CHAPTER XXII.

Mr. Sedgwick's View of American Politics-The President acting a noble Part-His Message on the French Mission-Instructions to Envoys and their Dispatches called for and sent to Congress-Effect produced-Warlike Measures proposed-Letters from and to the Envoys in Paris-Mr, King to Mr. Gerry-Letters from Messrs. W. Hindman, Cabot, and Sedg. wick-Public Opinion about French Duplicity-American Students in Edinburgh to Mr. King—Mr. King to Secretary of State on Mr. Gerry's Conduct-Ireland's wretched Condition-Martial Law-To Gen. Hamil ton on European Affairs—Maryland Bank Stock—Mr. J. A. Smith's Letter relative to Irish Troubles-Messrs. R. Troup, Bingham, Lawrance, and Cabot show Disgust and Resentment against France-Approving war-like Measures.

THEODORE SEDGWICK TO R. KING.

MY DEAR SIR:

PHILADELPHIA, 9th April, 1798.

I received just before I came from home, the beginning of December, your letter dated in August-I should not have delayed answering it, till this time, but for the unpleasant situation of our affairs.

The session has been a disagreeable one & hitherto almost wholly unproductive. The house is almost exactly dividedthere are 52 determined and rancorous Jacobins, and 54 who profess attachment to the government, or in other words, confidence in the Executive; of them, however, four are of that particular cast of character, whimsical, kinkish & unaccomodating, which renders it impossible to calculate, with any degree of certainty on the success of any measure dependent on their votes; while their adversaries, under the controul of the Genevese,* are a well organized & disciplined Corps, never going astray, or doing right even by mistake.

*Mr. Gallatin.-ED.

The Speaker has become violently federal, for New Jersey notwithstanding every effort to seduce her remains firm and united. The Senate since I first knew it has considerably improved. Governor Bradford from age, or other causes had become discontented & petulant. Mr. Green, except that he obeyed the instructions of the State of R. I. in moving & advocating a repeal of the Stamp Act, in which I am sure he sacrificed at the shrine of popularity, has never deviated from a right line. Chipman, from Vermont, the successor of Tichenor, or rather, as you knew the Senate, of old Robinson, is firm, & indeed, intelligent. Hobart, who replaces Burr, you know. (By the way it is said. that Burr is irretrievably ruined by Speculation.) Lawrance is as you knew him so-so. Generally right-sometimes egregiously wrong. Stockton from New Jersey ranks high among the able & virtuous men of our Country. Clayton, in the room of Vining, is a worthy & respectable man after whom there is no necessity, on important questions, of sending the door-keeper. Lloyd is worth a thousand of his Predecessor. Henry-he is a sure shot, and Hunter, in the room of B-rarely, now, votes with the disorganizers.

The President, under circumstances the most trying, and discouraging, has acted, from the time of his inauguration speech, a noble part. No instances of impatience, no whining croaking complaints, regardless of the infamous attacks that have been made on his character, he has exhibited a manly fortitude & dignified composure. His conduct has, indeed, increased the confidence of the friends of the government, and I am very much mistaken if it has not commanded the respect of his adversaries. You will readily believe that the situation of our Vice-President cannot be a very pleasant one. More than once he has heard, in debates, and in terms which could not be mistaken, Philipics pronounced against the author of the letter to Mazzei. have no doubt, the very life and soul of the opposition.

He is, I

You will have seen the President's Message in which he communicated to the Legislature the result of the mission to France. Directly the reverse, of what might reasonably have been expected, was the effect. Anderson soon moved a resolution, in the Senate, to call on the President for his instructions to the Envoys & for their communications to him. About this time it was

whispered that those dispatches contained evidence, not very honorable to the purity of french republicans. The motion of course was permitted to sleep. In the meantime impressions were attempted to be made, and not altogether without success un favorable to the Government. It was said that the whole policy of the Executive, from the commencement of the french revolu tion, had been unfriendly to, & intended to produce a rupture with, that power; that neither the instructions given, nor the agents employed were intended to produce an amicable adjustment, and in short, that the President dared not expose his conduct to the public. It was added, that the measures recommended were warlike, and might impose a necessity of declaring war, of which the Legislature was exclusively the Judge, and as such entitled to all the means of forming a correct opinion. This reasoning incessantly enforced, was not without effect, and Mr. Allen was induced, from a conviction of the impossibility of taking any effective measures while the existing temper prevailed, of moving an address for the papers. The President determined as was foreseen he would determine, and the papers were laid before Congress. They are undoubtedly forwarded to you. On the first view the whole faction was overwhelmed with confusion. The leaders, in both houses, declared a perfect confidence in the integrity & wisdom of the President, and a conviction of the proffigacy of their former friends the french. Many of our friends believed them sincere and expected an Union of Councils and Exertions. But already their tune is changed, & they will en deavor to fortify their supporters against the impression. They say that Talleyrand is a very corrupt & unprincipled Scoundrel, a friend of Royalty & that this conduct might naturally be expected from the Company he kept in this Country. That, however there is no evidence that he acted by the orders of his Government. Some go further & say that all we can justly complain of, is, the non-reception of our Envoys, which might justly have been expected from France for the injuries she had received from our Government.

