1791]

ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT.

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an impassioned orator, a fearless warrior, six feet in height, of muscular frame, dignified manners, stern features, and forbidding expression. He was at this time forty-five years old, and dressed in the most imposing style of Indian display, at least twenty ounces of silver ornaments hanging from his nose and ears. In the dusky circle round the council-fire, this wily savage presented a well-digested plan for surprising the American army, and with fiery eloquence persuaded his brother chieftains to adopt it.

Three hours before daylight on the 4th of November, the American army was paraded under arms, and about sunrise it was dismissed to make preparations for an immediate march against the Indian villages. While the men were thus engaged, a single rifle was heard in front, and the next moment a deadly fire was poured in on all sides. The militia, who were posted in front, rushed through the ranks of the regulars; but the latter kept their ground, and returned as well as they could, yet with little effect, the fire of their unseen enemies. St. Clair, though enfeebled by disease, made every effort to save his men. Borne hither and thither on his litter, wherever the contest raged most fiercely, he gave his orders with coolness and judgment, and directed vigorous charges to be made at different points. For a moment, success followed these efforts; but the whoop of the fearless chief would be heard, echoed by a thousand voices, and the Red Men would press on more fiercely than before. Terrible havoc was made, and it became evident that a timely retreat alone could save the army from total destruction. An impetuous charge was made by Col. Darke, with such spirit that the Indians were obliged to fall back, and through the open space thus gained the sad remnant of the devoted army rushed in a hasty retreat. Gen. St. Clair was assisted to mount one of the few remaining horses, and followed his flying regiments. The news of this disastrous overthrow

done by the Indians that same night? Give an account of their council. Describe Little Turtle. What decision was arrived at? What was the state of things in the American camp the next morning? What was suddenly heard? How did the militia behave? Give an account of the battle. How was a retreat made good? What is said of Gen. St. Clair? What followed this overthrow?

appalled the whole nation, and called forth again loud clamors from those who opposed the government. A third expedition became necessary; and, determined that it should have a capable leader, Washington gave the command to Gen. Wayne, the "mad Anthony" of the Revolution.

433. Meantime Congress was still occupied with financial matters. The business community labored under discouraging embarrassments, for which a uniform currency, enjoying the confidence of the people, seemed to promise the only remedy. To create this, Hamilton projected a national bank, which was chartered by Congress in March, 1791, under the name of the Bank of the United States. It was located at Philadelphia, which had become the seat of government, had a capital of $10,000,000, and was empowered to issue bills, discount notes, and receive deposits. The beneficial effects of this institution on all kinds of business were immediately felt.

434. As we have seen, a strong party had from the outset opposed the constitution. Their chief argument against it was that it gave too much power to the general government, and limited that of the individual states. This party, which embraced Jefferson and other distinguished patriots, soon became known as "Republicans", "Democrats," or "States' Rights Men," in opposition to the "Federalists", as those were called who approved of a strong central government, Hamilton was one of the ablest federalist leaders, and his measures, particularly those relating to the bank and the collection of the revenue, were severely denounced by his opponents. The duty, or excise, laid on domestic spirits was peculiarly unpopular in western Pennsylvania; and public meetings were held, at which such officers as

What was resolved on? Who was intrusted with the command of the third expedition? 433. What still occupied the attention of Congress? What seemed to be the only remedy? What was projected by Hamilton? When was the Bank of the United States chartered? Where was it located? What was its capital? What was it empowered to do? What were its effects? 434. What objection was urged against the constitution? What two parties were formed? What distinguished man was a republican? Who was a strong federalist leader? What measures of Hamilton were denounced? What measure in particular was opposed? Where? What steps were taken? Who were the successful candidates

1793]

THE YELLOW FEVER BREAKS OUT.

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should attempt to collect it were threatened with violence. Notwithstanding the warmth of party feeling, however, Washington, whose first term expired March 4th, 1793, was unanimously reëlected. Adams was also rechosen to the vice-presidency. Meanwhile, New York having surrendered her claims in consideration of $30,000, Vermont was received into the Union in 1791; and the following year Kentucky became a member of the confederacy.

