The Life of George Washington, Vol. 5 | Page 6

adopted, was
laid before the cabinet; and, being approved, was signed by the
President, and ordered to be published.
This measure derives importance from the consideration, that it was the
commencement of that system to which the American government
afterwards inflexibly adhered, and to which much of the national
prosperity is to be ascribed. It is not less important in another view.
Being at variance with the prejudices, the feelings, and the passions of
a large portion of the society, and being founded on no previous
proceedings of the legislature, it presented the first occasion, which was
thought a fit one, for openly assaulting a character, around which the
affections of the people had thrown an armour theretofore deemed
sacred, and for directly criminating the conduct of the President himself.
It was only by opposing passions to passions, by bringing the feeling in
favour of France, into conflict with those in favour of the chief
magistrate, that the enemies of the administration could hope to obtain
the victory.

For a short time, the opponents of this measure treated it with some
degree of delicacy. The opposition prints occasionally glanced at the
executive; considered all governments, including that of the United
States, as naturally hostile to the liberty of the people; and ascribed to
this disposition, the combination of European governments against
France, and the apathy with which this combination was contemplated
by the executive. At the same time, the most vehement declamations
were published, for the purpose of inflaming the resentments of the
people against Britain; of enhancing the obligations of America to
France; of confirming the opinions, that the coalition of European
monarchs was directed, not less against the United States, than against
that power to which its hostility was avowed, and that those who did
not avow this sentiment were the friends of that coalition, and equally
the enemies of America and France.
These publications, in the first instance, sufficiently bitter, quickly
assumed a highly increased degree of acrimony.
As soon as the commotions which succeeded the deposition of Louis
XVI. had, in some degree, subsided, the attention of the French
government was directed to the United States, and the resolution was
taken to recall the minister who had been appointed by the king; and to
replace him with one who might be expected to enter, with more
enthusiasm, into the views of the republic.[4]
[Footnote 4: See note No. II. at the end of the volume.]
The citizen Genet, a gentleman of considerable talents, and of an ardent
temper, was selected for this purpose.
The letters he brought to the executive of the United States, and his
instructions, which he occasionally communicated, were, in a high
degree, flattering to the nation, and decently respectful to its
government. But Mr. Genet was also furnished with private instructions,
which the course of subsequent events tempted him to publish. These
indicate that, if the American executive should not be found
sufficiently compliant with the views of France, the resolution had been
taken to employ with the people of the United States the same policy

which was so successfully used with those of Europe; and thus to affect
an object which legitimate negotiations might fail to accomplish.
[Sidenote: Arrival of Mr. Genet as minister from France.]
Mr. Genet possessed many qualities which were peculiarly adapted to
the objects of his mission; but he seems to have been betrayed by the
flattering reception which was given him, and by the universal fervour
expressed for his republic, into a too speedy disclosure of his
intentions.
[Sidenote: His conduct.]
On the eighth of April he arrived, not at Philadelphia, but at Charleston,
in South Carolina, a port whose contiguity to the West Indies would
give it peculiar convenience as a resort for privateers. He was received
by the governor of that state, and by its citizens, with an enthusiasm
well calculated to dissipate every doubt he might previously have
entertained, concerning the dispositions on which he was to operate. At
this place he continued for several days, receiving extravagant marks of
public attachment, during which time, he undertook to authorize the
fitting and arming of vessels in that port, enlisting men, and giving
commissions to cruise and commit hostilities on nations with whom the
United States were at peace. The captures made by these cruisers were
brought into port, and the consuls of France were assuming, under the
authority of Mr. Genet, to hold courts of admiralty on them, to try,
condemn, and authorize their sale.
From Charleston, Mr. Genet proceeded by land to Philadelphia,
receiving on his journey, at the different towns through which he
passed, such marks of enthusiastic attachment as had never before been
lavished on a foreign minister. On the 16th of May, he arrived at the
seat of government, preceded by