not being well defined, Jefferson complained that Hamilton drew all influence and affairs within his own jurisdiction. The president leaned to Hamilton's views, yet strove to allay the bitterness of party strife.

As the four-years' duration of the presidential and vice-presidential offices was about to expire, there was an opportunity for the discontented party to try its force. Against Washington, however, there were none so bold as to propose a competitor. The difficulty was to persuade the great chief to continue to undergo the fatigues of the presidential office. Upon considering the consequences should he refuse, he was induced to occupy the chair of state for another term. The opposition bent all their energies to displace Adams. George Clinton was set up as his competitor; but Adams succeeded in obtaining a majority of votes.

N the 4th of March, 1793, Washington commenced his second term of office as president of the United States. The confederacy now included fifteen StatesVermont and Kentucky having been admitted into the Union at the preceding session of Congress. It was fortunate for the Union that Washington was again induced to bear the fatigues of the office of chief magistrate. The French revolution and other great events which had occurred in Europe, began to be felt in America, and all his wisdom and firmness were required to support the national government amid the strife of factions. A large body of the American people sympathised with the French democrats, and were anxious to aid them in securing their liberties, without consulting the true interest of their government. Washington saw that the safety of the nation demanded the maintenance of a neutral position, amid the contentions of the powers of Europe, and this neutrality could be maintained without a violation of national faith or national honor. On the 22d of April, the president issued a proclamation, warning the citizens to avoid all acts tending to contravene the neutral disposition which it was declared it was the duty of the United States to maintain. The wisdom of this measure soon became obvious.

After France became a republic, Mr. Genet was sent, as minister to the United States, in place of Mr. Fernant, appointed by the king. Genet reached Charleston, South Carolina, on the 8th of April, where

he remained some weeks; and from thence went by land to Philadelphia. In an interview with the President, he assured him, that France did not But he had expect the United States to become a party in the war. secret instructions to take such steps as would induce the American government finally to make common cause with France. He was also instructed to solicit the American government for the payment of the debt due to France, though the time stipulated for the reimbursement had not yet expired. A correspondence between the President and the new French minister ensued, in which Genet claimed the right of arming vessels in our ports, and of enlisting American citizens to cruise against nations with whom the United States were at peace. He acknowledged that he had fitted out privateers in the port of Charleston, and that these vessels had brought prizes into the American ports. The President and secretary of state asserted the right and duty of the national government to prohibit such proceedings, and the courts of the United States mado inquiry and took cognizance of prizes thus made. The French minister loudly complained of this conduct, and he seemed determined to set the law and the government at defiance. At Philadelphia, under the eye of government, he caused a vessel, taken from the British, to be armed, and despite the remonstrances of the President and the governor of Pennsylvania, ordered her departure. He even threatened to appeal from the President to the American people. Societies in imitation of the Jacobin clubs of Paris, were formed in different parts of the United States, ostensibly for the purpose of securing liberty, but really for the purpose of opposing the administration, and supporting the cause of France. But the mass of the people were indignant at the violent conduct of Genet.

N this state of affairs, Congress met on the 3d of December, 1793. Never since the period of the Revolution, had the affairs of the United States been in a more critical situation. The President in his speech to both houses, informed them of the course he had pursued under difficulties which were new to him, and recommended that the country should be placed in a competent state of defence. Dissensions still continued in the cabinet. Jefferson not only combated the sentiments of Hamilton, but counteracted his policy. Washington held the balance even, but thought it unfair, that Jefferson should support his clerk in editing a paper which reviled not only the measures of the government, but the person of the President. The Secretary of State determined to retire, which he did after drawing up an elaborate report upon the commerce of the country, and its foreign policy. Edmund Randolph succeeded Jefferson as the head of the State department.

