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CHAPTER XVI.
Page.
The revolution not effected without great sacrifices and sufferings on the part
of the Americans-Paper money issued-Depreciates-Taxes not called for
by congress until November, 1777-Paper money made a tender in payment of
debts-Prices of articles fixed by law-Congress attempt to call in the paper,
but without success-States neglect to comply with the requisitions-Con-
gress present an address to the states-Paper ceases to circulate in 1780-
Distresses of the Americans for want of funds-Apply to France for aid-
Special minister sent to the French court--King of France furnishes money
-Loans obtained in Holland--New arrangements in the civil departments--,
Sufferings of the army--General Washington's letters on this subject--Revolt
of the Pennsylvania line---Americans suffer from the burning of their towns--
Discontents among the officers of the army---Half pay recommended by gen-
eral Washington---Finally granted-Is unpopular in some of the states--Offi-
cers petition congress on this subject, and for a settlement of their accounts
---Congress delay acting on their memorial---This creates great uneasiness
among the officers---A meeting called by an anonymous notification to obtain
redress---Prevented by general Washington---Congress grant five years' full
pay in lieu of the half pay for life---News of peace arrives---Arrangements
made for disbanding the army---General Washington sends a circular letter to
the states---Definitive treaty of peace arrives---Army finally disbanded---Gen-
eral Washington addresses the army for the last time---Ťakes leaves of his
officers---Resigns his commission to congress,
CHAPTER XVII.*
After the peace of 1783, congress take measures to restore public credit-
Amount of the debt of the United States-States requested to vest congress
with power to levy duties on imposts, and to establish funds for the payment
of the interest of the debt-Address to the states on the subject-All the states
grant the impost, except New York-Congress propose to enter into commer-
cial treaties with most of the powers of Europe-Establish certain principles
respecting treaties--Appoint ministers to form commercial arrangements with
foreign nations-Pitt's bill respecting commercial intercourse with the United
States-Not approved by the new ministry and the navigating interest-Lord
Sheffield's observations upon it-King and council authorized to regulate the
commerce of the United States-Americans excluded from the West India
trade-Disputes with Great Britain about the inexecution of the treaty of
peace--Mr. Adams sent minister to England-His instructions-His reception
at the court of London-Presents a memorial to the British ministers-British
complain of infractions of the treaty on the part of the United States--Con-
gress recommend the repeal of all laws contrary to the treaty--Disputes with
Spain renewed about limits and the navigation of the Mississippi--Gardoqui,
minister from Spain, arrives--Mr. Jay appointed to negociate with him--His
instructions, and course of negociation with the Spanish minister--Cessions of
lands by the states-Territory of the United States formed into a district--Or-
dinance of congress for the government of the territory--Inefficiency of the
general government--Depressed state of American commerce-Insurrection in
Massachusetts--Alarms congress--Troops ordered to be raised to assist Massa-
chusetts-Meeting of commissioners from several states at Annapolis, to amend
the articles of confederation-General convention recommended by these com-
missioners and by congress-Delegates to this convention appointed by all the
states except Rhode Island,
CHAPTER XVIII.
General convention meet at Philadelphia---Form rules for their proceedings-
Propositions of Mr. Randolph for a new system of government-Amendments
* Inserted xvi. by mistake.
