The presidents and their administrations

Front matter

iLIBPtARY OF CONGRESS,!

||lm|! r-.- fopmtgM % t

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. |

Chapter I. The Administration Of Washington

Federal.

PEESIDENT.

1789. George Washington, Virginia.

YICE PRESIDENT.

1789. John Adams, Massachusetts.

SECRETAEIES OF STATE.

1789. Thomas Jefferson, Virginia.

1794. Edmund Randolph, Virginia.

1795. Timothy Pickering, Massachusetts.

SECRETAEIES OF THE TREASURY.

1789. Alexander Hamilton, New York.

1795. Oliver Wolcott, Connecticut.

SECRETARIES OP WAR. {Navy included)

1789. Henry Knox, Massachusetts. 1794. Timothy Pickering, Massachusetts.

1796. James McHenry, Maryland.

POSTMASTERS GENERAL.

1789. Samuel Osgood, Massachusetts.

1794. Timothy Pickering, Massachusetts.

1795. Joseph Habersham, Georgia.

ATTORNEYS GENERAL.

1789. Edmund Randolph, Virginiai

1794. William Bradford, Pennsylvania.

1795. Charles Lee, Virginia.

*'The Vice President is not a member of the Cabinet, and the Postmaster General did not become one until the admintration of Jackson.

11. CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE SUPEEME COURT. 1789. Sept. 26tli, John Jay, New York.

1795. Dec. lOtb, John Kutledge, South Carolina. (^Appointed during recess and presided one ierm, but

when Congress convened it refused to confirm his appointment.)

1796. Jan. 27th, William Gushing, Massachusetts. [Declined the appointment.)

1796, March 4th, Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut.

III. SENATORS ELECTED PEESIDENTS PKO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE.

1789. April, John Langdon, New Hampshire.

1792. April, Eichard Henry Lee, Virginia.

1792. May, John Langdon, New Hampshire.

1793. March, John Langdon, New Hampshire-

1794. May, Kalph Izard, South Carolina.

1795. February, Henry Tazewell, Virginia.

1796. May, Samuel Livermore, New Hampshire.

1797. February, William Bingham, Pennsylvania.

IV. SPEAKERS OF HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

I. Congress, 1789, F. A. Muhlenberg, Pennsylvania. n. " 1791, Jonathan Trumbull, Connecticut. in. '' 1793, F. A. Muhlenberg, Pennsylvania. IV. " 1795, Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey.

V. FIRST CHAPLAINS OF CONGRESS.

Chaplain of the Senate, 1789, Rt. Eev. Bishop Samuel Provost. (Episcopalian.)

Chaplain of the House, 1789, Rev. William Lynn. (Presbyterian.)

YI. THE FIRST ELECTION.

Electors were appointed, as directed by the Constitution, but on account of the delay in the formation of Congress, their ballots were not counted until the 6th day of April, 1789. By the arrival of Eichard Henry Lee, the Senate was able, on that day, to constitute its first quorum John Langdon was elected President of the Senate for " the sole purpose of opening and counting the votes for President of the United States." In the presence of both branches of Congress (the first quorum of the House having been formed on April 1st) Mr. Langdon declared the vote to be: For George "Washington, Esq., 69, (unanimous); John Adams, 34; Samuel Huntington, Ct., 2; John Jay, N, Y., 9; John Hancock, Mass., 4; R. H. Harrison, Md., 6; George Clinton, N. Y., 3 ; John Rutledge, S. C, 6 ; John Milton, Ga., 2 ; James Armstrong, Ga., 1 ; Edward Telfair, Ga., 1; and Benj. Lincoln, Mass., 1.

Eleven States voted. North Carolina and Rhode Island had not as yet ratified the Constitution. At this time there was no separation in choice between President and Vice President. The candidate receiving the greatest number of votes was elected President, in case such number was a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and then, after the President had been elected, the person having the next greatest number of votes (a majority not necessary) was chosen Vice President. In case two or three had an equal number of votes, it then became the duty of the Senate to choose the Vice President, from such candidates, by ballot.

