to the law. He was a leader in the political opposition, and took part in the meetings of the people, while he openly used his influence to assuage the popular excitement and repress all treasonable propositions. It was greatly owing to his exertions, that the insurrection was arrested, and a peaceful accommodation of the matters in dispute brought about. His services in the cause were handsomely acknowledged in his election by the people of the county, without distinction of party, to a seat in Congress.

the slight superiority of victory. The resolution was carried by a majority of only nine.

Gallatin remained in Congress for three terms, covering the remainder of Washington's Presidency, and the whole of that of Adams, during which he was the leader of the Republican party in the House. He devoted himself especially to financial questions, but took part in other important debates. He was the originator of the House Committee of Ways and Means, the business of which was previously The great question before the country in the hands of the Treasury Departat this period, was the reception of the ment. His published speeches on the British Treaty, and the neutrality foreign Intercourse Bill, on the Bill for policy of Washington. The agitation Augmenting the Navy Establishment was carried on in the House from the beginning of March to the end of April. Gallatin was, throughout, resolute and ingenious in opposition. He was one of the leading speakers in favor of the call upon the President for the papers relating to the negotiationa call which involved the claim of the House to sit in judgment upon the treaty-making power; at least it was so regarded by Washington, who refused the application. Resolutions were then adopted, asserting to some extent the privilege of the House when the question came up on a resolution to provide by law for carrying the treaty into effect. Gallatin was the last speaker of the opposition. The issue was too clear to be met directly, and when it was presented nakedly by Fisher Ames, in his great closing effort of the debate, the pressure was too strong to be resisted even by party. The force of the struggle may be estimated by

of the United States; his "Sketch of the Finances of the United States;" his "View of the Public Debt, Receipts, and Expenditures of the United States," remain as literary records of his career, a career which excited the admiration and gratitude of Jefferson, who pronounced him the bulwark of the oppo. sition in the Lower House, while he himself bore the brunt of Federal authority in the Upper. "Such was the dread of Gallatin's arguments," says his biographer, Mr. William Beach Lawrence, in his able sketch, "that the Federalists adopted a resolution pro hibiting any one from speaking more than twice on any one subject, aimed solely at him, and designed to slacken the fire of his formidable and ever ready batteries of debate-a resolution which he soon, however, made them glad to rescind. They even tried to exclude him from the floor of Congress through an amendment to the Consti

found in him an able advocate. He is claimed "to be the sole author of the national road, intended as a model, and to show that the Alleghanies interposed no real barrier between the Eastern and Western States; while the credit of the organization of the coast survey on scientific principles, is also in a great degree his.”

tution, so as to require actual native citizenship for eligibility to that body; but though they passed resolutions to that effect, through the legislatures of all the New England States, the ball was arrested in New York and Pennsylvania, and did not venture the attempt of proceeding any further South. Through all this, his opposition was always as fair, manly and patriotic, as it The late Justice Story, writing from was skillful and eloquent; never degene- Washington, at a point of time midrating into factiousness or petulance."1 way in Gallatin's official career, in 1807, On the accession of Jefferson to the has left a valuable memorial of the Presidency, in 1801, Gallatin was ap- man in office. "In the Treasury De pointed Secretary of the Treasury, an partment," he writes, "I spent a full office in the discharge of which, through hour with Gallatin, and having occasion both terms of the administration, and to consult him on business, I had a better the succeeding first term of Madison, a opportunity to observe the strength period in all of twelve years, he exer- and acuteness of his mind. His councised a most important influence in tenance is strongly marked, and deep, shaping and carrying out the Jeffer- piercing black eyes convince you at a sonian policy. The "economy" of the single glance of his resources. Plain government, especially in the matter of and modest in his demeanor, he gains the public defences, became, on the not your attention by surprise, but inbreaking out of hostilities with Eng- sensibly warmed by his subject, inteland, a subject of censure; but to Gal-rests and engages. I was struck by latin may be given the credit of pur- his promptitude, accuracy and distinctsuing a policy of finance, which, carried out in its integrity, must be regarded as the basis of national honor and virtue. He applied himself vigorously to the reduction of the public debt, which was steadily diminished under his administration. His numerous of accomplished genius and great acfinancial reports, setting forth his views, remain lasting monuments of his zeal and ability. Nor was his care limited to finance. The internal improvements of the country, in roads and canals,

ness. The case was of an individual nature, and yet he appeared as perfectly well informed, as if it had been the last subject of his thoughts. He is a most industrious and indefatigable man, and by the consent of all parties,

quirements. I should think him not less interesting in private life. He car ries in his face the ingenuousness of an honest heart, attached to domestic studies."

