Meeting of Congress-Washington's Official Summary of the Events of the Year- Cordial Response of the Senate-Partial Demur of the House-Washington's Position and Feelings with regard to England, as shown by himself-Mr. Adet presents the Colors of France-The Treaty returned-Proceedings thereupon- Thomas Pinckney resigns as Minister at London-Rufus King appointed in his Place-Washington's View of the Political Campaign-Jefferson's Fears of an at- tempt to sow Dissension between him and Washington-Mr. Monroe recalled, and C. C. Pinckney appointed in his Stead-Resentful Policy of France. Washington's Farewell Address-Meets the two Houses of Congress for the last Time--His Speech-Replies of the Senate and House-Mr. Giles-Andrew Jack- son-Offensive Publication of the French Minister-John Adams declared Presi- dent--Washington's Letter to Knox on the eve of his Retirement-The spurious Letters-His Farewell Dinner-John Adams takes the Oath of Office-Greetings Washington at Mount Vernon-Influx of strange Faces-Lawrence Lewis--Miss Nelly Custis-Washington's Counsel in Love Matters--A Romantic Episode- Parting Address of the French Directory to Mr. Monroe--The new American Minis- ter ordered to leave the Republic-Congress convened-Measures of Defence recommended-Washington's Concern-Appointment of three Envoys Extraor- dinary-Doubts their Success-Hears of an old Companion in Arms-The three Ministers and Talleyrand-Their degrading Treatment-Threatened War with France-Washington appointed Commander-in-chief-Arranges for three Major Washington taxed anew with the Cares of Office-Correspondence with Lafayette— A Marriage at Mount Vernon-Appointment of a Minister to the French Repub- lic-Washington's Surprise-His Activity on his Estate-Political Anxieties— FIRST PRESIDENTIAL MANSION, No. 1 CHERRY STREET, NEW YORK, HOUDON'S BUST OF WASHINGTON, THE TOMB OF Washington at Mount VERNON, WASHINGTON'S BOOK-PLATE, 13 19 44 302 304 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. CHAPTER I. THE NEW GOVERNMENT-DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN RELATIONS-WASHINGTON'S CHARACTERISTICS. THE eyes of the world were upon Washington at the commencement of his administration. He had won laurels in the field: would they continue to flourish in the cabinet? His position was surrounded by difficulties. Inexperienced in the duties of civil administration, he was to inaugurate a new and untried system of government, composed of States and people, as yet a mere experiment, to which some looked forward with buoyant confidence,—many with doubt and apprehension. He had moreover a high-spirited people to manage, in whom a jealous passion for freedom and independence had been strengthened by war, and who might bear with impatience even the restraints of self-imposed government. The constitution which he was to inaugurate had met with vehement opposition, when VOL. V.-1 under discussion in the General and State governments. Only three States, New Jersey, Delaware and Georgia, had accepted it unanimously. Several of the most important States had adopted it by a mere majority; five of them under an expressed expectation of specified amendments or modifications; while two States, Rhode Island and North Carolina, still stood aloof. It is true, the irritation produced by the conflict of opinions in the general and State conventions, had, in a great measure, subsided; but circumstances might occur to inflame it anew. A diversity of opinions still existed concerning the new government. Some feared that it would have too little control over the individual States; that the political connection would prove too weak to preserve order and prevent civil strife; others, that it would be too strong for their separate independence, and would tend toward consolidation and despotism. The very extent of the country he was called upon to govern, ten times larger than that of any previous republic, must have pressed with weight upon Washington's mind. It presented to the Atlantic a front of fifteen hundred miles, divided into individual States, differing in the forms of their local governments, differing from each other in interests, in territorial magnitudes, in amount of population, in manners, soils, climates and productions, and the characteristics of their several peoples. Beyond the Alleghanies extended regions almost boundless, as yet for the most part wild and uncultivated, the asylum of roving Indians and restless, discontented white men. Vast tracts, however, were rapidly being peopled, and would soon be portioned into sections requiring local governments. The great natural outlet for the exportation of the products of this region of |