154
179
of the articles of confederation proposed by Mr. Patterson-Both debated-The
amendments of Mr. Patterson rejected---Large majority agree to form a new
system of government---To be divided into three great departments, legisla-
tive, executive and judicial-Legislative divided into two branches, house of
representatives and senate---Convention divided on the subject of the represent-
ation of the states in the senate-Sketch of the debate on this question---States
equally divided upon it---The subject referred to a large committee---Commit-
tee report a compromise between the large and small states---This finally
adopted by a majority of the convention---Sketch of the powers granted to
congress---General government prohibited from doing certain acts---The
powers of the states restricted---The organization of an executive attended
with great difficulty---Outlines of the first plan adopted by the convention---
This afterwards rejected and a new plan formed and eventually adopted---
Powers given to the executive---Judicial department to consist of a supreme
court and inferior courts---In what cases they have jurisdiction---Constitution
eventually different, in many respects, from what the members first con-
templated---Difference between the articles of confederation and the constitu-
tion-States divided on the subject of importing slaves, and on the subject of
the powers of congress, relative to navigation acts---These differences settled
by mutual concessions---General Washington's influence in the convention---
Constitution considered by state conventions---People greatly divided in some
of the states---Adopted by three states unanimously---By large majorities in
four states---Rhode Island refuses to call a convention---The other five states
much divided---Doubtful for a time whether they would ratify it without pre-
vious amendments---Massachusetts adopts it, and recommends certain amend-
ments---Convention of New Hampshire meet and adjourn---The system
strongly opposed in New York, Virginia and North Carolina, without previous
amendments---Is warmly debated in the conventions of those states---New
Hampshire follows the example of Massachusetts---Virginia and New York
adopt it in the same manner by small majorities---North Carolina refuses her
assent unless amended,
CHAPTER XIX.
States institute forms of government agreeably to the advice of congress--
States of Connecticut and Rhode Island proceed according to their charters--
Massachusetts at first conform to their charter as far as practicable--New
Hampshire, South Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, and North Carolina, establish new governments in the course of the
year 1776---Those of New Hampshire, South Carolina, and New Jersey, lim-
ited to the continuance of the disputes with Great Britain---General principles
and outlines of these constitutions---New York establishes a government in
1777---Its general features---Constitution of Massachusetts not finally com-
pleted until 1780---Vermont not a part of the union until 1791---Claimed by
New York and New Hampshire--Declares independence in 1777---Outlines
of her constitution, formed in 1786---Constitution of Georgia as established in
1789---After the formation and adoption of the general government, principles
of making constitutions better understood--Pennsylvania, New Hampshire,
South Carolina, and Delaware, revise and alter their systems of governinent,
CHAPTER XX.
First congress under the new constitution meet at New York, on the 4th of
March, 1789---George Washington chosen president, and John Adams vice-
president---President's inaugural speech, and answers of both houses---Con-
gress lay tonnage and other duties---Give a preference to American shipping---
Establish different departments---Determine the question about the removal
of the heads of these departments---Power of removal vested in the presi-
dent alone---Debate on this subject---The senate about equally divided upon
it---Amendments to the constitution proposed---A national judiciary establish-
224
293
ed---Its powers and jurisdiction---Vessels of North Carolina and Rhode Island
placed on the same footing with those of the United States, until the 15th of
January, 1790---Congress direct the secretary of the treasury to report, at their
next session, a plan for the support of public credit---Request the president to
recommend the observance of a day of public thanksgiving and prayer---Ad-
journ to the first Monday of January, 1790---North Carolina adopts the con-
stitution in November---Speech of the president at the opening of the second
session of congress---He recommends the promotion of such manufactures,
as would render the United States independent on others for essential arti-
cles, the establishment of a good militia system, and adequate provision for
the support of public credit--- Financial plan of the secretary of the treas-
ury, submitted to the house in January-Outlines of this plan-Secretary
recommends funding the debt of the United States, and the assumption of the
state debts-This creates great divisions and long debates in congress-Motion
to discriminate between the original holders and the assignees of the domestic
debt negatived-Assumption of the state debts violently opposed-Debates
on this question-Finally carried-Terms of funding the debts-Commission-
ers appointed to settle the accounts between the states, and principles of set-
tlement adopted-Census of the inhabitants to be taken on the first Monday
of August, 1790-Third session commences the first Monday of December,
1790-Vermont and Kentucky admitted into the union-National bank es-
tablished-Strongly opposed as unconstitutional-Cabinet divided on the
question-President decides in favor of its constitutionality-Duties laid on
Spirits distilled within the United States-Opposed in congress, and in some
of the states-Speech of the president at the opening of the first session of the
second congress in October, 1791-Ratio of representation settled--Difference
between the houses and the president as to the constitutional rule of apportion-
ment-Gen. St. Clair and his army defeated by the Indians--Opposition to
the internal duties increases-The two great parties in the United States
more distinctly marked--Cabinet divided--An inquiry into the official conduct
of the secretary of the treasury, instituted in the house of representatives--
Charges exhibited against him-Negatived by a large majority-Supreme
court decides, that a state is liable to a suit in favor of individuals-An amend-
inent altering the constitution in this respect proposed and adopted-The
first term of president Washington's administration expires on the 4th of
March, 1793,
CHAPTER XXI.
