THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. 361 Washington in the darkest moments of the Revolution. France did not have the sympathies of all, however, for the wiser and more calm were startled at the scenes of blood that marked the wild orgies in that fair land, and when, in 1793, Washington issued his memorable proclamation of neutrality, he found himself supported by the Federalists, and by those who saw the dangers of anarchy resulting from unrestrained license. The feeling for France was, on the other hand, deepened by the antipathy to England, which it was to take many years to dissipate. The month that Washington issued his proclamation saw an ignorant and arrogant representative of the French Republic land, not at Philadelphia, the Federal capital, but at Charleston, S. C. demand an active support from the government, and upon its refusal, fit out privateers to prey upon English commerce. He even ventured, with the support of the Republican party, to threaten to appeal from the government to the people, and thus to inaugurate on American soil, the bloody drama that he had been playing a part in at home; but Washington demanded his recall, and the demand was heard. A new ambassador took the place of "Citizen Genet." So great was the excitement at this juncture that war with England was demanded by the Republican party; Marat, Robespierre, and the other actors in the French Revolution, were daily toasts at table, and the cries of the multitude about his house were so riotous that Washington exclaimed: "I had rather be in my grave than in this excitement ! War with Great Britain was not only demanded by the Republicans, but the action of that country made it imminent. Not only did it claim the right to stop and search American vessels on the high seas, and impress every seaman that its commanders might assume to be of British birth, but it issued arbitrary orders interfering with American commerce, and the greatest skill and wisdom were required to preserve the peace. Washington chose a good man to demand redress from England, when he sent John Jay on that mission. A treaty was obtained in November, 1794, though it had hardly been expected, by which Great Britain surrendered the forts in the West* that it had held contrary to the terms of the treaty of 1783, and offered to make indemnity for the suffering caused by its search and impressment of seamen. This treaty was opposed by the "French" party with almost frenzied oratory, and meetings were everywhere held to stir the opposition to the utmost. Violent addresses were presented to Washington, but he rebuked those who offered them. Hamilton took up his pen, and argued with all his close logic in favor of the treaty, and finally Fisher Ames made in Congress an eloquent speech that has become historic. These influences combined with the firmness of the President, moved Congress. The treaty was ratified by a vote of fifty-one to forty-eight, and war was averted. This action gave deep offence to France. and the French party in the United States, and Mr. Monroe, the minister at Paris, was notified that the alliance with his country was at an end. While these disturbing influences were doing their worst at home and abroad, when the press published *Among these forts were those at Detroit, Niagara, Mackinaw, Oswego and other places. INSULTS TO WASHINGTON. 365 the most virulent attacks upon the President, and epithets exaggerated and indecent were applied to him, Washington, on the seventeenth of September, 1796, issued to the people his "Farewell Address," in which he gave them many wise counsels, urged them to support the Union, to avoid all entanglements in European politics, to beware of "geographical discriminations," which might raise a belief that there is a "real difference of local interests and views," and prayed for the blessing of God on the people, with whom he promised himself the sweet enjoyment of partaking "the benign influence of good laws under a free government." Though urgently solicited to be a candidate for the Presidency for the third time, Washington firmly declined, and the strife of party no longer waged around him. The candidates for the chief office were John Adams of Massachusetts, representing the Federal party, opposed to war with England, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, the partisan of France, representing those whose sympathies had carried them to the extent of being willing, if not desirous, to plunge the young country into a new strife. Party spirit rose to a height never before realized, and in the midst of it Washington declared with the calm faith which had seldom left him, that he could not believe that Providence which had so long guided the country would withdraw its protection at the crisis. He was permitted to see his faith vindicated, for John Adams was peacefully chosen, and entered upon the duties. of his office March 4th, 1797. The provisions of the Constitution were such at the time that the person standing second on the list of votes in the electoral |