Obrázky stránek
PDF
ePub

equitable principles was soon adjusted between him and the American representatives, and the evils of an apprehended war were averted from both countries.

Immediately after these events a new subject of interest absorbed the popular attention. This was the general election, which was about to take place. The errors which Mr. Adams had committed, his own personal unpopularity, and the growing strength of the democratic party, were silently but effectually working the overthrow of the faction in power. The death of Washington, which occurred at this period, had shorn the Federal party of a great portion of its strength and popularity. Every thing presaged the coming supremacy of the Republicans.

Mr. Jefferson thus speaks to Mr. Madison of the approaching presidential election. "As the conveyance is confidential, I can say something on a subject which, to those who do not know my real dispositions respecting it, might seem indelicate. The Federalists begin to be very seriously alarmed about their election next fall. Their speeches in private, as well as their public and private demeanor to me, indicate it strongly." He then details the probable votes of most of the States, and thus concludes: "Still these are the ideas of the Republicans only in these three States, and we must make

great allowance for their sanguine views. Upon the whole, I consider it as rather more doubtful than the last election, in which I was not deceived in more than a vote or two."

On the 12th of May he writes to the same correspondent: "The Federalists have not been able to carry a single strong measure in the lower House the whole session. When they met it was believed they had a majority of twenty; but many of these were new and moderate men, and soon saw the true character of the party to which they had been well disposed while at a distance. The tide, too, of public opinion sets so strongly against the federal proceedings, that this melted off their majority, and dismayed the heroes of the party. The Senate alone remained undismayed to the last. Firm to their purpose, regardless of public opinion, and more disposed to coerce than to court it, not a man of the majority gave way in the least."

Both parties were fully aware of the magnitude of the interests at stake, and prepared themselves to make prodigious exertions to secure an ultimate triumph.

One of the chief obstacles to the popularity of Mr. Jefferson at this crisis was the fact, that he was charged by popular rumor with having sent Dr. Logan of Philadelphia on a private mission of con

ciliation to Paris, after the defeat of the Embassy of Pinckney and Marshall. It was supposed that Mr. Jefferson's attachment to France, against which the United States were then incensed and indignant, had induced him to dispach this agent thither secretly in order to avert hostilities. It was proved that Mr. Jefferson furnished Logan with a certificate of his citizenship and character, together with a passport. Dr. Logan was treated by the French as he deserved, with contempt, and his mission utterly failed. When the facts became known, the public mind was incensed against Logan for his unauthorized and unwelcome interference, and Mr. Jefferson received a share of the general odium, as having been his patron. The latter however denied most positively that he had commissioned Logan to undertake his ill-starred expedition. The Federal party as vehemently asserted the contrary.

21

CHAPTER XIII.

POPULAR EXCITEMENT PREVIOUS TO THE ELECTION OF 1801-RESULT OF THE POPULAR VOTE-JEFFERSON'S LETTER TO BURR-ELECTION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES-THE EQUALITY OF VOTES BETWEEN JEFFERSON AND BURR-INFLUENCE OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON-ELECTION OF JEFFERSON TO THE PRESIDENCY-HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS-LETTER TO ELDREDGE GERRY-MR. JEFFERSON'S CABINET-HIS LETTER TO THOMAS PAINE-MR. LIVINGSTON APPOINTED MINISTER TO FRANCE-WAR BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND TRIPOLI-ITS INCIDENTS AND RESULTS-MR. JEFFERSON'S FIRST MESSAGE TO CONGRESS-MEASURES OF THE ADMINISTRATION-NEGOTIATIONS RESPECTING LOUISIANA.

THE

As the period of the election approached, the excitement throughout the nation became more general and intense. The struggle between the party about to be driven from power, and the party about to to secure it, was bitter and violent. Never perhaps in the history of the country was a destructive confict and collision so imminent as at this crisis of the national history. The election took place in November. Jefferson and Burr were the candidates of the Republicans; John Adams and Charles C. Pinckney were the candidates of the Federalists. The votes given to Jefferson and Burr were those of New York, twelve; of Pennsylvania, eight out of fifteen; of Maryland, five out of ten; of Virginia, twenty-one; of Kentucky, four; of North Carolina,

eight out of twelve; of Tennessee, three; of South Carolina, eight; of Georgia, four. The Republicans thus received seventy-three out of one hundred and thirty-eight votes. The Federalists received sixtyfive votes, one of which was given to Mr. Jay, and the balance to Messrs. Adams and Pinckney. Mr. Hamilton, being convinced of the unfitness of Mr. Adams for a second term of office, from the unpopularity with which he had covered the Federal party during his first administration, was opposed to his re-election; and was the means of preventing the votes of South Carolina from being given to Mr. Adams, in consequence of the preparation of a pamphlet which clearly set forth the fatal defects and blunders of that officer. But by a malicious and crafty trick of Burr, the contents of that pamphlet were prematurely published and perverted in such a manner, that it was made instrumental in the defeat not only of Mr. Adams, in South Carolina, but also of Mr. Pinckney; a result which was utterly hostile to the wishes of Mr. Hamilton, as well as of a large majority of the Federal party, who earnestly desired to promote the election of Mr. Pinckney.

At the popular election the number of votes obtained by the Republicans was equally divided between Jefferson and Burr. According to the

arrangement existing at that time, the candidate

« PředchozíPokračovat »