WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION AT TRENTON. 312 Washington receiving the intelligence of his election. As his presence at the seat of government was immediately required, he set out from Mount Vernon on the second day alter receiving notice of his appointment. His journey to New York bore the character of a triumphal procession. The roads were crowded with multitudes desiring to see the man of the people.' Escorts of militia and gentlemen of the highest respectability attended him from state to state. Addresses of congratulation were presented to him at the several towns through which he passed, to which he returned answers marked with his characteristic dignity and modesty. His reception at Trenton, and the ceremony of inauguration, are thus described by Dr. Ramsay: When Washington crossed the Delaware, and landed on the Jersey shore, he was saluted with three cheers by the inhabitants of the vicinity. When he came to the brow of the hill, on his way to Trenton, a triumphal arch was erected on the bridge, by the direction of the ladies of the place. The crown of the arch was highly ornamented with imperial laurels and flowers: and on it was displayed in large characters, December 26th, 1776. On the sweep of the arch beneath was this inscription: The defender of the mothers will also protect their daughters. On the north side were ranged a number of little girls, dressed in white, with garlands of flowers on their heads, and baskets of flowers on their arms, in the second row stood the young ladies, and behind them the married ladies of the neighbourhood. The instant he When did he set out for New York? | His reception at Trenton. Describe his journey. ין? 314 WASHINGTON'S INAUGURATION. passed the arch, the young girls began to sing the following ode: "Welcome, mighty chief, once more, Welcome to this grateful shore: Aims again the fatal blow, Aims at thee the fatal blow. Virgins fair, and matrons grave, As they sung the last lines, they strewed their flowers on the road before their beloved deliverer. His situation on this occasion, contrasted with what he had felt on the same spot in December, 1776, when the affairs of America were at the lowest ebb of depression, filled him with sensations that cannot be described. He was met by a committee of congress in New Jersey, who conducted him to Elizabethtown Point, where he embarked for New York in an elegant barge of thirteen oars, manned by thirteen branch pilots. On landing in New York, he was conducted. with military honours to the apartments provided for him. There he received the congratulations of great numbers, who pressed round him to express their joy on seeing the man who possessed the love of the nation at the head of its government. The 30th of April was fixed for his taking the oath of office, which is in the following words: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States." This was administered by R. R. Livingston, the chancellor of the state of New York, in the presence of both branches of the national legislature, and an immense concourse of citiAn awful silence prevailed among the spectators. It was a minute of the most sublime political joy. The chancellor then proclaimed him president of the United States. This was answered by the discharge of thirteen guns, and by the effusion of shouts from ten thousand grateful and affectionate hearts. zens. The president, after bowing respectfully to the people, Whither aid he proceed from Tren- How was he conveyed to New | Describe his reception at New York. When did he take the oath of office? What was it? Describe the inauguration. WASHINGTON'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. 315 retired to the senate chamber, where he addressed both houses, with the appellation of "Fellow citizens of the senate and house of representatives," in an impressive speech, in which, with his usual modesty, he declared his "incapacity for the mighty and untried cares before him," and offered his fervent supplications "to the Almighty Being, whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that his benediction would consecrate, to the liberties and happiness of the United States, a government instituted by themselves, for those essential purposes; and that he would enable every agent, employed in its administration, to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge.' He also declared "that no truth was more thoroughly established, than that there exists an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness;between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous people, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; and that the propitious smiles of heaven could never be expected on a nation that disregarded the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself had ordained." 'After making some personal observations, that in conformity to the principle he adopted, when made commander in chief of the army, to renounce all pecuniary compensation, "he declined, as inapplicable to himself, any share in the personal emoluments included in a permanent provision for the executive department," and prayed "that the pecuniary estimates for the station in which he was placed, should, during his continuance therein, be limited to such actual expenditures as the public good might be thought to require." He then took his leave; "but not without resorting, once more, in humble supplication to the benign Parent of the human race, that since he had been pleased to favour the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity, on a form of government, for the security of their union, and the advancement of their happiness, so his divine blessing might be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of the government must depend." No sooner was the federal government thus completed by the inauguration of its chief, than congress proceeded at once to the consideration of what most pressed upon its attention What was the tenor of his inaugural address? 