DEATH OF WASHINGTON.

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accordance with the above recommendation, his birth-day CHAP. was celebrated throughout the land; the most eminent in the nation delighted to honor his memory. Nor was 1799. his name honored only in his native land. When the news reached Europe it elicited emotions of sadness and tokens of respect. The great British fleet of sixty ships of the line, under the command of Lord Bridport, and at the time lying in the English channel, lowered their flags to half mast. In his orders of the day to the French army, Bonaparte, then First Consul of France, paid a tribute to his memory, and afterward caused a funeral oration to be delivered before the civil and military authorities, and the standards of the army to be draped in mourning for ten days.

Such were the public tokens of respect. But he had a higher honor-a place in the affections of the good and humane in private life more than any man of any age; he never received an office in the gift of the people, or at the hands of their representatives, that was not unanimously given. To him alone has gone forth that heartfelt respect, that reverence and gratitude which can be embodied only in the endearing title, the FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY.

Says an eminent British statesman and scholar, (Lord John Russell,) "To George Washington nearly alone in modern times has it been given to accomplish a wonderful revolution, and yet to remain to all future times the theme of a people's gratitude, and an example of virtuous and beneficent power." "His intellectual, like his moral qualities, were never brought out to display his own talent or enhance his own glory. They were forthcoming as occasion required, or the voice of the country called for them; largeness of combination, quickness of decision, fortitude in adversity, sympathy with his officers, the Jurst of impetuous courage, were the natural emanations of this great and magnanimous soul."

'Life and Times of James Fox, Vol. 1, pp. 366 and 254

CHAP.

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The administration of Adams, now drawing to its close, was in its policy like that of Washington. During these 1799. twelve years, there was much opposition, but that policy in the main has remained unchanged from that day to this. To be free from the turmoil of European politics was wisdom, but to carry it out required the calm determination of Washington, as well as the impulsive energy of Adams, "who was not the man to quail " when he thought duty called.

During the summer the seat of the Federal Govern1800. ment was removed to the City of Washington, then "a little village in the midst of the woods," in the District of Columbia.

The struggle for political power was renewed with great vigor, and in the bitterness of party spirit. The Federalists nominated Adams and Charles C. Pinckney for President, while the Republicans nominated for the same office, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. When the electors came to cast their votes it was found that Adams had sixty-five, Pinckney sixty-four, and Jefferson and Burr had each seventy-three. In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, it became necessary for the House of Representatives to make the choice. After 1801. thirty-six ballotings, during seven days, Jefferson was chosen President, and Burr Vice-President.

Feb.

17.

CHAPTER XLI.

JEFFERSON'S ADMINISTRATION.

The President's Inaugural.-Purchase of Louisiana.-The Pirates of the Mediterranean.-Captain Bainbridge.-The Burning of the Philadelphia.-Tripoli Bombarded.-Death of Hamilton.-Aaron Burr.-Opposition to the Navy.-Gunboats.-Right of Neutrals infringed upon.The unjust Decrees issued by England and France.-American Merchants demand the Right to defend themselves.-Impressment of American Seamen.-Treaty with England rejected by the President.Affair of the Chesapeake.-The Embargo; its effect.-Public feeling on the subject.-Manufactures.-Embargo repealed.

XLI.

1801.

On entering upon office Jefferson found the country in a CHAP. prosperous condition. The revenue was abundant for current expenses; the stability of the government had inspired the industrial interests with confidence, commerce had increased beyond all precedent, and was pressing on to still higher triumphs.

The prospect of a general peace in Europe also gave assurance that American ships would no longer be subjected to unlawful seizures under the pretense that they carried cargoes contraband of war. The census just taken had shown the population to be, within a few hundreds, double what it was at the commencement of the revolution. The total population being 5,319,762. The number of members of the House of Representatives was 141.

The new President professed to deprecate party spirit: and wished to be recognized as a "moderate republican," proclaiming as "brethren of the same principles, we are

XLI.

CHAP. called by different names, we are all Republicans, we are all Federalists." But in a very short time he began to 1802. remove those from office, who were not of his own political opinions. The bitterness of party spirit was not allayed by this policy.

1

Immigrants had been pouring into the region Northwest of the Ohio. In one year twenty thousand persons had passed into that territory to find homes. The people of the eastern portion, presented themselves at the door of Congress, asking permission to be admitted as a State. The request was granted, and the State of Ohio, with a population of seventy thousand, became a member of the April. Union.

The Spanish Governor of Louisiana, in violation of an existing treaty-that of 1795--refused permission to the traders on the Mississippi to deposit their produce at New Orleans. This act, so injurious to their commerce, caused a great commotion among the people beyond the moun tains. The government was called upon to redress these grievances; the Western people must have the privilege of freely navigating the Mississippi, or they would seize New Orleans, and drive the Spaniards from the territory. At this crisis intimations came from Paris that Spain, by a secret treaty, had ceded Louisiana to France. Bonaparte's vision of restoring the French power on this continent had become somewhat dim, especially as the overpowering fleet of Great Britain would seize and occupy the mouth of the Mississippi, whenever it was known to belong to France. To avoid this contingency, he was willing to sell the entire territory of Louisiana to the United States. Accordingly Robert R. Livingston, American Minister at Paris, commenced negotiations, which resulted in the purchase of that region for fifteen 1803. millions of dollars. The rights and privileges of AmeriApril can citizens were guaranteed to the inhabitants of the purchased territory.

30.

ALGERINE PIRATES-BAINBRIDGE.

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When the sale was completed, Bonaparte is said to CHAP. have exclaimed:-"This accession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United States ;-I have just 1803. given to England a maritime rival that will sooner or later. humble her pride."

In the midst of the turmoil of wars in Europe, the pirates of the Mediterranean had renewed their depreda- Sept. tions upon American commerce. Captain Bainbridge in command of the frigate George Washington was sent to Algiers with the usual tribute. The Dey ordered him to carry some presents and his ambassador to Constantinople. Bainbridge at first refused. The Dey was highly indignant, "You pay me tribute," said he, " by which you become my slaves, and therefore I have the right to order you as I think proper." However, as he was exposed to the guns of the castle and batteries, and learning that English, French, and Spanish ships of war had submitted to similar impositions, Bainbridge thought it more prudent to comply with the arrogant demand, hoping at some future time to avenge the indignity thus offered his country's flag. In closing his report to the Navy Department, he wrote, "I hope I will never again be sent to Algiers with tribute unless I am authorized to deliver it from the mouth of our cannon."

As these depredations continued, and, while the tribute became more and more onerous, a squadron, under Commodore Preble, was sent to capture the pirates and blockade the harbor of Tripoli. The frigate Philadelphia, commanded by Bainbridge, when chasing an Algerine cruiser, ran upon a sunken rock near the shore. While thus disabled, Tripolitan gun-boats captured her after a contest, which lasted an entire day. Bainbridge and his crew of three hundred men, were made prisoners, and treated as slaves, for whom an exorbitant ransom was demanded.

Finding means, however, to communicate with the American squadron, he suggested the possibility of burn

1808