opening the way to a complete arrangement, by a douceur or bribe of about two hundred and forty thousand dollars, for the benefit of the minister and directory, and the effecting a loan to the French government of a further sum. This rapacious scheme was urged with the most unblushing effrontery. "The main point," said the Frenchmen, "is il faut de l'argent-il faut beaucoup d'argent." Something in hand, at least, they urged, should be paid them, until the matter could be finally arranged. In vain did the envoys protest that they possessed no shadow of authority for such proceedings or undertakings; the matter was again and again reverted to, and suggestions, unworthy of any but the most venal and corrupt, were made respecting the manner in which it might be brought about.

The demands of the Directory, as finally communicated by Talleyrand, could not be listened to for a moment. If granted, they would necessarily involve the United States in an immediate war, for not only was the loan insisted upon, but also an annulment of the late treaty with Great Britain. Desirous to terrify, or force compliance with their unreasonable demands, the government had, during the winter, greatly extended the grounds upon which American vessels were held liable to seizure. It was declared that all produce of any dependency of Great Britain, without regard to existing ownership, should be lawful prize, if found on board a neutral vessel.

After experiencing every slight and indignity, two of the American commissioners, Marshall and Pinckney, returned to the states; Gerry, through whom, individually, many of the previous communications had been made by Talleyrand, and with whom, as being the only republican on the commission, it was intimated that farther negotiations might be continued, remained at Paris.

This treatment of the United States' ambassadors could not fail to weaken the influence of the Gallican party in America. The outrageous demands of France, and the character of the late commercial decrees, could not be sustained by the most ardent of her adherents on this side the water. Congress being in session, April, 1798, dispatches containing a history of the negotiation were brought up for consideration. The most active measures were at once taken to prepare for contingent hostilities, and to furnish present protection to American shipping. Large sums were appropriated for the purchase of munitions of war, for the increase of the naval force, and

for fortifications. A new cabinet department was created for the management of naval affairs.

A succession of important and decisive measures were passed during the spring and summer. Without a direct declaration of war with France, orders were issued for a cessation of all commercial intercourse with that country; former treaties were declared to be of no further effect; the capture of any armed French vessels was authorized, if by private adventure, and directed, on the part of the United States' navy. The latter was greatly increased, and large appropriations were made for building new vessels and enlisting a corps of marines.

Powers were bestowed upon the president, to enlist an army of ten thousand men, in case of urgent necessity, and to immediately appoint military officers, and make arrangements for the enrolment and training of volunteers, in anticipation of such contingency. He also received discretionary authority to order from the country any foreigner who should be suspected of dangerous designs against government; and, in case of hostilities, to banish or arrest all persons belonging to the nation against which war should be declared.

To meet the heavy expense of these defensive measures, a tax was laid upon slaves and real estate. As a check upon the violence of the more turbulent portion of the opposition, and a restraint upon foreign intrigue, an act was passed defining and affixing punishment to seditious or treasonable conspiracies for opposing the authority of government, and to the issuing of any libel upon congress, the executive, or the measures of government, as well as any false and malicious publication, having a tendency to excite domestic disaffection, or to aid or encourage the designs of any hostile nation.

These acts met with a very strong opposition in congress; but the federal party was in a decided majority, and generally succeeded in carrying the measures introduced by its leaders.

The office of commander-in-chief of the provisional army was bestowed upon Washington: his acceptance was conditional that his services should be required only in case of emergency.

CHAPTER IX.

PACIFIC MOVEMENTS IN FRANCE.-MISSION OF MURRAY.NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS.-DEATH OF WASHINGTON.-NAPOLEON FIRST CONSUL. TREATY WITH FRANCE.-FIRST SESSION OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON.-PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: JEFFERSON PRESIDENT, AND BURR VICE-PRESIDENT.-PARTY REMOVAL FROM

OFFICE.-ECONOMICAL REFORMS.-OHIO

AD

MITTED INTO THE UNION.-TRANSFER OF
LOUISIANA TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE Directory, finding all efforts to involve the United States in war with England likely to prove futile, and learning by experience, that in naval operations the retaliatory measures lately adopted in America, would tell severely upon French commerce, adopted a more pacific and conciliatory course. Shortly before the departure of Gerry, which took place in August, 1798, Talleyrand communicated to him the willingness of government to receive a minister from the United States, if choice should be made of one free from prejudice against the interests of France; and, at the same time, renounced all the more objectionable preliminaries to negotiations, before so pertinaciously urged. About the same time, decrees were passed for securing American vessels against unauthorized seizures by French privateers.

In answer to these overtures, the senate, upon nomination of President Adams, in February of 1799, appointed Mr. Murray, minister at the Hague, jointly with Judge Marshall and Patrick Henry, to undertake a new mission to France, a condition being annexed that intimation must be given by that nation of a favourable reception before they should enter the French territory. General Davie, of North Carolina, took the place of Henry, who declined serving on account of bodily infirmities.

These negotiations were slowly perfected, and, in the interim, many encounters took place at sea, between private armed vessels of the two nations. Those employed in the American merchant service, generally availed themselves of the permission accorded by congress to carry arms, and the spirit of privateering, perhaps to