THE PURCHASE

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CHAPTER 1.

Organization of the new Government. The Funding System.-
Party lines strongly drawn.

cH. I.

1787.

1. WHEN Washington retired at the close of the war, P'T. IV. he had fully intended to pass the residue of his days in P'D. I. domestic retirement. The first summons, which he received to quit his delightful retreat, was when the legislature of Virginia chose him first delegate to the convention, which framed the constitution. luctance he consented to the pleas of friendship, and the call of public duty. He was made president of dent of the convention by a unanimous vote.

Wash

With re- ington

CHAPTER I.-1. What had been Washington's intention when he left the army? What was the first time he was induced to violate it? Of what body was he made president? How?

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257

made

presi

the convention, a

258

P'D. I.

THE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED.

P'T. IV. 2. The constitution being adopted, the universal voice of the nation called him forth, to organize the CH. I. government. A special messenger from the president Unani- of congress, brought him the official intelligence of mously his election, and in two days he set out for New York, president. where congress first convened.

elected

April 30.

3. The ceremony of his inauguration was witnessed, with inexpressible joy. He made an address to 1789. Congress, in which he offered his "fervent supplications to the Almighty Being, whose providential aid can supply every human defect, that his benediction gurated would consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves; and would enable every officer to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge."

Is inau

at N. Y.

mer

4. Congress made it their first object to establish Congress lay dua revenue, sufficient for the support of government, ties on and for the discharge of the debt, contracted during chandise the revolutionary war. For this purpose, they laid and ton- duties on the importation of merchandise, and on the nage. tonnage of vessels.... The first appointed under the secreta constitution as the heads of departments, were, Thomas ries, JefJefferson, secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton of Hamil the treasury, and General Knox of the department of Knox. war. The small navy was assigned to the care of the latter.

The first

ferson,

ton and

amended

5. During this session it was proposed to amend the Consti- constitution. Congress agreed upon twelve new artitution cles, which were submitted to the respective state legislatures; and being approved by three-fourths of these bodies, they became a part of that instrument. 6. Mr. Hamilton, early in the second session brought 1790. Hamil forward his celebrated report, which was drawn up ton's with a masterly hand. He showed the importance of system. public credit, and proposed, assuming or funding, not

funding

only the public debt, amounting to fifty-four millions

2. By what vote was he elected president of the U. S.? Where did Congress at this time meet? Did their messenger wait long for Washington?-3. Give some account of his inauguration?4. What did Congress make their first object? Who were made heads of departments?-5. What was done respecting the constitution?-6. Give an account of Mr. Hamilton's system of funding the public debts?

THE FUNDING SYSTEM.

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of dollars, but also the state debts, estimated at twen- PT. IV. ty-five millions; and of making permanent provision p’D. I. for the payment of the interest, by imposing taxes on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within the United States.

CH. I.

and

party

7. The debates on this report produced an irritation 1790. of feeling, which, in the event, shook the foundation of the government; and they may fairly be said, to be the origin of that violent party spirit, which, under Heated the names of federalists and republicans, for thirty debates years arrayed one part of the American community against the other. Mr. Hamilton's plan was finally animosiadopted; and at the same time, a law passed fixing the seat of government where it now is. The debt funded, amounted to a little more than seventy-five millions of dollars; upon a part of which, an interest of three per cent. was paid, and on the remainder, six per cent.

8. Rhode Island had refused to send delegates to the convention, which formed the constitution; and neither that state, or North Carolina, had accepted it at the time of its adoption. North Carolina acceded to it in November, 1789; Rhode Island in May, 1790. .. An act was passed, accepting the cession of the claims of North Carolina to a district, west of that state; and a territorial government was established by congress, under the title of "the Territory of the United States, south of the Ohio."

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ties.

N.C.

and R. I. accede to

the con

stitution.

tional

9. Kentucky was separated from Virginia, and also 1791. erected into an independent government, receiving its name from its principal river. A national bank was, A naduring this session, recommended by Mr. Hamilton, bank esand passed through congress, although it met a violent tablishopposition from the republican party. After deliberate investigation, the president was convinced of its constitutionality and utility, and gave it his signature.

7. What effect did its introduction produce in congress? Was it adopted? What other law passed at the same time?-8. What two states at first refused to adopt the constitution? When did they agree to it? What territory was taken from N. C.?9. What was done respecting a national bank?

ed.