1 238 WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION AT TRENTON. of retirement and tenderness for his reputation, did the illustrious Washington accept the first office of the nation. The sacrifice was demanded of him, as, in the words of Hamilton, the success of the great experiment, viz. the working and existence of the new government, altogether depended upon the moral force which the name and cha racter of Washington would bring to its chief office. CHAPTER XXXIII. WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. THE intelligence of his being elected to the office of chief magistrate of the United States, was communicated to General Washington, while on his farm at Mount Ver non, on the 14th of April, 1789. He accepted this high honour with expressions of gratitude for this new proof of the attachment and confidence of his country, and with declarations of diffidence in himself. As his presence at the seat of government was immediately required, he set out from Mount Vernon on the second day after receiving notice of his appointment. His journey to New York bore the character of a triumphal procession. The roads were crowded with multitudes desiring to see the man of the people.' Escorts of militia and gentlemen of the highest respectability attended him from state to state. Addresses of congratulation were presented to him at the several towns through which he passed, to which he returned answers marked with his characteristic dignity and modesty. His reception at Trenton is thus described by Dr. Ramsay: 'When Washington crossed the Delaware, and landed on the Jersey shore, he was saluted with three cheers by the inhabitants of the vicinity. When he came to the brow of the hill, on his way to Trenton, a triumphal arch was erected on the bridge, by the direction of the ladies of the place. The crown of the arch was highly ornamented with imperial laurels and flowers; and on it was What was said by Hamilton ?-Where was Washington when he received the intelligence of his election?-How did he receive it ?-When did he set out for New York ?-Describe his journey.-His reception at Trenton. ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK. 239 Washington receiving the intelligence of his election. displayed in large characters, December 26th, 1776. On the sweep of the arch beneath was this inscription: The defender of the mothers will also protect their daughters. On the north side were ranged a number of little girls, dressed in white, with garlands of flowers on their heads, and baskets of flowers on their arms; in the second row stood the young ladies, and behind them the married ladies of the neighbourhood. The instant he passed the arch, the young girls began to sing the following ode: "Welcome, mighty chief, once more, Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow, ""Virgins fair, and matrons grave, 'As they sung the last lines, they strewed their flowers on the road before their beloved deliverer. His situation on this occasion, contrasted with what he had felt on the same spot, in December, 1776, when the affairs of America were at the lowest ebb of depression, filled him with sensations that cannot be described. He was met by a committee of congress in New Jersey, who conducted him to Elizabethtown Point, where he embarked for New York in an elegant barge of thirteen oars, manned by thirteen branch pilots. On landing in New York, he was conducted with military honours to the apartments proHow was he conveyed to New York ? 2.10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FIRST CONGRESS. vided for him. There he received the congratulations of great numbers, who pressed round him to express their joy on seeing the man who possessed the love of the nation at the head of its government. His inauguration took place at New York on the 30th of April. No sooner was the federal government completed by the inauguration of its chief, than congress proceeded at once to the consideration of what most pressed upon its attention-the revenue. But as every thing had hitherto remained unsettled, the discussion on this point involved the question of foreign policy and preference; and, leading to a warm debate, occasioned a collision between parties at the very outset of their legislative career. Mr. Madison proposed a tax upon imported goods and tonnage, and the law establishing duties on imports and tonnage was passed.* A provision being thus made for raising a revenue and answering the just debts of the states, congress proceeded to complete the machine of government, by the institution of an executive cabinet. Departments were erected, of the treasury, of war, and of state-the latter including foreign and domestic relations; and these ministerial departments were filled up with able statesmen. Colonel Hamilton, the friend of Washington, and he who had chiefly induced him to accept the guidance of the new government, was appointed secretary of the treasury. General Knox, who had been secretary of war under congress, was now re-appointed; whilst Mr. Jefferson, envoy in France, but then on his return to the United States, was named secretary of state. At the head of the judicial department was placed Mr. Jay, as chief justice, one of the most estimable characters of the time. Such were the chief results of the first session of congress, as established by the constitution. Immediately after its close, Washington undertook a journey through the New England states, in every quarter of which he was welcomed with the most affectionate enthusiasm. Nor When was he inaugurated ?