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ment not exceeding three years,-the arming of vessels, in American ports, to be employed in the service of any foreign state, to commit hostilities upon the subjects or citizens of any nation, with whom the United States were at peace; and the issuing of a commission, within the United States, for any vessel to be so employed, were also prohibited under severe penalties; nor was the armament of any foreign vessel to be increased in American ports. Persons who should begin or set on foot, any military expedition or enterprize, to be carried on from the United States, against the dominions of any foreign power at peace with them, were, likewise, subjected to severe punishments; and the president was authorized to employ the land and naval force of the union, to compel the observance of these laws.

During this session Mr. Giles again moved for an investigation into the official conduct of the secretary of the treasury. A committee for this purpose was appointed, (Mr. Hamilton himself desiring an inquiry,) and Mr. Giles was placed at the head of the committee. The result of this investigation, by the political enemies of the secretary, was highly honorable to the talents and integrity of that great financier.

This interesting session of the national legislature closed on the 9th of June, 1794. The independent conduct of the executive, had, for a time, at least, stayed the calamities of war.

It is proper here to state, that Mr. Genet being recalled, his place was supplied by a successor, Mr. Fauchet, who arrived in the United States in February, 1794.

The Brissotine party in France, which sent Genet to America, had been supplanted by that of Robertspiere; and many of the Brissotines were sent to the guillotine; and there can be no doubt, that Genet himself was doomed to the same fate.*

His successor had special orders to send him back to France, and for this purpose to use force, if necessary.

* It is not a little singular, that the Jacobin clubs in France, in the formation of which Genet himself had, probably, no inconsiderable share, had denounced him, because he had embroiled his country with general Washington.-Diplomacy of the United States.

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Fauchet, therefore, immediately after his arrival, finding that Mr. Genet did not intend to return, requested liberty to arrest and send him back, agreeably to his instructions. This was refused by the president. Still desirous of effecting his object, he enquired whether the executive would oppose his decoying him on board of a French vessel, under the pretence of honoring him with an entertainment, and then sailing with him for FranceThe president not only refused to wink at this clandestine mode of proceeding, but declared he would resist it, if necessary, by force. By this upright and impartial conduct, the president, no doubt saved Mr. Genet from the guillotine.

The conduct of the new French minister was, at first more concialitory than that of his predecessor. It was soon apparant however, that a change of men, had not produced a real change in the measures or views of the French government, by whomsoever administered, in regard to the United States. The real object of France was, to induce the Americans to make common cause with her against her enemies, particularly Great Britain. Complaints were still urged against the conduct of the American executive, as hostile to France and friendly to England. The mission to the court of London, was viewed with particular jealousy and distrust, by the French republic. Aware that this would be the case, the president, about the last of May, 1794, appointed Mr. Munroe, successor to Mr. Morriss, who, at the request of the French government, had been recalled.

The appointment of this gentleman it was supposed might tend to remove these jealousies. His instructions contained an explicit declaration of the president, in favour of the revolution in France. "The president" says the secretary in his letter of instructions," has been an early and decided friend of the French revolution; and whatever reasons there may have been under an ignorance of facts and policy, to suspend an opinion upon some of its important transactions, yet is he immutable in his wishes for its accomplishment; incapable of assenting to the right of any foreign prince, to meddle with its interior arrangement; and persuaded that success will attend their efforts, and

particularly, that union among themselves is an impregnable barrier against external assaults."

With respect to the conduct of the American government towards France, and the mission of Mr. Jay, the instructions say, "from Messrs. Genet and Fauchet we have uniformly learned, that France did not desire us to depart from neutrality; and it would have been unwise to have asked us to do otherwise. For our ports are open to her prizes, while they are shut to those of Great Britain, and supplies of grain could not be forwarded to France with so much certainty, were we at war, as they can even now, notwithstanding the British restrictions; and as they may be, if the demand to be made upon Great Britain should succeed. We have therefore pursued neutrality with faithfulness; we have paid more of our debt to France than was absolutely due, as the secretary of the treasury asserts; and we should have paid more, if the state of our affairs did not require us to be prepared with funds for the possible event of war. We mean to retain the same line of conduct in future, and to remove all jealousy, with respect to Mr. Jay's mission to London, you may say, that he is positively forbidden to weaken the engagements between this country and France. It is not improbable, that you will be obliged to encounter, on this head, suspicions of various kinds. But you may declare the motives of that mission to be, to obtain immediate compensation for our plundered property, and restitution of the posts. You may intimate by way of argument, but without ascribing it to the government, that if war should be necessary, the affections of the people of the United States towards it, would be better secured by a manifestation, that every step had been taken to avoid it; and that the British nation would be divided, when they found, that we had been forced into it. This may be briefly touched upon, as the path of prudence with respect to ourselves; and also, with respect to France, since we are unable to give her aid, of men or money. To this matter you cannot be too attentive, and you will be amply justified in repelling with firmness any imputtaion of the most distant intention to sacrifice our connection with

France to any connection with England.' "* After stating, that the subjects of treaties of commerce, of alliance, and of the execution of the guaranty of the French Islands, were to be referred to the American government, at home, it is added at the close, "In short it is expected, with a sure reliance on your discretion, that you will not commit the United States, by any specific declarations, except where you are particularly instructed, and except in giving testimony of our attachment to their cause."

* Munroe's View.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania—The marshall unable to execute process-House of the inspector burnt by the insurgents-Judge Wilson declares that the opposition to the laws was too powerful to be suppressed by ordinary judicial proceedings-Fifteen thousand militia ordered out to suppress the insurrection -Commissioners appointed to offer terms to the insurgents-Mail robbed-Meeting at Braddock's field-Proceedings of the meeting at Parkinson's ferry--Commissioners hold a conference with a committee of the insurgents--Question submitted to the people whether they would obey the laws--The result not satisfactory, and a military force marches into the country-The insurgents submit without resistance General Wayne obtains a complete victory over the Indians-Congress meet in November, 1794—Speech of the president-Difference in the house concerning the answer to the speech-House refuse to approve of the conduct of the executive towards foreign nations, or to censure self-created societies-Plan of the secretary of the treasury for the redemption of the public debt-Adopted by congress-Secretaries of the treasury and of war resign-Negociations with Spain renewed-These interrupted by Spain's joining the coalition against France-American commerce suffers from Spanish depredations-This produces new causes of complaint--Treaty finally concluded in October, 1795---Negociations with Algiers for the release of American captives---Exorbitant demands of the Dey resisted--The business of procuring the release of the first captives placed in the hands of a religious order in France, but without success---Treaty made with the Dey in September, 1795---Prisoners not finally released until 1796.

WHILE the president was exerting himself to prevent a foreign war, he was threatened with a civil war at home. For about three years, the inhabitants of the counties in Pennsylvania, lying west of the Allegany mountains, had opposed the execution of the laws imposing duties on domestic spirits. This opposition, notwithstanding all the exertions of congress and the executive to render the operation of those laws as little burdensome as possible, was now carried to such a length, as seriously to put at hazard the peace, if not the existence of the union. The revenue officers, in attempting to do their duty, were threatened not only with the loss of their property, but their lives; and in many instances, were personally abused and compelled to renounce their offices. In the summer of 1794, the marshal of

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