office, but trials of far greater magnitude. An Insurrec tion broke out in Western Pennsylvania against the tax on whisky in the summer of 1794. Finding his Proclamation set at defiance, Washington ordered out 15,000 of the Militia of the adjoining States, and of Eastern Pennsylvania, and was preparing to take the command in person when the Insurgents broke up and dispersed. A sanguinary war with the Indians on the North-Western frontier, which began at the end of 1791, was carried on for two years. One of the armies sent against them under General St. Clair was defeated by disobeying Washington's instructions. They were finally overpowered by General Wayne.

In September, 1796, Washington issued his Farewell Address to the United States; modestly but firmly declining a re-election for a third term. This memorable document conveying in solemn language his parting injunctions to the Nation is always regarded by his country with veneration.

In December he met Congress for the last time, when he had the satisfaction to announce that all difficulties with Foreign Nations had been adjusted, and that the prosperity of the country was steadily augmenting. These were the closing words of his Address :-" The situation in which I now stand for the last time, in the midst of the representatives of the people of the United States, naturally recalls the period when the administration of the present form of Government commenced, and I cannot omit the occasion to congratulate you, and my country, on the success of the experiment, or to repeat my fervent supplications to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, that his Providential care may still be extended to the United States,

that the virtue and happiness of the people may be preserved; and that the Government which they have instituted for the protection of their liberties may be perpetuated." Both Houses of Congress on this occasion voted complimentary Addresses. That of the House of Representatives stated amongst other clauses :-"We entertain a grateful conviction that your wise, firm, and patriotic administration has been signally conducive to the success of the present form of government.' The Address of the Senate was voted unanimously; but that of the House was opposed by twelve of its Members; among whom were Edward Livingston, and Andrew Jackson, both prominent leaders of the Republican or Jefferson party.

An astonishing instance of the frenzy of party may be found in the following paragraph from the Aurora, published in Philadelphia, and which appeared a few days after the Addresses voted by Congress:-"If ever a nation was debauched by a man, the American nation has been debauched by Washington. If ever a nation has been deceived by a man, the American nation has been deceived by Washington. Let his conduct then be an example to future ages. Let it serve as a warning that no man may be an idol. Let the history of the Federal government instruct mankind that the mask of patriotism may be worn to conceal the foulest designs against the liberties of the people." This senseless ebullition against a man who in his own time was regarded as a model of uprightness in public and private life, is only worth citing as a proof that party spirit defies alike the bounds of reason, truth and decency. To the honor of his country let it be said, that such sentiments as the above

were simply the effusions of some distempered Politicians. The mass of his countrymen entertained for Washington the respect and veneration his conduct and services were calculated to inspire.

On March 3rd, 1797, the Administration of the first President ended.

During this period all disputes with Foreign Nations except France were terminated; Credit was restored; the payment of the Public Debt provided for; Commerce, Manufactures, and Agriculture prospered; the Exports and Imports nearly trebled; and the Public Revenues augmented beyond all expectation. Far more assuring than this, however, was the stability which Washington's Administration had given to the young Constitution. "My predominant motive has been," said Washington in his Farewell Address, "to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions."

In commenting on the career of Washington, Guizot thus writes:-"The trials of public life were painful to him; he preferred the independence and repose of a private position to the exercise of power. But he accepted without hesitation the task his country imposed on him, and in fulfilling it he made neither with the nation nor himself any compromises that might have lightened the burden. Born for government, although it afforded him little satisfaction, he spoke to the American people what he believed true, and maintained what he believed wise, with a firmness as inflexible as it was simple, and often at a sacrifice of popularity, the more meritorious as it was not compensated by the mere love of domination. The servant of an infant Republic when the Democratic spirit was in the ascendant, he

obtained its confidence, and assured its triumph by defending its interests against its passions, and by persisting in a policy at once modest and severe, reserved and independent-a rare success, alike honorable to Washington and his country." "Of all great men," says this eloquent writer, "Washington was the most virtuous and the most fortunate. God has in this

world no higher favors to bestow."

Washington was beyond question the foremost of the remarkable men that figured in the American Revolution. Quorum pars magna fuit.

PRESIDENCY OF JOHN ADAMS.

WHEN Washington positively declined a re-election, the two rival parties selected their candidates for the Presidency. The Federalists united on John Adams, one of the ablest Statesmen of the Revolution, and the Republicans upon their leader, Thomas Jefferson, who had retired from the Cabinet of Washington, December, 1793, condemning his policy of neutrality.

In the Presidential election of 1796, the Republican Politicians made strong appeals to the popular prejudices against Great Britain. The French Minister, Adet, took an active part in the canvass. He published in the Aurora, the organ of the Republican party, a letter ostensibly written to the Secretary of State, denouncing the "bad faith and ingratitude" of Washington's Administration to France. Adet also published in the Aurora an order to all Frenchmen in the United States to wear during the election the tri-colored cockade, which was generally assumed as a badge by the Republican party. All these intrigues, however, failed, for John Adams, the champion of the neutrality doctrine, was elected, and the peace policy of Washington was sustained by the country.

The Administration of the second President began on March 4th, 1797. He retained the Cabinet of Washington-Timothy Pickering, Secretary of State; Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of the Treasury; and James McHenry, Secretary of War.