VII. THE SECOND ELECTION.

Electoral vote: — For George Washington, 132, (unanimous); John Adams, 77 ; George Clinton, N. Y., 50; Thomas Jefferson, Va., 4, and Aaron Burr> N. Y., 1. Fifteen States voted.

VIII. POPULATION AND KEPRESENTATION. 1790. Whites 3,172,466, free colored 59,466, and slaves 697,897. Total 3,929,827. The ratio of representation was fixed by Congress for 1790-1800 at 33,000, making the number of members 106.

IX. HISTORICAL RECORD. 1789.

April 30. Washington inaugurated President at New York City. After he had taken the oath on the balcony of Federal Hall, Nassau street corner of Wall, Chancellor Livingston, who administered it, exclaimed, ''Long live George Washington, President of the United States." The people in the streets sent back the echo, " Long live George Washington." The ringing of bells and the firing of artillery attested the joy, and the salutations proper to this happy and interesting day in the history of the Great Eepublic.

After this ceremony, the President delivered a brief inaugural address in the Senate Chamber, which was received with profound attention, and proved itself a document worthy of the man, the hour and the place. The members of Congress, in conformity with their resolution, then adjourned to attend divine service in St. Paul's Chapel, conducted by Bishop Provost, Chaplain of the Senate.

In the evening there was a fine display of fireworks, bonfires and illuminations. The exercises from first to last were in harmony with the spirit of the occasion, and gave utterance both to deep felt joy and solemn religious convictions as befitted the origin of a government for a free and enlightened people.

April-May. A continued debate on the Tariff question came up in the House, for the purpose of raising a national revenue to supply the deficiency which existed in the public Treasury. Mr. Madison, *'at the beginning of the first tariff debate, in the first session of the first Congress," April 8, gave, in a very few words, the principles which he thought ought to govern wise legislation with regard to levying duties on imports, namely: Specific duties the rule, ad valorem duties the exception : revenue the object, with encouragement to home industry in view ; specific on all staple and leading articles, ad valorem on the less important ; the burdens of taxation to be imposed upon luxuries, and upon articles made abroad, in such a manner as to favor the poor and encourage home industries and manufactures : and all these duties to be moderate, so as not to shackle trade or agriculture.

With reference to duties on tonnage, he advocated discrimination in favor of American ships, and of ships belonging to nations with whom existed treaties of amity and commerce, in order to stimulate American ship-building, and make it desirable for foreign nations to contract commercial treaties "with us. These principles thus embraced three points : revenue for the public Treasury, encouragement to home manufactures, and removal of burdens to trade and agriculture.

May 14. It was resolved by the Senate after considerable debate, that the proper title of address to the President should be, "To the President of the United States."

May 19. Mr. Madison moved to create three Executive departments — of Foreign Affairs, Treasury and War — the head officer of each to be called a Secretary, and removable by the President. The House passed the bill. May 21.

June 3. John Adams took the oath of office as Vice President. Thus rather tardily was the first Congress fully organized and prepared to start on its illustrious career.

June 25. The Previous Question was moved by Mr; Madison in order to prevent debate on a Eesolution that Congress should declare its most earnest desire that Ehode Island should seek admission to the Union ; he deeming such resolution unworthy of discussion. ''Shall the main question be .now put?" It was decided in the negative. Adjourned.

August 7. Tlie Ordinance of 1787 — introduced by Nathan Dane, of Massachusetts, *' for the government of the Territories of the United States, North-west of the Ohio," and embracing substantially the original Jefferson Proviso against Slavery, of 1784 — was adopted by Congress, This act concluded with six unchangeable articles of pei-petual compact, the last and sixth being the only one that referred to Slavery, was as follows :

"There shall be neither Slavery nor involuntary servitude, in the said Territory, otherwise than in punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall be duly convicted."

As a condition to the passage of this article there was added a clause for the delivery of persons escaping from labor or service.

