1. All legislative power shall be vested in a congress of the United States, which shall consist of a senate and a house of representatives. 2. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America ; who, as well as the vice-president, shall hold his office during the term of four years. (The way in which the president is elected is somewhat peculiar. See Hillhouse on the :intendment of the .1merican tution.0 3. The judicial pow er of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such in ferior courts as the congress may from time to time or dain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during their good behaviour ; and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not be dimin ished during their continuance in office. 4. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state : and the congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 5. The congress. whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it neces sary, shall propose amendments to this constitution ; or, on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof ; as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed the congress. 6. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States, under this consti tution, as under the confederation. 7. The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution, between the states so ratifying the same.
Such is a very general outline of the system proposed by the commissioners at Philadelphia for the political administration of the United States. It was afterwards rendered more complete by the addition of many other articles, tending chiefly to secure the rights and liberties, of the people ; and, with the improvements alluded to, it was finally adopted by all the colonial assemblies. No sooner had it be gun to operate, than a new vigour seemed to be diffused through all the pros incus. Toe finances were arranged ; the public debt was gradually reduced ; a national bank, with a capital of 10,4)(r1,000 dollars, was established ; the arrears due to the army were paid ; small permanent force was organized ; the admintsu a lion of justice was decisive, but equitable ; and though some disturbances arose on account of the taxes, or the way in which they were collected ; yet the peace and prosperity or the colonies were happily secured.
In the year 1789, the first congress, elected according to the new institute, met at New York. Before this great national assembly was comoked, it was the unani mous desire of the American States, that their late com mander in chief, who had so illustriously conducted them to independence, and had aided them in forming their political system, should allow himself to be chosen pre sident. This desire was expressed in various letters, and these were seconded by me earnest entreaties of his friends. But Washington having retired to the bosom of his family, and devoted himsell to the improvement of his estate, was unwilling to relinquish the tranquillity of private life for the bustle and anxiety of public aflairs.
Yielding, how ever, to the solicitations of those whose opinions he valued, he at last agreed to accept of the ho nour which the United States were anxious to confer upon him ; and according,y, on the first Wednesday of February, A. D. 1789, by the unanimous and unbiassed voice of the States, he was called to the chief magistracy of the American nation. And on the same day, I\ Ir John Adams, who had supported Air Jefferson in pro curing the original declaration of independence, was chosen vice-president.
`When the appointment of Washington was officially announced to him, he signified his willingness to com ply : and, bidding adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and domestic felicity, he proceeded, without delay, 10 New York. In his progress to that city, he was met by numerous bodies of the people, who hailed him as the father of his country ; triumphal arches were erected to commemorate his achievements; aged women blessed him as he passed ; and virgins, strewing roses in his way, expressed their hope, that he, who had defended the injured rights of their parents, would not refuse his protect on to their children. rf Trashingtoil, vol. v. p. 185.) l le approached New York by sea, attended by a deputation h an the congress ; he was receit ed by the got ernor oil one of the wharfs as he landed, and, amidst the roar of artillery, and the acclamations of the multitude, took possession of the apartments w hien had been provided for his reception. Here he was visited by the foreign ambassadm s, by the representatives of the public bodies, and the citizens of chief distinction ; and brilliant illuminations concluded this day of festit ity and joy.
As all the members of the congress approved of the new constitution, they all agreed in supporting it. For a time, theretiwe, the utmost harmony prevailed in the national councils : but, by degrees, the spirit of oppo sition Cr( pt in, and parties began to be formed. They were the s•,me with those which had nearly d the conver.tiol, at Phiftth 1phia, and were distin d the wliich we have already mentioned.
p;•ihcil,les inclined towards mo narchy, or at least towards aristocracy, concurred, with uniform steadiness, in supporting the new authorities ; while the Anti-federahsts, or the more zealous republi cans, opposed, in many instances, the proceedings of the government. It was not, however, till the period of the French rekolution, that these parties became exasperated against each other. The influence of that important event, w It ch shook the foundation of every throne in Europe., was not confined to the ancient continent, but extended beyond the shores of the Atlantic and carried agitation and discord into the American States. The democratic party beheld with pleasure the dissemination of their principles ; they rejoiced in the downfal of kings ; and though they contemplated with horror the sanguinary proceedings of Marat and Robespierre they trusted, that when the first commotions were assuaged, a republic of the most perfect kind would be established, and would remain as a proof to the whole world, that good order and liberty were not inconsistent with each other. But the Federalists, connected with Britain by the various ties of commercial interest, shocked with the crime s of the French rulers, and alarmed at the system of disorganization which they had introduced, repressed every appearance of popular cabal, and supported the executive with all their authority and influence.