Francis Glass, Washingtonii Vita
J.N. Reynolds, Ed.

1 Bellum, &c., “ the war between the late enemies of the United States of America (viz. the British) and the friends of the same (states,) (viz. the French) excited, in the breasts of the (American) citizens, ” &c.

2 Cupere, &c., “ the Americans wished well to, and favored, the French, in consequence of their former alliance. ” The infinitives cupere et favere are governed by cœperunt, understood; or, perhaps, they may be considered as being put for the imperfect tense of the indicative. See preceding notes to this effect.

3 Cives, &c., “ for, to keep the American citizens free and exempt from the zeal of party was most difficult; ” that is, to keep them in a state of neutrality.

4 Pars bona, “ a good part, ” (that is, a great part,) of the citizens, &c.

5 Vi, &c., “ that they (the British) took American sailors by force. ”

6 Creditum, “ was believed, for a certainty, by most persons. ” The verb creditum, may be considered as an impersonal passive verb; or perhaps, more correctly, the whole sentence, from “Britannos to incitare” inclusive, may be viewed as the nominative to the verb creditum, in which case, it is not an impersonal.

7 Britannos, &c., “ for, the Americans affirmed, that the British were jealous of the growing greatness of the United States. ”

8 Nonnulli, &c., “ some in Congress said, that moneys due to British (subjects from the Americans) ought not to be paid. ”

9 Dum, &c., “ until the British should begin to act better, and more uprightly towards the Americans. ”

10 Fædus, &c., “ Jay said, that that treaty, respecting which we are now discoursing, was the most advantageous, that could be concluded, ” &c.

11 Exemplar, &c., “ one of the senators, contrary to the rules and regulations of the senate, sent a copy of the treaty, to a certain printer, for the purpose of giving it publicity. ”

12 Quo, (scilicet, fœdere,) “ which being known, (by the public,) the greatest indignation, like a spark of fire, agitated, ” &c.

13 Ab integro, “ afresh, ” anew, again; thus the Mantuan Bard, “ magnus ab integro sœclorum nascitur ordo. ”

14 Illi, &c., “ but, those who wished to be esteemed moderate and unassuming. ”

15 Consilia, &c., “ very many meetings were called together at Boston, ” &c.,

16 Decretum, &c., “ it was resolved, or voted; ” a passive impersonal: unless we make the whole sentence from “ fœdus to esse ” inclusive, the nominative to decretum; which, in strict grammatical propriety, is really the case; for every verb must have a nominative.

17 Ralio, &c., “ one method only remains, and the same points out to seek the truth, and follow it alone. ” A noble sentiment.

18 Verisimile, &c., “ it is altogether probable, that Washington had long since resolved to ratify the treaty, and that he considered it (the treaty) as being better than war. ”

19 Ea, &c., (scilicet, bella,) “ that he thought they should not be undertaken or engaged in, unless the greatest necessity should demand it. ”

20 Duxit, &c., “ Washington deservedly considered that the embassy of Mr. Jay, was the last method of preserving peace with the British, and thus the rejection of the treaty just now made with the British, he well knew would, assuredly, be the harbinger of war. ”

21 Belli, &c., “ rescue from the calamities of war. ”

22 At, &c., “ but the animosities and anger of the citizens towards the, ” &c.

23 Gralia, &c., “ his influence and popularity with his countrymen. ”

24 Quod, (malum, or negotium,) &c., “ which he foresaw long before. ”

25 Id, &c., (scilicet, fœdus,) “ to make it void, was earnestly attempted by some, (in the House of Representatives of the United States. ”）

26 Necessarias, &c., “ necessary for giving energy to the treaty. ”

27 Denegare, supply cœpit (began,) see former notes.

28 Flagitare, &c., “ earnestly to demand of the president the papers, ”&c., the infinitive flagitare may be said to be governed by cœperunt, implied.

29 Jusjurandum, &c., “ his oath (of office) constrained him to keep, ” &c.

30 Fœdera, &c., “ it plainly appeared to Washington, that the power of making treaties was vested with the president, and that such was the intention of the laws. ”

31 Sententiam, &c., “ I have diligently pondered with myself, in my mind, your resolution, (opinion,) which called on me for the papers, instructions, and directions, on which the American ambassador (Mr. Jay) relying, who had been sent by me to the court of St. James, near the British King, made a treaty with that king. ”

32 Multa, &c., “ this resolution seemed better to me, revolving many things for a long time. ”

33 Facultatem, &c., “ that the power of marking treaties with any nation, was committed by the laws to the president. ”

34 Decretum, “ that vote ” or resolve (of the House of Representatives.)

35 Tamen, &c., “ yet, it was plainly evident that the treaty was ratifield in consequence of his (Washington's) advice. ”

36 Nisi, &c., “ not without the utmost loss of character, could be denied; ” that is, the moneys essential to carry the treaty into effect.

37 Consuetudinem, &c., “ and mutual intercourse between the two, ” &c.

38 Effectum, “ was accomplished. ”

39 Cum, &c., “ when (after) reason had overcome wrath and animosity, it was at length found, by experience, that Washington's counsel, respecting that treaty, had been of much service to the Americans, contrary to their expectations. ”

40 Etsi, &c., “ although the manner of treating with the British had, ” &c.

41 Nationes, &c., “ both nations, France and the United States lived, ” &c.

42 Studio, &c., “ free from the zeal of party; ” that is, indifferent.

43 Die, &c., “ on the 8th day of April, 1793, that ambassador, (Mr. Genet,) landed on the American coasts, ” viz. at Charleston, S. C. The noun naves, or pronoun se, is understood after the verb appulit; literally, he drove his ships, or himself to the coasts, &c.

44 Eum, (scilicet, Gentium, &c.,) treated him very politely.

45 Pignora, &c., “ received most unequivocal pledges and tokens of, ” &c.

46 Hâc, &c. “ encouraged by this friendship of the Americans towards him, (Genet,) he did not hesitate to equip several ships of war, and to declare war against nations at amity with America, and to enlist American soldiers for that war. ”

47 Res, &c., “ the French revolution. ” Res novæ, is taken for a revolution, or change of government, by the best writers.

48 Agnorit, &c., “ he, (Washington,) at length acknowledged Genet, (in quality of) French ambassador. ”

49 Bonis, &c., “ hateful to all good men. ”

50 Aucioritas, &c., “ and, although, his (Washington's) authority was branded by libels and various reproaches. ” Libelli famosi mean libels

51 Ministros, &c., “ and, (although,) it was publicly affirmed by some, that his servants (in the administation of the government) were faithless to those things committed to them by the president. ”