the opinions of the secretary of state, and the attorney-general; and the bill when it passed into a law received the sanction of the president. But the parties were still at issue in feeling, and never became reconciled.

This question not only involved the interests of party, but the pride of party, the bitterness of party, with all those passions which become the necessary attendants on party strife, and they have never subsided, even to this day.

In addition to the division of interest between the north, and south, which was involved in these great questions of national finance, that of a due balance of power between the government of each state, and the federal government, became also a great party question.

Whilst one party considered that the whole strength of the nation depended upon a preponderance of power being attached to the federal government, the other considered that the safety of the nation, not ouly depended on checking this preponderance, but in maintaining such a balance between the government, and the states, that neither should preponderate; but that both should preserve an equilibrium, and the independence of the state governments be preserved entire. This division of sentiment became involved in every national question of importance, and thus continues, and probably will continue, so long as a balance of power can be preserved in the national gov.⚫ ernments; the same as the strife of party between the

ins and outs in the British government. This has proved useful to that government, and may prove equally so to this, so long as it serves for a check on ambition, and no longer. Whenever it becomes the tool of ambition, by becoming corrupt, it will be prostituted to the ambitious designs of some idol chief, the balance of power in the government will be destroyed, and a despot will rise upon

its ruins.

Thus balanced the parties continued until the 3d of March, 1791, when, after passing an act to augment the military establishment of the United States, Congress adjourned.

CHAPTER XXII.

INDIAN WAR.—AFFAIRS OF GOVERNMENT, &c.

PENDING this strife of party, and the operations of this wordy war in Congress, an Indian war opened upon the north-western frontier, which became serious, and alarming in its operations, and effects. The president had exhausted the whole field of pacific arrangements to avert this storm; but without effect, and he saw no alternative left, but the sword. Arrangements were made accordingly without delay, and a military force was sent against the settlements upon the Scioto, and Wabash Rivers, under the command of that old revolutionary veteran, Gen. Harmar.

On the 30th of September, Gen. Harmar commenced his operations from Fort Washington, at the head of about three hundred regulars, and was soon joined by the Pennsylvania, and Kentucky militia, which augmented his army to the number of about 1500 men. At the head of this force Gen. Harmar advanced into the enemy's country, and on the 15th of October, he detached Col. Harden, at the head of about 600 Kentucky militia, to advance, and reconnoitre the country, and learn the position, and views of the enemy; at the approach of this detachment the enemy set fire to their villages and fled. Gen. Harmar again detached Col. Harden, at the head of about 200 regulars, and militia, to engage the enemy if possible, and bring them to an action. This detachment fell into an Indian ambush, at the distance of about ten miles from the main army, and was routed with some loss, and the militia fled in great disorder. The regulars of the party made a brave resistance under Col. Armstrong, until 23 out of 30 were killed or wounded, and then the remaining seven secured their retreat, and returned to camp. This

check roused up the spirit of Gen. Harmar, and he commenced a general destruction of the remaining villages upon the Scioto, together with the corn, and other provisions laid in for winter; he abandoned the expedition to the Wabash, for the want of horses, and commenced a retrograde movement, in order to regain his position at Fort Washington.

tion.

Near the village of Chilicothe, Gen. Hamar again detached Col. Harden, under cover of the night, to beat up the enemy's quarters if possible, and bring them to an acCol. Harden at the head of 300 militia, supported by Maj. Wyllis, at the head of 60 regulars, and Majors Mc Millan and Fontain, obeyed the orders of the general so promptly, that they advanced into the enemy's country beyond the reach of support from the main army, where they were attacked by a large body of Indians, and at once engaged with a desperate foe. The troops, both militia and regulars, were true to themselves, and did honor to their leaders; but the conflict was unequal; the brave Majors Wyllis and Fontaine, fell early in the engagement. Col. Harden with his brave officers and soldiers, maintained the unequal combat until they were nearly surrounded by the enemy, and then made a hasty retreat to save from total ruin the scanty remnant which remained, and thus secured their retreat, and rejoined the army.

Col. Harden lost more than 200 men, with nine of his best officers, in the bloody conflict. The loss of the enemy could not be ascertained.

The severe censure which fell upon Gen. Harmar, for sending so small a detachment in quest of the enemy, beyond the reach of his support, led him to request a court martial to investigate the measure: a court was called, and after mature investigation, they acquitted the gen'eral.