quent amendments follows: it is extracted from Mr. Webster's Elements of Useful Knowledge.

Of the Legislature. "The Legislative power of the United States is vested in a congress, consisting of two houses or branches, a senate, and a house of representatives. The members of the house of representatives are chosen once in two years, by the persons who are qualified to vote for members of the most numerous branches of the legislature, in each State. To be entitled to a seat in this house, a person must have attained to the age of twenty-five years, been a citizen of the United States for seven years, and be an inhabitant of the State in which he is chosen.

Of the Senate. "The senate consists of two senators from each State, chosen by the legislature for six years. The Senate is divided into three classes, the seat of one of which is vacated every second year. If a vacancy happens, during the recess of the legislature, the executive of the state makes a temporary appointment of a senator, until the next meeting of the legislature. A senator must have attained to the age of thirty years, been a citizen of the United States nine years, and be an inhabitant of the State for which he is chosen.

Of the powers of the two Houses, "The house of representatives choose their own speaker and other officers, and have the exclusive power of impeaching public officers, and originating bills for raising a revenue. The vice president of the United States is president of the senate; but the other officers are chosen by the senate. The senate tries all impeachments; each house determines the validity of the elections and qualifications of its own members, forms its own rules, and keeps a journal of its proceedings, The members are privileged from arrest, while attending on the session, going to, or returning from the same, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.

Of the powers of Congress. "The congress of the United States have power to make and enforce all laws, which are necessary for the general welfare-as to lay and collect taxes, imposts, and excises; borrow money, regulate commerce, establish uniform rules of naturaliza

tion, coin money, establish post roads and post offices, promote the arts and sciences, institute tribunals inferior to the supreme court, define and punish piracy, declare war, and make reprisals, raise and support armies, provide a navy, regulate the militia, and to make all laws necessary to carry these powers into effect.

Of Restrictions. "No bill of attainder, or retrospective law, shall be passed; the writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended except in cases of rebellion or invasion; no direct tax can be laid, except according to a census of the inhabitants; no duty can be laid on exports, no money can be drawn from the treasury, unless appropriated by law; no title of nobility can be granted, nor can any public officer, without the consent of congress, accept of any present or title from any foreign prince or state. The states are restrained from emitting bills of credit, from making any thing but gold or silver a tender for debts, and from passing any law impairing private contracts.

Of the Executive. "The executive power of the United States is vested in a president, who holds his office for four years. To qualify a man for president, he must have been a citizen at the adoption of the constitution, or must be a native of the United States; he must have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. The president and vice president are chosen by electors designated in such a manner as the legislature of each State shall direct. The numbers of electors, in each state, is equal to the whole number of senators and representatives.

"The president of

Of the powers of the President. the United States is commander in chief of the army and navy, and of the militia when in actual service. He grants reprieves and pardons; nominates, and with the consent of the senate, appoints ambassadors, judges, and other officers; and, with the advice and consent of the senate, forms treaties, provided two thirds of the senate agree. He fills vacancies in offices which happen during the recess of the senate. He convenes the congress on traordinary occasions, receives foreign ministers, gives

information to congress of the state of public affairs, and in general, takes care that the laws be faithfully executed.

Of the Judiciary. "The Judiciary of the United States consists of one supreme court, and such inferior courts as the congress shall ordain. The judges are to hold their offices during good behaviour, and their salaries cannot be diminished during their continuance in office. The judicial power of these courts extends to all cases in law and equity, arising under the constitution, or laws of the United States, and under treaties; to cases of public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies between the States, and in which the United States are a party: between citizens of different States; between a State and a citizen of another State, and between citizens of the same State, claiming under grants of different States; and to causes between one of the States or an American citizen, and a foreign State or citizen.

Of Rights and Immunities. "In all criminal trials, except impeachment, the trial by jury is guaranteed to the accused. Treason is restricted to the simple acts of levying war against the United States, and adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort and no person can be convicted, but by two witnesses to the same act, or by confession in open court. A conviction of treason is not followed by a corruption of blood, to disinherit the heirs of the criminal, nor by a forfeiture of estate, except during the life of the offender. The citizens of each State are entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. Congress may admit new States into the union, and the national compact guarantees, to each State, a republican form of government, together with protection from foreign invasion and domestic violence.

It has already been stated that in April 1789, General Washington took the chair as the first President of the United States, Messrs. Jefferson, Hamilton, and general Knox appointed secretaries, and Edmund Randolph, attorney general.

The secretary of the treasury was directed to prepare

a plan for the support of public credit, and report the same at their next meeting.

After the adjournment of congress, the president made a tour through New England, where he was received by the inhabitants with an affection bordering on adoration. People of all classes crowded to behold the man whose virtues and talents exalted him, in their view, above the heroes of ancient and modern times; and to present to him the undissembled homage of their grateful hearts. But to none did his visit give more exquisite pleasure than to the officers and soldiers of the "patriot army," who had been his companions in suffering and in victory, who were endeared to him by their bravery and fidelity in war, and by the magnanimity with which, in peace, they endured unmerited neglect and poverty.

At the next session of congress, which commenced in January, 1790, Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the treas ury, made his celebrated report upon the public debts contracted during the revolutionary war. Taking an able and enlarged view of the advantages of public credit, he recommended that, not only the debts of the conti nental congress, but those of the states arising from their exertions in the common cause, should be funded or assumed by the general government; and that provision should be made for paying the interest, by imposing taxes on certain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within the country.

Upon this report an animated debate took place. Its recommendations were opposed by that party who had seen, or thought they had seen, in the constitution, many features hostile to freedom, and who remembered that Mr. Hamilton, when a member of the convention, had proposed that the president and senate should be ap pointed to hold their offices during good behavior. They now expressed their fears, that the assumption of these debts would render the government still stronger, by drawing around it a numerous and powerful body of public creditors, who, in all the contests, with the states or the people, would be bound, by the strongest of all ties, that of interest, to support it whether right or wrong. This party, existing principally in the southern states,

and professing an ardent attachment to the equal rights of man, took the name of republican.

Mr. Madison proposed, that whenever the public securities had been transferred, the highest price which they had borne in the market should be paid to the purchaser, and the residue to the original holder. After an eloquent debate, this proposition was rejected. The party denominated federal, and existing principally in the northern states, supported throughout with great ability and force of reasoning, the plans of the secretary; but on taking the vote in the house of representatives, they were rejected by a majority of two.

Afterwards this national measure was connected, as is too frequently the case in legislative bodies, with one which had excited much local feeling. It was understood that, should the seat of government be fixed for ten years at Philadelphia, and afterwards permanently at a place to be selected on the Potomac, some southern members would withdraw their opposition to the funding system. A law to that effect was accordingly enacted. The former discussion was then resumed. The plans of the secretary were adopted in the senate, and afterwards in the house, two members representing districts on the Potomac, changing their votes. The debt funded amounted to a little more than seventy-five millions of dollars; upon a part of which three per cent, and upon the remainder six per cent. interest was to be paid. The effect of this measure was great and rapid. price of the public paper, which had fallen to twelve or fifteen cents on the dollar, suddenly rose to the sum expressed on the face of it. This difference was gained, in most instances, by purchasers of the securities, who, feeling indebted, for this immense accession of wealth, to the plans of the secretary, regarded him with enthusiastic attachment. But in others, this wealth, suddenly acquired without merit, excited envy and dissatisfaction. These joined the republican party; who fancying they were witnessing the fulfilment of their prediction, became more active in their opposition.

The

The recommendation of the secretary to impose additional duties, was not acted upon until the next session