and deep feeling, resigned his commission as commander-in-chief. Thus did Washington, instead of assuming. the power of a military, despot, retire to the peaceful enjoyment of private life.

21. The enemy had now left the coast of America. The public mind was relieved from the excitement of defending the country, and each individual began to reflect upon his own private calamities. Many had been ruined by the devastations of the war; many had loaned all their wealth, on the credit of government; but now public and private credit had sunk together, under the general poverty of the country.

22. Congress had found, during the war, that the power conferred by the federal compact was totally inadequate to the wants of a national government. It gave no power to congress to levy a tax upon the people, or provide for a public revenue. Although the nations of Europe had acknowledged the independence and national character of the United States, yet congress had no power to enter into commercial treaties with these nations. In this state of affairs, the commercial interests of New-England were almost entirely destroyed. Insurrections broke out, and the people by thousands armed themselves against public authority.

23. It was now evident to all the patriotic statesmen of that period, that a great change must be effected in the general government. Commissioners from six states assembled at Annapolis, in September, 1786, and after deliberating some time, proposed to congress, that a general convention of delegates from all the states should be called, for the purpose of revising the articles of confederation.

21. What was the situation of the United States at the close of the war?

22. Was the federal compact adapted to the wants of the nation? In what was it deficient?

23. When did commissioners assemble at Annapolis ? From how many states? From which states? A. New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. What did they propose to congress?

24. Accordingly, in May, 1787, delegates from all the states except Rhode-Island, assembled at Philadelphia, and unanimously elected General Washington president of the convention. This august body, after four months' deliberation, agreed upon a new constitution, and on the 17th of September presented it to congress, which body soon after sent it to the several states for their consideration, and provision was made that it should go into operation as soon as nine states should agree to accept it. The supreme power of the nation, according to the new constitution, was to be placed in the hands of a president, senate, and house of representatives, to be chosen by the people of the several states. Some of the states adopted the constitution immediately, without hesitation. But in others it met with violent opposition. It was, however, adopted by ten states,* and was ratified by congress, July 14th, 1788.

The 4th

of March, 1789, was fixed on as the time when the new system of government should go into operation. Representatives and senators were chosen in the different states to constitute a congress, and electors appointed to choose a president and vice-president under the new constitution.

24. When and where did delegates meet? Who was elected president of the convention? What did they do? What did congress do? How many states accepted the new constitution? What were those called who accepted it? A. Federalists. Those who opposed it? A. Anti-federalists. When was it ratified by congress? How many states were there at that time?

The following table shows the time the constitution was adopted in each state.

Comprises the events that occurred from the adoption of the Constitution to the present time.

1. By this time the United States had taken an honorable rank among civilized nations. The old world watched her progress with the deepest interest, and be

What events are comprised in the fourth period?

1. How did the old world regard the affairs of this country? What was expected of Washington? Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What do you think of his character, as compared with that of Washington? What measures were soon devised?

held, with the highest admiration, the conduct of Washington. Many expected that the man who held the hearts of the American people would, like other conquerors before him, establish himself as a sovereign over them. But Washington, who had served his country, not from ambition, but from the promptings of the purest patriotism, claimed no other rights or powers than those of a private citizen.

2. In the spring of 1789, the members of the new congress assembled at New-York, and when the votes were counted, it was found that George Washington had been unanimously elected president of the United States. The inauguration took place on the 30th of April, in the presence of a vast multitude, who were delighted to see the highest office of the nation conferred on the illustrious hero of the revolution. John Adams was chosen vice-president.

3. Congress now imposed duties on imported goods, and upon the tonnage of vessels, for the purpose of establishing a revenue for the support of government. The president, with the concurrence and assent of the senate, appointed Thomas Jefferson* secretary of state, 2. Who was elected the first president? Vice-president? When did their inauguration take place?

3. What did congress do to establish a revenue? What secretaries were appointed? How were they appointed? What other department was organized? Of how many judges did the supreme court of the United States consist at its organization? A. Of one chief justice and five associate judges. John Jay, of New-York, was appointed chief justice; John Rutledge, of South Carolina, William Cushing, of Massachusetts, R. H. Harrison, of Maryland, James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, and John Blair, of Virginia, associate judges.

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shodwell, near Monticello, Virginia, 1743. In 1769 he was a member of the legislature of Virginia, and so continued till the revolution. He took his seat in congress, June 21, 1775. As a member of congress he made few speeches. He remarks,-"I served with General Washington in the legislature of Virginia, before the revolution,-and during it, with Dr. Franklin in congress. I never heard either of them speak ten minutes at a time,-nor to any but the main point, which was to decide the question. They laid their shoulders to the GREAT POINTS, knowing that the little ones would follow of themselves." In 1801, he was chosen president. In this high office he continued 8 years,-retiring in 1809 to Monticello. There he passed the remainder of his days, devoting the last years of his life to the establishment of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, about 4 miles from Monticello. He died July 4, 1826. He was a zealous cultivator of liter. ature and science, and his name is one of the brightest in the revolutionary galaxy. (See the life of Thomas Jefferson.)

*

Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, and General Knox,† secretary of war. A judiciary department was also organized. John Jay was appointed chief justice, and Edmund Randolph, attorney-general. Several amendments to the constitution were proposed, and afterwards accepted.

4. Washington, soon after congress adjourned, visited the New-England states. Never was a king received with such unfeigned applause and sincere affection. Multitudes travelled many miles to enjoy the pleasure of seeing the man whom all acknowledged to be the father of his country. The officers and soldiers of the "patriot army" wept tears of joy at the sight of their beloved general. Washington felt for them a sort of parental regard, and sought, in many ways, to reward their services in behalf of their country.

5. At the opening of the next session of congress, the president strongly recommended that some effectual measures should be adopted for establishing public credit. Mr. Hamilton, in his able report on the state of the treasury, proposed a plan for this object. He estimated the public debt at fifty-four millions of dollars. About twelve millions were due to France and Holland. Besides this, debts amounting to more than twenty millions had been contracted by the several states in support of the war. Hamilton proposed that these debts

4. When did Washington visit the New-England states? 5. What did the president recommend at the opening of the next session of congress? What did Mr. Hamilton propose?

Alexander Hamilton was born in the island of St. Croix, in 1757. He came to New-York in 1773. At the cominencement of the revolution, he joined the army, was aid-de-camp to Washington, and continued in the service till the close of the war. He afterwards commenced the practice of law in New. York, and rose to the highest eminence in the profession. He was killed in a duel with Colonel Aaron Burr, 1804. This occurrence produced a wonderful sensation throughout the country. His transcendent abilities were acknowledged by men of all political parties; and he was regarded as an able statesman and financier.

+Henry Knox was born in Boston, 1750. He was promoted to the rank of a brigadier general. He was actively engaged during the whole war. In 1785, he succeeded General Lincoln as secretary of war, and continued in the of fice till 1794. He died at Thomastown, Maine, in 1806. He was distinguished for his military talents, and possessed, in an uncommon degree, the esteem and confidence of Washington.