sions to commit hostilities against nations at peace with the United States. Captured vessels were brought into port, condemned by the French consuls, and the sale of them authorized. When he arrived at Philadelphia, he was welcomed by the people with extravagant demonstrations of joy. Mr. Hammond, the British minister, complained of these outrages. The cabinet unanimously condemned the proceedings, and determined to try the force of the laws against those citizens who had committed the offence. On this point it was impossible to doubt: on others, connected with the subject of the duty of this government towards France, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Randolph were opposed to Mr. Hamilton and General Knox. The decision of the American government highly offended Genet; by whom the most insolent complaints were made to the department of state; and in a tone of supercilious invective, the executive was charged with acting in perfect opposition to the wishes of the people. The opposition party, through their presses, called the proclamation of neutrality a royal edict, an assumption of power, and a proof of the monarchial inclinations of the President. Societies, supposed to be at the instigation of Genet, were formed in Philadelphia and many other places, with the ostensible intention of preserving liberty, now endangered by a European conpiracy against her, and "by the pride of wealth and arrogance of power" displayed against her in the United States. These societies cheered Genet with the hope that he could bend the administration to his wishes. Genet continued his insulting language towards the administration, till he at length even threatened an appeal from the President to the people. This insulting threat began to open the eyes of many, who had before been his advocates. When Congress met, in December, the proclamation of neutrality was approved; as well as the conduct of the administration towards the 'French minister. 1794. Mr. Jefferson resigned his office on the first of January, and was succeeded by Mr. Randolph. The attorney general's office was filled by Mr. Wm. Bradford. The British government had, in June, issued an order, forbidding the exportation of corn to France. In consequence of this order, many American vessels were captured on their way there. There were several other causes of dissatisfaction on the part of Congress towards G. Britain, especially the non-execution of the treaty of peace, in not delivering up the western posts. This neglect, however, England en endeavoured to justify, by charging the American government with similar neglect in not making provision for the recovery of debts due to British creditors before the revolution. Mr. Madison brought forward sundry resolutions in the House of Representatives, the purport of which was to impose an additional duty on the manufactures and tonnage of nations having no commercial treaty with the United States; and to reduce the duty already imposed by law, on the tonnage of vessels belonging to ⚫nations having such commercial treaties. The defenders of these resolutions acknowledged that the object in view was not so much the increase of American agriculture, manufactures or navigation, as the humility of Great Britain, and exaltation of France. A long and earnest debate ensued; after which the subject was postponed till March. The Algerines having captured eleven American vessels, and made above one hundred captives; and being then preparing for further captures; while the prospect of peace with the Dey of Algiers was extremely faint; a resolution was agreed to for providing a naval force for the protection of American commerce against their corsairs. The bill for this purpose contemplated six frigates. It was opposed with vehemence by the opposition, as the commencement of an unnecessary naval establishment. The bill was at length carried by a majority of eleven. Great Britain having issued new orders, injurious to American commerce, and having captured a large number of American merchantmen, and a war with that nation not appearing an improbable event, bills were passed for laying an embargo; for fortifications; for raising a corps of artillerists and engineers; and for organizing the militia. A motion was made for the sequestration of British debts. Another was made to prohibit all intercourse with Great Britain, till compensation should be made for spoliations on the commerce of the United States. While these several subjects remained under consideration, advices were received from England, discov ering on the part of Great Britain a wish to remain in peace, and showing that a great part of the vessels carried into port for adjudication, were not to be condemned. Meanwhile a report was made by the Secretary of State, showing that the French had violated the treaty with the United States, and had not committed less depredations on American commerce than had been committed by Great Britain. While a chance of preserving peace remained, the President felt it his duty to try the effect of negociation. For this purpose he nominated Chief Justice Jay, to be envoy extraordinary at the court of St. James, for the purpose of adjusting subsisting difficulties, and making commercial arrangements. To the opposers of the administration, this was a most unwelcome step: but the President was guided, not by the love of popularity, but the love of his country. The resolution for cutting off all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, was converted into a bill for that purpose, and passed the house; but was lost in the senate by the casting vote of the Vice-President. To meet the naval and other unavoidable expenditures, after obstinate debates, bills were carried for taxing licenses to sell wines and spirituous liquors, pleasure carriages, snuff, and refined sugar. Genet was recalled; and his successor, Monsieur Fauchet, arrived, bringing assurances that his government totally disapproved the conduct of his predecessor. A decisive battle was fought by General Wayne, and the Indians, on the 20th of August, near the Miami of the lakes. The Indians were totally routed and a vast number killed. Their whole country was laid waste. This seasonable victory over the Miamis prevented a general war with the Six Nations, and all the tribes north-west of the Ohio. An insurrection of the western counties in Pennsylvania took place this season, which was quelled by a large military force raised by the President, after all other endeavours to silence it had failed. The insurrection commenced with the avowed purpose of preventing by force the collection of internal taxes; but afterwards its object seemed not less to be the overthrow of the national government. * Two persons were convicted of treason, but were afterwards pardoned. The insurrection was attributed in a great measure to the instigation and encouragement of the democratic societies. Of these societies notice was taken at the opening of the session of Congress in • November. Though denounced by Congress, they continued their meetings and their opposition to the administration, till the fall of Robespierre in Paris, when political clubs were suppressed there; which suppression was followed by the natural death of similar institutions in the United States. Jan. 1, 1795. Mr. Hamilton resigned the office of Secretary of the Treasury, and was succeeded by Mr. Wolcott. At the close of the session General Knox resigned the office of Secretary at War. Mr. Jay succeeded in forming a treaty with the British, which was received by the President in March, and laid before the senate, who had been summoned for that purpose, in June. While the treaty was in debate, with closed doors, a member from Virginia gave a copy of it to a printer; and it was dispersed with rapidity throughout the Union. There was on one side a predetermination to condemn it; and the other side were not immediately prepared for the defence, of what required much time and investigation, to afford a correct judgment. The Senate, twenty to ten, advised the ratification of the treaty. Addresses, not only from the principal towns, but from almost all parts of the United States, were sent to the President, entreating him to withhold his signature. General Washington well knew the obloquy he should encounter; but was not deterred from the discharge of his duty. He signed the treaty; a treaty which settled all difficulties; which prevented a war, and which proved of incalculable advantage to the United States. A treaty was made this season with Algiers, and with the Miamis: thus the American captives were restored, and the commerce of the Mediterranean opened; and the frontiers of the United States secured from savage invasions. A treaty was also made with Spain, in which the United States obtained all her claims with regard to boundary and the navigation of the Mississippi. 1796. Resolutions for carrying into effect the different treaties made the last year, met with no opposition in Congress, except that with Great Britain. After the most ardent and obstinate debating of several weeks continuance, during which addresses from all quarters in support of the treaty were received by the house, the bill making the necessary provisions passed the house, by a majority of three. Having determined, at the close of his second presidential term, to withdraw from public life, General Washington, previously to the time of election, made known his intentions, and addressed to the people of the United States a valedictory discourse; impressive and affectionate, replete with political truths and salutary counsel. In his speech at the opening of the session in December, among other objects of national importance, the President strongly recommended the gradual creation of a navy. In February, (1797,) the votes for President and Vice-President were opened in the Senate chamber; by |