THE LEGISLATIVE POWER.

253

states. The slaves were at length allowed to be PT. III. reckoned, in settling the quota of representatives, as PD. II. equal to three-fifths of an equal number of free white ca. x. inhabitants. That these great difficulties were com- 1787. promised, holds up this convention, as an example to future times, of the triumph of strong patriotism and honest zeal for the public welfare, over party feeling and sectional prejudice.

dates from "the

people."

6. The supreme authority, in whose name the constitution is promulgated, is that of "the people of the Its manUnited States;" the objects for which they ordain and establish, and bind themselves to obey its precepts, are "to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity."

7. The legislative power of the Federal Union, is vested in a senate and house of representatives, the latter to be chosen for two years, by electors qualified to choose representatives to the state legislatures;each to have been for seven years an inhabitant of the United States, and at least twenty-five years of age. Representatives are to be appointed in each state, according to the number of the inhabitants; though there must never be more than one representative to thirty thousand people. Lest the congress should, become too numerous, the apportionment is varied, once in ten years; or after the taking of each census.

Its ob

jects.

The peo

ple re

present

ed by the lower

house.

states re

8. The senate is composed of two members from each state, to be chosen by the state legislatures. The term of service is six years; but the first senate The was to be so chosen, that one-third of the members presenthad two years to remain in office, another four, and ed by the another six; so that, thereafter, no more than one-third of the senate should be composed of new members.

5. How was it disposed of? What may we say of this convention?-6. What is the supreme authority in which the constitution is promulgated? What are the objects for which it was established?-7. In what is the legislative power vested? How are representatives chosen-and for what time? By whom? How are they apportioned?-8. Of how many members is the senate composed?

Y

senate.

254

THE EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIARY.

P'D. II. CH. XIII.

try

P'T. III. A senator must have been an inhabitant of the counnine years, and be not less than thirty years of age. 9. The house of representatives choose their prePresid- siding officer, who is called the speaker. The senate ing offi- are presided over by the vice-president of the United cers. States. Congress must sit as often as once a year, Tune. and the ordinary sessions commence on the first Monday in December.

The represen

have the

10. All bills for raising a revenue must originate in the house of representatives. While the executive bears the public sword, the branch nearest the people carries the purse. ... The executive power is vested in a president and vice-president; each chosen for tatives a term of four years; each to be a native born citipurse. zen, and to have attained the age of twenty-five. The president is commander-in-chief of the army and navy when in actual service. With the consent of twoThe exe-thirds of the senate, he is vested with the power to cutive make treaties, to appoint ambassadors, judges of the sword. supreme court, and many other officers.

the

The ju11. The judicial power is vested in one supreme dicial court, and such other courts as congress may establish. power. The judges retain their offices during good behaviour. They as well as the president and vice-president, may be impeached by the house of representatives, Impeach- and tried by the senate.

ment.

8. What their term of office? 9. Who chooses the presiding officer of the house of representatives? What is he called? Who is the presiding officer of the senate? How often must they sit?-10. What bills must originate in the house of representatives? Who bears the sword? Who the purse? Where is the executive power vested? What is requisite to make a person eligible? What power has the president? How are treaties made?-11. Where is the judicial power vested? By whom are impeachments made? Who tries them?

QUESTIONS ON THE CHRONOGRAPHICAL PLAN,
OR CHRONOGRAPHER.

PART III.-At what time does the third part begin? When does it close? What event marks its commencement? What its termination? On what subject does it treat? Into how many periods is it divided? When does the first period begin? When does it close? What marks the beginning of the first period? What its termination? When does the second period begin? When does it close? What marks its commencement? What its termination?

Organization of the new Government.-The Funding System.-
Party lines strongly drawn.

cn. 1.

1787.

1. WHEN Washington retired at the close of the war, P'T. IV. he had fully intended to pass the residue of his days in PD. I. domestic retirement. The first summons, which he received to quit his delightful retreat, was when the legislature of Virginia chose him first delegate to the convention, which framed the constitution. With reluctance he consented to the pleas of friendship, and the call of public duty. He was made president of the convention by a unanimous vote.

CHAPTER I.-1. What had been Washington's intention when he left the army? What was the first time he was induced to violate it? Of what body was he made president? How?

11*

Y 2

257

Wash

ington made

presi

dent of

the convention.