POLITICAL COMPLEXION OF CONGRESS.

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David Humphreys, at Spain; and John Quincy Adams at Portugal; who was soon after transferred to Prussia, and succeeded at Portugal by William Smith of South Carolina. At the Netherlands the United States were represented by Wm. Vans Murray.

The new Administration found our relations with France unsettled and in a critical condition. The American Minister had been virtually expelled from that country; which, with the issue of a decree authorizing the capture of neutral vessels having on board any productions of Great Britain or her possessions, and the actual seizure of a number of American vessels, rendered the contingency of war so probable that the President called a special session of Congress. It convened on the 15th of May, 1797. In the Senate there had been a decided administration gain. The House was doubtful. Neither party could claim a majority. Its complexion depended on the action of a few independents; to secure the co-operation of whom both parties made strenuous efforts. Mr. Dayton was re-elected Speaker, and the former clerk, a warm partisan of the opposition, was superseded by a single vote.

Among other important Acts one was passed "laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment, and paper." Its title and provisions bore a likeness to those of the odious measure of 1765, and it became at once obnoxious to a large portion of the people.

RUPTURE WITH FRANCE.

Negotiations with France were not left untried while preparations for armed defence were going rapidly forward. General Washington was nominated to the Senate, by the President, and unanimously confirmed as Commander-in-Chief of the American forces, with the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Notwithstanding the flagrant insults and outrages of France, a large and powerful party, both in and out of Congress, continued to entertain for that country a strong and abiding affection. The opposition put forth against measures deemed essential to the preservation of the integrity and respectability of the American Government, served to unfold and define party characteristics. During the extra session the spirit of party was tinged with a bitterness hitherto unknown.

At the opening of the third session of the fifth Congress, the President observed in his speech" that we have had no reasons to regret the adoption of defensive measures; that there had been nothing in the conduct of France to induce us to change or relax them; and that an efficient preparation for war could alone insure peace. To send another minister without more determinate assurance that he would be received, would be an act of humiliation to which the United States ought not to submit." To the President's speech both Houses returned answers of approval.

Influenced by the war measures of the United States, France evinced a disposition for reconciliation. Accordingly the President, by the consent of the Senate, appointed three envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French republic. The mission consisted of Oliver Ellsworth, Patrick Henry, and Wm. Vans Murray. Patrick Henry approved the commission, but was compelled by circumstances to decline the appointment. Wm. R. Davie was designated for the place of Mr. Henry.

This action of the President was unlooked for, and subjected him to great embarrassment. He had previously declared his determination not to send another minister to France, until he had assurance that he would be re

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ceived with respect and treated with civility. This resolve had been indorsed by the Federal party. So ready a compliance on his part was unexpected. It was known to the President that Messrs. Pickering, McHenry, and Wolcott, of the Cabinet, were opposed to the renewal of negotiations with France under existing circumstances. The President acted independently of their advice. The slight thus inflicted produced a rupture which ultimately resulted in a change of cabinet officers.

Ill-advised as was the course pursued by the President, as affecting his political interests, it resulted in the establishment of peace.

ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS.

The alien and sedition laws passed in the summer of 1798, became extremely unpopular with a large majority of the people. The alien law was objected to as extremely liable to abuse by the President, who was empowered to order aliens who were found or supposed to be conspiring against the peace and authority of the United States, to depart from its territories. The sedition law was opposed, because it restricted the liberty of speech and the press. Opposition to these acts was manifested not only by private citizens, but by the Legislatures of Virginia and Kentucky, as well. At the succeeding session of Congress numerous petitions and remonstrances were presented, but availed nothing at that time. These acts, in connection with the public expenditures for the support of the army and navy, the direct taxes and excise, were subjects of constant attack by the Republicans, and efforts to render these measures obnoxious with the people were not unattended with success.

The fifth Congress expired on the 3d of March, 1799.

The sixth convened December 2d of the same year. In the House, the administration gain rendered its majority decided. Theodore Sedgwick of Massachusetts was elected Speaker over Mr. Macon of North Carolina, by a vote of 44 to 38.

The deliberations of Congress were interrupted by the sad intelligence of the death of General Washington. He died at Mount Vernon, December 14, 1799. This melancholy event cast a shade of gloom over all hearts. Congress took appropriate measures in honor of the memory of the Father of his country.

The disaffection which had been growing in the Federal party for some time, finally resulted in a cabinet rupture. Having delayed from political considerations the removal from the Cabinet of those who were no longer his friends, the President finally, in May, 1800, requested his Secretaries of State and War-Messrs. Pickering and McHenry-to resign. The latter complied; the former preferring a direct dismissal, refused. John Marshall became Secretary of State, and Samuel Dexter Secretary of War. This served to complicate the state of things at the general election which soon ensued.

OVERTHROW OF THE FEDERALISTS.

John Adams and C. C. Pinckney were the Federal candidates for President and Vice-President. As the candidate who received the highest number of votes became President, the next in order, Vice-President, a plan was instituted by Mr. Adams' federal opponents to secure Mr. Pinckney the election over Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams becoming cognizant of this scheme, and conceiving it to have arisen from the partiality of its instigators for England and his own aversion to hostilities with France, he

stigmatized them as a "British faction." Stung by this accusation, his opponents put forth renewed energies. Mr. Hamilton, against the advice of friends, wrote and printed a pamphlet wherein he denied the charges of the President, set forth the defects in the character of Mr. Adams, and the superior fitness of Mr. Pinckney for the office of Chief Magistrate. This document was designed for private circulation, but, as might be expected, fell into the hands of the Republicans, and was published. The issue of such a pamphlet at this time was very impolitic. It bore severely upon the Federal party. Their prospects were not flattering. Mr. Adams had been barely elected over Mr. Jefferson, and many of the measures of his administration were unpopular in reality, or rendered so by the skilful management of the opposition.

After an earnest, and, in many respects, bitter contest, the Republicans triumphed in the election of their candidate for the Presidency. The votes of the electoral colleges were as follows: Jefferson, 73; Burr, 73; Adams 65; Pinckney, 64; John Jay, 1. Messrs. Jefferson and Burr having an equal number of votes, the choice of President devolved upon the House of Representatives. Voting by States, according to the Constitution, the first ballot stood for Mr. Jefferson eight-six States for Mr. Burr, and two divided-which result remained the same after thirty-five successive ballots. Of the direct votes Burr received 53, all Federalists, and Jefferson 51, Republicans or Democrats with one or two exceptions. On the thirty-sixth ballot, some of those hitherto voting for Mr. Burr threw blanks, thus causing the election of Mr. Jefferson, who received the vote of ten States, to four for Mr. Burr, viz: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Delaware and South Carolina