both Houses to wait on the President, to request him to take measures with the Indians, &c.

March 2. The resolution of the mint was smuggled through. I am at no loss now to ascertain the reasons why the mint business has been delayed, and finally came forward under the form of a resolution, rather than a bill. Bills cannot be read out of order but by unanimous consent.

It has been usual with declamatory gentlemen, in their praises of the present government, by way of contrast, to paint the state of the country under the old Congress, as if neither wood grew, nor water run in America before the happy adoption of the new Constitution. It would be well, for the future, in such comparisons, to say nothing of national credit, (which, by the by, I never considered as dependent on the prices current of certificates in the hands of speculators,) for the loan of 1788 was done in Holland, at five per cent., only postponed.

March 3. As well might I write the rambles of Harlequin Ranger, or the vagaries of a pantomime, as attempt to minute the business of this morning. What with the exits and the entrances of our Otis, the announcings, the drawings and withdrawing of Beckley and Lear, and the comings and goings of our committees of enrollment, &c., and the consequent running of doorkeepers, opening and slamming of doors, the House seemed in a continual hurricane. Speaking would have been idle, for nobody would or could hear. Had all the business been previously digested, matter of form would have been of little consequence. This, however, was not the case. It was patching, piecing, altering, and amending, and even originating new business. It was, however, only for Ellsworth, King, or some of Hamilton's people to rise, and the thing was generally done. But they had overshot themselves; for, owing to little unforseen impediments, there was no possibility of working all through, and there was to be a great dinner, which must absolutely be attended to. Terrible, indeed, but no alternative, the House must meet at six o'clock.

March 3. In the evening, by candle-light. When I saw the merry mood in which the Senate assembled, I was ready to laugh. When I considered the occasion, I was almost disposed to give way to very different emotion. I did, however, neither the one nor the other; and feeling myself of as little importance as I had ever done in my life, I took pen and paper and determined, if possible, to keep pace with the hurry of business, as it passed, which I expected would now be very rapid, as I had no doubt that Hamilton's clerks had put the last hand to everything.

1. Mr. Beckley, (Clerk of the House of Representatives,) announced that he brought a new resolve, for the safe-keeping of prisoners, &c.

2. A bill for compensation to commissioners of loans, for extra expenses.

3. A salary bill for the executive officers, their clerks, and assistants.

4. Resolve for the President to lay before Congress an estimate of lands not claimed by Indians.

5. The mint resolve.

These obtained the signature of the President of the Senate, and were sent off for the deliberation and approbation of the President. The prisoner resolve was agreed to, and sent back to the Representatives, by Otis.

6. Mr. Beckley-Second message. A new bill, to carry into effect the convention with the French, &c. This business has been neglected. I had often spoken on the subject, but my influence was gone. I had, however, spoken lately to sundry members of the House of Representatives, and even at this late hour, was happy to see the bill.

To speak in the present uproar of business, was like letting off a pop-gun in a thunder storm. But this was the merest matter of form possible. It was only giving the authority of law to a convention solemnly entered into with the French. My colleague cried no, on a second reading. I called for the ayes and nays, not out of resentment, but merely with an exculpatory view, if this conduct should draw on us the resentment of France; for I consider it disrespectful (to say no more) towards her and dishonorable in us.

7. Mr. Beckley-Third message, with the pension, invalid, and light-house bills.

The committee reported the enrollment of the following acts: 8. For the continuance of the post office.

9. For granting lands to the settlers at Vincennes, Illinois. 10. Supplementary act for the reduction of the public debt. 11. For granting compensation to judicial officers, witnesses, and jurymen.

These bills received the signature of the President of the Senate, after being brought up by Mr. Beckley in his fourth message.

12. Who brought, at the same time, a new bill for the relief of David Cook. Twice heretofore has there been an attempt to smuggle this bill through in the crowd. It happened, however, to be smoked, and rejected..

13. Mr. Beckley's fifth message brought a bill for making further provision for collection of duties on teas, &c., which received the signature, &c.

14. And an enrolled resolve, which also received the signature, &c.

There now was such confusion with Otis, Beckley, and Lear, our committee of enrollment, &c., that I confess I lost their arrangement. Indeed, I am apt to believe, if they had any, they lost it themselves. They all agreed, at last, that the business was done. The President left the chair, and the members scampered down stairs. I stayed a moment to pack up my papers. Dalton alone came to me, and said he supposed we two would not see each other We exchanged wishes for mutual welfare. As I left the Hall, I gave it a look with that kind of satisfaction which a man feels on leaving a place where he has been ill at ease, being fully satisfied that many a culprit has served two years at the wheelbarrow without feeling half the pain and mortification that I experienced in my honorable station.

soon.

End of the journal.

APPENDIX.

Mr. Maclay, in his journal, on some occasions, speaks somewhat disparagingly of Washington. This was owing to an imperfect estimate of the character of Washington, who he seemed to suppose to be favorable to extravagant display in conducting the Government, and of a leaning towards the exercise of arbitrary power in its administration. He seemed also to suppose that Washington was favorable to an additional title, the opposition of Washington to that measure being not then generally known; and he also believed that undue influence over Washington was possessed by Mr. Hamilton, towards whom Mr. Maclay entertained strong repugnance. His term in the Senate (being but for two years) was of too short duration to enable him to manifest, in that position, a change of opinion in regard to that distinguished person.

WASHINGTON.

Over all the great men of our revolutionary times, and there were great men about him and conspicuous in the public service, at that important period, Washington was preeminent. Of him it may be truly said, that his public character requires neither justification or panegyric. Acting in so many and in such important positions, it would scarcely be reasonable to suppose that he would escape obloquy, the usual attendant upon high official position in possession of extensive patronage but the soundness of his judgment, his disinterestedness, his humanity and benevolence of character, his patriotism, his justice, his honesty and sincerity of purpose, and his deep sense of moral and religious obligation, are proclaimed throughout the country.

He was not, like Cæsar or Napoleon, possessed of brilliant genius, but he was possessed of superior qualities of mind which enabled him to discharge, with signal ability, and with distinguished credit to himself and advantage to the country, the duties of the various positions in which he acted, and he occupied the highest, both military and civil, which the nation could bestow.