Washington’s army had lain in camp at Newburg, N. Y., since the surrender of Cornwallis. The Preliminary treaty of peace was signed Jan. 20th, at Paris; but it was not officially announced in the camp at Newburg, until April 19th; just eight years from the Battle of Lexington that commenced it!
July—Congress prepared to disband the army, and Washington to resign his commission as Commander-in-Chief.
” 21—The great difficulty Congress had to contend with was raising money to pay the troops. Congress had no authority, under the Confederation, to lay taxes or impose duties. It exhausted1 its own credit in the issue of paper money which soon became of little value. It made some foreign loans, and persuaded the States, which alone could lay taxes, to raise a small sum. But this did not suffice to pay the army at last. There was much suffering and discontent.
On this day a body of soldiers, in large part new recruits, who had comparatively little to complain of, without muskets2, but wearing side arms, beset3 the doors of Congress in Philadelphia, for three hours. No violence was offered. Congress adjourned4 to Princeton, N. J.
Sept. 3—The final and definite Treaty of Peace between England, France, and the United States, in which the independence of the latter was acknowledged, its boundaries defined, and various matters of interest arranged to the profit of the United States, was signed at Paris.
Nov. 2—A proclamation is issued by Congress for disbanding the army.
Dec. 4—Long Island and Staten Island abandoned by the British. Washington takes leave of his officers, at New York.
” 25—He resigns his commission to Congress, in a public audience, given him at Annapolis, Md., where Congress was then sitting, and goes home to Mt. Vernon.
C?sar Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died this year.
1784.
The want of public credit was very much felt. There was no authority sufficient to raise money to meet the interest, even, on the debt; and this produced great distress6.
[607]
Nov. 1—The Continental7 Congress meets at Trenton, N. J. Richard Henry Lee, of Va., is chosen President.
Oct. 4—A treaty with the Six Nations, who had sided with the British during the war, was made at Ft. Schuyler (formerly8 Ft. Stanwix—now Utica, N. Y.).
Commerce begins to revive. Reciprocity treaties were made, and trade with eastern Asia commenced this year by a voyage to China, from New York.
1785.
Mar10. 10—Thomas Jefferson appointed to fill the place of Franklin, as Minister to France; Franklin wishes to return home. He had been there nine years.
July—Commercial treaties negotiated with Prussia, Denmark, Portugal, and Tuscany.
The treaty with Prussia stipulated11 that, in case of war between that country and the United States, there should be no privateering.
” 13—Stephen Hopkins, of R. I., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
” 28—Wm. Whipple, of N. H., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
” ”—Treaties made with the Cherokees, Choctaws, and Chickasaws.
1786.
Financial troubles were now approaching a crisis. In 1784-5 the importations from England had amounted to $30,000,000. The exportations to only $9,000,000. Paper money was depreciated12 so much as to be of little value. Debt oppressed government and people; want of vigorous authority was everywhere felt; and many disorders14 in Tennessee, Kentucky and elsewhere, begin to threaten the internal peace of the country.
June 19—Gen. Nathaniel Greene, an able commander in the Revolutionary armies, died. He manouvered against Cornwallis in North and South Carolina with great ability.
Dec. 5—Shay’s Rebellion broke out in Mass. That State wished to raise money to aid Congress in paying the interest on the federal debt. The people felt unable to pay it. They mobbed the courts but were dispersed15 by troops under Gen. Lincoln. Three were killed and one wounded, in an attack the insurgents16 made on an arsenal17. There was little other fighting. Fourteen persons were tried and condemned18 to death but afterwards pardoned.
1787.
These and other events convinced the people that an important change in the government was necessary. It became clear that a vigorous central authority, alone, could answer the purpose. The States were nearly independent[608] of each other; but this produced conflicts and want of harmony, which nearly ruined them all.
A congress of deputies to consider commercial questions, called by Va. had, in Sept., 1786, recommended a convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Feb. 2—The Continental Congress assembled, electing Gen. St. Clair, President.
” 12—Congress approves the call for a Constitutional Convention.
May 25—The convention assembled in Philadelphia, and elected Gen. Geo. Washington, President.
July 11—The Continental Congress organize the Northwest Territory—north of the Ohio river. Preparations were immediately made for settling it.
Sept. 28—The Constitution, as signed by the members of the convention, laid before Congress, which sends it to the State Legislatures for approval.
