1799]

DEATH OF WASHINGTON.

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olution, and was now one of the six captains of the infant navy of the United States. In February, 1799, while cruising in the frigate Constellation, he fell in with the French vessel L'Insurgente [lang-soor-zhont'], which surrendered after a spirited action. The next year, he encountered another French frigate, La Vengeance [lah-vong-zhons']. Af ter an action of five hours the enemy was silenced; but a gale separated the combatants, and the French vessel escaped. She afterwards entered port in a shattered condition, with 160 men killed or wounded. +

442. Gen. Washington did not live to see peace restored. Exposure to a slight rain brought on inflammation and fever, which proved fatal on the 14th of December, 1799. When he found that death was approaching, he said to his physician, "I am dying-but I am not afraid to die." Calmly the good and great man met his end. The death of Washington was regarded as a national bereavement. Due honors were paid to his memory in Congress. Party spirit was for a time forgotten, and the whole country mourned its illustrious father.

443. Alarmed at the bold appeals of the partisans of France and their violent denunciations of the government, the federalists succeeded in passing through Congress two bills, known as the Alien and the Sedition Law. The former authorized the president to require all aliens, or foreigners, whom he considered dangerous to the peace of the country, to depart within such a time as he should specify. The latter forbade, under certain penalties, conspiracies against government, and all publications designed to bring it into disre pute. The passing of these bills awakened more violent opposition than ever. The legislatures of Virginia and Kentucky declared them unconstitutional and void. Happily the conclusion of peace, in 1800, with Napoleon, who had become First Consul of France, allayed the excitement, and

provious history? Give an account of his achievements in 1799 and 1800. 442. Give an account of Gen. Washington's death. How was it regarded? 443. What bills were passed through the influence of the federalists? State the substance of the Alien and the Sedition Law. What followed their passage? How did it become unnecessary to

rendered it unnecessary to put the Alien and Sedition Laws into execution.

444. In December, 1800, Congress met for the first time. at the city of Washington, which has ever since been the national capital. It is situated in the District of Columbia, a tract originally ten miles square, presented to the general government by Maryland and Virginia. The portion given by Virginia was afterwards ceded back to that state, so that the District is now confined to the Maryland side of the Potomac. The city was laid out in 1792; and its population in 1800 amounted to over 8,000. It lay in the midst of a wilderness, described as containing "here and there a small cottage, without a glass window, interspersed among the forests, through which you travel without seeing any human being".

445. The first census of the United States was taken in 1790; another was completed in 1800. They show the following results:

446. At the close of Adams' term, he was again put in nomination by the federalists, in conjunction with Charles C. Pinckney, of South Carolina; the republicans supported Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr, of New York. When the electoral votes were counted, it was found that Jefferson and Burr were in advance of the other candidates, both having the same number. This threw the election into the house of representatives, which gave the presidency to Jefferson and made Burr vice-president.

put them into execution? 444. Where did Congress meet in December, 1800? How is Washington situated? What was the original size of the District of Columbia? To what is it now confined? When was Washington laid out? What was its population in 1800? What was the state of the surrounding country? 445. When was the first census of the U. S. taken? Compare the whole population in 1790 with that in 1800. The slaves. The post-offices. The exports. 446. Who were the candidates of the two parties at the close of Adams' term? On whom did the election devolve? Who were finally chosen?

1801]

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

329

CHAPTER III.

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION, 1801-1809.

447. JEFFERSON appointed James Madison, of Virginia, his secretary of state, and continued him in that office throughout his whole administration. In 1802, the eastern part of the North West Territory was admitted into the Union, under the name of Ohio. The western portion previously been organized into the Territory of Indiana. Vincennes was its capital, and

had

THOMAS JEFFERSON.

William Henry Harrison (afterwards president) had been appointed its first governor.

