when the honourable Thomas Mifflin, the president, informed the general, that "the United States, in congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications." On which he rose, with dignity, and delivered this address:

"Mr. President-The great events on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I now have the honour of offering my sincere congratulation to congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. "Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States, of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven.

"The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations, my gratitude for the interpositions of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increase with every review of the

momentous contest.

"While I respect my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to compose my family, should have been more fortunate. Permit me, Sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the services to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of congress. I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our country, to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping.

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affec

tionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

When accepting his commission, congress, through their president, expressed in glowing language to Washington, their high sense of his wisdom and energy, in conducting the war to so happy a termination, and invoking the choicest blessings upon his future life.

President Mifflin concluded as follows: "We join you in commending the interest of our country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy nation. And our prayers for you, sir, that your days may be happy, and He will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give."

CHAPTER XIII.

Of the Confederation. Formation and adoption of the present Constitution of the United States.

On the 12th of July, 1777, articles of confederation and perpetual union were drawn up by congress, and ratified by twelve of the states in the December following. This instrument was so imperfect as to be termed by some "a rope of sand." Brittle as it was, however, it carried the people through a perilous war, and what it lacked in energy, was supplied by the spirit of the times. But when the olive branch of peace succeeded to the clarion of war and the din of arms-when private interest took prece dence of public spirit, and intrigue usurped the place of national virtue, the wants of the country called for a more energetic compact, and the cause of republican America required a more efficient safeguard.

To effect this object, a convention was proposed, which held its session in Philadelphia. In this august body General Washington had a seat, and was chosen president. On the 17th of September, 1787, the finishing hand was

put to the Constitution, which was submitted to the differ ent states, and ratified, at first, but by eleven, North Carolina and Rhode Island refusing their assent. The former assented to it in 1789, and the latter in 1790.

In 1789, General George Washington was elected first president of the United States.

It was with great reluctance that he accepted this of fice. His feelings, as he said himself, were like those of a culprit, going to the place of execution. But the voice of a whole continent, the pressing recommendation of his particular friends, and the apprehension that he should otherwise be considered as unwilling to hazard his reputation in executing a system which he had assisted in forming, determined him to accept the appointment. In April he left Mount Vernon to proceed to New-York, and to enter on the duties of his high office. He every where received testimonies of respect and love. At Trenton, the gentler sex rewarded him for his successful enterprise, and the protection which he afforded them twelve years before. On the bridge over the creek, which passes through the town, was erected a triumphal arch, ornamented with laurels and flowers, and supported by thirteen pillars, each encircled with wreaths of evergreen. On the front of the arch was inscribed, in large

gilt letters,

THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHER WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS.

At this place he was met by a party of matrons, leading their daughters, who were dressed in white, and who, with baskets of flowers in their hands, sung, with exquisite sweetness, the following 'ode, written for the occasion :

Welcome, mighty chief, once more
Welcome to this grateful shore;
Now no mercenary foe

Aims again the fatal blow,

Aims at THEE the fatal blow.

Virgins fair and matrons grave,
Those thy conq'ring arms did save,

Build for thee triumphal bowers;
Strew, ye fair, his way with flowers,
Strew your HERO's way with flowers.

At the last line, the flowers were strewed before him. After receiving such proofs of affectionate attachment, he arrived at New-York, and was inaugurated first President of the United States, on the thirtieth of April. In making the necessary arrangements of his household, he publicly announced, that neither visits of business nor of ceremony would be expected on Sunday, as he wished to reserve that day sacredly to himself.

In an impressive address to both houses of Congress, he declared, with characteristic modesty, his "incapacity for the mighty and untried cares before him," and offered his "fervent supplications to that Almighty Being whose providential aid can supply every human defect, that his benediction would consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and would enable every instrument, employed in its administration, to execute, with success, the functions allotted to his charge."

At the close of the revolution, the people anticipated independence and peace; but they were somewhat disap pointed; debts, contracted during the war, bore heavily upon the people.

To remedy these evils, Congress applied to the states for a grant of the power to regulate commerce, and to collect a revenue from it. New-York alone refused; but as unanimity was requisite, her single negative defeated the project. In the mean time the distress increased, and in Massachusetts, where it was the greatest, urged to insurrection a portion of the inhabitants. Near the close of the year 1786, they assembled to the number of two thousand, in the northwestern part of the state; and choosing Daniel Shays for their leader, demanded that the collection of debts should be suspended, and that the legislature should authorise the emission of paper money for general circulation."

Two bodies of militia, drawn from those parts of the state where disaffection did not prevail, were immediately

despatched against them, one under the command of General Lincoln, and the other of General Shepherd. They were easily dispersed; and afterwards abandoning their seditious purposes, accepted the proffered indemnity of the government.

It was a question whether the general government should be supported or abandoned, or whether the object of the revolution should be realized or lost.

In May, 1787, commissioners were appointed and assembled at Philadelphia; George Washington was unanimously elected president. They deliberated with closed doors, and happily it was agreed to sacrifice local interest on the altar of public good.

An abstract of this constitution, with its several subsequent 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 hap pens 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.

"The house of re

Of the powers of the two Houses. presentatives choose their own speaker, and other officers, and have the exclusive power of impeaching public officers, and originating bills for raising a revenue.

The