Arthur Middleton of S. C., and Thomas Stone of Md., signers of the Declaration of Independence, died, Jan. 1st and Oct. 5th, respectively.
” 12—Pennsylvania accepts the Constitution.
1788.
July 4—The anniversary of Independence is kept with great display, in Philadelphia, in special honor of the adoption22 of the new Constitution.
Sept. 13—Congress selects the first Wednesday of Jan. (1789) for the appointment of Presidential electors; the first Wednesday in February for their appointment of President and Vice-President; and March 4th (the first Wednesday that month) for the new government to go into operation.
1789.
Jan. 4—Thomas Nelson, of Va., signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
Feb. 13—Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, died.
April 30—Washington inaugurated as first President.
May 12—A Tariff24 Bill for raising a revenue reported in Congress. This became a law, and went into effect Aug. 1st, 1789.
” 20—The Department of Foreign Affairs (afterwards called State Department,) organized.
The Treasury25 Department is next established, followed by the War Department, to which the Navy was joined for the present.
The Judiciary was then constituted. Salaries, and the rules for parliamentary procedure were determined26. The Postmaster general[609] had long been an officer of the government, and required less change than most of the others. This made a very busy session. Congress also passed a resolution to add ten amendments27 to the Constitution—which were submitted to the States and afterward19 ratified. Congress adjourned the last of September.
The democratic tone of the government, and the spirit applied29 to the interpretation30 of the Constitution by the first Congress, has generally prevailed ever since. That tone and spirit were truly republican.
Nov. 8—The President made a tour through New England.
” 13—North Carolina ratified the Constitution.
Many Indian treaties were made this year.
1790.
Jan. 8—Congress reassembled. This session was scarcely inferior in interest and importance to the first from the variety of new questions required to be settled, and the more perfect development given to former ones.
Feb. 8—Provision was made for payment of the foreign debt.
” 24—A naturalization law was originated.
Apr. 15—A patent law was constructed.
” 30—Treason was defined and the penalty determined on.
May 29—The Constitution ratified by Rhode Island; making up the whole number of thirteen States.
” 31—“An act to encourage learning” secured copyrights to authors.
July 16—Three very exciting debates that had occupied much of the time of Congress, had a bearing on the location of the National Capital, which was this day permanently32 settled. The President was authorized33 to determine the site on the Potomac, and have the buildings erected34 so as to be ready for occupation in 1800. Agreeably to this act Maryland and Virginia ceded35 the District of Columbia to the United States.
Gen. Putnam, a brave Revolutionary soldier, Benjamin Franklin, of Pa., Wm. Hooper, of N. C., and Francis Hopkinson, of N. J., all except Putnam signers of the Declaration of Independence, died this year.
The Territory South of the Ohio was organized this year. The financial system of the country was established, the slavery question debated and settled in accordance with the compromise of the Constitution, and the State debts transferred to the United States.
Aug. 12—Congress adjourned to meet next in Philadelphia and thereafter until 1800.
[610]
Dec. 6—The Third Session of Congress commenced. The President congratulates Congress on the improvement of the finances, and the prosperity of the country.
1791.
Feb.—The United States Bank established. It was to have a capital of $10,000,000—its charter to run twenty years.
” 4—Kentucky voted admission into the union in the next year (Jan. 1st, 1792).
” 18—Vermont having (Jan. 20th) ratified the Constitution and asked admission into the union, it is granted this day. The immediate20 prosperity that followed the adoption of the Constitution of 1787, the strength, vigor13, and moderation seen to be combined in its arrangement of the government, led most of the States to remodel37 their State Constitutions on it, in a short time.
July—The subscription38 to the stock of the National Bank is all taken in a few hours after the books are opened.
Aug.—Great Britain first sends a minister to the United States Government.
Sep. 17—An expedition of 2,000 troops, under Gen. St. Clair, starts from Ft. Washington against the Indians in the Northwest Territory.
Nov. 4—Gen. St. Clair is surprised and defeated by the Indians. There were 600 killed—the whole loss amounted to upward of 900. Several other smaller expeditions had been sent against the Indians in the course of the year. One, Gen. Harmer’s, had been defeated. Internal taxes on spirits were first commenced this year. Benj. Harrison, of Va., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died this year. A voyage around the world, by way of Oregon, China, and the Cape39 of Good Hope, had opened wide fields to commerce. The first census was now completed. The Second Congress, assembled at Philadelphia, Oct. 24, was occupied in arranging the new ratio of Representatives. It was a very difficult matter to settle from the sectional struggles that entered into the question.
