port of the Secretary of the Treasury, for paying the interest of the assumed debt of the states. A tax on domestic distilled spirits was violently opposed by the members from the south and the west. Their constituents, being little effected by the impost on foreign merchandise, were not averse to an increase of the impost; but they considered a tax on their home-made spirits as unnecessary and unequal. The members who opposed the bill, preferred a tax on salaries, pensions, lawyers, a stamp act, a direct tax, or an increased duty on molasses. The bill, after much debate, was at length carried, thirty-five to twenty-one.

Soon after, agreeably to a particular report on the subject by the Secretary of the Treasury, a bill was sent from the Senate for the establishment of a national bank. It passed to the third reading in the house without opposition. On the final question it was vehementby opposed. The opposition considered all banking systems useless; the present bill defective; and the power of establishing a bank not granted to Congress by the constitution.

The supporters of the bill considered it as constitutional; and a national bank not only useful, but necessary for the operations of the government The bill, after a long and ardent discussion, in which great abilities were displayed on both sides, was at length carried by a majority of nineteen votes.

Previous to its sanction by the President, he required, in writing, the opinions of the cabinet. Mr. Jef ferson and Mr. Randolph were opposed, and Mr. Hamilton supported the bill. After deliberate investigation the President was convinced of its constitutionality and utility, and gave it his signature.

This bill, in addition to the assumption of the state debts, the funding of the national debt, disappointments of office, and the tax on domestic distilled spirits, tended greatly to produce that distinction of parties, which afterwards so fully and injuriously agitated all ranks in the United States.

Having organized the government, exalted the cha

racter of the nation, established the departments and a revenue system, and created public credit, the first Congress closed its last session on the third of March, 1791. Already had the two houses, as well as the people, become in a degree divided into parties; the one supporting, the other denouncing the p:incipal proceedings of the government. The Secretary of the Treasury, and the northern members generally, had become obnoxious to a large portion of the people.

The Indians beyond the Ohio, having long committed depredations on the frontiers, and all attempts at reconciliations having failed, General Harmar was sent, with a considerable force, to reduce them to terms. He was

successful in destroying some of their villages and their grain; but, in an engagement with them, near Chilicothe, met with a considerable loss. General St. Clair was appointed to succeed Harmar.

One of the first bills of the next Congress, (Dec. 1791,) was that for apportioning the number of repre sentatives according to the census. The first bill fell, from a disagreement between the two houses. The second bill provided one representative to every thirty thousand; the fractions making enough for eight more representatives; these were divided among those states. that had the greatest fractions. This bill was returnedby the President to the house whence it originated; he considering it unconstitutional; as by it eight states would send more than their population allowed. The bill was rejected; and a third bill fixed the ratio at one for every thirty-three thousand.

In a battle with the Indians, (Nov. 4,) General St. Clair was completely defeated, losing about six hundred killed and above two hundred and fifty wounded, out of about fifteen hundred. The battle was fought near the Miami. In this engagement, fell the gallant General Butler, and several other officers who had served with distinction during the American revolution.

In consequence of this defeat, the President caused estimates to be made of the forces necessary to be sent against the Indians. A bill was introduced, conforma

bly to a report of the Secretary at War, for raising three additional regiments of infantry and a squadron of cavalry. The bill was warmly opposed, on the grounds that the war itself was not just; that the militia was preferable to regular troops; the expense would be enormous; there were no funds in the treasury, for the support of such a force; and, if regiments after regiments were thus to be raised, it was impossible to foresee where there would be a stop.

On the other side it was said, that the war was undertaken to defend our citizens on the frontiers, who were settled on lands purchased of the Indians; that it had been proved that above fifteen hundred persons had been massacred, between the years 1783 and 1790, and there was reason to believe this number was not half the amount of the whole; that the government had made repeated efforts to obtain peace; that a treaty was proposed in 1790, at the Miami villages, when the Indians requested thirty days for consideration, and in the interim, though the whites were strictly inoffensive, they killed and captured above one hundred and twenty, roasting many of the prisoners alive; that if war ceased on our part, it would be continued on theirs; that a regular force was superior to the militia, &c. &c.

The bill passed. Subsequently, to meet the expenses of the Indian war, the duties on imposts were augmented, after strong opposition to the bill for that purpose. On the 8th of May, Congress adjourned to November.

In the western district of Pennsylvania, beyond the Alleghany mountains, much opposition had been made, from the beginning, to the tax on domestic spirits. The opposition increased till the opposers of the tax met at Pittsburg, and entered into resolutions to persist in every legal measure to obstruct the execution of law, by withholding all the comforts of life, which as men and fellow-citizens they owed to each other, and treating with perfect contempt, all who held offices for the collection of the duty. Some atrocities were committed, and the laws were obstructed by force. The

President issued his proclamation exhorting obedience; but without effect.

The clamour against the Indian war continued, and the administration was charged with wishing to hasten a monarchial form of government, by establishing a large standing army. However unjust were these aspersions, the President, previously to an excursion among the Indians, determined once more to offer terms of peace.

Colonel Harden and Major Trueman, were severally despatched for this purpose, and both of them murdered by the Indians. General Wayne was appointed to the command of the army, but recruits were so tardy that no offensive operations were undertaken this year.

Soon after the opening of the next session of Congress, a motion was made and debated for reducing the army. The motion was lost. During this session the opposition in the house brought forward some resolutions accusing the Secretary of the Treasury of miscon duct in office, and requiring of him certain explanations relative to some loans negociated under his direction.

Mr. Hamilton made three distinct reports, fully acquitting himself. The head of the Treasury department was still, however, extremely obnoxious to the opposition; (for parties were now divided by the terms federal or administration party, and democratic or opposition party.)

The character of the President was not yet openly implicated as inclining to either party, though frequent hints were given, especially in the National Gazette, of the fondness of the executive for monarchial trappings and monarchial inclinations.

The session closed on the third of March, (1793) with much political irritation on both sides. General Washington, though he had once determined to withdraw from public life at the close of the four years, had yielded to the earnest solicitations of many friends, and was again unanimously elected President. John Adams again had a plurality of votes for the Vice-Presidency, over George Clinton.

A treaty was made with the Wabash Indians; and, some prospect appearing of an accommodation with the Miamis, the army was not yet marched into their territories.

In April, information was received of the declaration of war by France, against Great Britain and Holland. A large majority of the people of the United States were extremely devoted to the cause of France, and unfriendly to Great Britain, reviving all the feelings by which they had been actuated during the revolution. The few who expressed doubts of the permanency of the republic of France, were held up as the friends of monarchy, and the tools of Great Britain.

General Washington was at Mount Vernon when he received information of the declaration of war. He immediately returned to Philadelphia, and consulted with the cabinet with regard to the part it behoved the American government to take. It was unanimously agreed, that the citizens of the United States ought to be forbidden to take part in any hostilities on the seas, or carry to any of the powers at war, contraband articles. The President was also advised to receive a minister, should one be sent. On some other points the cabinet was divided. A proclamation of neutrality was issued on the 22d of April, 1793.

The proclamation being without legislative sanction, and in opposition to the feelings and prejudices of a great portion of the people, an opportunity was presented for an open attack on the character of the President.

The French minister appointed by the king, was recalled; and on the 8th of April Mr. Genet, appointed by the republic, landed, not at the seat of government but at Charleston, (S. C.) The flattering reception he here met with, induced him to believe that he could easily pursuade the American people to embark in the cause of France, whatever might be the determinations of the government.

He here undertook to authorize the fitting and arming of vessels, and enlisting men, and issuing commis