September 3. A resolution offered for locating the permanent seat of government. It raised a most bitter discussion, and formed almost the first occasion on wdiich a Northern and a Southern interest manifested itself. A compromise, however, w^as afected. The assumption bill, favored by the North, and the location of the Government in the District of Columbia (to be formed), favored by the South, were united and passed as one measure.

November 21. North Carolina ratified the Constitution and became the twelfth State.

December 22. North Carolina ceded her Western Territory — now the State of Tennessee — to the Union, one month after she had ratified the Federal Compact, on this express condition :

" Provided always that no regulation, made or to be made, by Congress, shall tend to emancipate slaves.''

1790.

February 9. Discussion in the House on Public Credit. The foreign debt was swelled to $11,710,378, mostly due to France and Holland, and the domestic debt was estimated at $42,414,085; a third of this came from arrears of interest. Hamilton advised the assumption of $25,000,000 the entire debt of the States, and the funding of arrearages. The plan ■was bitterly opposed, but finally prevailed by a vote of 31 to 26.

February 11, The Friends and Quakers in several States sent a petition to Congress, praying for the abolition of the Slave trade.

February 12. The Pennsylvania Society for promoting the Abolition of Slavery, sent a memorial to the House, entreating the members '' to be pleased to countenance the restoration of liberty to those unhappy men, who alone in this land of freedom, are degraded into perpetual bondage." It was signed by Benjamin Franklin, as President.

Marcli 30. Congress put an end, for the time be • ing at least, to the farther reception of Anti-Slavery petitions by voting, that " it had no right to interfere in the emancipation of slaves, or their treatment in any of the States."

May 29. Treaty with the Creek Indians. Ehode Island voted to adopt the Federal Constitution, and became the thirteenth member of the Union.

July 9. The bill to locate the seat of government for ten years at Philadelphia, and thereafter permanently on the Potomac, was passed in the House by a vote of 32 to 29. This measure was combined with the assumption of the State debts. Each bill separately had been defeated by small majorities. The Eastern and Middle States were for the assumption ; the Southern, against it. With regard to the permanent seat of the Government, the North wanted -t fixed on the Susqueliannali ; the South, on the Potomac. The assumption bill, according to Jefferson, produced the most bitter and angrj contest ever known in Congress, and almost threatened a dissolution of the Union. Jefferson attempted a compromise of conflicting interests to save the Union, and through his influence some of the members were induced to change their votes. Thus, at the very outset, a compromise saved the Union, and produced concord among the States.

October 17-22. General Harmar defeated by Indians' in the North-west.

February 1-8. Bill to incorporate the Bank of the United States passed by a vote of 39 to 20. The charter was to expire by limitation in 1811. Jefferson and Madison were opposed to the act, regarding the measure as unconstitutional, and as conferring a dangerous and corrupting power upon the government. Hamilton and Knox gave their WTitten opinion,at a Cabinet meeting, in favor of the President signing the bill; Jefferson aud Randolph presented negative reasons. This was the first instance of party separation in the Cabinet, and proved the forerunner of important differences which soon developed themselves.

A national mint was located at Philadelphia. 'No bank existed at this time that had a national circulation. The four banks in the country — at Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore — issued notes which had merely a local circulation. The United

32 THE PEESIDENTS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIONS.

States Bank gave National credit and National circulation.

By the financial scheme of Hamilton, the credit of the country was placed upon a firm foundation. In the words of "Webster, " He smote the rock of the national resources, and abundant streams of revenue burst forth. He touched the dead corpse of public credit, and it sprang upon its feet."

March 4. Vermont, the fourteenth State, admitted to the Union.

November 4. General St. Clair defeated by the Indians. Its causes were afterwards investigated by Congress in 1792.

The First Ten Articles of Amendments to the Constitution received their first vote of ratification, November 20, 1789, and their eleventh, December 15, 1791, and were adopted as a part of the Constitution.

May 11. Captain Gray discovered the Columbia Eiver.

June 1. Kentucky was admitted, and became the fifteenth pillar in the Union.

March 4. Washington and Adams inaugurated at Philadelphia.

