But the feelings of the people against Great Britain were still bitter. The spirit of the Revolution had been reawakened by England's continued possession of certain forts in the west contrary to the provisions of the treaty of 1783, and by high-handed measures of English privateers, acting under instructions to capture neutral vessels in the French West Indies, in seizing American ships. Moreover, American seamen had been impressed into the British service. To procure a more friendly line of policy, John Jay, the Chief Justice, was sent to England, and he concluded a favorable treaty. One of its provisions, however, for the payment of debts owed to British subjects before the war, was unsatisfactory to the American people, and the treaty was violently assailed. But Washington urged its adoption in the interests of peace, and Fisher Ames, of Massachusetts, made a memorable address in Congress in its favor. It was finally ratified in 1795, and the wise policy of Washington had saved the nation from war.

Meanwhile domestic events of importance had been going on. Jefferson and Hamilton, though both desired the re-election of Washington and both were members of his Cabinet, were leaders of the two op posing political parties. Jefferson attacked the policy of the Treasury Department, and Hamilton criticised severely the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Finally their estrangement became too wide for their continuance in office together, and Jefferson resigned on the last day of December, 1793, retiring to his home at Monticello, Virginia. Hamilton also resigned in the early part of 1795 and resumed the practice of law in New York.

In 1794 what is known as the "Whisky Rebellion" occurred in western Pennsylvania. The people of that region, mostly Republicans, rose in arms to resist the payment of the tax imposed by Congress on dis

tilled spirits. The insurrectionists did not disperse till Washington sent a force of militia against them. In 1796 Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the sixteenth state, North Carolina having relinquished her claim to the territory.

A treaty was made with Spain in October, 1795, by which the boundaries between Louisiana and the United States were settled and free navigation of the Mississippi secured. But in the same year a humiliating agreement was made with the dey of Algiers, whose piratical vessels had captured a number of American vessels and made their crews slaves. Nearly $800,000 were paid for the liberation of the captives,. a frigate costing over $100,000 was presented to the dey, and an annual tribute was promised. Congress, however, had meanwhile set about the work of building up a navy to protect American commerce.

Washington had possessed a wonderful personal influence over the people of the United States, and also over Congress, even when the House of Representatives contained a majority of the party opposed to his policy. He was asked to become a presidential candidate for a third term but refused to do so, and in September, 1798, issued to the nation his farewell address, which contained wise and prudent counsel. Two candidates appeared for the office of President. John Adams was supported by the Federal party, which desired to avoid any entangling alliance with foreign nations. Thomas Jefferson was the candidate of the anti Federal, or Republican party. The political campaign ended with the election of Adams as President, and Jefferson, who received the next highest number of votes, as Vice-President. Washington retired to Mount Vernon, thinking his services in behalf of his country finally ended.

CHAPTER XLII.

ADAMS' ADMINISTRATION-1797-1801.

Sketch of Adams-Renewed troubles with France-Our envoys are ordered to leave that country-Preparations for war-Naval engagements-Treaty with Napoleon-The Alien and Sedition laws-Death of Washington-The capital is transferred to the District of Columbia-The second census-The Northwestern Territory divided-Jefferson and Burr elected.

John Adams was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1797. He was in his sixty-second year, having been born in October, 1735, in that part of Braintree which is now Quincy, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard College, and following the profession of law, he soon rose to a distinguished position in his own state and in the nation. He was a prominent member in several of the Colonial Congresses, and had been embassador to France and Holland and the first minister to Great Britain after the peace. For eight years he had been Vice-President, and now he assumed the chief magistracy of the nation.

The foreign complications had not ceased with the administration of Washington. Adet, the French minister to the United States, urged, and finally the directory which at that time governed France demanded, an alliance against England. The treaty of 1795 with that nation was especially obnoxious to France. The French navy had received orders to prey on the commerce of the United States, and Charles C. Pinckney, the American minister, had been ordered to leave the country.

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These acts, which threatened war, forced the President to convene Congress in extraordinary session. Elbridge Gerry and John Marshall were appointed envoys, in company with Pinckney, to attempt a reconciliation with France. When it was suggested to

these embassadors that the payment of a considerable sum of money might insure a favorable hearing, Pinckney made use of the famous expression, "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." He and Marshall were ordered to leave France, and the United States afterward recalled Gerry.

Measures were at once taken to prepare for war. The navy was_increased and a Department of the Navy created, Benjamin Stoddard, of Maryland, being the first secretary. The army also was increased, Washington was called from his retirement at Mount Vernon to become commander-in-chief, and Alexander Hamilton was selected as the active commander. Commodore Truxton, with the ship Constellation, in February, 1799, gained a victory over the French man-of-war l'Insurgente while cruising in the West Indies. Later on he also defeated the French vessel La Vengeance, but in the night the Frenchman escaped capture.

Beyond a few events of this sort, however, no conflict between the nations took place. Talleyrand, in direction of the foreign relations of the French republic, hearing of the preparations for war, hinted at a resumption of diplomatic relations, and Mr. Murray, our embassador at Holland, was appointed to France. Now it was that Napoleon Bonaparte acquired the chief power in France under the title of Consul. He was desirous of avoiding the alliance between England and the United States, which would have been inevitable had France persisted in her course, and when Murray arrived at Paris in March, 1800, with Oliver Ellsworth and William Davie as his associates, they found that negotiations could be successfully attempted. In September a treaty was concluded, and the danger of war was avoided for the time.

In the summer of 1798 the excitement about foreign affairs led to much fierce discussion. To restrict violent utterances Congress passed the Alien and Sedition laws. By the first of these the period for the naturalization of foreigners was increased to fourteen years, and the President was empowered to send out of the United States any foreigner whose