UNITED STATES. PERIOD VII. DISTINGUISHED BY WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION. Extending from the inauguration of President Sec. 1. On the 30th of April, 1789, Gen. Washington, in the presence of the first congress under the federal constitution, and before an immense concourse of spectators, was inducted into / the office of president of the United States, by taking the oath prescribed by the constitution. Intelligence of his election was communicated to Washington, while on his farm in Virginia. On his way to NewYork, to enter upon the duties of his station, he received, in almost every place through which he passed, the highest expressions of affection and respect that a grateful people could pay. At Trenton, his reception was peculiarly interesting. The inhabitants of that village had not forgotten the memorable scenes of December, 1776. of the progress On the bridge, over the creek, where the enemy was arrested, twelve years before, the ladies of Trenton erected a triumphal arch, ornamented with flowers, on the front of which was inscribed, "the defenders of the mothers will be the protectors of the daughters." He was here met by the ladies, attended by their little daughters, who, as he passed, literally strewed his way with flowers, as they sung the following ode: "Welcome, mighty chief, once more, Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow, "Virgins fair, and matrons grave, Soon after his arrival in New-York, a day was assigned for his taking the oath of office. On the morning of that day, public prayers were offered in all the churches. At noon, a procession was formed, which escorted Washington, dressed on the occasion wholly in American manufactures, to Federal Hall. Here the oath prescribed by the constitution was administered to him, by the chancellor of the state of New-York. The ceremonies of the inauguration being concluded, Washington entered the senate chamber, and delivered his first speech. In this, after expressing the reluctance with. which he obeyed the call of his countrymen, from repose and retirement, so ardently coveted, after a series of military toils, and the diffidence with which he entered upon an office, so full of responsibility, he proceeded thus: It will be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe; who presides in the councils of nations." Immediately after his inaugural address, he, with the members of both houses, attended divine service at St. Paul's chapel. Thus, in the commencement of his administration, did Washington, by every suitable means, acknowledge his sense of personal dependence upon divine wisdom, to guide with discretion the affairs of a nation committed to his care; thus did he set an example worthy of imitation by all who are elevated to places of authority and responsibility. Sec. 2. Business of importance, in relation to the organization and support of the new government, now pressed upon the attention of the president, and of congress. A revenue was to be provided; the departments of government were to be arranged and filled; a judiciary was to he established, and its officers appointed; and provision was to be made for the support of public credit. After a long discussion, congress agreed to raise a revenue for the support of government, by impost and tonnage duties. Having next fixed upon, and arranged the several departments of the government, the president, whose duty it was, proceeded to nominate the proper persons to fill them. In performing this service, he appears to have been actuated, simply, by a regard to the best good of the country. Mr. Jefferson was selected for the department of state; Col. Hamilton was appointed secretary of the treasury; Gen. Knox, secretary of war; and Edmund Randolph, attorney general. At the head of the judiciary was placed John Jay, and with him were appointed John Rutledge, James Wilson, William Cushing, Robert Harrison, and John Blair. In the course of establishing the executive departments, viz. those of war and of foreign affairs and of the treasury, an important subject of inquiry arose, in what manner or by whom these important officers could be removed from of fice. In the house of representatives, some were of opinion that they could not be removed, without impeachment. The principal question, however, on which congress were divided, was, whether they were removable by the president alone, or by the president, in concurrence with the senate. A majority, however, in both houses, at length, decided, that this power was in the president alone. In the house, the majority in favor of this construction was twelve. But notwithstanding the question was settled in this manner, there were strong objections to placing a power in the hands of an individual, which might be greatly abused; since it was apparent that the president might, from whim, or caprice, or favoritism, remove a meritorious officer, to the great injury of the public good. But to this it was well replied by Mr. Madison: "The danger consists in this; the president can displace from office a man whose merits. require that he should be continued in it. What will be the motives which the president can feel for such an abuse of his power, and the restraints to operate to prevent it? In the first place, he will be impeachable by this house before the senate for such an act of maladministration; for I contend, that the wanton removal of meritorious officers would subject him to impeachment and removal from his own high trust.” Sec. 3. During this session of congress, several new articles were proposed to be added to the constitution, by way of amendment, and to be submitted to the several states for their approbation. After a long and animated discussion of the subject, twelve new articles were agreed upon, and submitted to the respective state legislatures; ten of which were approved by three fourths of them, and were thus added to the constitution. Sec. 4. It was also during this session, that a national judiciary was established. This consisted of a supreme court, circuit, and district courts. The district courts were to consist of one judge in each state. The states were divided into circuits, in each of which, one of the judges of the supreme court and the district judge of the state in which the court was held, constituted the circuit courts. To this court appeals were made from the district courts, but in certain cases it had original jurisdiction. The supreme court was composed of a chief justice and five associate judges, and was to hold two sessions annually at the seat of government. John Jay was appointed chief justice, and Edward Randolph, attorney general. Sec. 5. Next was settled the important question relating to the salaries of the officers of government. The salary of the president was fixed at twenty-five thousand dollars a year, and that of the vice-president at five thousand. The representatives received six dollars per day, and six dollars for every twenty miles travel, and the senate seven dollars per day, and the same for travel. To each of the heads of departments was allowed a salary of three thousand five hundred dollars; to the chief justice of the supreme court four thousand dollars, and the associate judges three thousand five hundred. Sec. 6. Before the adjournment of congress, deeply impressed with a sense of the divine goodness, that body requested the president to recommend to the people a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, in which they should unitedly acknowledge with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of government for their safety and happiness. Sec. 7. On the 29th of September, the first session of congress closed. It was among their concluding acts, to direct the secretary of the treasury to prepare a plan for adequately providing for the support of the public credit, and to report the same at their next meeting. Sec. 8. During the recess of congress, Washington made a tour into New-England. ing through Connecticut and Massachusetts, and into New-Hampshire, as far as Portsmouth, he returned by a different route to New-York. With this excursion, the president had much reason to be gratified. To observe the progress of society, the improvements in agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, and the temper, circumstances, and dispositions of the people-while it could not fail to please an intelligent and be nevolent mind, was, in all respects, worthy of the chief |