Chapter 4

DRIFTING TOWARD ANARCHY.

The barbarous superstitions of the Middle Ages concerning trade were still rife in the eighteenth century 134

The old theory of the uses of a colony 135

Pitt's unsuccessful attempt to secure free trade between Great Britain and the United States 136

Ship-building in New England 137

British navigation acts and orders in council directed against American commerce 138

John Adams tried in vain to negotiate a commercial treaty with Great Britain 139, 140

And could see no escape from the difficulties except in systematic reprisal 141

But any such reprisal was impracticable, for the several states imposed conflicting duties 142

Attempts to give Congress the power of regulating commerce were unsuccessful 143, 144

And the several states began to make commercial war upon one another 145

Attempts of New York to oppress New Jersey and Connecticut 146

Retaliatory measures of the two latter states 147

The quarrel between Connecticut and Pennsylvania over the possession of the valley of Wyoming 148-150

The quarrel between New York and New Hampshire over the possession of the Green Mountains 151-153

Failure of American diplomacy because European states could not tell whether they were dealing with one nation or with thirteen 154, 155

Failure of American credit; John Adams begging in Holland 156, 157

The Barbary pirates 158

American citizens kidnapped and sold into slavery 159

Lord Sheffield's outrageous pamphlet 160

Tripoli's demand for blackmail 161

Congress unable to protect American citizens 162

Financial distress after the Revolutionary War 163, 164

State of the coinage 165

Cost of the war in money 166

Robert Morris and his immense services 167

The craze for paper money 168

Agitation in the southern and middle states 169-171

Distress in New England 172

Imprisonment for debt 173

Rag-money victorious in Rhode Island; the "Know Ye" measures 174-176

Rag-money defeated in Massachusetts; the Shays insurrection 177-181

The insurrection suppressed by state troops 182

Conduct of the neighbouring states 183

The rebels pardoned 184

Timidity of Congress 185, 186