1792.
” 20—The Post Office Department reorganized.
” 14—Act apportioning44 Representatives passed. This gave the next House of Representatives in Congress 105 members.
Dec. 8—Henry Laurens, first President of the Continental Congress, died. The second presidential election this year resulted in the re-election of Washington and Adams. Washington received all the electoral votes—the anti-federalists opposing only Mr. Adams,[611] whose electoral vote was 77, the candidate of the opposition46 receiving 50. Much seditious opposition was made in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to the excise47 law,—the tax on spirits. The President issued a proclamation against them, Sept. 29th.
1793.
Jan. 24—The proclamation of the French Republic is greeted in Boston with a celebration in its honor. The close and friendly relations of the United States with France, arising from their aid to us in the Revolutionary War, led the French minister, Genet, to a course of conduct inconsistent with the existence of our friendly relations with England. The U. S. Government decided48 to proclaim neutrality—the people sympathized strongly with France. Washington and his cabinet pursued a strict neutral course, in which the people finally acquiesced49, and Genet’s recall was solicited50 and obtained.
July 23—Roger Sherman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
Oct. 8—John Hancock, of Mass., the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, died. This year laid the foundation of the policy of neutrality or non-interference with the European wars, that became the settled policy of the United States.
The year was also distinguished52 by the violence of party feeling.
Dec. 2—Congress assembles at Philadelphia.
” 31—Jefferson resigns his seat in the Cabinet. He was Secretary of State.
1794.
Mar. 11—An act is passed for building four ships of war, which laid the foundation of our present navy.
Some hostile English “Orders in Council” led to arrangements for fortifying53 the harbors of the country.
” 22—The Slave trade is regulated by law, no American vessel41 being allowed to supply slaves to another nation. The importation of slaves into this country had been allowed until the year 1808, by Art. 1st, Sec. 9th, of the Constitution.
” 26—As a retaliation54 on the British “Orders in Council” for seizing all goods going to France in American vessels, an embargo55 was laid on all shipping56 which was continued 60 days. This stopped all commerce for the present.
June 5—A law relating to neutrality passed in Congress.
” 19—Richard Henry Lee, of Va., died; Abraham Clark, of N. J., and John Witherspoon, of N. J., later, all signers of the Declaration of Independence, died.
July 16—An insurrection breaks out against the excise law in western Pennsylvania, by an armed attack on the officers of the law. An[612] army of 15,000 men was raised and marched into that region, the appearance of which immediately restored order.
Aug. 20—Gen. Wayne inflicts57 a thorough chastisement58 on the Indians of Ohio, on the Maumee river.
Nov. 4—Congress again assembles.
” 28—Baron Steuben, a German, who had done us great service as an officer in the Revolutionary war, died, aged59 61.
1795.
This year a commercial treaty was negotiated with England, which was the cause of violent demonstrations60 of the two parties. Only the firmness and moderation of Washington and his supporters saved the country from war with that power.
Jan. 23—Gen. Sullivan died. He had been an able Maj. Gen. in the Revolutionary war.
May 19—Josiah Bartlett, of N. H., signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
Aug. 3—A Treaty with the Northwestern Indians concluded, which closed the Indian war.
Sept 5—A treaty is concluded with Algiers, which closed a war with those pirates, whose attacks had been so disastrous62 to our commerce.
Oct 20—A treaty of boundaries, and which opened the Mississippi to navigation, is concluded with Spain.
Dec. 7—The fourth Congress meets.
1796.
March 24—The U. S. House of Representatives require the President to send them the papers relating to the British treaty. The President declines, denying that they form part of the treaty making power.
April 30—The exciting struggle on the British treaty is closed, by a provision made by the House of Representatives for carrying it into effect.
June 1—An act is passed admitting Tennessee into the union.
” 29—A new treaty is made with the Creek Indians, and the Southern, as well as the Northern Indians, are pacified63.
Sept. 19—Washington’s Farewell address is issued, to let the people know that he would not accept office again. A presidential election was held this autumn, in which John Adams was elected President. Serious difficulties began to rise with France, which took great offense64 at the treaty with Great Britain.
1797.
Feb. 3—Mr. Pinckney, American Minister to France, was refused a reception, by the French government, and obliged this day to leave the country. Much violence was done about this time, to American commerce, by the French.
