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CHAP. XI.

Disputes in different States. General Convention. A System of Federal Government recommended. Constitution ratified. Washington appointed

President. His character. Re-elected. Insurrection in Pennsylvania. Washington resigns. Adams chosen President. United States arm against France. Washington elected Commander in Chief. Dies. Peace between France and America. Jefferson elected President. States added to the Union.

tion. Expenditure.

Louisiana ceded. Popula

Debt of the United States. Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants of the United States.

O sooner was peace restored by the defini

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tive treaty, and the British troops withdrawn from their country, than the United States began to experience the defects of their general government. Whilst an enemy was in the country, fear, which had first impelled the colonists to associate in mutual defence, continued to operate as a band of political union. It gave to the resolutions and recommendations of congress the force of laws, and generally commanded a ready acquiescence on the part of state legislatures.But now each state assumed the right of disputing the propriety of the resolutions of congress, and the interest of an individual state was placed in opposition to the common welfare of the union. In addition to this source of division, a jealousy of the powers of congress began to be excited in the minds of the people. And the war had not long

ceased before insurrection and rebellion reared their head in some of the states. The want of money was generally felt; this, with other calamities in which the country seemed to be involved, led the house of delegates in Virgi

A. D.

nia to recommend the formation of a sys.

1785. tem of commercial regulations for the

United States. Commissioners from several of the provinces were appointed, who met at Annapolis in the ensuing summer, to consult what measures should be taken to unite the states in some general and efficient commercial system. As however the states were not all represented, and the powers of the commissioners were, in their opinion, too limited to propose a system of regulations adequate to the purpose of government,they agreed to recommend a general convention to be held at Philadelphia the next year. This measure appeared to the commissioners absolutely necessary. The old confederation was essentially defective, and it was destitute of almost every principle necessary to give effect to legislation. In the month of May delegates from all A. D. the states except Rhode-Island assembled at Philadelphia, and chose general Washington for their president, After four months. deliberation, in which the clashing interests of the several states appeared in all their force, the convention agreed to recommend the plan of a federal government.

1787.

As soon as the federal constitution was submitted to the legislatures of the several states, they proceeded to take measures for collecting the sense of the people upon the propriety of adopting it. It would be a tedious and fruitless task to enter into the debates which the ratifica,

1

1789.

tion of the new constitution* occasioned in the different states; suffice it to say, that after a full consideration and thorough dis- A. D. cussion of its principles, it was ratified by the conventions of eleven of the original thirteen states; and shortly after North-Carolina and Rhode Island acceded to the union. The ratification of it was celebrated in most of the capitals of the states with elegant processions, which far exceeded any thing of the kind ever before exhibited in America.

The new constitution having been ratified by the states and senators, and representatives having been chosen agreeably to the articles of it, they met at New-York, and commenced their proceedings. The old congress and confederation expired, and a new one with more ample powers, and a new constitution, partly national and partly federal, succeeded in their place, to the great joy of all who wished for the happiness of the United States.

Though great diversity of opinions had prevailed about the new constitution, there was but one opinion about the person who should be appointed its supreme executive officer. All of every party turned their eyes on the late commander of their armies, as the most proper person to be their first president. Perhaps there was not a well-informed person in the United States, Mr. Washington himself only excepted, who was not anxious that he should be called to the executive administration of the proposed new plan of government. Unambitious of farther honours, he had retired to his farm in Virginia, and

A copy of this federal constitution may be seen in Morse's American Geography.

hoped to be excused from all future public service. That honest zeal for the public good which had uniformly influenced him, got the better of his love of retirement, and induced him to undertake the office.

The intelligence of his election being communicated to him while on his farm, he set out soon after for New-York. On his way thither, the road was crowded with numbers anxious to see the man of the people: and he was every where received with the highest honours that a grateful people could confer. Addresses of congratulation were presented to him by the inhabitants of almost every place of consequence through which he passed; to all of which he returned modest and unassuming answers.

An

A day was fixed, soon after his arrival, for his taking the oath of office, which was 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 oath was administered by the chancellor of the state of New-York. awful silence prevailed among the spectators during this part of the ceremony. It was a minute of the most sublime political joy. The chancel lor then proclaimed him president of the United States, which was answered by the discharge of thirteen guns, and by the shouts and acclamations of ten thousand joyful voices. John Adams was at the same time elected vice-president.

There is nothing more striking in the whole character of Gen. Washington, and which distinguished him more from other extraordinary men, than the circumstances which attended his promo

tion and retreat from office. He eagerly courted privacy, and only submitted to exercise authority as a public duty. The promotions of many men are the triumph of ambition over virtue. The promotions, even of good men, have generally been sought by them from motives which were very much mixed. The promotions of Washington almost alone, seem to have been victories gained by his conscience over his taste. To despise what all other men eagerly pant for, to show himself equal to the highest places without ever seeking any, are the noble peculiarities of the character of this great man.

Events occurred during his chief magistracy which convulsed the whole political world, and which severely tried his moderation and prudence. The French revolution took place. From the beginning of this revolution Washington had no confidence in its beneficial operation. But, as the first magistrate of the American commonwealth, he was bound only to consider the safety of the people over whom he was placed. He saw that it was wise and necessary for America to preserve a good understanding and a beneficial intercourse with France, however she might be governed, so long as she abstained from committing injury against the United States.

During the turbulent period of the French revolution, when the people of all countries were divided into parties, Mr. Washington was a second time chosen president of the United States, but not unanimously, as in the former inThe disposition which he had shown to take no part in favour of the perpetual changes in France, had created him enemies among those who espoused the cause of the 2 C

stance.

VOL. XXIV.

A. D.

1792.

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