February 12. The Fugitive Slave Bill adopted — '' an Act respecting Fugitives from justice, and Persons escaping from the service of their masters."

February 28. The ofiicial conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury was investigated hy the House of Representatives. The administration was sustained in its financial policy.

Difficulties with Genet, the French Ambassador. England and France were at war, and Genet began to fit out privateers, for the capture of British ships,, in American ports. The Minister endeavored to influence legislation by undue measures and inflammatory speeches. Washington demanded that he be recalled, which was accordingly done in 1791.

January 3. The report of Secretary Jefferson ' ' on the privileges and restrictions on the commerce of the United States in foreign countries " called out a most elaborate debate in the House. Gen. Hamilton took grounds against the measures proposed by Jefferson. Mr. Madison upheld the views of Jefferson, and Mr. "William Smith, of South Carolina, those of Hamilton.

The discrimination recommended by Jefferson was levelled against England, and was defeated by five votes, and that mainly through the mercantile class v/hich was largely engaged in trade and commerce with Great Britain.

January 7. It was resolved by Congress, "that from and after the first day of May, A. D. 1 795, the Flag of the United States be fifteen stripes, alternate red and white. That the Union be fifteen stars, white, in a blue field." By this modification it was intended to add a new stripe for every new State admittcd, but before long it was perceived that the rule would not answer, (the States increasing in number too rapidly), and so the old resolution of the second Continental Congress, (passed June 19, 1777), was re-affirmed in 1818, which provided, ''that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, in a blue field, representing a new constellation," Avith the addition of a now star for each new State. It was found, however, too difficult to represent a constellation on a banner, and so the circle of stars, to express concord and unity, was substituted. The red is designed to picture the courage, white, the uprightness, and blue, the firmness, hope and charity of those who upbear it.

This beautiful emblem was first unfolded on the decisive battle-field of Saratoga, and waved there in triumph, an omen of victory, the ensign of liberty, and the standard of a new nationality.

" Forever float that standard sheet!

"Where breathes the foe hut falls before us ?

"VVith Freedom's soil beneath our feet,

And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us? ''

January 16. The Quakers, (of New England, at their yearly meeting in 1793), prepared a memorial in which they petitioned Congress to exercise the authority vested in them by the Constitution, for the suppression of the slave trade.

June 9. Jefi*erson, for want of agi-eement with the Administration and its measures, Avithdrew from the Cabinet.

August 20. General Wayne, at the battle of the INIaumee, defeated the hostile Indian tribes of the

GEORQK WASniNGTON. 35

North-west, and secured from them the territory out of which have been formed the States of Ohio and Indiana, (a part of it).

During this year also occurred the "Whisky Re- ])ellion" of Pennsylvania. Secret societies were formed in order to resist the payment of a duty on Whisky. Washington called out a military force of 15,000, and the opposition at once subsided, and without resort to arms.

1795,

June 24. Jay's treaty with England encountered the most violent opposition, l)ccause it enforced the payment of English debts, and failed to ];)rohibit the impressment of American seamen. Jay was burned in effigy ; and at a public meeting, stones were thrown at Hamilton.

This year the Connecticut School fund — now over $2,000,000— was formed.

A treaty with Spain determined the boundaries of Florida, and secured the free navigation -of the Mississippi.

March 7- April 7. A debate of remarkable ability and eloquence was continued by the members of the House witli reference to the English Treaty, its merits, and the constitutional limits of the treaty-making, and the treaty-ratifying power.

April 30. The House voted an appropriation of $90,000 in order to execute the Treaty with Great Britain. It embraced three points :

1. The execution of those parts of the Treaty of 1783, which remained unexecuted. (The British had not yet vacated all the posts along the lakes.)

2. The settlement of disputes, or questions of International Law.

3. Stipulations for regulating the commercial and other intercourse between the two nations.

June 1. Tennessee was received into the Union as the sixteenth State. ^

September 17. Washington, declining to be a candidate for a third term of office, issued his celebrated Farewell Address.

