de Lafayette he had recognized in him the principles of republicanism, and his own life in France brought him in contact with the leading spirits in the intellectual agitation which preceded and produced the revolution. While in strong sympathy with the movement, Mr. Jefferson maintained in the strictest sense the policy of non-intervention, recognizing the fact that he was the accredited representative of a nation at peace and holding friendly relations with the court of France. He was once requested to attend and assist in the deliberations of a convention formed to frame a constitution supplementary to a declaration of rights, but excused himself on the ground that his duties were limited to the concerns of his own country. The consistency he showed in maintaining the position he had taken, caused him to be trusted by both patriots and royalists. The minister of state was his friend and personally requested that he assist at such conferences as were aimed toward a reformation.

The excesses of the revolution did not begin until several years after these events, and Mr. Jefferson was not in France at the time of their occurrence. For more than a year he had been awaiting an opportunity to return home, with a view to placing his daughters under the care of friends, and in the midst of American society, but the changes in the government and the many affairs to be carefully attended to before it would become settled on a stable foundation, had prevented Congress granting him leave of absence. It was not until near the last of August that matters had been placed in such shape that he could leave. His arrangements for temporary absence completed, on the 29th of September, 1789, he left Paris for Havre, where he was detained until the 8th of October. On the 9th he arrived at Cowes, where he had made arrangements to take passage in the ship Clermont. A delay of some ten days ensued, caused by contrary winds, and during this interval he visited objects of interest on the Isle of Wight, particularly Carisbrooke castle, the refuge of Charles the First in 1648. Resuming the journey, he reached Norfolk November 23d. Traveling homeward from that port, he passed several days with friends in Eppington, and while there received a letter from General, then President, Washington, inviting him to a seat in his cabinet. The letter of the President was as follows:

"NEW YORK, October 13, 1789.

"SIR: In the selection of characters to fill the important offices of government, in the United States, I was naturally led to contemplate the talents and dispositions which I knew you to possess and entertain for the service of your country; and without being able to consult your inclination, or to derive any knowledge of your intention from your letters, either to myself, or to any other of your friends, I was determined, as well by motives of private regard, as a conviction of public propriety, to nominate you for the department of state, which, under its present organization, involves

But

many of the most interesting objects of the executive authority. grateful as your acceptance of this commission would be to me, I am, at the same time, desirous to accommodate your wishes, and I have, therefore, forborne to nominate your successor at the court of Versailles, until I should be informed of your determination.

"Being on the eve of a journey through the eastern states, with a view to observe the situation of the country, and in a hope of perfectly re-establishing my health, which a series of indispositions has much impaired, I have deemed it proper to make this communication of your appointment, in order that you might lose no time, should it be your wish to visit Virginia during the recess of Congress, which will probably be the most convenient season, both as it may respect your private concerns and the public service.

Unwilling, as I am, to interfere in the direction of your choice of assistants, I shall only take the liberty of observing to you, that from warm recommendations which I have received in behalf of Roger Aldin, Esq., assistant secretary of the late Congress, I have placed all the papers thereunto belonging, under his care. These papers, which more properly appertain to the office of foreign affairs, are under the superintendence of Mr.. Jay, who has been so obliging as to continue his good offices, and they are in the immediate charge of Mr. Remsen.

"With sentiments of very great esteem and regard, I have the honor to be, sir,

Your most obedient servant,

"The Hon. Thomas Jefferson."

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

November 30th President Washington addressed another communication to Mr. Jefferson, of the same tenor as the above, requesting the communication of his decision in the matter.

The receipt of the letter from the President requesting him to accept an appointment to his cabinet, filled Mr. Jefferson with conflicting emotions. He had left Paris with the intention of soon returning; he had found there men of advanced views in scientific and political subjects; the revolution in public sentiment had just begun, and he confidently expected to sets close within a year. Inclination prompted his return to France; obedience to the wish of the executive decided him to accept the appointment.

MR.

CHAPTER IV.

SERVICE IN THE CABINET OF PRESIDENT WASHINGTON.

R. JEFFERSON arrived in New York the 21st of March, 1790, and entered upon an epoch of his life that continued for nineteen years, until his retirement from public service in 1809. The duties of secretary of state are perhaps the most exacting of any in the administration of the government, and require exceptional abilities for their proper performance. All questions of public concern must be appreciated by him; since both home and foreign affairs are under his immediate supervision. To this office Mr. Jefferson brought rare qualifications of mind and experience. The President received his minister with cordiality, while all parties extended the hand of welcome. He found here a different sentiment from that to which he had lately been accustomed. The society that was attracted to the President's levees had an aristocratic tendency. The President was himself descended from an old and aristocratic family, and by education and association was quite exclusive. He allowed no one to approach him with undue familiarity; even his most intimate friends scarcely dared attempt to penetrate the reserve with which he surrounded himself. Alexander Hamilton, his secretary of the treasury, though with no inherited aristocratic tendency, by virtue of the position he occupied was a leader and advocate of extreme court etiquette, beside being essentially in favor of a monarchial form of government. His extreme views regarding the establishment of a certain courtly form in addressing the President, and in conducting the affairs connected with the government, met with strong disapproval from Mr. Jefferson, whose early acquired republican principles had been strengthened by association with the young republicans of France. When it was proposed in the Senate to address the President as "His Highness George Washington, President of the United States and Protector of their Liberties," although he had no voice in deciding the title to be adopted, he unqualifiedly dissented from such form. The wife of the President was also

