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EXCLUSION OF SLAVERY FROM THE N. W TERRITORY. 255

P'T. IIL

ed their claims; except to certain specified reservations. Connecticut had a large reservation in the north P'D. II. east part of Ohio; by means of which, she obtained Conn.

the nucleus of her school fund.

was

sc. fund

Slavery prohibited

in the

13. The bill for the erection of the North West Territory passed Congress in 1787. While it pending, Mr. Jefferson introduced and carried an amendment, forever excluding slavery from that ex- N. W. tensive region. A territorial government was here first introduced into the American system. The gene- al gov't ral government appoints for the territory its executive, and high judicial officers, while the people exercise, by an assembly of delegates, the legislative power.

...

First territo

EXERCISES ON THE CHRONOGRAPHER.

What event marks the beginning of this period? What is its date? Point out its place on the chronographer.

Point out on the chronographer the place of the following events according to their dates: The Americans were defeated at the battle of Long Island, Aug., 1776. They defeat the Hessians at Trenton, Dec., 1776, and the British at Princeton, Jan., 1777. Dr. Franklin was sent on a mission to France, and Lafayette offered his services to Congress, in 1777. Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates, Oct., 1777. France made a treaty with the United States, in 1778. The battle at Savannah, and the naval victory of Paul Jones, occurred in 1779. Arnold's treason was 1780. Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown, Oct., 1781. The treaty of peace was signed Sept. 3d, and Washington resigned Dec. 23. 1783. The N. W. Territory was erected, 1788.

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THE FINAL ADOPTION OF 1789, THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION,

THE PURCHASE

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OF LOUISIANA.

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CHAPTER 1.

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

P'D. I.

1787

1. WHEN Washington retired at the close of the war, PT.IV he had fully intended to pass the residue of his days in domestic retirement. The first summons, which he cн. 1. received to quit his delightful retreat, was when the legislature of Virginia chose him first delegate to the convention, which framed the constitution. With re- ington luctance 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?

Wash

predi

dent of

the cou
vention

258

PT. IV.

P'D. I.

THE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED.

2. The constitution being adopted, the universal voice of the nation called him forth, to organize the CH. I. government. A special messenger from the president Unani- of congress, brought him the official intelligence of mously his election, and in two days he set out for New York, president. where congress first convened.

elected

3. The ceremony of his inauguration was witnessed, with inexpressible joy. He made an address to 3 1789. congress, in which he offered his "fervent supplications to the Almighty Being, whose providential aid April 30. can supply every human defect, that his benediction gurated would consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves; and would enable every officer to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge."

1

inau

at N. Y.

mer

nage.

4. Congress made it their first object to establish Congress lay du- a revenue, sufficient for the support of government, ties on and for the discharge of the debt, contracted during chandise the revolutionary war. For this purpose, they laid and ton- duties on the importation of merchandise, and on the The first tonnage of vessels.... The first appointed under the secreta constitution as the heads of departments, were, Thomas ries, JefJefferson, secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton of Hamil the treasury, and General Knox of the department of Knox. war. The small navy was assigned to the care of the latter.

ferson,

ton and

Consti

amended

5. During this session it was proposed to amend the constitution. Congress agreed upon twelve new arti tution cles, which were submitted to the respective state legislatures; and being approved by three-fourths of these bodies, they became a part of that instrument. 1790 6. Mr. Hamilton, early in the second session brought Hamil forward his celebrated report, which was drawn up ton's with a masterly hand He showed the importance of ystem. public credit, and proposed, assuming or funding, not

funding

only the public debt, amounting to fifty-four millions

2. By what vote was he elected president of the U. S.? Where did Congress at this time meet? Did their messenger wait long for Washington?-3. Give some account of his inauguration?-4. What did Congress make their first object? Who were made heads of departments?-5. What was done respecting the constitution? 6. Give an account of Mr. Hamilton's sye tem of funding the public debts?

THE FUNDING SYSTEM.

259

of dollars, but also the state debts, estimated at twen- PT. IV.
ty-five millions; and of making permanent provision PD. I.
for the payment of the interest, by imposing taxes on
certain articles of luxury, and on spirits distilled within
the United States.

CH. I.

and

7. The debates on this report produced an irritation 1790 of feeling, which, in the event, shook the foundation of the government; and they may fairly be said, to be the origin of that violent party spirit, which, under Heated the names of federalists and republicans, for thirty debates years arrayed one part of the American community party against the other. Mr. Hamilton's plan was finally animos adopted; and at the same time, a law passed fixing the seat of government where it now is. The debt funded, amounted to a little more than seventy-five millions of dollars; upon a part of which, an interest of three per cent. was paid, and on the remainder, six per cent.

8. Rhode Island had refused to send delegates to the convention, which formed the constitution; and neither that state, or North Carolina, had accepted it at the time of its adoption. North Carolina acceded to it in November, 1789; Rhode Island in May, 1790. An act was passed, accepting the cession of the claims of North Carolina to a district, west of that state; and a territorial government was established by congress, under the title of "the Territory of the United States, south of the Ohio."

ties.

N. C.
and R. I.
accede to

the con-
stitution.

tional

9. Kentucky was separated from Virginia, and also 1791. erected into an independent government, receiving its name from its principal river. ... A national bank was, A naduring this session, recommended by Mr. Hamilton, bank e and passed through congress, although it met a violent tablich opposition from the republican party. After deliberate investigation, the president was convinced of its constitutionality and utility, and gave it his signature.

7. What effect did its introduction produce in congress? Was it adopted? What other law passed at the same time? — 8. What two states at first refused to adopt the constitution? When did they agree to it? What territory was taken from N. C.?D. What was done respecting a national bank?

ed.

13?

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