[613]
Mar. 4—John Adams is inaugurated President of the United States.
” 25—A special session of Congress is called to consider the threatening posture65 of our relations with France.
June 14—Congress imposed a fine of $10,000 and ten years imprisonment66 on any American who should engage in privateering, in any way, against a nation with whom we were at peace.
July 3—The President transmits to Congress information of Spanish troubles on the southern and western frontier. These were afterwards discovered to have aimed at detaching the Mississippi and Ohio valleys from the United States, and erecting67 them into an independent power, in close alliance with Spain.
Two new envoys68 are sent to France. These envoys spent many months in Paris, treated with insolence69 and neglect.
In this year Francis L. Lee, of Va., Carter Braxton, of Va., and Oliver Wolcott, of Conn., signers of the Declaration of Independence, died.
1798.
The French government continues to labor70 to draw the United States into a war with them against England. Two of the three Commissioners71 are required to leave France.
April 3—The Mississippi Territory organized.
” 14—The navy is taken from the control of the Secretary of War, and a Navy Department with a Secretary, organized.
June 12—All commercial intercourse72 with France suspended. In anticipation73 of war the naturalization law is amended74; an “Alien Act” passed; and the navy and army largely strengthened.
” 21—The President announces the failure of the Commissioners sent to France, to make peace.
July 8—A limited naval75 warfare76 with France is authorized, and several U. S. vessels of war go to sea.
” 16—An additional naval armament provided for.
” 17—Washington accepts the appointment of Commander-in-Chief of the Army, which is being raised in expectation of war.
” —About this time some 365 armed vessels had been commissioned by the U. S. government, besides the regular navy, to make war on the armed vessels of France. This armament was, however chiefly used for defense77.
Lewis Morris, of N. Y., James Wilson, of Pa., and Geo. Read, of Del., signers of the Declaration of Independence, died this year.
1799.
At the commencement of this year Congress provided for the raising of am army of 40,000 men.
Feb. 18—By invitation of the French government, the President nominates another embassy to France.
[614]
Feb. 7—The French frigate78 l’Insurgente captured in the West Indies by the U. S. frigate Constellation79.
April—The Legislature of New York abolishes Slavery in that State.
Dec. 14—Gen. Washington’s death, in the 68th year of his age.
Wm. Paca, of Md., a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died this year.
A change in the government of France, and the vigorous action of the U. S. government in arming for war, induced the French to retreat from their unfriendly position and offer to arrange the difference. The refusal of our government to entangle80 themselves with European politics became a settled principle, of great value to us; though it was strongly opposed by the Anti-Federalists.
1800.
Jan. 23—Edward Rutledge, of S. C., signer of Dec. of Ind. died.
April 4—General bankruptcy82 law passed by Congress.
May 7—The Territory of Indiana organized by act of Congress.
” 10—An act authorizing83 the election of a Territorial84 Assembly in the Territory of Mississippi, organized some years before, was passed.
July—The government is moved to the new capital at Washington.
Oct. 1—The envoys to France arrange a convention, or temporary treaty, which prevents the formal outbreak of war, though it had long continued to be waged on the sea. More than 50 vessels had been captured from the French this year. The gratitude85 of Americans to France for her aid, formerly, made a large part of the people very unwilling86 to declare war; but her arrogant87 demands and war on our commerce had the good effect to separate the country from all close alliances in Europe.
Nov.—The fourth presidential election resulted in the defeat of the Federalist party, by the election of Thomas Jefferson as President. Its opponent, the anti-federalist, or Republican party, feared a strong central government; yet when they came into power they adopted the same policy. Any other policy would have ruined the country.
1801.
Feb. 16—The Convention with France, to remain in force eight years, ratified.
Mar. 3—The Sixth Congress terminates, and with it the administration of President Adams.
” 4—Jefferson inaugurated President. The trial of the Constitution was now past. It was permanently settled in the respect of the people, and had made the country respected by other nations. The “Sedition Laws” passed in July, 1798, became inoperative at this time, by the provision accompanying them. They had been[615] framed for the suppression of dangerous political intrigues88 in time of war. Party spirit was exceedingly bitter at this time, and these laws produced much excitement, but contributed to the safety of the government.
June 10—The Basha of Tripoli declares war on the United States.
” 14—Benedict Arnold died in London.
Aug. 6—The U. S. vessel of war Experiment, captures a Tripolitan vessel in the Mediterranean89 sea.