One great secret of his success in this

Albert Gallatin, a Political Portrait.-Denocratie department was a golden rule of employ

Review, June, 1843.

ment,

which he adopted through life,

He finally returned to the United States in 1827, when he made his He returned to the United States, to home in New York. He was now resume his seat in the Treasury Depart- sixty-six, a period of life when the ment, and, in 1815, was appointed as labors of most men are closed; but the Minister to France, in which capacity healthy discipline of Gallatin was to he served till 1823, being also employed carry him through a new course of meanwhile in special negotiations in honorable exertion. He was at first Holland and England. While in this employed-his last official duty of a office, he assisted Mr. Alexander Bar- political character-in the preparation

essays on Mexican chronology and Indian philology, have always been received with great respect. His "Synopsis of the Indian Tribes within the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, and in the British and Russian possessions in North Ameri

of the argument to be laid before the At the council table, he exhibited the King of the Netherlands, one of the vivacity of the youngest member. In umpires in the disputed British boun- the published Transactions of the Ethdary question. Subsequently he pub-nological Society, will be found an lished, chiefly extracted from his state- elaborate production from his pen on ments in this paper, an essay on "The the Semi-Civilized Nations of Mexico, Right of the United States to the Yucatan, and Central America. He Northeastern Boundary claimed by also published in the same work an them." He was chosen, in 1730, Presi- essay of great learning on the Indians dent of the Council of the University of Northwest America and their Voof New York, and in the following cabularies. His observations in these year took part in a Free Trade Convention, held at Philadelphia. He was about the same time chosen President of the National Bank of New York, the position since occupied by his son. In 1842, he was elected First President of the American Ethnological Society, of which he was one of the founders, ca," forms the second volume of the and in the following year President of "Archæologia Americana," issued by the New York Historical Society. The former was a select body of few members, who mostly held their meetings at his house in Bleecker street. At the latter he became known to a larger concourse of the public. Few who witnessed, in his discharge of these offices, his simple, unaffected, eager interest in all branches of knowledge, will forget the impression. His aspect bore strong marks of age, though his powers of mind were unabated; his accent retained something of his foreign birth. There were few nights too stormy to keep him away from a regular meeting of the Historical Society.

the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester. Two pamphlets on "Peace with Mexico," and "War Expenses," published by him in 1847 and 1848, were largely circulated. They were earnest, prudential expostulations on the cost and folly of war.

In such pursuits, the last years of Albert Gallatin were passed to the closing day. His death took place in his summer residence at Astoria, on Long Island, opposite the city of New York, on the twelfth of August, 1849. He was in his eighty-ninth year-a long life of honorable activity, of useful culti vation, of mental independence.

STEPHEN DECATUR.

THE gallant Decatur-the "Bayard | Royal Louis and the Fair American; of the Seas"-who thrilled the last married a lady, Miss Pine, of Irish generation with a series of brilliant parentage, and begot a family of several exploits, which will live in history, children, two of whom, Stephen and since they were acted on no mean James, illustrate our naval history. theatre, not only for his country but When Philadelphia was occupied by for civilization and the world, was, as the British, Mrs. Decatur fled in comhis name imports, of French ancestry. mon with other townspeople. She His grandfather, a native of the sea- found refuge at Sinepuxent, on the port La Rochelle, in France, took natu- eastern shore of Maryland, where Sterally to the Atlantic for a livelihood; phen was born, January 5, 1779. As entered the navy, became a lieutenant, his father continued to follow the sea, was ordered to the West Indies, and engaging in the merchant service after there having been well-nigh killed by the war was ended, Stephen was early the fever, was driven to leave of ab- introduced to that element. At the sence and a residence at the north. He age of eight, he accompanied his father chose Newport, Rhode Island, recruited, on one of his voyages. His boyhood became enamored of a lady of the was marked by spirit, activity and place, and gave up all thoughts of the resolution. Many are the anecdotes French navy for a life of wedlock. preserved of these early days at PhilaBut Hymen, being a god requiring delphia; of his swimming and skating various liberal offerings upon his altar feats, and readiness of self-defence in tables, the convert must provide the plucky encounters. He found on redue hecatombs. Taking with him his turning from a fishing excursion one own son Stephen, born in Newport in day, his mother rebuking a tipsy gen1751, he resorted to Philadelphia on tleman, who had struck his younger the lookout for nautical employment. brother. The gentleman retorted. SteThere death soon foreclosed the mort-phen reminded him that the lady was gage upon his life which had been his mother, and demanded respect. sealed in the West Indies.

The son early adopted the sea, distinguished himself in the service of the Revolution by his command of the

The drunkard replied with insolence, and aimed a blow at Stephen, who brought his assailant violently to the ground. "Mother," said the youth