rce,
the Americans had guaranteed to France their West Indian colonies; but
by the treaty of 1795 they consented that even supplies of provisions
sent to those islands should be treated as illegal commerce. In
consequence of this, the directory affected to regard the Americans as
enemies, and made such depredations on their commerce as amounted to
almost open war. An _arret_ also was issued, on the third of July,
ordering French ships of war to observe such conduct towards the vessels
of neutral nations as they had hitherto suffered from the English. Thus
began that oppressive system by which neutral powers were doomed to be
persecuted in the future progress of the war. Towards the close of this
summer, Mr. Monroe, the American ambassador at Paris, was recalled; and
the directory not only refused to receive a successor, but suspended M.
Adet, French resident at Philadelphia, from his functions. Such was the
situation of the foreign relations of the United States in the year when
Washington finally retired from the cares of government, to enjoy repose
in the shades of Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potowmac.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

The British parliament had been dissolved by proclamation soon after
the close of the last session; and ministers had, in consequence, been
chiefly occupied by the elections. The new parliament was opened by
the king in person on the 6th of October. In his speech, his majesty
repeated his anxious wish for an honourable peace; announced the
intended mission of Lord Malmesbury to Paris for that purpose; and made
allusion to the success of our arms in the East and West Indies, and to
the brilliant campaign of Archduke Charles. Some difference of opinion
existed between ministers and their supporters, on the propriety of
entering upon a negociation with republican France; but, nevertheless,
the usual addresses passed without a division. A clause in his majesty's
speech declared apprehension of an invasion; and therefore Pitt
recommended the adoption of measures to repel the attempt. He proposed a
plan for augmenting the national force by a levy of 15,000 men from
the parishes, to be divided between the sea and land service; and by
a supplementary levy of 60,000 men for the militia, and 20,000 men for
irregular service, not to be called out immediately, but enrolled and
gradually trained. This plan, after some bitter remarks made by the
habitual opponents of government, and after the alt