Dec. 7—The Seventh Congress assembles. The reaction, at this time, in public sentiment, produced by the French Revolution, the excesses of which resulted in a military despotism under Napoleon Bonaparte, infused a spirit of moderation and caution into the politics of the United States under the new party now in power, that was highly beneficial. Extreme views were checked, and no serious change was made in the general policy of the country.
1802.
Jan. 4—The reapportionment of Representatives in Congress by the census of 1800, was made. No change in the number of inhabitants to one Representative (one to every 33,000) was introduced. The foundation of a Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., was laid at this time.
April 14—The Naturalization Laws, made very stringent in the last administration to correspond with a state of war, were liberalized.
April 30—An act authorizing the formation of a State Constitution in Ohio, preparatory to its admission into the union, is passed.
May 3—Washington, D. C., incorporated as a city.
Oct. 16—Commerce on the Mississippi by American citizens, suspended by the Spanish authorities at New Orleans.
It became evident that the possession of the Mississippi River and territory near it was of the highest importance to the welfare of the West, and measures looking toward the acquisition of it began to be taken.
A large reduction was made this year in the public debt, and the policy of economy in public expenditure90 became a leading feature of the administration.
1803.
March 3—The anxiety of the people in regard to the navigation of the Mississippi leads Congress to invest the President with extraordinary authority to negotiate, or use force, in his discretion91. He was authorized to call on the States to furnish 80,000 men, if need be.
April 30—A treaty is concluded with Napoleon Bonaparte for the purchase of the whole of the Louisiana Territory for $15,000,000.
Aug. 13—By a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians a large part of Illinois is opened to settlement.
[616]
Oct. 31—The U. S. frigate Philadelphia ran on a sunken rock in the harbor of Tripoli, and was captured. The American fleet had captured or destroyed several Tripolitan vessels of war during the summer.
Dec. 20—The President takes possession of Louisiana.
1804.
Feb. 2—Geo. Walton, of Geo., signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
” 16—Lieut. Decatur, of the U. S. Navy, ran into the harbor of Tripoli in the night and burned the Philadelphia—captured by the Tripolitans, some time before. This done he withdrew in safety, in the sloop93 he had employed for the bold enterprise.
July 11—Alexander Hamilton, an eminent94 statesman, was killed in a duel95 with Aaron Burr, Vice-President of the United States. He was 48 years old and his death was considered as a public calamity96.
Aug. 3—Com. Preble attacks Tripoli, sinks two vessels, captures three more, and bombards the city.
The city was blockaded during the remainder of the year and through the winter.
Nov. 18—Gen. Philip Schuyler died at Albany, N. Y.
Jefferson was re-elected President in this month.
1805.
Great commercial prosperity marked this period. France and England were at war and most of the carrying trade fell to American vessels. The peaceful acquisition of Louisiana, and the prosperity of the west in consequence, contributed much to the development of the country. The grand era of progress in the United States began to dawn, though overcast97 by threatening difficulties with Spain and England.
March—Chief Justice Chase having been impeached98 by the House of Representatives, was acquitted99 by the Senate.
” 4—Jefferson’s second inauguration100 as President.
June 3—A treaty of peace made with Tripoli.
A Territorial Legislature is authorized in the Territory of Orleans, and the Territory of Louisiana organized.
June 11—The Territory of Michigan is organized. It was very thinly settled, but separated by so great a distance from the inhabited parts of Indiana Territory as to require a separate government.
July 4—Large cessions of land are obtained, by treaty and purchase, from the Indians. Most of their lands in Ohio, Indiana, and along the Ohio River were acquired in an equitable101 manner. Large cessions are obtained this year from the Creeks102 and Cherokees, who received a fair equivalent.
Sept. 12—Wm. Moultrie, a distinguished Revolutionary soldier, died.
Measures are set on foot to purchase Florida from the Spaniards.[617] There seemed no alternative but such a purchase or a war. Difficulties with England began to increase. Several American vessels with valuable cargoes103 are seized by the British.
1806.
Jan. 16—Two million dollars are voted that the President may commence negotiations104 with Spain for Florida. The British continue to violate our flag by impressing seamen106 on our vessels.
March 26—A retaliatory107 law was enacted108 by Congress forbidding the importation of certain English goods, to take effect in November in order to give time for negotiation105. Provision was also made for increasing the army and navy.
