The definitive treaty of peace between the United States and Mr. James Madison, providentially at THIS EVENTFUL CRI- 1784 1785 1785 1785 1787 1788 An insurrection, naturally occasioned by a disproportion between the general ability from the low state of commerce, of agriculture, the consequent scarcity of money, and the heavy untimely taxes, levied to reduce the state debts, &c. in Massachusetts. This insurrection was, however, happily suppressed with the loss of only a few lives in December, The federal convention, providentially assembled at Philadelphia, reported the new constitution or present system of federal government, September 17th, George Washington was unanimously elected president of the United States, and John Adams, vice-president, Congress met at New York, for the first time, under the new constitution, March 4th. These were days of universal joy! 1789 George Washington publicly invested with the office of president of the United States of America, April, 30th, and soon after recommends a noble central university as a nursery of all useful science and of federal republican principles, favorable to the preservation of a lasting union of the states, which union he foresaw might expire if mere state, county or parish politicians were often a majority in congress, after the charms of novelty in our form of government are at an end, This year the first census was taken, General Harmer defeated by the Miami Indians, Miami villages destroyed by the Americans. The bank of the United States established on a plan by Alexander Hamilton; in this the nation held one-fifth of a capital of ten millions of dollars, on which, by the extra divi 1789 1790 1790 dends and by sales, near one million of clear profit was realized to the treasury. This, with the additional active capital obtained by funding the war debt, produced those astonishing changes, the effects of which are yet in operation; by these our public and private credit was restored and increased, agriculture, the arts and sciences were every where encouraged; while commerce, universal industry and enterprize, raised, as if by magic, our public and private resources, and our individual and national character, to its present exalted and increasing state. The site for a federal city was selected and formally located on the river Potomac, at the head of its tide waters, in latitude 38° 53′′ north, and long. 76 west from London, as near the centre of North America as the view to a convenient and necessary communication with the sea would permit. This site combines more beautiful, salutary, political and other rational points than that of any other capital city in the known world, The first regular insurance company established with a capi- The king of Britain issues orders to commanders of ships of 1791 1792 1792 1793 1793 1793 1794 A bill passed by congress laying an embargo for 30 days, which is afterwards continued for 30 more, March 26th, John Jay, chief justice of the United States, appointed envoy extraordinary. to. Britain, April, 1794 Discontents, (owing to a partial scarcity of money in the frontier counties in Pennsylvania, and hostile to the excise law,) in the beginning of 1794, break out into an open insurrection in the month of August of this year, but by the prudence of the president of the United States and the good conduct of the militia, who at his call readily stept forth in 1794 support of the violated laws of their country, order is happily restored without bloodshed, General Wayne gains a complete victory over the savages and Canadian militia, near the Rapids of the Miami of the lakes, August 20th, 1794 1794 The treaty of amity and commerce between Great Britain and the United States, signed at London 19th November, ratified by the President of the United States, August 14th, 1795 The dissentions in congress on the subject of financial regulations, and unreasonable jealousies of the influence of the secretary of the treasury, occasion his resignation; an irreparable check to the progress of the United States to immediate wealth, not merely from a change of men, but for the change of those liberal financial measures, that it was the duty of the general government to extend till their country was in a complete state for defence, independent of all further foreign aid, The President assigns his constitutional reasons for a noncompliance with a call of the house of representatives, for the correspondence relative to the late treaty with Britain, The supplies necessary to carry the British treaty into effect, carried in congress after a long and very serious debate, George Washington retires from office as president of the United States, and presents his fellow citizens with an affectionate and invaluable valedictory, containing the principles essential to be observed for the preservation of their political and social blessings, and for the permanent stability of the union, March 3d, John Adams elected' President, and Thomas Jefferson Vice 1795 1796 1796 1797 1797 1797 This George Washington appointed and accepted the commission to 1799 Congress, by imprudently and peevishly limiting the sum to be borrowed by the existing secretary of the treasury, force him, during an alarming rupture with France, to give 8 Sper cent. interest, for the necessary loans at that critical period, 1799 George Washington, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, dies! aged 67, December 14, leaving in his will, stock equal to 25,000 dollars, for his favourite national university, and inviting subscribing followers, and directing the interest to be invested at compound interest, till this fund, with such subscriptions as he invited in his will, may be sufficient for the entire object. Messrs. Murray, Ellsworth, and Davy, conclude a convention with the French republic, September 3d, by the independent direction of the President, and contrary to the opinion of many of his confidential advisers, This important era will be ever memorable for the removal of the government of the United States, to their permanent seat, John Adams, on this important occasion, thus addressed both houses, in his first speech in the city of Washington, viz. "I congratulate the people of the United States on the assembling of congress at the permanent seat of government : a residence not be changed. May this territory be the residence of virtue and happiness; in this city may that piety and virtue, that wisdom and magnanimity, that constancy and self government, which adorned the great character whose name it bears, be forever held in veneration." "You will consider this as the capitol of a great nation, advancing with unexampled rapidity in arts, in commerce, in wealth, in population; and possessing within itself those energies and resources, which if not thrown away, or miserably misdirected, will secure to it a long course of prosperity.” It is worthy of remark, that within two years after this excellent caution, a bill passed in congress, directing a positive sale, and of course an immense sacrifice, of above 1,200 eity lots, by auction; by which, in effect, above a million of the public resources were thrown away, unless some uncommon circumstance should speedily intervene to restore a confidence in the remaining city property. The legislature of Massachusetts present a most affectionate address to that venerable and thoroughly tried patriot, John Adams, in consequence of the unaccountable dissentions and difference of opinion respecting the true line of patriotism at this eventful crisis, Thomas Jefferson, late Vice President of the United States, and president of the American philosophical society, and Aaron Burr, both eminent for their talents and unremitting attention to the interests of their country, on the most trying occasions, elected President and Vice President of the United States, March 4th, 1800 1801 1801 1801 We have at this period to note a remarkable error in the 1802 1803 1804 1804 |