tion was now demanded by the condition of our foreign relations. Scarcely were the second inaugural ceremonies concluded, when it became necessary to lay the foundation of a foreign policy, which was destined to meet an opposition as vindictive and unrelenting as that which had formerly resisted the establishment of the financial system of the government.

The relations formerly sustained by this country with France and England, rendered the task a difficult one to establish a line of policy at once just to those nations and satisfactory to the American people. Indeed this was impossible. After consulting his Cabinet and exercising mature deliberation, the President issued, on the 22d of April, his proclamation, declaring the disposition of the government to maintain the existing friendly relations with the belligerent powers of Europe, and enjoining the citizens of the United States to forbear all acts inconsistent with neutrality.

The Presi

The opposition was fierce and vindictive. dent was openly denounced; and the proclamation was regarded as evincing hostility to France and favor towards England. The insane course pursued by the French Minister, Genet, tended to counteract this spirit and secure support to the measures of the Administration, -measures which have come to be considered, as they eminently were, wise and patriotic.

The bearing of these controversies and dissensions respecting the foreign policy served more distinctly to define and mark party distinctions, and did much to engender that fierce party-spirit which we find so manifest at the next ensuing Presidential election.

The third Congress assembled on the 2d of December, 1793. In the House, the combined opposition triumphed in the election of Mr. Muhlenburg, Speaker, by

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a majority of ten votes over Theodore Sedgwick, the ad ministration candidate.

In his speech the President presented the condition of the foreign relations of the country; the consideration of which was the occasion of an exciting debate in Congress.

To preserve peace, if possible, the President nominated to the Senate Mr. Jay as envoy extraordinary of the United States to Great Britain. This nomination encountered a strenuous opposition, but was confirmed by a vote of 18 to 8.

A second inquiry into the official conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury was instituted at this session on motion of Mr. Giles, only to result, after long and labored investigation, in his complete and honorable acquittal.

A law was passed prohibiting the enlistment of men and the setting on foot military expeditions against nations at peace with the United States. A bill respecting the maintenance of neutrality was saved in the Senate by the casting vote of the Vice-President. In the House, being subjected to various modifications, it ultimately passed and became a law. It still remains in force.

The third Congress adjourned its first session on the 9th of June; reorganized on the first Monday of November, and expired by constitutional limitation on the 3d of March succeeding.

Mr. Jefferson, having given previous notice, resigned the office of Secretary of State on the last day of December, 1793. Edmund Randolph was appointed his successor, who was himself succeeded as Attorney-General by William Bradford of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Jay arrived in England in June, 1794; in November following a treaty was signed. On the 8th of June, 1795, it was submitted to the Senate, and passed after much opposition by precisely a constitutional majority -a two-thirds vote.

The French Government having requested the recall of Gouverneur Morris, the Minister to that country, James Monroe was appointed to that position. Two years subsequently he was recalled by the President, and C. C. Pinckney designated as his successor; but was not recog nized by the French Government.

Gen. Knox resigning, at the close of the year 1794, was succeeded in the war department by Timothy Pickering. The office of Secretary of the Treasury being vacated in January, 1795, by the resignation of Mr. Hamilton, Oliver Wolcot of Connecticut became his successor.

Gen. Washington having announced his determination to retire from public life at the expiration of his second term, great interest was manifested respecting his successor in the Presidency. John Adams was the candidate of the Federal party; Thomas Jefferson, of the Republican. The closeness of the vote indicates the strength of the parties as well as their sectional distribution. The whole number of electoral votes was one hundred and thirtyeight. Necessary to a choice, seventy. John Adams received seventy-one, including all the votes east and north of Pennsylvania, three in Delaware, seven in Maryland, and three scattering in other States. Jefferson received sixty-nine votes, all from Southern States, but those of Pennsylvania, of which he received the entire number, save one vote. For the Vice-Presidency, Pinckney received fifty-nine votes, Burr thirty, and forty-eight were scattered among various candidates.

The violence of party feeling towards Gen. Washington, among the most bitter of the opposition, can be judged from the following extract from the Aurora, a leading journal of that day: "If ever a nation was debauched by a man, the American nation has been debauched by Washington. If ever a nation was deceived

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by a man, the American nation has been deceived by Washington. Let his conduct, then, be an example to future ages. Let it serve to be a warning that no man may be an idol. Let the history of the Federal Government instruct mankind that the mask of patriotism may be worn to conceal the foulest designs against the liberties of the people."

These assaults of violent party zeal prevailed very little with the great mass of the people. Their confidence in Washington could not be alienated. The Legislatures of the several States, with one or two exceptions, responded in the old tone of confidence and affection to Washington's Farewell Address. And his native State, Virginta, unanimously passed resolutions of respect for the President's person, their high sense of his exalted services, and their regret at his approaching retirement from office.

Washington retired, leaving to his successor a system of wise and sound policy successfully inaugurated.

CHAPTER IV.

ADMINISTRATION OF JOHN ADAMS, 1797-1801.

On the 4th of March, 1797, John Adams was inaugurated President of the United States, in Congress Hall, at Philadelphia. Many distinguished persons were in attendance, among whom were General Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Vice-President elect, members of Congress, foreign ministers, and many private citizens. The address was pronounced by Mr. Adams, who then received the oath of office, administered by Oliver Ellsworth, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The charges of sympathy with Great Britain which had been freely hurled against the Administration were distinctly disclaimed in the address of the President. This, with other considerations, modified the temper of the opposition, which, though gratifying to the President, did not withdraw his attachment from those by whom he had been elevated to power.

The cabinet officers of his predecessor were retained. They were Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State; Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury; James McHenry, Secretary of War; and Charles Lee, Attorney-General. The department of the Navy was established the following year, and Benjamin Stoddart was appointed Secretary.

Our ministers to foreign courts, at this time, were Rufus King, at Great Britain; C. C. Pinckney, at France;