The summer of this year was disturbed, in the west, by rumors109 of a design to separate the Louisiana Territory and Western States from the union, by the establishment of an independent government.
Apr. 10—Gen. Horatio Gates, an officer of the Revolution, died.
Dec.—The session of Congress commencing the first of this month was largely occupied with a law forbidding the slave trade after 1808. There was much violent debate but the law was enacted early in the next year.
Robt. Morris, of Pa., on the 8th of May; Geo. Wythe, of Va., on the 8th of June; James Smith, of Pa., on the 11th of July, signers of the Declaration of Independence; and Gen. Henry Knox, an officer of the Revolution, on the 25th of Oct., died. Gen. Knox was Secretary of War during Washington’s administration.
1807.
Feb. 10—An act for commencing the Coast Survey, and appropriating $50,000 for that purpose, is passed.
The English had defeated and almost annihilated110 the French and Spanish navies, and became very tyrannical toward neutral nations, which begins to injure our commerce. Bonaparte retaliates111 in the same spirit which doubles the difficulty.
Mar. 18—A treaty made by American ambassadors with England was rejected by our government because the British refused to allow that British born citizens could become American citizens by naturalization. These the English government claimed the right of impressing from our vessels, which we denied.
June 22—A British ship of war, the Leopard112, fires into the American frigate Chesapeake while unprepared to resist, and took several men from her. Three Americans were killed, and eighteen wounded. It greatly exasperated113 the Americans.
July 2—The President ordered all English ships of war to leave American waters.
Aug. 25—Com. Preble, of the U.S. navy, died.
Sept. 15—Aaron Burr tried for treason, (he was the leader of the conspiracy114[618] believed to have endeavored to detach the Mississippi Valley from the union,) was acquitted for want of evidence, though generally believed guilty.
Nov. 26—Oliver Ellsworth, U. S. Chief Justice, died.
” 22—This and like British “Orders in Council” caused Congress to lay an embargo, forbidding any vessels to sail from our ports.
1808.
Jan. 1—The act of Congress, passed in the previous session, to carry out the provision of the Constitution to abolish the slave trade at this time, goes into effect to-day.
Apr. 17—Bonaparte orders the seizure and confiscation116 of all American vessels in France, or that should afterwards arrive there.
Nov. 7—The tenth Congress assembles again. Much discussion is had over the embargo, but it is finally determined to make it still more stringent and place the country in a state of defense.
” —A presidential election this month results in the choice of James Madison for the next term. He was a republican, or democrat28, in politics.
1809.
Jan. 9—An act is passed “more effectually to enforce the embargo.”
Feb. 3—Illinois organized under a Territorial Government.
Mar. 3—The Tenth Congress closes, at the same time as the Administration of Jefferson. Madison was inaugurated the next day. He served two terms. A war with Great Britain was commenced in his first, and ended in his second term.
” 9—Thos. Haywood, of S. C., signer of the Declaration of Independence, died.
Apr. 19—An arrangement of the difficulties with England concluded with the British Minister, Erskine, and, in the expectation of permanent peace, the Embargo and Non-intercourse acts cease by proclamation of the President.
May 22—An extra session of the eleventh Congress meets.
Aug. 9—The President forbids, by proclamation, all intercourse with Great Britain and France.
Nov. 8—A new English minister having been sent, his arrogant tone causes the U. S. government to decline further intercourse with him.
1810.
Mar. 23—Bonaparte orders the sale and confiscation of 132 American vessels (detained in France by previous decree) and their cargoes, and the same confiscation is ordered of all American vessels afterward[619] entering French ports. The 132 vessels and their cargoes were worth $8,000,000.
Aug. 5—The French government announces the revocation121 of their confiscation act, to take effect Nov. 1. A deadly struggle had been, for many years, going on between Napoleon Bonaparte and England. This hostility122 of France to American commerce was in retaliation, of the British “Orders in Council” against neutral commerce trading with France. England had nearly destroyed the French navy and considered herself mistress of the seas. She wished to reduce American commerce to the condition of colonial times, which, with impressment of seamen, was the cause of the present struggle. Our commerce was constantly growing, our people spirited, and resolved to have their rights and Flag respected.
1811.
Feb. 26—An act passed establishing naval hospitals.
