13. In 1795 the boundary between the United States and Louisiana
was settled. Spain granted to the Americans the free navigation of
the Mississippi. About this time a difficulty arose with the dey of
Algiers. For many years Algerine pirates had been preying upon the
commerce of civilized nations. The dey had agreed with these nations
that his pirate ships should not attack their vessels if they would pay
him an annual tribute. The Algerine sea-robbers were now turned loose
on American commerce, and the government of the United States was also
obliged to purchase safety by paying tribute.
[Illustration: Algerine Pirates.]
[Sidenote: =Admission of Tennessee.=]
14. In 1796 Tennessee, the third new State, was admitted into the
Union. The population already numbered more than seventy thousand. The
first inhabitants of Tennessee were as hardy a race of pioneers as ever
braved the wilderness.
15. Washington was solicited to become a candidate for a third
election; but he refused. In September of 1796 he issued to the
people of the United States his Farewell Address--a document full
of wisdom and patriotism. The political parties at once put forward
their candidates--John Adams as the choice of the Federal, and Thomas
Jefferson of the anti-Federal party. The chief question between the
parties was whether it was the true policy of the United States to
enter into intimate relations with France. The anti-Federalists said,
_Yes!_ The Federalists said, _No!_ On that issue Mr. Adams was elected,
but Mr. Jefferson, having the next highest number of votes, became
Vice-president.
CHAPTER XXX.
ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION, 1797-1801.
On the 4th of March, 1797, President Adams was inaugurated. From the
beginning, his administration was embarrassed by political opposition.
Adet, the French minister, urged the government to conclude a league
with France against Great Britain. When the President and Congress
refused, the French Directory began _to demand_ an alliance. On the
10th of March that body issued instructions to French men-of-war to
assail the commerce of the United States. Mr. Pinckney, the American
minister, was ordered to leave France.
[Illustration: John Adams.]
[Sidenote: =Troubles with France.=]
2. These proceedings were equivalent to a declaration of war. The
President convened Congress in extraordinary session. Elbridge Gerry
and John Marshall were directed to join Mr. Pinckney in a final effort
for a peaceable adjustment of the difficulties. But the Directory
refused to receive the ambassadors except upon condition that they
would pay into the French treasury a quarter of a million dollars.
Pinckney answered that the United States had _millions for defense,
but not one cent for tribute_. The envoys were then ordered to leave
the country.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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