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WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION.

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the 30th of April, 1789, he took the oath of office and became the first President of the United States.

LESSON XLIII.

WASHINGTON'S TWO TERMS.

1. The first thing to be done was to find some way of paying the public debt. This was a hard task, but it was intrusted to a man of genius, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton gave all the powers of his great mind to the subject. He devised means for gradually meeting a great part of the debt. By his advice, Congress chartered a United States Bank with a large capital. People once more began to put faith in the government, and business soon became brisk.

2. The next difficulty was with the Indians in the west. Even before the Revolution, some adventurous hunters had pushed out from Virginia and Carolina beyond the mountains, and made homes for themselves in the wilderness. The famous Daniel Boone, with five companions, had settled in what is now Kentucky. His wife and daughter were the first white women that set foot on the bank of the Kentucky River. Many a stirring adventure had Boone and such as he,--måny a hair-breadth escape from the wild beasts, and the wilder Red Men, of the forest!

3. One of these pioneer posts was called Bryan Station. In 1782, a party of Indians tried to surprise its garrison. Lying in ambush near the fort, they waited for the men to come out; but the cunning hunters had seen signs of the foe, and kept within the palisades. Unfortunately their water gave out; and,

1. What was the first thing to be done in Washington's administration ? To whom was the task intrusted? What did Hamilton succeed in doing? What did Congress do by his advice? What was the effect of these measures? -2. What was the next difficulty that arose? Where had adventurous hunters made their way? Who first settled in Kentucky? What is said of Boone's

if they went to the spring, they were sure the Indians would shoot them down and make a rush for the fort. At this crisis,

the brave women at the post offered to bring the water. Going carelessly past the thicket in which the savages lay concealed, they filled their pails and returned. Five hundred rifles were aimed at them, but not one was fired. The Indians waited for the men, but in vain; and the fort was saved.

4. As the settlements in the west increased, Congress tried to satisfy the Indians by buying their lands. There were some, however, north of the Ohio River, in what is now the state of Indiana, that would not join in the sale. They threatened war, and Congress had to send an army under General Harmer to subdue them. Harmer laid waste their fields. But, while he was pursuing the Indians who had fled before him, one division

wife and daughter?-3. What took place at Bryan Station in 1782?-4. How did Congress try to satisfy the Indians? What tone was taken by some of the Indians north of the Ohio? What was done by Congress? Give an

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INDIAN WAR.

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of his army was defeated, and the other was led into an ambuscade and cut to pieces.

5. General St. Clair, an experienced officer, was then sent against the Indians. Little Turtle was their leading spirit. He' was a famous chief, whose nose and ears were bright with silver rings. He cunningly planned a surprise. One morning about daylight, when near the Indian camp, the invading army was suddenly attacked. In spite of St. Clair's efforts and the bravery of his officers, his men were thrown into confusion. Many were killed, and the battle ended in a total rout.

6. A third army was then sent out, and this time Washington intrusted the command to General Wayne. Wayne had distinguished himself in the Revolution. His fierce charges on the enemy had gained for him among the soldiers the nickname of "mad Anthony ". Advancing cautiously into the country of the Indians, Wayne defeated them, and desolated their villages for a distance of fifty miles. They were completely humbled. A treaty was signed, and for years the frontier was secure. Wayne is said to have told the Indians that, if they ever broke this treaty, he would rise from the grave to fight them.

7. When Washington's four years were about to expire, he was elected for a second term. A party had arisen which opposed the measures of the President, and complained that he had too much power. But the mass of the people still looked to Washington as the father of his country.

8. Early in Washington's second term, he was troubled with what was called the Whiskey Rebellion. A tax had been laid on all whiskey that was distilled. Some people in western Pennsylvania said they would not pay this tax. Assembling

account of Harmer's expedition.-5. Who was next sent against the Indians? Who was the leading spirit of the Indians? Describe Little Turtle. What plan did he lay ? Give an account of St. Clair's defeat.-6. Who was intrusted with the command of the third expedition? What nick-name had General Wayne gained in the Revolution? Give an account of Wayne's movements. What was the result? What is Wayne said to have told the Indians?-7. How many terms was Washington President? How many

years? What is said of the opposition to the President?-8. By what was

under a man who took the name of Tom the Tinker, they drove out the collector and defied the government. It was not till Washington sent a large body of soldiers against them that they returned to reason.

9. There were some troubles also with France and England; but Washington met them all with wisdom. Some wanted him to aid the French people, who had driven out their King. Others said he ought to insist on England's yielding certain points that were in dispute. But Washington prudently avoided war. Meanwhile the country throve. It has gone on increasing in strength. The west has become rapidly settled. New states have from time to time been formed. A list of these, with the date of their admission into the Union, will be given hereafter.

LESSON XLIV.

JOHN ADAMS.-THOMAS JEFFERSON.

1. Washington would not serve a third term, and John Adams was elected to succeed him as President. Adams was one of the greatest of our early statesmen. During the Revolution, he went to France as ambassador. The vessel that took him over gave battle to a British man-of-war, Mr. Adams having first promised that he would stay in the cabin during the action. For some time he kept his word, but at last he could stand it no longer. Seizing a musket, he rushed on deck, and the captain soon found him loading and firing with the rest. The captain reminded him of his promise and ordered him below. Mr. Adams refused to go; and the captain had to carry him down by force.

Give an account of the
How did Washington
What did others say?

Washington troubled, early in his second term? Whiskey Rebellion.-9. What other troubles arose? meet them all? What did some want him to do? What did Washington prudently do? Meanwhile, what was the state of the country? What have, from time to time, been formed?

1. Who succeeded Washington as President? What is said of John Adams? Relate what happened to Mr. Adams when he was going to France as ambas

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2. A difficulty with the French arose in Adams's term. They had an unpleasant way of seizing American vessels. President Adams determined to put a stop to this, and made ready for Several actions took place between French and American vessels in consequence of these outrages. In one of these, a French frigate was taken by the Constellation. Lieutenant Rodgers was sent on board with twelve men, to take command of the prize and transfer her crew to the Constellation.

3. Before this could be done, a storm separated the two vessels. Rodgers and his twelve men were now in great danger. There were nearly two hundred French sailors on board of the prize, and they might rise and retake the vessel. To guard against this, Rodgers at once ordered all the prisoners below, and placed guards to shoot down any that should come on deck. After three days of fearful anxiety, during which he did not sleep a wink, he succeeded in getting his prize safe into port.

4. Towards the close of the year 1799, the whole nation was plunged in grief by the news that their beloved Washington was no more. He died of an acute disease, brought on by exposure to a slight rain. As his end approached, he said to his physician, "I am not afraid to die." He felt that he had served his country faithfully, and that country will never forget his services.

5. In 1800, Congress met for the first time at the city of Washington, which has ever since been the capital of the United States. Washington lies on the Potomac River, in a small tract called the District of Columbia. (See map, p. 50.) This tract was presented to the general government by Maryland. It was at first a wilderness, through which one might travel for miles without meeting a human being. But it has changed wonderfully since then. .Thriving farms and pleasant country-seats now dot its surface. Washington has become a sador.-2. What difficulty arose in Adams's term? What occasioned it? What took place in consequence of these outrages? What was the result of one of these actions?-3. Tell the story of Lieutenant Rodgers and his twelve men.4. Towards the close of 1799, what news plunged the nation in grief? Of what did Washington die? What did he say to his physician?—5. Where did Congress meet in 1800? How is Washington situated? How did the general