581 Exciting debates occurred in Congress upon propositions to suspend all commercial intercourse with Great Britain until restitution should be made for the constant spoliation of American property by vessels of that nation. On the 16th of April, the President nominated Mr. Jay as minister extraordinary to the British court; and to prepare for the worst, measures were adopted by Congress for placing the country in a better state of defence. The principal ports and harbors were directed to be fortified, a detachment of 80,000 militia was required from the several States, to be ready at a moment's warning, and other precautions taken. A committee having been appointed to investigate the conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury, they made a report, highly honorable to the talents and integrity of that great financier.

This was a critical conjuncture in the affairs of the United States. There was a strong tendency on the part of many citizens to mingle in the affairs of contending European powers. The sagacious Washington clearly foresaw that such an interference would be impolitic and highly injurious, even though its justice were perfectly obvious. It required all his popularity to restrain his countrymen, and to keep them in the strict path of honorable neutrality.

At the solicitation of the President, Genet was recalled in February, 1794, and M. Fanchet was appointed his successor. The party which had sent Genet to America had been supplanted by that of Robespierre and Danton. Fanchet had special orders to send him back to France, and to use force if necessary. But through the firm resistance of Washington, Genet was saved, perhaps, from the guillotine.

While the President exerted himself to prevent a foreign war, he was threatened with a civil war at home. For about three years, the inhabitants of the counties of Pennsylvania, lying west of the Alleghany mountains, had opposed the execution of the laws imposing duties upon domestic spirits. The revenue officers in attempting to do their duty, were threatened with the extreme vengeance of the citizens. In the summer of 1794, the marshal of the district was attacked by an armed force, and fired upon, but without receiving any injury. He was soon after compelled, under fear of instant death, to resign his functions. The house of the inspector, near Pittsburg, was attacked, but defended with such spirit that the assailants were forced to retire. But another attack was made by a larger force, several men were killed and wounded, and the marshal and inspector escaped down the Ohio. Symptoms of open opposition to the excise law appeared in some of the other States, and the President, compelled either to surrender the government to an armed mob or compel obedience by military force, resolved upon the latter. He

issued a proclamation stating the necessity of the case, and requiring all good citizens to aid him in suppressing the insurrection. Requisitions were made upon the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, for their quotas of about 15,000 men, to march at a minute's warning. Before resorting to military coercion, the President appointed a committee to wait upon the insurgents and offer them forgiveness for the past, upon condition of future submission to the laws.

EETINGS were held in various places throughout the district, and it was even proposed by the more daring to seize the fort at Pittsburg. Bradford, one of the leaders, recommended the most violent measures. Finding persuasive means insufficient, the President ordered Governor Lee, of Virginia, with a large body of militia, to march to Bedford. Having reviewed the troops, and seeing that everything was in readiness, he gave written instructions to Lec, and returned to Philadelphia. The Secretary of War accompanied the army to Pittsburg. The result was more fortunate than had been expected. No resistance was attempted, and no blood was shed. To preserve quiet, and secure what had been gained, a body of troops remained in the disaffected district, under the orders of General Morgan.

During the summer of this year, General Wayne obtained a complete victory over the Indians on the Miami. General Wayne had, in the progress of the winter, by detachment, reoccupied the ground lost by General St. Clair, and there built Fort Recovery, on a stream of the Wabash.

Intelligence was brought to him in May, that a party of British and Indians were posted on the Miami, near the villages at the rapids, and there building a fort of considerable dimensions.

In June, Fort Recovery was invested by a strong party of Indians, who, after a violent assault with small-arms, kept up the fire for about twenty-four hours; but sustaining some loss, they withdrew, and abandoned the enterprise. About the middle of July, General Scott, who commanded the Kentucky militia, had assembled 1600 volunteers, being the full number called for, or more. It is believed, that those Kentuckians who had seen General Wayne's army the year before, gave a very different description of it from that which had been given of the army of General St. Clair; which had removed much of the reluctance felt the preceding year to serve or fight with regulars. From Georgetown, the general rendezvous, the troops marched for head-quarters. On the 26th of the month, the general, with the first division, joined the regular army, at