JOHN ADAMS. 183 



he recommended George Washington to that all important 

 post. Mr. Adams was one of the most earnest and influential 

 advocates of the declaration of Independence. 



During his time of office, war was declared between the 

 United States and France, and various naval battles were 

 fought, but an honourable peace was soon concluded between 

 Napoleon Bonaparte and the envoys of the President, M . M . 

 Oliver Ellsworth, Patrick Henry, and William Van-Murray. 



In 1800, Congress met for the first time in Washington. 

 In his address, the President, after congratulating the people 

 upon having a permanent seat of government, continued : 

 M It would be unbecoming the representatives of this nation 

 to assemble for the first time, in this solemn temple, without 

 looking up to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and im- 

 ploring his blessing : — May this territory be the residence of 

 virtue and happiness ! In this city may that piety and virtue, 

 that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self-govern- 

 ment which adorned the great character whose name it bears, 

 be for ever held in admiration ! Here and throughout our 

 country, may simple manners, pure morals, and true religion 

 flourish for ever." 



The first term of Mr. Adams, as President, being about 

 to expire, a new election was held. 



It was not until the thirty-fifth ballot, that the friends of 

 Mr. Jefferson succeeded in electing him. 



THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1801— 1809. 



Thomas Jefferson, elected President of the United 

 States, took office on the 4th of March, 1801. His inaugural 

 address is one of the most celebrated state papers which has 

 ever proceeded from the pen of its writer. Here are some 

 passages from it: — Equal and exact justice to all men of what- 

 soever state or persuasion, religious or poetical, peace, 

 commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling 

 alliances with none, the support of the state governments in 

 all their rights, as the most competent administrations of our 

 domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks against anti- 

 republican tendencies, the preservation of the general 

 government in its whole constitutional vigour, as the sheet- 

 anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad, a jealous care 

 of the right of election by the people, a mild and safe 

 corrective of abuses which are lopped by the sword of 

 revolution where peaceable remedies are unprovided, absolute 

 acquiescence in the decision of the majority, the vital principle 



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