-What was the first object of attention in congress-What did Mr. Madison propose ?-What duties were established?-What was next instituted ?-What departments were created? What secretaries were appointed?-Who was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the United States ?-Whither did Washington proceed after congress rose ?-How was he received? * It is pleasant to remember that the chief triumphs of the American navy were accomplished during the presidency of that great statesinan, who had been one of its earliest friends and supporters. DEBTS OF THE STATES. 241 could this tribute be paid to his person exclusively, with out in some degree producing a share of such feeling for his office. North Carolina, in this recess, gave up her opposition; and her legislature now by a vote declared its adhesion to the union. The next session of congress commenced in January, 1790. Its first important business was to act upon the famous report of Mr. Hamilton, the secretary of the treasury, in which he proposed a plan for funding the public debt by raising a loan equal to the whole amount of the debt. To this the anti-federal party objected; but notwithstanding the opposition to the secretary's measure, it was finally agreed to. But a very important part of the arrangement remained behind. This referred to the debts incurred separately by each state for carrying on the war. These Hamilton proposed that congress should pay, and throw into the common fund. The opposition maintained that each state should account tor, and settle its own debt. And this they urged, on the principle that if the federal government thus made the paying of interest and raising of funds to centre in itself, it would wield a power inconsistent with the rights and indeperdence of the separate states. This was a question upon which the federalists and anti-federalists, or republicans, as they now began to be called, were brought into direct collision, and the dispute was yet warmer than any hitherto known. Hamilton, however, finally succeeded in effecting a compromise, and by agreeing to have the seat of government removed farther south, secured the votes of the southern members, and carried this important measure, which not only preserved the public credit of the country entire, but gave strength and efficiency to the federal government at a period when weakness would have been highly and permanently injurious. The raising of supplies to meet the interest of this newly funded debt, was a task that still remained for the minister, and which was deferred till the following session of congress. This he proposed to accomplish by duties on wine, tea, and other luxuries; but chiefly by an What state now accepted the constitution ?-When did congress again assemble ?-What was its first important business ?-Who opposed Hamilton's measure?-Was the measure agreed to ?-What part of the arrangement. remained unsettled ?-What was Hamilton's proposition? -Who opposed it ?-How did he succeed in carrying his point ?-What was the effect of his success?-How did Hamilton propose to raise a revenue? 242 INDIAN HOSTILITIES. excise upon spirits distilled within the country. This last tax was violently opposed, but the opponents of the measure were unable to show any more feasible means of raising the necessary revenue; and the excise bill passed. Hamilton's next measure, for the completion of his commercial and moneyed system, was the establishment of a national bank. This was pronounced by the republican party to be aristocratical and unconstitutional. Jefferson opposed it with great earnestness, and both he and Hamilton having, after the passage of the bill, submitted their opinions to the consideration of the president, he after some deliberation decided in favour of his treasury minister; and the establishment of a national bank was in consequence decided. The effect of this measure was soon felt in the revival of public credit and commercial prosperity. Public paper which had before been at a very great discount, rapidly rose to par, and property which had previously suffered great depreciation, now rapidly increased in value. Every department of industry was invigorated and enlivened by the establishment of a convenient and uniform currency. While the financial system of the United States was thus acquiring permanence and diffusing prosperity under the directing genius of Hamilton, a cloud of war made its appearance among the Indian nations on the frontier. Of these, the Creeks in the south kept Georgia on the alert: whilst on the north-west beyond the Ohio, certain tribes, cherishing vengeance for past hostilities against them, carried on a desuitory warfare; plundering and ravaging detached settlements. The president directed his atten tion first towards the Creeks, with whom adjustment was rendered difficult by their connexion with Spain. The first attempt to bring about an accommodation failed, but in 1790, Gillivray their chief, was induced to proceed to New York, and conclude a treaty. Similar overtures made to the Indians beyond the Ohio, were not attended with any good result. Washington regarding the employment of a regular force as necessary, pressed on congress the increase of the army, which did What tax was strongly opposed ?-What was Hamilton's next meature?-Who opposed it?-How did Washington decide the matter → What were the immediate consequences of the establishment of a national bank-What Indians were hostile to the United States ?--When were the Creeks conciliated ?-What Indians remained hostile --What was proposed by Washington? |