1798.—Congress passes an Act for raising a regular army. Washington appointed Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief. Congress authorizes Naval Warfare with France; Commercial Intercourse with France suspended; Navy Department organized.
1799.—Congress votes to raise an army of 40,000 men. American Navy consists of 42 vessels with 950 guns. Pennsylvania seat of government removed to Lancaster. Washington dies at Mount Vernon, Va.
1800.—Treaty of Peace with France. General Law of Bankruptcy approved. Second official census—population 5,308,483. Removal of the Capitol from Philadelphia to Washington. Election of Thomas Jefferson President.
1801.—War against Tripoli declared. The Republican party under Thomas Jefferson, comes into power with Jefferson President.
1802.—Louisiana ceded to France by Spain. Naturalization Laws made more liberal. Representatives, 141.
1803.—Louisiana purchased of France for $15,000,000. Congress gives the President extraordinary authority to maintain Free Navigation of the Mississippi. A brief war with the Barbary States.
1804.—Re-election of Jefferson as a Republican. Treaty of Peace concluded with Tripoli.
1805.—Troubles with Great Britain begin.
1806.—Congress provides the importation of certain goods. Disputes with England and France respecting Neutral Rights. England plainly claims the right to search American vessels for deserting seamen; Jefferson disputes it.
1807.—Congress lays an embargo. United States Coast Survey authorized. Conspiracy of Aaron Burr to divide the Union. English ships of war ordered to leave American waters. The first boat goes by steam.