e with impunity, nor give its sanction to any
disorderly proceedings of its citizens.

"By a firm adherence to these principles, and to the neutral policy
which has been adopted, I have brought on myself a torrent of abuse
in the factious papers of this country, and from the enmity of the
discontented of all descriptions. But, having no sinister objects
in view, I shall not be diverted from my course by these, nor any
attempts which are or shall be made to withdraw the confidence of
my constituents from me. I have nothing to ask; and, discharging
my duty, I have nothing to fear from invective. The acts of my
administration will appear when I am no more, and the intelligent
and candid part of mankind will not condemn my conduct without
recurring to them."

Fortified by such conscious rectitude, Washington was well prepared to
meet whatever action the supreme legislature of his country might take
concerning the great question at issue.

We have already observed the cordial reception of Mr. Monroe by the
French government, and the decree of the National Convention that the
respective flags of the American and French republics should be united
and suspended in their hall, as a token of eternal friendship between
the two nations. Mr. Monroe, it will be remembered, reciprocated this
generous feeling, by presenting to the Assembly the flag of the United
States. When, afterward, Mr. Adet came to America as the successor of
Fauchet, the French minister, he bore a letter from the Committee of
Safety to the Congress, and the banner of the French republic for the
government of the United States. He arrived in the summer of 1795, when
the whole country was in a ferment respecting the treaty with Great
Britain; and partly on that account, but chiefly because he supposed his
communication on the subject of the flag must be made to the Congress
direct, he did not announce to the president that complimentary portion
of his mission until late in December. Adet had then been made aware
that the presentation of the colors to the government must be made
through the president only; and as that presentation would be an
occasion for rejoicing, because of a friendly feeling between the two
nations, Washington appointed the first of January, 1796--"a day of
general joy and congratulation"--as the time when he would receive the
token of amity.

The colors of France were presented to