out of the rules which had been established

by the executive, with regard to ships of war, cruisers and their prizes. particularly, that in the

They complained treaty with Great Britain, the principle of "free ships making free goods," was given up; and urged the injustice, while French cruisers were restrained by treaty from taking English goods out of American bottoms, that English cruisers should be liberated from the same restraint. In vain did the executive shew a willingness to release France from the pressure of a situation in which she had voluntarily placed herself. Private explanations were made, that neither the late treaty with Britain, nor the arrangements growing out of it, furnished any real cause of complaint to France. With the same conciliatory view, Washington appointed general Pinckney minister plenipotentiary to the French republic, to maintain that good understanding which from the commencement of the alliance had subsisted between the two nations, and to efface unfavourable impressions, banish suspicions, and restore that cordiality which was at once the evidence and pledge of a friendly union." The directory having inspected' his letter of credence, announced their haughty determination, “not to receive another mi

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nister

nister from the United States, until after a redress of grievances demanded of the American government, which the French republle had a right to expect from it." This was followed by a written mandate to general Pinckney, to quit the territories of the republic. To complete the system of hostility, American vessels wherever found were captured by French cruisers.

ington de

From the mission of general Pinckney, Washington expected an adjustment of all points in dispute between France and the United States. In his opinion, the failure of it was owing to a belief, that the American people were in unison with France, and in opposition to their own government; and that high-toned measures on the part of France would induce a change of rulers in the United States. Before the result of the mission was Mr. Washknown, he had, by his own voluntary act, clines being ceased to be president. Having made peace nominated with the Indians, and adjusted all matters in Presidency. dispute with both Spain and Britain, and hoping that an accommodation would soon take place with France, after eight years service in the high office of President, in the 66th year of his age, he announced his intention of declining a re-election in full time for the people to make up their mind in the choice

A A 2

again

for the

His address.

on that occasion.

choice of his successor. This was done, in an address to the people of the United States, in the following words :

"To the People of the United States :

"Friends and Fellow Citizens.

"The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.

"I beg of you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness, but

am

1

am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.

66

your

The acceptance of and continuance hitherto in the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be desire. I constantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.

"I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that in the present circumstances of our country you will not disapprove my determination to retire.

The impressions with which I first under

took the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have with good intentions contributed, towards the organization and administration of the government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious in the outset of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years, admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

"In looking forward to the moment which is to terminate the career of my political life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country, for the many honours it has conferred upon me, still more for the stedfast confidence with which it has supported me, and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting

my