February 8. The • electoral votes were opened and counted in the presence of both branches of Congress. Adams and Jefferson were declared elected.

February 22. The Treaty with the Dey and Regency of Algiers was ratified by Congress, and an appropriation to confirm its conditions, w^as voted by the House of Representatives. The whole cost of securing immunity from the pirates of the Barbary States, the free navigation of the Mediterranean to American ships, and the release of American citizens and seamen, who had been taken captive, and were still held as prisoners, amounted to about one million dollars. The alternative was war, and some preparation had been made in the event of such an emergency. ''A war with Algiers," it has been said, "then a formidable power, (and of course with the rest of the Barbary States,) was a very serious undertakinor for the United States at that time — the cost great and certain — the issue uncertain. The greatest powers of Europe paid tribute to those barbaric pirates, and it was no disgrace to the infant United States to do the same."

March 3. The administration of Washington was very successful. It was beset with difficulties and hindrances, but the spirit of wisdom and conciliation, which marked the leaders of that period, made it possible to institute our present representative government. Moderate expenses, moderate taxes, and moderate duties simplified the difficult problem of finances. Abroad several important treaties had been secured, and, by one of them, war had been averted. Washington observed a strict neutrality during the war of France and England, and did not suffer popular sympathy to go astray. At home, the hostile Indian tribes had been subjugated, and a formidable insurrection had been peaceably subdued by the mere exhibition of military power. Public credit was elevated by the assumption of the State debts, and the world saw that there was both the willingness and the ability to pay every dollar of debt Trade, commerce and agriculture, touched by the magic power of peace and protection, sprang into renewed life and activity. A constant tide of immi- 1 gration set in, and new states were rapidly formed. The nation had now been safely conducted from a losely -jointed and inadequate confederacy to a more compact and durable form of goverment, and Washington with the honors of war and the still brighter laurels of peace thick upon him, longed for rest and retirement. The second term being now ended, he was enabled to carry out his long-cherished wishes, and having witnessed, as a private citizen, the inauguration of his successor, he withdrew to Mt. Vernon, where peace and plenty crowned with happiness and tranquility the decline of an eventful and illusitrous career.

X. POLITICAL PARTIES.

Differences in public opinion began to operate with more force and celerity, as Congress entered upon the continuous and systematic work of legislation. Sectional interests, in some cases, convictions of right and duty in others, or strong and prevailing inclinations to particular lines of public policy, in still others, became some of the dominating principles about which political parties began to crystalize.

In the beginning, the mode of electing the President and Vice President was attended without any cumbrous political machinery. The main design apapers to have been the selection of the best man for the executive head of the nation, and it was supposed that a body of electors would exercise such choice with more wisdom and ability than belonged to the common people ; and for this reason the electors were left entirely free to vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one, at least, should not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves.

^Ye may enumerate some of the questions from which party lines began to divide :

1. The location of the permanent seat of the government brought out sectional interests.

GB3RGE WASHINGTON. 39

2. The assumption of the State debts was opposed by Jefferson and his adherents. There was no opposition to the funding of the Continental debt.

3. The Tariff question was as much a difficulty to adjust then as now, and produced the same disagreement.

4. The establishment of the United States Bank was a measure of great importance, and one which subsequently furnished the occasion for a most persistent political struggle. The two parties also were destined to change places in their advocacy of this measure and its expediency.

5. Slavery began, even at this early day, to be a vexing question, and the forces which afterwards became so deadly in their opposition to each other were just beginning to disclose themselves. Petitions against its continuance, on the one hand ; a determination to protect it by enactments, on the other, gave warning of that fierce storm which although now not larger than a man's hand, was eventually to spread over the entire land, and break in great fury.

6. The Treaty with England, remarkable for what it yielded, rather than for what it obtained, formed another occasion for separation in political thought and conviction.