316 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST CONGRESS. the revenue. But as every thing had hitherto remained unsettled, the discussion on this point involved the question of foreign policy and preference; and, leading to a warm debate, occasioned a collision between parties at the very outset of their legislative career. Mr. Madison proposed a tax upon imported goods and tonnage. This, in principle, was objected to by none; but as the tonnage duty, pressing upon foreign vessels exclusively, was intended to act in favour of domestic, and at the expense of foreign shipping, it excited opposition. Some urged that America had few ships of her own, and needed the use of those which this duty might drive away. But Madison pointed out, in answer, the necessity of fostering the infant navy of the country, as the only defensive force that would be required, or available, in a future war.* This argument overcame the objections, and the clause establishing duties on imports and tonnage was passed. A provision being thus made for raising a revenue and answering the just debts of the states, congress proceeded to complete the machine of government, by the institution of an executive cabinet. Departments were erected, of the treasury, of war, and of state-the latter including foreign and domestic relations; and these ministerial departments were filled up with able statesmen. Colonel Hamilton, the friend of Washington, and he who had chiefly induced him to accept the guidance of the new government, was appointed secretary of the treasury. General Knox, who had been secretary of war under congress, was now re-appointed; whilst Mr. Jefferson, envoy in France, but then on his return to the United States, was named secretary of state. At the head of the judicial department was placed Mr. Jay, as chief justice, one of the most estimable characters of the time. Such were the chief results of the first session of congress, as established by the constitution. Immediately after its close, Washington undertook a journey through the New What was the first object of attention | What departments were created? in congress? What did Mr. Madison propose? What secretaries were appointed? Whither did Washington proceed *It is pleasant to remember that the chief triumphs of the American navy were accomplished during the presidency of that great statesman, who had been one of its earliest friends and supporters. DEBTS OF THE STATES. 317 England states, in every quarter of which he was welcomed with the most affectionate enthusiasm. Nor could this tribute be paid to his person exclusively, without in some degree producing a share of such feeling for his office. North Carolina, in this recess, gave up her opposition; and her legislature now by a vote declared its adhesion to the union. The next session of congress commenced in January, 1790. Its first important business was to act upon the famous report of Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the treasury, in which he proposed a plan for funding the public debt by raising a loan equal to the whole amount of the debt. To this the opposition, or anti-federal party, objected; arguing that it was expedient to pay foreigners the entire of their demand; but as the American holder of paper money had, for the most part, received it at a most depreciated value, he should be paid only the price at which he bought it. Mr. Jackson opposed the ministerial measure on the broad principle of aversion to the system of public debt altogether. There was more reason for this objection, as Hamilton proposed to render a portion of the public debt irredeemable except with the holder's consent. 圃 Notwithstanding the opposition to the secretary's measure, it was agreed to. But a very important part of the arrangement remained behind. This referred to the debts incurred separately by each state for carrying on the war. These Hamilton proposed that congress should pay, and throw into the common fund. The opposition maintained that each state should account for, and settle its own debt. And this they urged, on the principle that if the federal government thus made the paying of interest and raising of funds to centre in itself, it would wield a power inconsistent with the rights and independence of the separate states. This was a question upon which the federalists and antifederalists, or republicans, as they now began to be called, were brought into direct collision, and the dispute was yet warmer than any hitherto known. The federalists exclaimed, that no government could exist, which was considered unworthy of this confidence. The republicans urged, that these How was he received? What state now accepted the consti- When did congress again assemble? Was the measure agreed to? What part of the arrangement re- What was Hamilton's proposition? |