1798.

SECRETARIES OF WAR:

JAMES MCHENRY, Maryland.
S. DEXTER, Massachusetts.
ROGER GRISWOLD, Connecticut.

SECRETARIES OF THE NAVY:

GEORGE CABOT, Massachusetts (declined).

1798.- BENJAMIN STODDERT, Maryland.

POSTMASTER-GENERAL:

1797. — JOSEPH HABERSHAM, Georgia.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL:

1797. Charles Lee, Virginia.

CONTEMPORANEOUS ENGLISH HISTORY.

George III., King of England.
Mr. Pitt, Prime-Minister.

First Imperial Parliament of the Union of

Great Britain and Ireland.

French War, since 1793, still raging.
Napoleon First Consul of France.

of }

JOHN ADAMS.

FROM-1797 to 1801.

DURATION.-One term,
PARTY.-Federalists.

four years.

PRINCIPAL EVENTS.-War threatened by France on account of Jay's treaty with England. American vessels captured by French cruisers. Envoys insulted in Paris. French officials expect a bribe. Pinckney replies to Talleyrand, "Millions for defence, but not one cent for tribute." Congress decides to raise an army. Washington re-appointed commander-in-chief. Navy created in 1798. Seat of government established in the District of Columbia. Differences between Adams and Hamilton. Adams and the Federalists bitterly opposed by Jefferson and the Republicans on account of the "alien * and sedition laws " against rebel aliens and government libellers. Death of Washington at Mt. Vernon, Dec. 14, 1799. Treaty negotiated with Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800. Downfall of Federalism. Election of Jefferson by the Republican State sovereignty, or Democratic party.

1797.- March 4. The Inaugural Address of Adams opens as follows: "When it was first per

* "If Jefferson and Madison deemed the Alien and Sedition Acts plain and palpable infractions of the Constitution, Washington and Patrick Henry held them to be good and wholesome laws."- John Quincy Adams.

cèived, in early times, that no middle course for America remained between unlimited submission to a foreign legislature and a total independence of its claims, men of reflection were less apprehensive of danger from the formidable power of fleets and armies they must determine to resist than from those contests and dissensions which would certainly arise concerning the forms of governments to be instituted over the whole and over the parts of this extensive country. Relying, however, on the purity of their intentions, the justice of their cause, and the integrity and intelligence of the people, under an overruling Providence, which had so signally protected this country from the first, the representatives of this nation, then consisting of little more than half its present numbers, not only broke to pieces the chains which were forging, and the rod of iron that was lifted up, but frankly cut asunder the ties which had bound them, and launched into an ocean of uncertainty." Alluding briefly to the zeal and ardor of the people during the Revolutionary War, and the organization of a confederation resulting in the Federal Constitution, he continues: "Employed in

the service of my country abroad during the whole course of these transactions, I first saw the Constitution of the United States in a foreign country. Irritated by no literary altercation, animated by no public debate, heated by no party animosity, I read it with great satisfaction, as a result of good heads prompted by good hearts; as an experiment better adapted to the genius, character, situation, and relations of this nation and country than any which had ever been proposed or suggested. Returning to the bosom of my country after a painful separation from it for ten years, I had the honor to be elected to a station under the new order of things; and I have repeatedly laid myself under the most serious obligations to support the Constitution. The operation of it has equalled the most sanguine expectations of its friends; and from an habitual attention to it, satisfaction in its administration, and delight in its effects upon the peace, order, prosperity, and happiness of the nation, I have acquired an habitual attachment to it, and veneration for it. What other form of government, indeed, can so well deserve our esteem and love?"

May 17.- "It would have afforded me the highest satisfaction to have been able to congratulate you on a restoration of peace to the nations of Europe, whose animosities have endangered our tranquillity; but we have still abundant cause of gratitude to the Supreme Dispenser of national blessings, for general health and promising seasons, for domestic and social happiness, for the rapid progress and ample acquisitions of industry through extensive territories, for civil, political, and religious liberty. While other States are desolated with foreign war, or convulsed with intestine divisions, the United States presented the pleasing prospect of a nation governed by mild and equal laws, generally satisfied with the possession of their rights; neither envying the advantages, nor fearing the power, of other nations; yielding a ready and general obedience to laws flowing from the reason, and resting on the only solid foundation, the affections of the people. It is with extreme regret that I shall be obliged to turn your thoughts to other circumstances, which admonish us that some of these felicities may not be lasting.