sation for the past, or substantial provis.on for the 1783. future. situation of affairs what was feared? 2. What is said of an address circulated through the army? a March 11 7. 'In this situation of affairs, it was feared that an 1. In this open insurrection would break out, and that the army would attempt to do itself the justice which the country was slow to grant. In the midst of the excitement, an anonymous address, since ascertained to have been written by Major John Armstrong,-composed with great ingenuity, and recommending an appeal to the fears of congress, and the people, was circulated through the army; calling a meeting of the officers, for the purpose of arranging the proper measures for obtaining redress. Such was the state of feeling in the army, that a war between the civil and the military powers appeared inevitable, and 8. The firmness and prudence of Washington, however, succeeded in averting the danger. Strong in the love and veneration of the people and the army, possessing an almost unbounded influence over his officers, he succeeded in persuading the latter to disregard the anonymous call, and to frown upon all disorderly and illegal proceedings for obtaining redress. In a subsequent meeting, called by Washington himself, General Gates presiding, the officers unanimously declared, that "No circumstances of distress or danger should induce a conduct that might tend to sully the reputation and glory which they had acquired at the price of their blood, and eight years faithful services," and that they still had "unshaken confidence in the justice of congress and their country." 5. What ar were made by congress? 9. Not long after, congress succeeded in making the proper arrangements for granting the officers, accord- rangements ing to their request, five years full pay, in place of half pay for life; and four months full pay to the army, in part payment for past services. Their work completed, their country independent, the soldiers of the revolution returned peaceably to their homes; bearing with them the public thanks of congress, in the name of their grateful country. 6. What is said of the the soldiers return of to their homes? 7. Relate the 10. Washington, having taken leave of his officers circumstan and army, repaired to Annapolis, where congress was then in session; and there, on the 23d of December, ces of Washing ton's resig nation. 1783. before that august body of patriots and sages, and a large concourse of spectators,-in a simple and affec tionate address, after commending the interests of his country to the protection of Heaven, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the American army. 1. What is etirement? * 11. After an eloquent and affecting reply by Gen id of hit eral Mifflin, then president of the congress, Washing ton withdrew. He then retired to his residence at Mount Vernon, exchanging the anxious labors of the camp, for the quiet industry of a farm, and bearing with him the enthusiastic love, esteem, and admiration of his countrymen. 2. To what tention of congress now directed? 12. Independence and peace being now established, was that the public mind, relieved from the excitement incident to a state of war, was turned to examine the actual condition of the country. In addition to a foreign debt of eight millions of dollars, a domestic debt of more than thirty millions, due to American citizens, and, principally, to the officers and soldiers of the rev olution, was strongly urged upon congress for payment. Why could But by the articles of confederation congress had not discharge the power to discharge debts incurred by the war; it could merely recommend to the individual states to raise money for that purpose. not congress the debts? 4. For what were the upon? 5. What pre compliance? 13. The states were therefore called upon for funds tates called to discharge, in the first place, the arrears of pay due to the soldiers of the revolution. The states listened vented their to these calls with respect, but their situation was einbarrassing;-each had its local debts to provide for, and its domestic government to support, the country had been drained of its wealth, and taxes could not be collected; and, besides, congress had no binding power to compel the states to obedience. "Some of the states surrection attempted, by heavy taxes upon the people, to sup port their credit, and satisfy their creditors. In Massa chusetts, an insurrection was the consequence, and an armed force of several thousand men was necessary to suppress it.a 6. What caused an in Massa chusetts? a. In 1787. *Mount Vernon, in Virginia, the former residence of Washington, is on the W. bana of the Potomac, six miles below Alexandria. It contains the mansion and the tomb of he Father of his country, and many a citizen and traveller have made a pilgrimage ta this hallowed spot. 1. What noro became ap parent? 2. What con vention was napolis in held at An 17862 1787. 14. With evils continually increasing, the neces- 1786. sity of a closer union of the states, and of an efficient general government, became more and more apparent. 2A convention of commissioners from six states, held at Annapolis, in September, 1786, for the purpose of establishing a better system of commercial regulations, led to a proposition for revising the articles of confederation. Accordingly, a convention of delegates, from all the states, except Rhode Island, met at Philadelphia for this purpose in 1787. Finding the articles 3. What is of confederation exceedingly defective as a form of said of the government, the convention rejected their former pur-beda Phil pose of revising them, and proceeded to the consideration of a new constitution.-In July of this year, a large extent of territory north of the Ohio River was formed into a territorial government by the general congress, and called the Northwestern Territory." 15. After four months' deliberation a constitution was agreed on, which, after being presented to congress, was submitted to conventions of the people in the several states for their ratification. Previous to, and during the year 1788, majorities of the people in eleven of the states adopted the constitution, although not without strong opposition; as many believed that the extensive powers, which the new government gave to the rulers, would be dangerous to the liberties of the people. 4. a. May. convention that assem adelphia in 1787 ? What new governmen: was formed in July? b. Sept. 17. 5. What is new consti of its adop said of the tution, and tion? 1788. 6.What par now arose? ty names 7. What 16. The supporters of the constitution, who advocated a union of the several states under a strong government, were denominated Federalists, and their opposers anti-Federalists. Provision having been made election of for the election of officers under the new government, made under George Washington was unanimously elected Presi- the new gov dent of the United States for the term of four years, c. Votes and John Adams Vice-president. officers was ernment? counted April 8. The Northwestern Territory then embraced the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin Territory. See chart, p. 10, for the several changes since made in the N.W. Territory PART IV. THE UNITED STATES, FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT UNDER What gert is embraced in Part IV. CHAPTER I. WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION, FROM APRIL 30, 1789, TO MARCH 4, 1797. Of what does Chapter 1. treat? 1789. 1. When and where did enter upon of president? Washington the duties 2. What ac count is giv en of his address on the? 1. ON the 30th of April, 1789, Washington appeared before congress, then assembled in the city of New York, and taking the oath of office required by the constitution, was proclaimed President of the United States.* In an impressive address to both houses of congress, he expressed his distrust in his own qualifications for the important office to which the partiality of his country had called him, offered his "supplica- occasion? tions to that Almighty Being who rules over the uni verse, and presides in the councils of nations," that He would CC consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves," and that He would enable all “ ployed in its administration, to execute, with success, the functions allotted to their charge." em 2. Adhering to the principles upon which he had acted while commander-in-chief, he now likewise declined all pecuniary compensation for his presidential duties, and closed by requesting congress to accompany him, in humble supplication, to the benign Parent of the human race, for the divine blessing on all those measures upon which the success of the government *Washington was inaugurated in the gallery of the old City Hall, which stood a Rr site of the present Custom House, in Wall Street. |