3 3 1 250 P'D. II. tents among THE MORAL SUBLIME. P'T. III. 6. The officers of the army feared, that if they should disband, themselves and their services would H. XII. be forgotten. Some were ambitious; and thought that Discon- if a monarchy should succeed, they might become dukes or earls. A letter was addressed by one of the offi- these to Washington, endeavouring, in a smooth and artful strain, to persuade him, that a monarchy was the most desirable form of government, and himself a suitable man for king. Washington replied, that "he viewed such ideas with abhorrence, and must reprehend them with severity.” cers. A rebuke. 1783. The burg 7. But the discontents of the army remained; and Washington repeatedly urged congress to attend to their just claims. While the army were lying at Newburg, an anonymous paper, able, but seditious, was circulated. The advice it contained, was that the officers New should cease to petition congress, but march with address. arms in their hands, and demand justice. Washington had foreseen such a crisis, and had remained with the army. His monitory voice was heard, as he ex Wash- horted the officers not to tarnish their fame, pure and ington. exhibits bright as it was; but to believe and trust, that their country would yet be grateful for their devotion and his cha- services. To congress, Washington wrote; and in the most forcible language, presented the claims, and great merits, of those, who had breasted the common danger, and gained for all, the inestimable prize. the su blime of racter. War closes pay. 8. Congress used their utmost exertions to meet the exigency. They commuted the half-pay, which April 19 had been pledged, for a sum equal to five years' full The officers were satisfied, and the army peaceafter ably disbanded. ... On the 19th of April, just eight years from the battle of Lexington, the joyful certainty of peace was proclaimed from head-quarters to the American army. On the 25th of November, the Just eight 6. What fears had the officers of the army? What ambitious project had some of them? What letter was addressed to Washington? How did it affect his mind?-7. Give a further account of the discontents of the army? What paper was circulated? What did it propose? How did Washington meet this crisis? To what did he exhort the officers? How did he write?-8. What did congress? What did then the officers? What hap pened on the 19th of April? What on the 25th of November? SHAYS' REBELLION. 251 British troops evacuated New York, and a detach- P'T. II ment entered it from the army of the new Republic. P'D. II. 9. On the 4th of December, Washington parted cn. x from his officers at New York. A day was ap: 1783 pointed at Annapolis, where Congress were sitting, and Dec. 23. in the presence of a large and deeply affected audi- Washence, he resigned his offices, and commending his ington country to the protection of God, retired to Mount Vernon, followed by the benedictions of America, and the admiration of the world. resigna CHAPTER XIII. Depression subsequent to the war.-Shays' Rebellion.- Distres contents 1. Ar the close of the war, debts encumbered 1784. the general and state governments. Heavy burdens ses, diswere necessarily laid upon the people, who were so and inpoor as to be often nearly destitute of the necessaries surreeof life. The distress of the country at length produced insurrections. tions. sends 2. In August, nearly 1500 insurgents assembled 1787. under arms at Northampton. They took possession of the court-house, to prevent the sittings of the court, 'Shay's' and the issuing of executions. The next month a rebelliou similar scene occurred at Worcester. The leader Gen. was Daniel Shays. At the head of 300 men he Lincoln marched into Springfield, and barred the court-house Gen. Shepard against the supreme court. Gen. Shepard at the head to of 1200 men, was sent to Springfield; where the mul- Spring titude refusing to lay down their arms, he fired upon them, and killed three men. The rioters fell into confusion, and soon dispersed. Fourteen only were 9. What occurred on the 4th of Dec.? On the 23rd ? CHAPTER XIII.-1. What was the condition of the country? What was the consequence of this extreme depression? -2. Relate the circumstances of Shay's rebellion. How was it quelled? How was the affair finally disposed of? field. 3 2 G 2 2 252 THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION. P'T. III. sentenced to death, and these were afterwards par doned. P'D. II. govern Articles CH. XIII. 3. The articles of confederation, although they had gates meet 1787. framed 4. In May, 1787, the convention met, and instead of amending the articles of confederation, they proceeded to form a new constitution. Their debates Consti- were long and arduous. Much honest difference of tution opinion existed; in particular, where the strength of at Phila. the new government came in question. On the one hand it was contended, that, if the government was made too weak, a state of anarchy, and consequent Honest revolution, would ensue; on the other, that if it were made too strong, America would lose those blessings opinion. of liberty, which she had bled to obtain; and only difference of question make an exchange of foreign, for domestic oppression. Those in favor of holding the states strongly united, were called, at this time federalists, and their opponents, anti-federalists. Points in 5. Other points of dispute arose, which were still the slave more dangerous, because they divided parties by geoagitated graphical lines. The most difficult of these, regarded and com- the representation, in congress, of the slave-holding promised 3. Why was the government, as it then existed, found inadequate? Where did a convention meet? At what conclusion did they arrive? What resolution was passed by congress?→ 4. What important assemblage convened in May, 1787? Wha did they proceed to do? In what respect was there an honest difference of opinion in the minds of the framers of the constitution ? What was maintained by each side? Who were called federalists, and who anti-federalists ?· 5. What other point of dispute was there? THE LEGISLATIVE POWER. 253 states. The slaves were at length allowed to be P'T. III. reckoned, in settling the quota of direct taxes and P'D. II. representatives, as equal to three-fifths of an equal CH. XIII. number of free white inhabitants. That these great 1787. 4 difficulties were compromised, 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 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, people." 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." 66 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 present ed by the 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 present had 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 con vention?-6. What is the supreme authority in which the con stitution 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? senate. 1 2 3 T 3 254 H. XIII. THE EXECUTIVE, AND JUDICIARY. P'T. III. A senator must have been an inhabitant of the counP'D. II. try nine 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 States. Congress must sit as often as once a year, Time. and the ordinary sessions commence on the first Monday in December. cers. The re- 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 thirty-five. The army and navy president is commander-in-chief of the when in actual service. With the consent of twothirds 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 exe the 11. The judicial power is vested in one supreme The judicial 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, Impeach- may be impeached by the house of representatives, ment. and tried by the senate. The 1787. 12. Towards the close of this period, Virginia, North North Carolina, and Georgia, extended to the Mississippi. The West great tract north of the Ohio river was formed by into a Congress into the North West Territory. erected territory. states The original charters of Connecticut, MassachuThree setts, and Virginia, gave to these states title to relin- large portions of its lands; but, Congress had preclaims. viously compromised with these states, and extinguish quish 8. What their term of office? 9. Who chooses the presid ing 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 re presentatives? 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 Who tries them? whom are impeachments made? |