PRESIDENCY OF WASHINGTON.

IN accordance with the Constitution, Washington was chosen President of the United States, in February, 1789, and John Adams, Vice-President. In April following, the first Congress elected under its provisions assembled in New York, where the oath of office was taken by the President, and he entered upon his duties. Congress immediately created the necessary Executive Offices, namely, those of Foreign Affairs, Treasury, and War. The President named Thomas Jefferson, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Hamilton, Secretary for the Treasury, and General Knox, Secretary for War.

Two political parties had already sprung up in the country out of the differences of opinion respecting the Constitution. Those who desired a vigorous administration of the General Government were known as "Federalists," whilst those who clung to State Sovereignty, and dreaded the preponderance of the Central Authority, called themselves "Anti-Federalists." The latter accused their adversaries of inclining to Monarchy, whilst the Federalists charged the AntiFederalists with seeking to weaken, if not to break up the Union.

These were not mere party cries, but had their origin in sectional feelings and sectional interests. The Northern and Southern States were both peopled

was seen.

by British settlers, but of very different character, as The Puritans who occupied the North came there to realize their doctrines in religion and politics undisturbed. The first inhabitants of Virginia, on the other hand, were a band of adventurers of whom Captain Smith spoke somewhat disparagingly thus:"Unruly sparks packed off by their friends to escape worse destinies at home." Those who followed in Maryland, the Carolinas, and Georgia, were of a better order, but all came in hope of aggrandizement.

To these causes of difference must be added those of climate and soil: the North, bleak and unfruitful, imparting industry and perseverance to its inhabitants; and the South, genial and fertile, developing habits of indolence and luxury. The early introduction of slavery, 1619, into the South rapidly tended to widen the dissimilarities already existing.

The interests of the two sections were likewise different, if not opposed. The North was commercial and manufacturing, whilst the South was wholly agricultural. To be sure, the people of both were united by the strong ties of a common descent, with similar language, laws, and customs. In spite of their prejudices and jealousies, they had joined in throwing off the yoke of the Mother-country, but the great danger was apprehended of their separating into rival, perhaps hostile communities. This risk was immense during the anarchical period that followed the Peace of 1783, but the efforts of the patriotic leaders of both sections succeeded, as described, in enticing North and South to enter into the covenant of the Constitution, which both were pledged to maintain for better for worse.

*

* During the debates on the Constitution in the Convention at Phila

arose.

No sooner, however, was the Constitution set to work, than the two political parties mentioned, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, representing the North and South, The North insisted on an energetic Federal Government, whilst the South, fearing that the North from its greater population would control it, proclaimed their adhesion to State Sovereignty, and a strict limitation of the Federal power.

These parties found champions in two able and distinguished men, Alexander Hamilton of New York, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Washington dreading the effects of their political antagonism, induced them both to enter his Cabinet, where by his influence and impartiality he endeavored to secure their joint support for the various measures of his policy.

Throughout his Presidency the greatest solicitude of Washington was to check political excitement, and restrain the passions of the people. His object was to give time for the new institutions to settle down, and to acquire a hold on the respect and affections of the country that had of late years undergone so many vicissitudes, and where disorder had become almost chronic. To establish the Constitution, born of yesterday, and distrusted by a formidable party; to reconcile the State Governments to the preponderance of the Federal Government, and prevent any clash of jurisdiction; in a word, to set the wheels of the new political machine in motion, and regulate their orderly revolution-this was the mighty task that Washington undertook when he accepted the Presidency, and it delphia, C. Pinckney of South Carolina declared on one occasion: "I had prejudices against the Eastern States before I came here, but cheerfully acknowledge I have found their representatives as candid and liberal as any men whatever."

may be doubted if any man less conscientious, less experienced, less firm, and less respected, could have succeeded in his patriotic object.

The first Law of the new Congress was moved by Mr. Madison of Virginia, to the effect that Duties be levied on “goods, wares, and merchandise imported," with a view to obtain revenue, and promote manufactures. An Act was also passed to favor American tonnage. It was regarded as patriotic and generous in a Representative of the South to recommend laws favorable to manufactures and navigation-both Northern interests.

In the second Session of Congress, January, 1790, a violent struggle ensued between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the North and the South, on the subject of the Debts contracted by the late Confederation as well as by the States during the Revolution. Some eleven millions of dollars were owing to France and Holland, and a much larger sum at home. The Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton, proposed in an able Report that the United States should assume both these Debts, and provide for their liquidation. Both parties agreed on the discharge of the foreign Debt, but to pay the large domestic obligations of the Confederation and the States would involve a National Debt. This the South resisted, as it would tend to consolidate the General Government. After a heated contest the South withdrew all opposition, and the necessary Acts were passed.

The North on this occasion disarmed the South by agreeing to establish the permanent seat of the Government on the Potomac.

* The Potomac River is the conventional dividing-line between North and South.

In 1791, Congress created a Bank of the United States, with a view to facilitate the financial operations of the Government and the country. The South opposed it from the same apprehension of putting another lever in the hands of the Federal Government.

As the close of Washington's first term of office approached, he had the satisfaction to see the country he had found in such confusion gradually returning to order and confidence. The financial system he had established not only relieved the States from a crushing mass of debt, but afforded such facilities to trade and industry as to promote general prosperity. Under his guidance the Constitution was daily becoming more stable, and its popularity, even at the South, was spreading so rapidly that the Opposition dropped the name of "Anti-Federalists," and assumed that of "Republicans." Washington contemplated with patriotic joy the buoyant prospects of the Nation. On returning from one of his excursions to various parts of the Union, he wrote:-"The country appears to me in a very improving state, and industry and frugality are becoming more common than hitherto. Tranquillity reigns among the people, with that disposition towards the general government which is likely to preserve it. They begin to feel the good effects of equal laws and equal protection. The farmer finds a ready market for his produce, and the merchant calculates with more. certainty on his payments. Each day's experience of the Government of the United States seems to confirm its establishment, and to render it more popular. A ready acquiescence in the laws made under it shows in a strong light the confidence the people have in their representatives, and in the upright views of those who administer the Government."