George Washington again elected president, and John Adams vice-president
-Public feeling in America in favor of the French revolution-France declar-
ed a republic-Declare war against England and Holland-Genet a new
French minister arrives in America-Proclamation of neutrality issued-Is
strongly opposed--French minister's instructions---He is directed to form a
family or national compact with the United States-A new guaranty of the
French West Indies to be a condition of enjoying a commerce with them---
Conduct of Genet---Difference between him and the American executive---
Causes of it-Genet claims a right to arm vessels in American ports, and to
issue commissions and to enlist Americans to man them-Uses intemperate
language in his correspondence-French consuls take cognizance of prizes
---Resist the officers of the United States-Genet arms and sends out a vessel
directly contrary to the orders of the president-Threatens to appeal to the
people-President requests his recall-Genet furnished with a copy of the
letter containing this_request---His insulting reply---Issues commissions, and
engages men in South Carolina and Kentucky in hostile expeditions against the
Spanish possessions-Spirited conduct of South Carolina against such pro-
ceelings-Conduct of the French agents in Kentucky-Their correspondence
with the governor of that state-Correspondence between the secretary of
state and governor Shelby-Conduct of the French minister supported by
317
many Americans-President accused of sacrificing the interests of France-
Great mass of the people, when informed of the threat of the French minis-
ter to appeal to them, express their indignation at this, and support the presi-
dent,
CHAPTER XXII.
Political relations with Great Britain under the new government--The president
informally sounds the British government relative to the inexecution of the
treaty, and a commercial intercourse-Discriminating duties in the United
States claim the attention of the British ministry--Referred to the committee
of trade and plantations in September, 1789--Report of the committee on this
subject, and also with regard to the terms of a commercial treaty with the Uni-
ted States--West India trade not to be open to the Americans, nor the princi-
ple admitted that free ships should make free goods-English minister arrives
in the United States-Enters into discussion with the secretary of state on the
subject of the treaty-This discussion broken off, by the new state of things
in Europe--British orders of June 8th, 1793, relative to certain articles of pro-
visions destined to France--American government remonstrates against these
orders-Treaties between Great Britain and Russia, and other powers on this
subject--Similar orders issued by Russia and other nations in Europe--Reasons
given in justification of them-Answers of some of the European neutrals--
Algerine cruizers let loose upon American commerce in the Atlantic, in conse-
quence of a truce between Algiers and Portugal-This truce made by a British
agent-Many American vessels captured, and their crews made slaves--
Speech of the president at the opening of congress in December, 1793--Re-
port of the secretary of state concerning foreign restrictions on American com-
merce-Mr. Jefferson resigns--Mr. Madison's commercial resolutions--New
British orders respecting the West India trade--American vessels bound to the
West Indies taken and condemned-Congress divided as to the mode of resist-
ing these aggressions on neutral rights, and obtaining satisfaction and indem-
nity-Various plans proposed in the house of representatives-British estab-
lish a new military post at the rapids of the Miami of the lake--Mr. Jay nomi-
nated minister extraordinary to London-Reasons of the president for this
mission--Mr. Jay's instructions--Non-intercourse bill passed by the house,
but rejected in the senate--Congress take measures of defense--Lay additional
internal taxes--Pass acts to prevent the violation of the neutrality and sove-
reignty of the country---Fauchet arrives as successor to Genet---Has orders to
send Genet to France---Requests liberty of the president to take him by force
or stratagem---President refuses his request---Views of the French government
not changed---Mr. Morris recalled from France, and Mr. Munroe appointed
his successor--- His instructions,
CHAPTER XXIII.
Insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania-The marshall unable to
execute process-House of the inspector burnt by the insurgents-Judge
Wilson declares that the opposition to the laws was too powerful to be sup-
pressed by ordinary judicial proceedings-Fifteen thousand militia ordered out
to suppress the insurrection--Commissioners appointed to offer terms to the
insurgents-Mail robbed-Meeting at Braddock's field-Proceedings of the
meeting at Parkinson's ferry--Commissioners hold a conference with a com-
mittee of the insurgents--Question submitted to the people whether they
would obey the laws--The result not satisfactory, and a military force
marches into the country-The insurgents submit without resistance-Gen-
eral Wayne obtains a complete victory over the Indians-Congress meet in
November, 1794-Speech of the president-Difference in the house concern-
ing the answer to the speech-House refuse to approve of the conduct of the
executive towards foreign nations, or to censure self-created societies-Plan
of the secretary of the treasury for th. redemption of the public debt-Adopt-
356
390
ed by congress-Secretaries of the treasury and of war resign-Negociations
with Spain renewed--These interrupted by Spain's joining the coalition against
France--American commerce sutters from Spanish depredations-This pro-
duces new causes of complaint--Treaty finally concluded in October, 1795---
Negociations with Algiers for the release of American captives---Exorbitant
demands of the Dey resisted---The business of procuring the release of the
first captives placed in the hands of a religious order in France, but without
success---Treaty made with the Dey in September, 1795---Prisoners not final-
ly released until 1796,
CHAPTER XXIV.
Mr. Jay concludes a treaty with Great Britain in November, 1794-Outlines
of the treaty-The senate advise its ratification, with the exception of
one article-Treaty made public soon after-Creates great dissatisfaction
-Meetings of the citizens held and resolutions of disapprobation adopted--
Addresses presented to the president requesting him not to sanction it-Views
of the president on the subject of the treaty, and of the opposition to it-Rat-
ifies it the 14th of August-Congress meet in December-President's speech
at the opening of the session-Adet presents the colors of France to the pre-
sident--Speeches on this occasion-Petitions against the British treaty circu-
lated and signed by the people-Presented to the house of representatives--
Copy of the treaty laid before the house-Resolution submitted to the house
calling on the president for Mr. Jay's instructions, with his correspondence-
Long debates on this resolution-Finally adopted-President refuses the pa-
pers His reasons for this refusal-House pass a resolution declaratory of
their rights respecting treaties-Resolution submitted to the house, declar-
ing it expedient to make provision for carrying the treaty into effect-Oc-
casions long debates---Finally carried by a small majority,
CHAPTER XXV.
421
442
Conduct of France with respect to the British treaty-French government con-
sider the treaty of 1778, at an end, after the ratification of the treaty with
Great Britain-The ultimate measures of the directory not taken until the final
vote of the house of representatives to carry it into effect-Directory require
the aid of Holland and Spain in defeating the treaty-Conduct of these na-
tions-Treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, between France and Spain
-Spain delays fulfilling her treaty with the United States-Attempts to in-
duce the western people to form an independent empire-Instructions of the
Spanish governor to his agent on this subject-France supposed to be concern-
ed in this plan-General Washington declines being a candidate for the presi-
dency-People divided with respect to his successor-French minister sup-
posed to interfere in the election---President Washington's last speech to con-
gress-He recommends among other things, the establishment of a navy---
Answers of both houses express great respect for his character, and a high
sense of his eminent services---French depredations on American commerce---
President submits to congress a review of the conduct of the French govern-
ment towards the United States---His farewell address on rething from office, 479