THE HISTORY

OF THE

REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

FRANCE was all joyous at the restoration of peace. The burthens of the conflict were weighing heavily upon her impoverished treasury. Enough of glory had been gained. The nation's pulse was beating weakly. Prince and People were alike weary of the war, for England, though maimed for a time, was not "overthrown."

Enthusiastic pomp and festival proclaimed the conclusion of the comprehensive treaties of compensation.

A day of celebration being appointed, "the king-atarms and six heralds-at-arms, all attired in a garb not unlike that of the knave of diamonds, sallied forth on horseback, through the streets of Paris, preceded by the band of the king's stables, and by the Master of Ceremonies. The procession went first to take (by the special direction of the king) the Mayor of Paris, the City authorities, and the Judges of the Châtelet, whose chief had previously delivered to the king-at-arms the ordinance of peace, which was to be proclaimed.

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"All these corporations, formed in a body, repaired in succession to fourteen public squares, where the reading of the royal document took place, attended each time with these formalities.

"The Chevalier de la Haye, after having ordered three peals from his Majesty's bells-at-arms, thrice exclaimed, In the name of the king," then added, "First herald-atarms of France, by the title of Burgundy, attend to the performance of the duties of your office." The official, thus bidden, received the ordinance from the hands of his chief, and read it aloud. The king-at-arms, after the conclusion of the reading, ordered three flourishes from the royal trumpeters; and then cried out three times, "Long live the king." About the middle of his stately march, the king-at-arms and his heralds, in conformity with a custom as ancient as it is peculiar, entered the convent of the Feuillants, whose monks had prepared a collation for those officials. The rest of the procession, being by the laws of etiquette excluded from the privilege of the feast, waited in the streets the return of the guests of the convent. The ceremony was concluded with a sumptuous supper at the City Hall, where every inhabitant of Paris was a welcome guest.

"During this official promenade, the Peace was announced from the stage of the opera to a delighted audience."*

While France was thus jubilant, the British Parliament spoke the discontents of the people. By the opposition, the terms of the treaty were loudly condemned; and even its most powerful advocate, William Pitt, held language wounding to the pride of the nation. "To accept the treaty or to continue the war," he declared, “was the only alternative in the power of ministers. Such was the ulti

* Oeil de Bœuf, ii. 291.

matum of France. There was a time when we could have dictated to the proudest of our enemies. But that era is past; and the summit of glory, of which we could once vaunt, is now but a vision and a memory. At the same time, let it be remembered, that the peace obtained is better than was suited to the lowness of our condition. We have acknowledged the American independence. But what is that but an empty form? The incapacity of the minister who conducted the war, and a series of unprosperous events, had produced the acknowledgment.'

After a long and earnest struggle, the public dissatis faction prevailed, and the ministry were compelled to retire.

Though England had been worsted in her contest with the United States, that contest was not to her without its benefits. The public opinion of the nation had been fostered into strength, and those great meetings, which have resulted in successive reforms of the House of Commons, owed their birth to the American revolution. With a wise characteristic caution, the doors of liberty have been opened without imperilling the State.

Early in the year eighty-two, the counties, cities, and towns of England were seen in motion; and on the first of February, the livery of London resolved, "that the unequal representation of the people, the corrupt state of parliament, and the perversion thereof from its original institution, had been the principal causes of the unjust war with America, of the consequent dismemberment of the British empire, and of every grievance of which the nation complained. That these grievances could never be removed, until the right of the people to their constitutional share in the English government should be reestablished, by a fair and equal representation in parliament, and a frequent election of their representatives, according to ancient usuage."

Thus sustained by these manifestations of feeling, William Pitt led the way in a motion for reform, which succeeding parliaments have introduced.

A rumor that the definitive treaty had been received, prompted a request that Hamilton would remain in Congress a few days. The apprehensions entertained by him. of obstacles to its conclusion being thus dispelled, he was much elated at the event, and with the prospect, after so long a public service, of enjoying the repose of private life.

"I am strongly urged," he wrote to his wife," to stay. a few days for the ratification of the treaty; at all events, however, I will not be long from you. I give you joy of the happy conclusion of this important work, in which your country has been engaged. Now, in a very short time, I hope we shall be happily settled in New York. My love to your father. Kiss my boy a thousand times. A thousand loves to yourself."

He soon after proceeded to Albany. The instability of the public counsels, and the impotence of the confederacy, caused Hamilton to fear that either foreign aggression or civil discord might again compel a resort to arms. Thus impressed, he wrote to Washington on the thirtieth of September:

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"I think I may address the subject of this letter to your Excellency with more propriety than to any other person, as it is purely of a military nature; as you are best acquainted with my services as an officer, and as you are now engaged in assisting to form the arrangements for the future peace establishment.

"Your Excellency knows, that in March '82, I relinquished all claim to any compensation for my services, either during the residue of the war, or after its conclusion-simply retaining my rank. On this foundation I build a hope that I may be permitted to preserve my rank