There were certainly strong objections against publishing the 'communication & which would have been conclusive, if withholding the publication, could have prevented its publicity. But the substance was known before the order of the Senate for that purpose. The mischief was, therefore, done, and the only ques

tion was, whether we should avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded us of acquiring confidence in the Government and Union among the people. The effects as they respect both these objects will, I believe, be considerable.

The Senate has this day passed a bill authorizing the President to procure 16 ships of 22 Gunns each to be employed as Convoys. There is also before the house a bill for the establishment of a foundery. The measures which I hope will take place are the passage of those two bills; the procuring arms, ammunition & cannon. A fortification of our ports, raising immediately a corps of artillerists & another of cavalry, an authority to raise 30,000 men to be added to the Military establishment & to accept the tender of voluntary Corps. (This last a measure of security to the great towns principally.) To authorise the capture of any french armed Vessels which shall attack any of ours, & all such as shall be found within 20 leagues of our coasts-A legislative declaration that all treaties with france are become void-A comprehensive alien act, and revenue sufft. to sustain the necessary expenditure, and preserve the public credit. If something like this cannot be done, I shall not deem the public safety provided for.

Chancellor Livingston has started in the election ground in New York against Mr. Jay, but I hope without any prospect of success.-In Massachusetts Sumner is reelected by an immense majority.

The Bubble of speculation is burst, which I deem a very happy circumstance, tho' vast numbers and among them many worthy people are involved in ruin by it.—Our old friend Mr. Morris has been sometime in gaol. Nicholson is confined in his own houseWilson is ruined.

Your affect friend

THEODORE SEDGWICK.

MY DEAR SIR:

WM. HINDMAN TO R. KING.

PHILADELPHIA, April 12, 1798.

Our good Friend the Duke is now here, & as firm strong & decided as ever in his Country's Good. I have not seen him since the Receipt of your Letter, I will inform Him to Day what You say of Him.

Genl. James Lloyd is Mr. Henry's Successor in the Senate, & inferior to no Man in Federalism & real Love to his Country. He is a Gentleman of good Talents, amiable & of unexceptional Character, & by our Friends deemed a great Acquisition. It was said that our Friend Henry expressed himself shortly after his Appointment as Governor, too warmly in Favor of Mr. Jef ferson, which injured Him much with the Federalists in the Legislature of Maryland, & it was supposed prevented his Brotherin-Law Mr. Winder from succeeding Him, as Genl. Lloyd had but one vote more than Him.

In a Letter which I wrote to Mr. Hemsley last Decr., I requested Him to inform You, that I had received a Letter from the President of the Senate of Maryland, saying that You had rendered Yourself highly popular in our State, by your friendly & useful Attention to our Bank Stock, & had given the Legisla ture the highest Satisfaction; this is the present Reward You must accept from the State for the Services You have rendered Her, the Time may come when You will receive the highest Retribution.

I fear poor Murray has an unpleasant Time, you can best tell what the Dutchmen will do with Him.

I hope our Commissioners are not now in France: the Publication of their Dispatches I flatter Myself has done much Good to our Country, it must sink the Jacobins & tend much to unite Us; I am told the Opposition Party of our House have lately had a Caucus, at which They agreed upon strong internal defensive Measures; when We get upon Vessels of War for the protection of our Commerce I fear They will give Way. A Bill has just come to Us from the Senate for fitting out fourteen armed Vessels not exceeding 22 Guns; the Antis in our House count upon 51 on their Side, We 55, so that if the Federal Members would all attend & be as firm & united as the Opposition, the Power is with Us; I flatter Myself that many of the Opposition will be constrained to do right, as the People at large will not longer endure the Injuries committed on Them by the infamous & abandoned Men who now govern France.

Adieu

Yours sincerely & affy.

WM. HINDMAN.