"To Mr. Lund Washington, at Mount Vernon, Fairfax county, Virginia, 1797. G. W. June 18th, 1776. G. W. "To John Parke Custis, Esqr. at the Hon. Benedict Calvert's Esqr. Mount Airy, Maryland, New York, July, 8th, 1776. To Mr. Lund Washington, Mount Vernon, Fairfax county G. W. G. W. To Mr. Lund Washington, CHAP. IX. Solemn declaration that the letters herein des 1797 cribed are a base forgery, and that I never saw or heard of them until they appeared in print. The present letter I commit to your care, and desire it may be deposited in the office of the department of state as a testimony of the truth to the present generation and to posterity. Accept, &c. &c." John Adams elected president, and Thomas president. In February, the votes for the first and second magistrates of the union were opened and counted Jefferson vice in presence of both houses; and the highest number appearing in favour of Mr. Adams, and the second in favour of Mr. Jefferson, the first was declared to be the president and the second the vice president of the United States, for four years to commence on the fourth day of the ensuing March. General Washington Mount On that day, the members of the senate conducted by the vice president, together with the officers of the general and state governments, and an immense concourse of citizens, convened in the hall of the house of representatives, in which the oaths were administered to the president. The sensibility which was manifested when general Washington entered did not surpass the cheerfulness which overspread his own countenance, nor the heartfelt pleasure with which he saw another invested with the powers and authorities that had so long been exercised by himself. After the solemnities of the occasion had been retires to concluded, and he had paid to his successor those respectful compliments which he believed to be equally due to the man and to the office, he Vernon. * See Note, No. XXI, at the end of the volume. hastened to that real felicity which awaited him CHAP. IX. at Mount Vernon, the enjoyment of which he had long impatiently anticipated. The same marks of respect and affection for his person which had on all great occasions been manifested by his fellow citizens, still attended him. His endeavours to render his journey private were unavailing, and the gentlemen of the country through which he passed were still ambitious of testifying their sentiments for the man who had long been deemed the first of American citizens. Long after his retirement he continued to receive addresses from legislative bodies, and various classes of citizens, expressive of the high sense entertained of his services. Notwithstanding the extraordinary popularity of the first president of the United States, scarcely has any important act of his administration escaped the most bitter invective. 1797. situation of the United states att period. On the real wisdom of the system, which he Political pursued; on the benefits or injuries which have resulted from it; on the advantages or disadvantages which an opposite political course would most probably have produced; every impartial reader will decide for himself. Time will in some measure dissipate the prejudices and passions of the moment, and enable us to view objects through a medium which truly represents them. Without taking a full review of measures which were reprobated by one party and advocated by the other, the reader may be requested to glance *See Note, No. XXII. at the end of the volume. CHAP. IX. his eye at the situation of the United States in 1797. 1797, and to contrast it with their condition in 1788. At home, a sound credit had been created; an immense floating debt had been funded in a manner perfectly satisfactory to the creditors: an ample revenue had been provided; those difficulties which a system of internal taxation, on its first introduction, is doomed to encounter, were completely removed; and the authority of the government was firmly established. Funds for the gradual payment of the debt had been pro. vided; a considerable part of it had been actually discharged; and that system which is now operating its entire extinction, had been matured and adopted. The agricultural and commercial wealth of the nation had increased beyond all former example. The numerous tribes of warlike Indians inhabiting those immense tracts which lie between the then cultivated country and the Mississippi had been taught, by arms and by justice, to respect the United States, and to continue in peace. This desirable object having been accomplished, that humane system was established for civilizing and furnishing them with the conveniences of life which improves their condition, while it secures their attachment. Abroad, the differences with Spain had been accommodated; and the free navigation of the Mississippi had been acquired, with the use of New Orleans as a depot for three years, and afterwards until some other equivalent place should be designated. Those causes of mutual exasperation which had threatened to involve the United States in a war with the greatest maritime and CHAP. IX. commercial power in the world, had been re- 1797. moved; and the military posts which had been occupied within their territory, from their existence as a nation, had been evacuated. Treaties had been formed with Algiers and with Tripoli, and no captures appear to have been made by Tunis; so that the Mediterranean was opened to American vessels. This bright prospect was indeed, in part, shaded by the glowing discontents of France. Those who have attended to the particular points of difference between the two nations will assign the causes to which these discontents are to be ascribed; and will judge whether it was in the power of the executive to have avoided them, without surrendering the real independence of the nation, and the most invaluable of all rights...the right of self government. Such was the situation of the United States at the close of Washington's administration. Their circumstances at its commencement will be recollected; and the contrast is too striking not to be observed. That this beneficial change in the affairs of America is to be ascribed exclusively to the wisdom which guided the national councils, will not be pretended. That many of the causes which produced it originated with the government, and that their successful operation was facilitated, if not secured, by the system which was adopted, will scarcely be denied. To appreciate that system correctly, their real influence must be allowed to |