May 16—The American frigate President, and the British sloop of war Little Belt, fire into each other. The Little Belt is disabled. This was a retaliation of the firing of the British ship Leopard on the American Chesapeake, four years before, and also of the capture of an American merchantman bound to France, off New York, by a British vessel about this time. Several instances of impressment, by the British, from American vessels, had lately occurred, and there was a feeling of great exasperation123 toward England. The English government had not yet made any atonement for the attack on the Chesapeake.
June 1—Gen. Eaton, prominent in the war with Tripoli, died.
” 19—Samuel Chase, Chief Justice of the U. S., died.
Aug. 2—Wm. Williams, of Conn., died. The two last were signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The relief of American commerce from outrages124 by the French proved delusive125, and many grievous wrongs are suffered this year.
Nov. 7—Two twin brothers of the Shawanese tribe of Indians (Tecumseh and the Prophet) had been for some years engaged in forming a conspiracy among a large number of Indian tribes on the Northwestern frontier to exterminate126 the whites. Gen. Harrison’s army is attacked by the Indians this day, at Tippecanoe. They are defeated by Gen. Harrison.
1812.
Jan.—Various acts are passed for putting the army and navy in a condition for war.
Apr. 4—An embargo is laid on American shipping, by act of Congress.
” 8—Louisiana admitted into the union as a State.
” 20—Geo. Clinton, Vice-President of the United States, died.
[620]
June 4—The Territory of Missouri organized.
” 23—The British government repeal118 the obnoxious128 “Orders in Council,” but refuse to give up the right of search and impressment on American vessels. The American government refuses to be satisfied with this; besides, it had already declared war, June 18th.
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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muskets
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| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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evacuate
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| v.遣送；搬空；抽出；排泄；大(小)便 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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8
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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adjourns
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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11
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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12
depreciated
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| v.贬值，跌价，减价( depreciate的过去式和过去分词 )；贬低，蔑视，轻视 | |
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13
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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14
disorders
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| n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调 | |
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dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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16
insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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17
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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18
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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19
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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20
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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21
ratifies
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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23
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
tariff
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| n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表 | |
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25
treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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26
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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27
amendments
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| （法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案 | |
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28
democrat
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
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29
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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30
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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31
census
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| n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查 | |
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32
permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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33
authorized
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| a.委任的，许可的 | |
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34
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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35
ceded
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| v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 ) | |
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36
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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37
remodel
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| v.改造，改型，改变 | |
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38
subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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39
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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40
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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41
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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42
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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43
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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44
apportioning
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| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的现在分词形式） | |
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45
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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46
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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47
excise
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| n.(国产)货物税；vt.切除，删去 | |
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48
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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49
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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51
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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52
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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53
fortifying
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| 筑防御工事于( fortify的现在分词 )； 筑堡于； 增强； 强化（食品） | |
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54
retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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55
embargo
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| n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商） | |
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56
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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57
inflicts
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的第三人称单数 ) | |
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58
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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59
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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60
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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61
stringent
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| adj.严厉的；令人信服的；银根紧的 | |
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62
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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63
pacified
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| 使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
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64
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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65
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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66
imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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67
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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68
envoys
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| 使节( envoy的名词复数 )； 公使； 谈判代表； 使节身份 | |
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69
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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70
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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71
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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72
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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73
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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74
Amended
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| adj. 修正的 动词amend的过去式和过去分词 | |
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75
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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76
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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77
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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78
frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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79
constellation
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| n.星座n.灿烂的一群 | |
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80
entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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81
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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82
bankruptcy
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| n.破产；无偿付能力 | |
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83
authorizing
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| 授权，批准，委托( authorize的现在分词 ) | |
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84
territorial
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| adj.领土的，领地的 | |
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85
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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86
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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87
arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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88
intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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89
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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90
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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91
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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92
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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93
sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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94
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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95
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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96
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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97
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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98
impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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99
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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100
inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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101
equitable
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| adj.公平的；公正的 | |
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102
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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103
cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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104
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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105
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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106
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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107
retaliatory
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| adj.报复的 | |
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108
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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110
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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111
retaliates
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| v.报复，反击( retaliate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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112
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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113
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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114
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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115
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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116
confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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117
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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118
repeal
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| n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消 | |
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119
repealed
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| 撤销，废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
rejection
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| n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃 | |
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121
revocation
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| n.废止，撤回 | |
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122
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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123
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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124
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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125
delusive
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| adj.欺骗的，妄想的 | |
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126
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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127
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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128
obnoxious
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| adj.极恼人的，讨人厌的，可憎的 | |
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