of aristocratic tendency, and took delight in the little court that surrounded her. It frequently happened that at dinner parties nearly all present were of the court party, and Mr. Jefferson the only person present entertaining opposite views, unless it so happened that a republican member of the Senate or House was present. Jefferson's doctrine of simplicity in government was not the feeling of a moment, but was adhered to throughout his life. So strongly implanted was it, that when he became President of the United States his cards bore the simple inscription, Thomas Jefferson." On his advent into the cabinet, Mr. Jefferson found diversity of opinion among the members of Congress respecting the funding schemes proposed by the secretary of the treasury. Previous to and during the war of the revolution the several states had pledged large sums of money, a part of which had been applied to home protection and the remainder turned into the general fund. The amount thus contributed varied in the different states. Some of these had provided for the payment of their individual debt, and had it nearly cancelled, while others had done nothing toward meeting their indebtedness. Those nearly free from obligations objected to being taxed to pay the debt of their neighbors. It was a difficult question to decide. The heavier burdens of the war had been borne by the eastern and middle states, while those more to the south had, in great measure, escaped. Before this question was settled came another of some impor tance the permanent establishment of the capital. Various places, from the Delaware to the Potomac, were advocated as possessing superior advantages. The question at issue was definitely settled by the states assuming the public debt, now amounting to $54, 124,464.56; the temporary location of the capital for a period of ten years at Philadelphia, and its permanent establishment on the Potomac, at or near Georgetown.

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Congress adjourned August 12th, and, after a week spent in a pleasure jaunt with members of the cabinet and others, Mr. Jefferson returned to his home at Monticello, where he remained, quietly attending to business that had for some time been neglected, until the opening of the next session, in December, again called him to Philadelphia. During this year the navigation of the Mississippi river became a subject of importance. There was probability of a rupture between England and France, and such an event might also involve Spain in war. A free outlet to the sea for the products of the growing west was an imperative necessity. After some delay, arrangements were made for the use of the river as far as New Orleans, but it was not until some ten years later that the government was able to acquire peaceable possession of the territory adjacent to the river, and control of the same to its mouth.

At this time the United States had no treaty of commerce with Great Britain. The mother country had heretofore appeared indifferent to such treaty. There was now an informal agent in New York, who proposed an

exchange of ministers. This the United States agreed to, but England did not respond, leaving all her affairs to an unaccredited agent. Mr. Jefferson informed Gouverneur Morris, an informal agent of the United States. in England, that regarding a treaty of commerce and alliance "we wish to be neutral, and will be so, if they [England] will execute the treaty fairly and attempt no conquests adjoining us." This had reference to the acquirement of a portion or all the Spanish possessions in America. It was his desire that no change of neighbors be made, that the United States might retain the balance of power on this continent.

Among other duties this year, Mr. Jefferson prepared a report on a standard of coinage, and weights and measures. The former was virtually adopted, and is the system now in use. The system of weights and measures had become so familiar, and habit so confirmed, that a change was not deemed advisable.

The British government would not enter into commercial treaty with the United States until misunderstandings were settled regarding the terms of peace. The importation of all articles from America that could be obtained elsewhere was debarred, except that in time of scarcity of grain it was allowed to enter duty free. Commerce with England was limited to a few articles not readily procured elsewhere. Trade with the West Indies was included in this category. Mr. Jefferson advocated retaliatory measures, and the granting of special privileges to other countries friendly to us. Hamilton was opposed to such measures, and his influence is believed to have defeated their passage. In principle Jefferson believed in "perfect and universal free trade as one of the natural rights of man, and as the only sound policy." He modified this somewhat by saying instead: "Free trade with any nation that will reciprocate."

The duties of the first secretary of state were multifarious, including many now foreign to that office. Jefferson was for a time postmastergeneral, and seriously contemplated a fast mail service, not connected with steam-power, iron rails, and portable palaces for its conveyance, but by means of relays of post-horses traveling at the rate of one hundred miles a day. Under his control, also, was the patent system. An Englishman solicited the privilege of coining the currency of the country; this brought the subject of the establishment of a government mint before Congress, and it, also, was referred to him. He decided as to the legality of land grants. There being no other "general utility" man possessed of such broad and comprehensive scope, on him devolved the laying out of the District of Columbia and planning the erection of public buildings.

The chartering of the United States bank was an act Mr. Jefferson. strongly condemned, and which Mr. Hamilton as cordially approved. Much discussion ensued in Congress over the measure, many deeming it opposed to the spirit and intent of the Constitution, but the bill finally