On the other hand, there were some Americans who without excusing the execution of the king felt that they understood why the suffering people of France had been unable to restrain themselves. They said, "Let us stand by France and very soon we shall be glad we did so; on second thought, the French will act differently." This position was taken by Jefferson and the Republicans.

200. The Proclamation of Neutrality. The new French Republic at once became engaged in war with Prussia, Austria, Spain, and England. It appealed to the United States for aid and sent over as its ambassador foolish man named Genêt. The Republicans received Genêt with enthusiasm. Dinners were given in his honor. Speeches were made in which the Democratic orators assured their hearers that it would be shameful if the two republics did not stand together. But the Federalists did not take part in these demonstrations. They were greatly pleased because Washington, while Genêt was on his way across the ocean, had issued a proclamation of neutrality (1793) warning Americans that our country was at peace with both France and England and that American citizens must not commit hostile acts against either country.

When Genêt requested military aid from the United States it was promptly refused. Then Genêt fitted out a ship which was to sail from an American port to make war on England. Washington forbade the sailing. Nevertheless the ship, under Genêt's orders, sailed away. In anger Washington exclaimed, "Is the minister of the French Republic to set the acts of this government at defiance with impunity!" He notified France that the insolent ambassador was no longer wanted in this country. France at once recalled him.

201. The Mississippi Treaty. Genêt's meddling had one good result. Spain became alarmed because he tried to stir up the Western Americans to seize New Orleans. Fearful that the United States would take part in the French war

(section 200), Spain at last proposed a satisfactory settlement of the Mississippi question (section 190). It was arranged (1795) that Americans might navigate the river and export their products free of duty through New Orleans. 202. The Jay

Treaty. The great

question before the

country now was,

Should we join

France in her war

against England?

Many Republicans

GEORGE WASHINGTON

wished to do so. They complained that England had not fulfilled her obligations under the treaty of 17831 and that she was seizing American ships trading to French ports. In the hope of preventing war Washington sent John Jay to England to negotiate a treaty

of commerce. Jay accomplished three things: (1) he settled the disputes over the treaty of 1783; (2) he brought about the resumption of trade with England and the British West Indies; (3) he secured from England a promise to submit

1 England still held Detroit and other posts inside the boundary of the United States. Her excuse was that we had not kept our promise to enable English merchants to collect debts contracted by Americans previous to the war. This dispute was settled by the treaty of 1795, and the forts were surrendered to the United States.

to arbitration the claims of American merchants for losses they had suffered because of the interruptions of trade during the war.1

1

203. Washington refuses a Third Term. Washington refused to be president a third time. As an answer to the great numbers of people who begged him to continue at the head of the government, he issued his Farewell Address (September 7, 1796). Besides explaining his own course, the address contains "an appeal to the people to preserve intact the unity of the government, to put down party spirit, and to make religion, education, and public good faith the basis of the government, and, lastly, a needed warning against the admission of any foreign influence upon American politics.""

SUMMARY

Washington formed a cabinet of secretaries to administer the new government. Its leading members were Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jefferson, Secretary of State. Hamilton paid off the debts of the United States by means of duties on foreign goods and charges laid on foreign ships trading to American ports. He persuaded Congress to establish the Bank of the United States. When the French Revolution broke out Hamilton looked on it with distrust, while Jefferson warmly applauded. Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality. There was a popular demand to join France in a war with England. Washington wished to prevent war and succeeded in doing so by negotiating a commercial treaty with England. He also made an arrangement with Spain with regard to the Mississippi. While Washington was contending with so many difficulties the friends of Hamilton and the friends of Jefferson organized themseves as political parties, known as the Federalists and the Republicans or Democrats.

1 The British navy had seized American ships carrying provisions to French ports. As a result of Jay's negotiations we, in substance, admitted the right to make these seizures, while England admitted the obligation to pay for them. Eventually our merchants were paid for their losses.

2 This summary is from Johnson, American Politics, p. 41.