herself. As I do not give these things
with a view to have it talked of, or even to its being known, the
less there is said about the matter the better you will please me.
But, that I may be sure the chintz and money have got safe to hand,
let Patty, who I dare say is equal to it, write me a line,
informing me thereof, directed to 'The President of the United
States at New York.' I wish you and your family well, and am your
humble servant,

"GEO. WASHINGTON."

CHAPTER XII.

FIRST ACT IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION--LAFAYETTE'S PARTICIPATION IN
IT--AMERICAN SYMPATHY IN THE MOVEMENT--WASHINGTON'S EXPRESSION OF
FEELINGS--OPENING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF CONGRESS--WASHINGTON'S
MESSAGE--PRECEDENTS ESTABLISHED--HAMILTON'S REPORT ON THE PUBLIC
DEBT AND PUBLIC CREDIT--HIS FINANCIAL SCHEME--THE PLAN BEFORE
CONGRESS--ASSUMPTION OF STATE DEBTS--FINANCIAL MEASURES ADOPTED BY
CONGRESS--EFFECTS OF THE DISCUSSION OF THE SUBJECT--WASHINGTON'S
OPINIONS--HIS LETTER CONCERNING SECTIONAL JEALOUSIES.

During the summer of 1789 a revolution had broken out in France, and its
influence was soon materially felt in the politics of the United States.
It was severe at the beginning and terrible in its subsequent course.
For a long time the enormous corruptions of state had been apparent, and
an attempted cure by the most violent means appeared inevitable to the
thoughtful and sagacious. The French monarch was a weak man and governed
much by bad advisers; and he often refused to listen to the true friends
of himself and France when they talked of political and social reforms.
Among these was the good, and brave, and generous Lafayette, who loved
the king for his many virtues, but loved France and her true glory,
based upon the welfare and prosperity of her people, far more.

Lafayette's principal associates in the scheme of reform were the Duke
de Rochefoucauld and M. Candorcet. These and one or two others were
regarded as the leaders. They aimed to obtain for France a constitution
similar to that of England, which they regarded as the most perfect
model of human government then known. They desired to retain the throne,
but to diminish very materially the power of the monarch. They desired a
house of peers, with legislative powers similar to that of England, but
restricted in number to one hundred members. They desired a house of
representatives, to be chosen by the grea