tribute." The answer as recorded, however, was, "No, no, no; not a sixpence." About the time when these dispatches were submitted to Congress, Pinckney and Marshall were ordered to leave France, and Gerry was afterward recalled by our government. A warlike feeling instantly sprung up in the United States. The Federalists, with Adams as leader, desired to defend by force, if necessary, their policy of keeping this country from entangling foreign alliances, and desired to resent French insults. The Democrats (then called Republicans) had always favored an alliance with France and had opposed the creation of a navy for the United States. Now, however, the popular pressure could not be withstood. Bills were passed for increasing the navy and separating it from the War Department (April 30, 1798). Provision was made for a national loan and the imposition of a direct tax. The President was authorized to increase the army in case of a foreign war within three years, and soon Washington was called to be commander-in-chief of the army and Alexander Hamilton was selected as the active commander. On July 9, 1798, Congress declared the treaties with France no longer binding, and authorized our war vessels and privateers to capture armed French vessels. A few naval engagements occurred, but no event of great importance. The effect of our warlike feeling and preparations on France was excellent. American prisoners were released and the embargo which had been declared was raised on American ships. Talleyrand now hinted to our Minister to Holland, William Vans Murray, that he was willing to receive another American Minister. Adams accordingly appointed Murray in February, 1799, and soon joined with him Oliver Ellsworth and William R. Davis. The President's action created much stir politically, as he was considered to have become subservient to France and to have changed the former attitude of himself and the Federal party. It was some months after their appointment that our envoys arrived in Paris. Napoleon was then at the head of the government as First Consul, and was favorably inclined toward the United

States. French commissioners were appointed, and on September 30, 1800, a friendly convention was signed. Both countries ratified it, and it was declared in force December 21, 1801. For a while the safety of our commerce was thus secured. (See Embargo Act.)

Yankee. There are several conflicting theories concerning the derivation of the word Yankee. The most probable is that it came from a corrupt pronunciation by the Indians of the word English, or its French form, Anglais. The term Yankee was originally applied only to natives of the New England States, but foreigners have extended it to all natives of the United States, and during the Civil War the Southerners used it as a term of reproach for all inhabitants of the North.

Yazoo Fraud.—About the time of the formation of the United States, Georgia owned or claimed the greater part of the territory between her present limits and the Mississippi River. In 1789 she sold for about $200,000 some ten or fifteen million acres of this land to the South Carolina Yazoo Company, the Virginia Yazoo Company, and the Tennessee Company. Difficulties arose, however, which prevented the sales from being consummated. In 1795 what was distinctly known as the "Yazoo fraud" occurred. The purchasers, generally known as the Yazoo Companies, from their operations in the Yazoo district, having been reorganized, Georgia in that year sold to them for $500,000 the larger part of her western territory, comprising about 35,000,000 acres, which now forms the States of Alabama and Mississippi. Such a transaction was of national interest, and Washington sent a message to Congress concerning it. Charges were made that the necessary legislation had been secured by extensive bribery, and James Jackson, then Georgia's representative in the Senate, resigned from that body, stood for a seat in the State Legislature, was elected, and, as the exponent of the demand of the people, was enabled to repeal the obiectionable act and expunge it from the records. In 1802 Georgia ceded all the territory west of her present boundary to the Federal Government. The purchasers now demanded their

rights from the United States, and Jefferson's Cabinet expressed the opinion that it would be "expedient" to make a reasonable compromise with them, while not recognizing their claims as a matter of right. The opponents of the administration raised a great clamor and did not hesitate to charge that improper influences had moved Jefferson and his advisers. The question came before Congress, some of whose members were personally interested in the matter, but, largely because of the vehement opposition made by John Randolph of Virginia, the relief measure was defeated by a large majority. The purchasers afterward obtained a favorable verdict from the Supreme Court, and Congress in 1814 appropriated $8,000,000 in scrip, payable from the proceeds of Mississippi lands, to satisfy the claimants. Much of this money, however, went to speculators, to whom discouraged claimants had transferred their interests.

Young Hickory.-Andrew Jackson was called Old Hickory. (See that title.) James K. Polk was born in the same State as Jackson, North Carolina, and settled in the same State, Tennessee; moreover, a certain resemblance in their political feelings led to his being called Young Hickory.

A Dictionary of American Politics. Comprising accounts of Political Parties, Measures and Men; Explanations of the Constitution; Divisions and Practical Workings of the Government, together with Political Phrases, Familiar Names of Persons and Places, Noteworthy Sayings, etc., etc. By EVERIT BROWN and ALBERT STRAUSS. 565 pages. Cloth, 12mo, price $1.00. Paper, 50 cents.

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