7. The centralization of power in the Federal government, awakened the opposition of the Eepublicans, who were jealous of State rights. On the one side, there seemed to be an undue leaning to monarchial forms and ideas ; and on the other, a too great partiality for a popular and free government, such as was then being tried in France, during the Revolution. It is doubtless well that these two antagonisms continue to exist in a representative government, so that neither anarchy nor despotism can ever gain the ascendency.

From the discussion and agitation of these and kindred topics, two parties sprang into being — the Federal and the Eepublican. Jefferson, Madison and Randolph became the leaders of the opposition, and soon gathered about themselves a young and vigorous party. Hamilton and Adams were the chiefs of the Federalists and gave to the administration of Washington and its measures, their powerful support. The Federalists were also called ''Monarchists" and "Aristocrats," on account of their supposed tendencies; and the Republicans, "Anti-federal" and ''Anticentralization." The electoral vote showed that these two parties were numerically very nearly equal.

XI. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The Public Debt of the United States originated in 1790, when by vote of Congress the State debts, in the sum of $21,000,000, were assumed, and the arrearages of interest on the Continental and State debts were funded and consolidated with the principal.

Year.

riiblic Debt.

Expenditures.

Exports.

Imports.

$75,463,476

$ 7,207,539

$19,012,041

$29,200,000

77,227,924

9,141,569

20,753,098

31,500,000

80,352,634

7,529,575

26,109,572

31,000,000

78,427,400

9,302,124

33,026,233

34,000,000

80,747,587

10,405,009

47,989,472

69,756,268

1 83,762,172

8,367,776

67,064,097

81,436.164

XII. OUTLINE OF CONCURRENT EVENTS.

England ; George III., King, William Pitt, prime minister, Fox and Sheridan lead opposition, Burke ''On French Revolution," war with Holland 1795, vrith Spain 1796, Increase of East India possessions.

France : The Kevolution of 1789, Jacobin Club, Louis XVI. beheaded January 21, 1793, Reign of Terror to 1791, Robespierre against the Girondists, First Coalition against France 1794, Robespierre guillotined 1794, Bonaparte in Italy 1796, Executive Directory 1795-97.

Germany : Francis II., Sovereign 1792-1835, war with France 1793, Bonaparte at Rivoli 1797.

Prussia; Frederick William II. 1786-1797.

Switzerland : Helvetian Republic 1798, Struggle against Centralization, French Invasion.

Russia : Catharine 11. (widow of Peter) 1762-96, war against the Porte 1787-1792, with Sweden 1788- 1790, Alliance with England 1793, Partition of Poland 1795, Paul Czar 1796—1801.

Denmark : Christian VII. to 1808-

Sweden : Gustavus VI. to 1809.

Belgium : Revolt 1787—1791, United to France 1797.

Spain and Portugal: Charles IV. 1788—1808, French Invasion 1794.

Turkey : Selim HI. 1789—1807, war with Austria and Russia, Ismail taken 1790.

Europe in a state of ferment and unrest. A period of great political changes.

Chapter II. The Abministeation Of John Adams

Federal. One Term, 1797 to 1801.

I. CABINET.

PRESIDENT.

1797. John Adams, Massachusetts.

YICE PRESIDENT.

1797. Thomas Jefierson, Virginia.

SECBETARIES OF STATE.

1797. Timothy Pickering, Massachusetts. 1800. John Marshall, Virginia.

SECRETARIES OF THE TREASURY.

1797. Oliver Wolcott, Connecticut. 1800. Samuel Dexter, Massachusetts.

SECRETARIES OF WAR.

1797. James McHenry, Maryland.

1800. Samuel Dexter, Massachusetts.

1801. Roger Griswold, Connecticut.

SECRETARIES OP THE NAVY.

1798. George Cabot, Massachusetts (declined). 1798. Benjamin Stoddart, Maryland.

POSTMASTER GENERAL.

1797. Joseph Habersham, Georgia.

ATTORNEY GENERAL.

1797. Charles Lee, Virginia.

JOHN ADAMS. 43

11. CHIEF JUSTICES OF THE SUPKEME COURT.

1800. December 19, John Jay, New York. (Declined the appointment,')

1801. January 31, John Marshall, Virginia.

III. SENATORS ELECTED PRESIDENTS PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE.

1797. July, William Bradford, Ehode Island.

1797, November, Jacob Read, South Carolina.

