commander in the waters of the West Indies restraining the detention and spoliation of American merchantmen. Mr. Gerry's report, together with subsequent communications through official channels, led to the appointment of a commission which executed a treaty that has secured peace from that time to this.

In the month of October, 1800, the seat of government was removed to Washington, then a city on paper with little more than the incomplete public buildings to promise that it would be anything other. Members of Congress were obliged to take up their quarters at Georgetown, three miles distant, over roads as nearly impassable during portions of the year as it is possible to conceive, or live in half finished buildings, perhaps with neither windows nor doors. One house of entertainment was situated some forty rods from the capital. Gouverneur Morris aptly describes the embryo city to a lady acquaintance in Europe. He says: He says: "We want nothing here but houses, cellars, kitchens, well-informed men, amiable women, and other little trifles of this kind to make our city perfect; for we can walk here as if in the fields and woods, and, considering the hard frost, the air of the city is very pure. I enjoy more of it than anyone else, for my room is filled with smoke whenever the door is shut. If, then, you are desirous of coming to live at Washington, in order to confirm you in so fine a prospect, I hasten to assure you, that freestone is very abundant here; that excellent bricks can be burned here; that there is no want of sites for magnificent hotels; that contemplated canals can bring a vast commerce to this place; that the wealth, which is its natural consequence, must attract the fine arts hither; in short, that it is the very best city in the world for a future residence."

D

CHAPTER VI.

SUCCEEDS JOHN ADAMS AS PRESIDENT.

URING the last session of the sixth Congress, caucuses were held by both parties for the nomination of candidates for President and Vice President. Hamilton was soured by disappointment caused by the failure of his schemes against France in attacking the Spanish possessions in South America, and refused to support Adams for the Presidency. He first attempted to draw Washington into his net, but this proving impossible he endeavored to elect General C. C. Pinckney, who was nominated to the second place on the federal ticket, Adams being accorded the first. The result was a division in the party that could but be disastrous. If Hamilton could secure the state of New York to the federalist party his plan was assured, for the south could be expected to furnish enough votes to elect Mr. Pinckney President, leaving for Mr. Adams the second place. The state election in New York was held in April, but a month elapsed before the result was known. It proved an overwhelming defeat to Hamilton, and also put a damper on the expectations of Mr. Adams.

The candidates of the republican party were Thomas Jefferson for President, and Aaron Burr for Vice President. A change had taken place in the two parties. During the excitement consequent on probable war with France the republican party had dwindled to insignificant proportions. The signing of a treaty of peace reinforced its ranks until it became stronger than ever before. The result of the election in New York inspired hope of ultimate success to the party. Burr, the candidate for Vice President, was an unscrupulous schemer who would stop at nothing for the accomplishment of his ends. The defeat of the federal party in New York was partly to be attributed to his efforts in causing the names of Brockholst Livingston and George Clinton to be placed on the republican ticket, thus securing the votes and influence of these powerful families and their adherents to the party, though they were personally inimical to himself. When the result of

the vote was known to be against the federalists, Burr sought by intrigue to secure a majority of the electoral college, which would elect himself to the first place on the ticket, and compel Jefferson to accept the second place, or decline to serve.

The election of 1800 was closely contested, and not until the ballots were cast did people breathe freely. Then ensued a few weeks of comparative quiet. On the 11th of February, 1801, the two houses of Congress met for the purpose of opening the electoral certificates. It was found that Thomas Jefferson had seventy-three; Aaron Burr seventy-three; John Adams sixty-five; Charles C. Pinckney sixty-four; John Jay one vote This threw the election into the House of Representatives, which withdrew to its hall, and organized. It was resolved that no motion for adjournment be in order until the result could be announced. On the first ballot, eight states voted for Jefferson, six for Burr, and two were equally divided. Seven ballots were taken with like result, when the House took a recess. Balloting was continued from day to day until the 17th, when the thirty-sixth ballot decided the contest, ten states voting for Thomas Jefferson, and four for Aaron Burr. Delaware and South Carolina voted blanks, as did Maryland, which state had previously voted for Burr. The vote was thus made unanimous Jefferson for President, and Burr for Vice President. That Mr. Burr was much chagrined at the result of his schemes is evident from his future course. It is believed his disappointment in the election was the cause of his treasonable attempts of a few years later.

On the 4th of March, 1801, Thomas Jefferson entered the Senate chamber to take the oath of office as President of the United States. Aaron Burr had already entered upon the duties of Vice President, and taken his seat as presiding officer of the Senate. With the entrance of Mr. Jefferson Mr. Burr gave up the chair and took a seat at the right. The chief justice occupied the seat on the left. Mr. Jefferson delivered his inaugural address,—a very moderate and carefully worded paper, which surprised many, both of his friends and enemies. He was disposed to conciliate as far as possible, at the same time that he relinquished not one iota of the republican principles for which he had so long labored. After the delivery of the address the oath of office was administered by the chief justice. A noticeable and deliberate slight was thrown upon the incoming President in the absence of ex-President Adams and the speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr. Adams had ungraciously taken his departure from the city in the early morning; the cause of absence of the speaker is unknown. After the close of the exercises connected with the inauguration, many persons of both parties called upon the President and Vice President.

March 5th, the President sent to the Senate the names of persons he had selected to serve as members of his cabinet. They were: James Mad