CHAPTER XXXVI.
friendly overtures to france—pickering's historical and explanatory letter to pinckney—washington's suggestions—french outrages upon american commerce—results of the presidential election—john adams the nation's choice—his forebodings respecting his household—washington's sale of superfluities—mrs. washington's last drawing-room—birthday festivities—washington's emotions—letters to his friends on his retirement—farewell dinner—his declarations respecting the spurious letters—inauguration of adams—washington's parting words—adams's inaugural address—a tinge of jealousy—elegant entertainment given to washington—violent attacks upon him by the “aurora”—the editor beaten and humbled.
1797
Sincerely desirous of maintaining a good understanding with the French, the president, early in January, requested Mr. Pickering, the secretary of state, to address a letter to Mr. Pinckney, the United States minister in France, stating in full the causes of difficulty between the two governments, examining and reviewing the same, and submitting, with his letter, a mass of relative documents, by which the whole matter might be fully understood. Pickering's letter and the documents were laid before Congress on the nineteenth of January, accompanied by a message from the President, in which he said that the immediate object of Mr. Pinckney's mission to France was, “to make to that government such explanations of the principles and conduct of our own, as by manifesting our good faith, might remove all jealousy and discontent, and maintain that harmony and good understanding with the French republic which it had been his constant solicitude to preserve. A government which required only a knowledge of the truth to justify its measures, could but be anxious to have this fully and frankly displayed.”
Previous to the completion of the letter to Pinckney, Washington wrote to Pickering, suggesting that some such summing up as the following might be proper:—
“That the conduct of the United States toward France has been, as will appear from a foregoing statement, regulated by the strictest principles of neutrality.
“That there has been no attempt in the government to violate our treaty with that country, to weaken our engagements therewith, or to withhold any friendship we could render, consistent with the neutrality we had adopted.
“That peace has been our primary object; but, so far has it been from inducing us to acquiesce silently in the capturing of our vessels, impressing our seamen, or in the misconduct of the naval or other officers of the British government, that no instance can be produced of authenticated facts having passed unnoticed, and, where occasion required it, without strong remonstrances.