the preceding year. On the subject of the treaty with Great Britain, the liveliest sensibility still prevailed. After a spirited and protracted debate of seven weeks, on the subject of making the necessary arrangements for this treaty, resolutions to that effect passed the house by a majority of only three.

35. As the time for a new election of the chief magistrate of the Union approached, Gen. Washington signified his intention to retire from public life. Wishing to terminate his political course with an act suitable to his own character, and permanently useful to his countrymen, he published a valedictory address to the people of the United States, fraught with maxims of the highest political importance, and with sentiments of the warmest affection for his country.

In conclusion, this great and good man bore his solemn testimony to the importance of religion and morality, as intimately connected with political prosperity. "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity," he observed, "religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputa tion, for life, if the sense of religious obligations desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

36. In February, 1797, the votes for his successor were opened and counted in the presence of both houses of congress. The highest number appearing in favor of Mr. Adams, he was declared to be elected president of the United States, for the four years ensuing, commenc→ ing on the 4th of March. Mr. Jefferson succeeded Mr. Adams in the vice-presidency.

NOTES.

37. MANNERS. We can remark, during this period, no very distinct change in the manners of the people of the United States, except that the introduction of French philosophy seems to have affected, in some degree, the sober habits and strict morality of the people, which, although relaxed by the war, had now begun to resume their influence.

38. RELIGION. At the close of the preceding period, we observed that religion had revived, in a degree, from the injuries it suffered during the revolutionary war; and we might have expected, that, under the auspices of a wise and settled government, conducted by a practical Christian like Washington, it would have acquired a still more commanding influence. Such, however, was not the fact.

As the people of the United States heartily espoused the cause of the revolution in France, and sympathized with that people, in their struggle for freedom, it was but too natural, that the sentiments of the revolutionists, on other than political subjects, should be imbibed. As the French revolutionists were almost universally deists, or atheists, these sentiments were extensively spread over the United States.

For a time, the boldness of the enterprises, the splendor of the victories, and the importance of the conquests, achieved by the French republic, promoted the extension of French infidelity in the United States. "Most eyes," says Dr. Dwight, "were disabled from seeing the nature of the purposes which the revolutionists had in view, and of the characters which were exhibited on this singular stage. In the agitation and amazement excited in all men, few retained so steady optics as to discern, without confusion, the necessary consequences of this stupendous shock."

Infidelity was also greatly extended, at this time, by the writings of Paine, Godwin, and others, which were industriously circulated through the country.* The perspicuous and sim

* Godwin's Political Justice, and Paine's Age of Reason, powerfully ed on the tide of infidelity. An enormous edition of the latter publicawas printed in France, and sent to America, to be sold for a few pence and where it could not be sold, it was given away.

ple style of Paine, his keen powers of ridicule, directed against the Bible, and above all, the gratitude which multitudes felt for the aid his pen had given to our revolution, contributed to impart to him a peculiarly powerful influence. His vicious life, however, and the horrible enormities committed by the French revolutionists, gave such a fearful comment upon their principles, as at length, in a great measure, to bring them into discredit, and to arrest their growing influence.

39. TRADE AND COMMERCE. These flourished, during this period, beyond all former example. In 1797, the exports of the United States, of all kinds, amounted to fifty-six millions eight hundred and fifty thousand two hundred and six dollars. The imports amounted to seventy-five millions three hundred and seventy-nine thousand four hundred and six dollars. Our vessels visited every part of the world, and brought wealth and luxuries from every country.

40. AGRICULTURE. Aside from the importance of agriculture, as furnishing us with the greatest portion of our food, it began now to derive greater consequence, as furnishing materials for our manufactures, and, still more, as contributing largely to our exports. In 1796, it was estimated that three fourths of the inhabitants of the United States, if not a greater proportion, were employed in agricultural pursuits.

41. ARTS AND MANUFACTURES. During this period, manufactures attracted the attention of government Mr. Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, made a report to congress, on the subject, in which he set forth their importance to the country, and urged the policy of aid ing them. Since that time, the revenue laws have been framed with the view to the encouragement of manufactures, and their promotion has been considered as a part of the settled policy of the United States. Although the flourishing state of commerce commanded the attention, and absorbed the capital of the country, in some degree, to the exclusion of other objects, still manufactures made considerable progress.

42. POPULATION. The inhabitants of the United

States, at the close of this period, amounted to about five millions.

43. EDUCATION. The adoption of the federal constitution placed the political affairs of the United States on a permanent basis; and since that period, learning has flourished.

In 1791, the University of Vermont was established at Burling ton; Williams' College, Massachusetts, in 1793; Union College, at Schenectady, New York, and Greenville College, Tennessee, in 1794; Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, in Maine, 1796. An Historical Society was formed in Massachusetts, in 1791, and in corporated in 1794. It has published twenty-three volumes of documents designed to illustrate the past and present state of the country.

REFLECTIONS.

44. A short time since, we were occupied in considering the United States struggling for independence, under Washington, as a leader of their armies. Under his guidance, we saw them triumph, and become a free nation. We have also seen them, with Washington at the head of the convention, forming our excellent constitution. We now see them, with Washington their chief magistrate, taking their place among the sovereignties of the earth, and launching forth on the full tide of successful ex periment.

Under Washington, as our leader, we won our independence, formed our constitution; established our government. And what reward does he ask for services like these? Does he ask a diadem? Does he lay his hand upon our national treasury? Does he claim to be emperor of the nation that had risen up under his auspices? No. Although "first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen," he sublimely retires to the peaceful occupations of rural life, content with the honor of having been instrumental in achieving the independence, and securing the happiness of his country.

There is no parallel in history to this! By the side of Washington, Alexander is degraded to a selfish destroyer of his race; Cæsar becomes the dazzled votary of power; and Bonaparte, a baffled aspirant to universal dominion.

Washington has been the theme of eulogy in every nation. "His military successes," it has been well said, "were more solid than brilliant, and judgment, rather than enthusiasm, regulated his conduct in battle. In the midst of the inevitable disorder of camps, and the excesses inseparable from civil war,

humanity always found a refuge in his tent. In the morning of triumph, and in the darkness of adversity, he was alike serene; at all times tranquil as wisdom and simple as virtue. After the acknowledgment of American independence, when the unanimous suffrages of a free people called him to administer their government, his administration, partaking of his character, was mild and firm at home, noble and prudent abroad.”*

* Inchiquin's Letters.