1798. June, Theodore Sedgwick, Massachusetts.

1798. December, John Lawrence, New York.

1799. March, James Eoss, Pennsylvania.

1799. December, Sam. Livermore, New Hampshire.

1800. May, Uriah Tracy, Connecticut.

1800. November, John E. Howard, Maryland.

1801. February, James Hillhouse, Connecticut.

ly. SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESEN- TATIVES.

V. Congress, 1797, Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey, V* " 1797, George Dent, Maryland.

VI. '' 1799, Theodore Sedgwick, Massachu-

setts.

V. THE THIRD ELECTION.

John Adams, 71 ; Thomas Jefferson, 68 ; Thomas Pinckney, S. C, 95 ; Aaron Burr, N, Y., 30; Samuel Adams, Mass., 15 ; Oliver Ellsworth, Conn., 11 ; John Jay, N. Y., 5 ; George Clinton, N. Y., 7; S. Johnson, S* C, 2; James Iredel, N. C, 3; George Washington, Va., 2; C. C. Pinckney, S. C, 1; John Henry, Md., 2. Total, 139. Sixteen States voted.

This election presents the peculiar feature of electing the chiefs of the two opposing parties ; Adams, the leader of the federalists, becoming President, and Jefferson, the foremost republican. Vice President.

VI. POPULATION AND REPRESENTATION.

The ratio of Kepresentation for 1800 to 1810 was fixed at 33,000, making 142 members.

YII. HISTORICAL RECOPvD. 1797.

March 4. Inauguration of Adams and Jeiferson.

May 15. An extra session of Congress convened on account of complications with France and a suspension of diplomatic intercourse with the French Republic. The session was brief, and accomplished the two objects for which it was called. It prepared for defense, and three frigates — Constitution, Constellation and United States — were at once built and manned. A detachment of 80,000 militia was authorized. Its second object, to provide additional revenue for defense, was secured by passing a stamp duty, imposing a tax on salt, and authorizing a loan. *' Defense was the great object of the session ; invasion the danger ; and its repulse by land and sea the remedy."

November 30. Another memorial of the Quakers praying for redress of grievances, the abolition of slavery, and the discouragement of every species of extravagance, luxury, vice and dissipation; It was referred to a committee, who reported, Feb. 14, 1798,

JOHN -ADAMS. 45

tlie following resolution, to-wit : ''That the memorialists have leave to withdraw the said memorial and address." The motion prevailed. 1798.

January 8. President Adams declared in his message, that the Eleventh Amendment (proposed March 15, 1794) had received a three-fourths ratification of the States, and was a part of the Constitution,

February 15. A Fracas occurred in the House. Mr. Griswold gave Mr. Lyon a severe caning, while the latter was writing at his desk. A resolution to censure, was defeated by a vote of 48 to 47.

April 25. The Department of the Navy was created by a close party vote of 47 to 41. The Republicans, (in the minority,) were opposed to the establishment of a Navy.

May 18. Congress voted to raise a provisional army of 20,000 men, and an appropriation of $150,- 000 for equipment.

July 10. The Alien and Sedition Laws were passed. The violent denunciation heaped upon the administration by the friends and emisaries of France seemed to call for these acts. By the Alien law power was conferred upon the President to expel such persons as he might find, who were plotting against the public peace and authority. The Sedition act was designed to restrict the bitterness of free speech, and the violent criticism of the press. These measures were passed l)y the Federal party and had the effect of making it extremely unpopular. J. Q. Adams has remarked, " that if Jefferson and Madison deemed the Alien and Sedition acts plain and palpable infractions of the

Constitution, AVasliington and Patrick Henry held them to be good and wholesome laws."

July. Active preparations were made for war. An extra session convened for this purpose* "Washington was appointed Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-chief, but subsequent events rendered it unnecessary for him to take the field. 1799.