435. In August, 1793, the American people were visited by a calamity to which up to this time they had been strangers. The yellow fever broke out in Philadelphia with such virulence that in three months, out of a population of 60,000, no less than 4,000 perished. The terror of the people was unprecedented, and all who could deserted the city. Among those who remained to minister to the sick, was Dr. Benjamin Rush, whose treatment of the disease was eminently successful. This illustrious man was a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Edinburgh University, whence he returned to practise in Philadelphia. A signer of the Declaration of Independence and a medical writer whose works are still studied with profit, Dr. Rush was distinguished alike as a patriot and a man of letters. He died in 1813, at the age of 72.

436. Hardly had the country recovered from the alarm created by the pestilence, when a renewal of difficulties in western Pennsylvania produced fresh consternation. The people there had been encouraged to open insurrection by the course of Mr. Ge-net', the agent of the revolutionary party in France, whose arrival in America had been the signal for the organization of democratic societies hostile to government, on the plan of the Jacobin clubs of Paris. It was agreed among the disaffected that no tax should be paid on whiskey. The U. S. marshal was fired upon, the

at the second election under the constitution? What new states were admitted into the Union? When? 435. What calamity visited the American people in August, 1793? Where did the yellow fever break out? Give an account of its ravages. Who treated the disease with success? What is said of Dr. Rush? 436. By what troubles was the yellow fever followed? What had encouraged the people of western Pennsylvania to open insurrection? What did they do to the

inspector fled, and his guard was forced to surrender to a company of insurgents. The "whiskey rebellion" having assumed this dangerous aspect, Washington issued a requisition for a force sufficient to suppress it. Gen. Henry Lee, then governor of Virginia, was placed in command, and Hamilton accompanied the army. On reaching the seat of the rebellion (October, 1794), it was found that the insurgents had dispersed. Gen. Morgan, with a considerable force, was left west of the mountains during the winter, and no further trouble from this cause was experienced.

437. Meantime Gen. Wayne was cautiously advancing, with over three thousand men, on his expedition against the western Indians. On the 13th of August, 1794, having reached the neighborhood of the Maumee Rapids, where the enemy had assembled, he despatched a messenger to their camp with propositions of peace. Ten days were asked for consideration; but Wayne still advanced, and on the 19th the hostile tribes met in council. Elated by their former success, most of the chiefs fiercely pronounced for war. Little Turtle alone dissented. Twice, he said, they had defeated the Americans; they could not always expect the same good fortune. The pale-faces were now led by a chief who never slept, and something told him that they should listen to his offers of peace. The counsels of the wise Miami were disregarded. War was decided upon, and Blue Jacket, a Shawnee warrior, was elected commander-in-chief.

At a late hour that night two of Wayne's soldiers entered the Red Men's camp, to discover their decision. The warriors slept; and the two spies stealthily advanced over their prostrate bodies, until they found an Indian girl awake. Presenting their arms, they compelled her to follow, and, on reaching a safe distance from the camp, obtained from her the desired information. Never was a daring deed more gallantly or successfully performed.

United States authorities? Give an account of the suppression of the "whiskey rebellion". 437. What was Wayne doing meanwhile? What took place, August 16th, 1794? What did the Indians do on the 19th? State what passed in the Indian council. Whom did the Indians choose as their leader? Relate the

The following morning, Wayne marched without delay towards the Indian town. He was received with a warm fire; but an intrepid charge drove the Indians from their cover, and put them completely to rout. The pursuit was continued for several miles, and over two hundred of the enemy were slain. All the Indian villages for a distance of fifty miles were destroyed, and one of the most beautiful valleys of the west was reduced to desolation. So humbled were the Red Men of the North-west Territory by this defeat, that they expressed a general desire for peace. Wayne invited them to a council in July, 1795, and offered to make a treaty with them, on condition that they would surrender all the land east of a line drawn from Fort Recovery to the mouth of the Kentucky River, embracing almost the whole of what is now Ohio and part of Indiana. Some of the chiefs objected to giving up so large a tract.

heroic achievement of two of Wayne's scouts. What did Wayne do the following morning? How was he received? Give an account of the battle that followed. [See Map, p. 345.-Where did Wayne's battle take place? Into what does the Maumee empty?] How were the Indians punished? What desire did they express, the following year? On what condition did Wayne propose peace? How