Among the first measures of the new government, were the regulation of the revenue by imports and tonnage—the funding of the national debt, so as to lessen the public burthens consistently with the entire satisfaction of the creditors—and the selec tion of a future capital for the federal union. The foreign relations of the country, particularly' with Spain and Great Britain, whose colonies rendered them immediate neighbours, were subjects of deep interest and attention. The president had soon reason to congratulate the country upon the pro ductiveness of the revenue, the progress of public credit, and -the favourable prospects of national affairs.
Treaties were concluded with such of the Indian tribes as could reasonably be conciliated; while active warfare was waged against those who per sisted in hostilities. The inadequate means allowed by Congress, delayed for a time that severe chas tisement, of which General Wayne was at length the successful instrument. For their permanent pacification, Washington constantly recommended the humane system of gradual improvement, by changing their pursuits to those of a2Ticulture, and by the introduction of a just and well regulated commerce.
A national bank was next established, as an insti tution important to the prosperous administration of the finances, and of the greatest utility in opera tions connected with the support of public credit: an excise duty was laid on distilled spirits to meet the increased demands upon the treasury: the regular military force was increased for the pro tection of the frontiers, and the militia system was placed on an uniform footing. The different opinions prevailing in the country, as to the power and form of the new government, naturally produced con flicting parties: but—except in the darkest times and by the most acrimonious partisans—the charac ter of the president was universally respected, and the purity of his motives was never questioned. The sentiments of both parties were represented in the cabinet by their respective chiefs, while Wash ington listened as an enlightened judge, far above the suspicion of undue partiality.
1793. As the time approached for a second election of president. Washington was induced by anxious representations, to submit his private hap piness once more to the wishes and the welfare of the union. The unanimous votes of the states re invested him with the first dignity: the vice-presi dency was a subject of warm contention between the two great national parties, but John Adams was re-elected by a majority of suffrages.
The troubles and wars of the French revolution, now added largely to the embarrassments of the administration. Sympathy for a gallant ally, who was supposed to be contending against the aggress ions of monarchs, for the same freedom which she had aided to establish for ourselves, prevailed among the American people with a degree of ardour that can now be scarcely conceived. It was fortu
nate for the country, that at this crisis the president was not one to be dazzled by sudden lights or false brilliants. The right of every nation to self-gov ernment by institutions of its own choice, to he changed again at pleasure, was our own acknow ledged foundation, and therefore not to be denied to others: but there was nothing in this posture of affairs to call the United States from their position of neutrality as an independent nation; and it was Washington's anxious struggle to overcome that colonial feeling, which connected the minds and affections of the American people with the differ ences of European belligerents. Ile felt and he knew, also, that a continuance of peace afforded the only chance for consolidating our infant institutions. A proclamation of neutrality was issued for the purpose of preventing all interference by citizens of the United States; while on the other hand, the French minister was received as the envoy of a government existing de facto. These measures commenced a system of foreign policy to which we have since inflexibly adhered; at the time, they were not more remarkable for the wise foresight by which they were dictated, than for the noble resist ance they opposed to temporary clamour.
The intrigues of the republican minister Genet, a man of talent but of ardent temperament, increa sed the difficulties of the times. Deceived by the popularity of the French cause, and encouraged by the supposed weakness of the country, he endea voured to erect himself into an independent power, supported by clubs and numerous adherents, and appealing in case of difference from the government of the union directly to the people. Constant irritations were produced by the equipment of armed vessels and the condemnation and sale of prizes by French consuls, in the ports of the United States. Expeditions were boldly prepared in the south and west for the invasion of Florida and Loui siana by enlisted American citizens. The presi dent at length resorted to the decisive measure of requiring the recall of this turbulent minister. The French government also furnished subjects of griev ous complaint to the citizens of the union. Our commerce was harassed by privateers, at least as much as that of the acknowledged enemy. Ameri can vessels were detained by a French embargo: and the treaty was violated by their courts of admi ralty, w hose decrees were often marked by gross injustice and oppression.