Book Sixth. FROM THE RETURN OF PEACE IN 1815, TO THE END OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS'S ADMINISTRATION. 1815-1829. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. CHAPTER I. 1815-1817. OLOSE OF MADISON'S PRESIDENCY. Return of peace-Its effect upon the community-Changes consequent upon the peace—The commercial convention and its results-The "Dartmoor massacre"- Renewal of war with Algiers-Tribute paid to the deyHis course towards Americans—The squadron sent to the Mediterranean under Decatur and Bainbridge-Decatur's prompt and efficient measures—' -The dey agrees to the treaty proposed - Congress in session - The president's message-Its statements and recommendations-Mr. Dallas's financial statements-The tariff arrangements-Letter of Mr. Dallas recommending a national bank-Debate on the question-The bill passedFeatures of the new bank-Bill altering the mode of paying the members of Congress-Dissatisfaction - Other acts of the session-Caucus nominates candidates for president and vice-president-Monroe and Tompkins selected-Result of the election-Course adopted by the secretary of the treasury in regard to paying government dues in specie - The Bank of the United States prepares to go into operation-Congress in session - The president's last annual message-Abstract of its contents-Act for paying off the national debt-The subject of internal improvements - Calhoun's views - Bill passed, but vetoed by the president - Other proceedings of Congress - Close of Madison's official career— Remarks on his character and place in American history. 1815. PEACE, which had come unexpect- | during the last year of the war, were edly, but with universal welcome, was not without its trials as well as its blessings. Its effect upon the different classes of the community was very great and very various. On some it brought speedy ruin, while it raised others at once from gloomy forebodings to wealth and importance. Foreign commodities, scarce and dear; and the great dent, that American workshops could not compete with those of England, unless some protection was afforded to home manufactures. The questions which arose in connection with this topic occupied a large share of the attention of Congress and the people, and the best talent of the country was devoted to the discussion of the subject of protection, and the principles on which trade between various nations is to be conducted, in order best to attain the advantage of each and all of them. With that versatility which marks the American character, the moment the way was open, men at once gave their energies to that which promised to be the most profitable. Commerce sprang into active life, and the ocean soon became white with the canvas of our merchant ships. Cotton rose from ten to more than twenty cents the pound. Tobacco, which had no sale at more than two or three dollars the hundred weight, now brought fifteen, twenty, and even twenty-five dollars a hundred. Land increased proportionably in value, and labor was immediately in demand at high prices. Wealth began to flow in; habits of indulgence in conveniences and luxuries began to be formed; and gold, and silk, and wines, took the place, in part, of silver, and cotton, and common spirits; houses were better furnished; means of personal and social enjoyment were considerably increased; a desire for the advancement of architectural and kindred improvements began to be diffused; and, with the exception of a depreciated currency of irredeemable bank paper, the condition of our country was hopeful, promising, and full of courageous animation. We shall see, as we advance, how the results of the future sustained the hopes and aspirations of our countrymen forty years | ago. In connection with the treaty of peace, we may mention here, that Messrs. Gallatin, Clay, and Ad- 1815. ams, after a short delay, proceeded to London, where they at once entered entered upon the arrangement of a commercial convention, which had been proposed, as a supplement to the peace; and that without adopting Mr. Jefferson's advice, to insist first upon the relinquishment of the claim to impress American seamen. The commissioners did, however, attempt to introduce "neutral rights" into this new negotia tion; but as the British government refused to treat with them upon that basis, the commercial relations of the two countries alone were dealt with. After a tedious and not altogether pleasant or satisfactory discussion, a convention for four years was signed on the 3d of July. on the 3d of July. In substance, this convention amounted to the placing of the direct trade between the United States and Great Britain, upon a strictly reciprocal basis. But the trade with the British possessions in the East Indies, was to be carried on in American ships, directly, only with the United States; and the traffic between the United States and the British posses sions beyond the Atlantic, was not to be affected by the reciprocity article; "but," as the convention said, "each party was to remain in complete possession of its rights with respect to such CH. I.] was, THE DARTMOOR MASSACRE. an intercourse," the meaning of which that the United States was not to be admitted to this branch of trade at all. At the close of the year, the convention was ratified by the president. men. 295 1815. ing and sentiments not likely to prove The "Dartmoor massacre," occurring, as it did, while the negotiations just spoken of were in progress, may properly be noticed in this place. It will be remembered, that many hundreds of American seamen had been impressed on board British vessels, in former years; when the war broke out, the larger part of these positively refused to serve against their countryThe result was, that the British government put them in prison in great numbers. The Dartmoor prison, some seventeen miles inland from Portsmouth, was selected; and in that gloomy place of confinement, subjected to hardships and trials not easy to describe adequately in words, these brave sons of America dragged out the weary days and nights, sustained only by the hope that the period was not far distant, when their country victorious would demand their release. It requires no effort of the imagination to Messrs. Clay and Gallatin, at that conceive, that the state of feeling be- time in London, engaged in negotiating tween the prisoners and their keepers the commercial convention, immediatewas as bad as it could well be, and ly put themselves in communication that it increased in acerbity with the with Lord Castlereagh on this subject. progress of time and events. When Mr. Charles King on the part of the it became known to the imprisoned American, and Mr. Larpent on the Americans, that a treaty of peace had part of the British government, were been concluded, and they saw and felt appointed commissioners to examine that they were not immediately set into the whole matter; and a complete, free, the greatest excitement prevailed if not a very satisfactory, investigation amongst them. Uneasy, restless, an- of this sad affair took place. And gered, they were in a condition ready finally, the Prince Regent communifor outbreak and manifestations of feel-cated to Mr. Monroe his disapproba |