448. One of the most important acts of Jefferson's administration was the purchase of Louisiana. Napoleon had in 1800 compelled the Spanish government to cede this extensive tract to France, and had made every preparation for establishing at the mouth of the Mississippi a strong military colony, conveniently situated for encroaching on the neighboring territories of Great Britain, Spain, and the United States, as his ambition might dictate. Notwithstanding the protest of the American minister, 20,000 men under Bernadotte [bare-na-dot'] (afterwards king of Sweden) were ready

447. Whom did Jefferson make secretary of state? When was Ohio admitted? What had been done with the western portion of the North West Territory? What was made the capital of Indiana? Who was appointed its first governor? 448. What was one of the most important acts of Jeffersor's administration? To whom had Louisiana been transferred What did Napoleon at one time contemplate? What made him alter his

to sail for the new world, when a fresh quarrel with England changed the plans of the French emperor. He now resolved to concentrate all his forces for an invasion of the British Isles, and offered to sell Louisiana to the U. S. The American ministers, James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, though unauthorized to make so extensive a purchase, took the responsibility of closing with Bonaparte's offer. The advantages of the arrangement were so obvious that it was promptly ratified by the home government. Fifteen millions of dollars were paid for this valuable territory, about onefifth of which was allowed as an indemnity for injuries committed by the French on the commerce of the United States.

449. The American government, following the example of the maritime powers of Europe, had sought to protect its commerce in the Mediterranean from the depredations of piratical craft by paying tribute to the Barbary States (as the countries on the northern coast of Africa are called). When Capt. Bainbridge visited Algiers in 1800, with a national frigate, to make the annual payment, the dey, or governor, wishing to send an ambassador to Constantinople, demanded the use of his vessel for that purpose. To Bainbridge's remonstrances the dey insolently replied, "You pay me tribute, by which you become my slaves, and therefore I have a right to order you as I think proper." As the guns of the fort bore directly upon his vessel, the American captain was obliged to submit. He bore the dey's agent to Constantinople, and was the first to unfurl the banner of his country in that harbor. The Turks had never heard of the United States; but on learning that their visitors were from the new world discovered by Columbus, they treated them with marked courtesy.

Subjected to such annoyances and finding that American commerce still suffered, the U. S. government remonstrated in such strong terms as to provoke a declaration of war on

plans? What did he then propose? How did the American ministers receive his offer? How was their action liked at home? How much did Louisiana cost? 449. How had the American government sought to protect its commerce in the Mediterranean? What passed between Capt. Bainbridge and the dey of Algiers? How did the Turks receive their visitors? What action was taken by the U. 8. government? How did the bashaw of

1803]

THE TRIPOLITAN WAR.

331

the part of Yu'-sef, who had usurped the throne of Tripoli [trip'-o-le]. In October, 1803, Commodore Preble [preb'-bel] arrived before Tripoli with a naval force; still the bashaw refused to treat. While reconnoitring the harbor, the Phil adelphia, an American vessel, had struck on a rock, and fallen a prey to the Tripolitans, who consigned its crew to slavery. Lieutenant Decatur undertook to destroy this ship in the enemy's harbor. Followed by seventy volunteers, he boarded her, drove the enemy from her deck, and made good his retreat in the face of the Tripolitan batteries, without losing a single man.

In August, 1804, the American commodore commenced bombarding the city. The fire was continued for five hours, during which several gun-boats of the enemy were destroyed and their fort received serious injury. Alarmed by this, as well as by the news that Eaton, the American consul, was approaching overland with an army, in conjunction with the rightful bashaw, Yusef at length came to terms, and the American flag was for some years treated with respect by the Barbary powers.

450. Hamilton, on leaving the cabinet, had fixed his resi dence at New York, where he devoted himself to the practice of law, and obtained the highest eminence in that profession. His chief rival, both in law and politics, was Aaron Burr, a man of great talents but little principle, whom we have already mentioned as having been elected to the vice-presidency. While still holding that office, Burr ran for governor of the state of New York, but was defeated by a large majority, owing in a measure to Hamilton's influence. This, added to other causes, led Burr to challenge his illustrious rival. Unhappily, the latter accepted, and the duel was fought at Weehawken, July 11, 1804. Hamilton fell mor tally wounded (in his forty-eighth year) on the very spot where his eldest son had shortly before likewise been killed

Tripoli retaliate? Who appeared before Tripoli, in October, 1803? What befell the Philadelphia? Relate a gallant exploit of Decatur's. Give an account of the bombardment of Tripoli. What brought the bashaw to terms? 450. Where had Hamilton fixed his residence? To what profession did he devote himself? Who was his chief rival? What was Burr's character? For what office did Burr become a candidate? How was