In

confined, on a charge of treason, to the tower of London. the endurance of sufferings in his country's cause, he displayed a character formed after the models of antiquity.

41. To negotiate with these, Mr. Oswald was appointed on the part of Great Britain. The conferences were held at Paris, where, in November, 1782, preliminary articles were agreed upon. These were to form the basis of a definitive treaty, the conclusion of which was deferred until peace should take place between France, the ally of the United States, and Great Britain. That event occurred on the third day of September, 1783; and, on the same day, a definitive treaty between the parent country and her late colonies was also signed.

42. The provisions of the treaty attest the zeal and ability of the American negotiators, as well as the liberal feelings which actuated the new British ministry. The independence of the United States was fully acknowledged. The right of fishing on the banks of Newfoundland, and certain facilities in the enjoyment of that right, were secured to them for ever; and territory was ceded to them more extensive than the most sanguine had dared to anticipate or to hope. During the negotiation, France, to insure the future dependence of her allies upon herself, endeavored, by secret intrigues, to prevent them from obtaining as favorable terms as even their late enemies were willing to granta striking proof of the selfishness of nations.

43. While the negotiations were pending, the American troops were retained in service, but remained unemployed at their various stations. They saw with pleasure the end of their toils approaching, but apprehended, that their country, when she no longer needed their services, would forget with what 'zeal and fidelity they had been rendered. The officers, especially, dreaded that, after having, for want of pay, expended their private fortunes, and after having exhausted their strength in the performance of arduous and protracted services, they should be dismissed in poverty, without any secure provision for their future support.

44. In the course of the war, a resolution had been adopted by congress, stipulating that the officers, after being disbanded, should receive half-pay for life. This resolution had never been ratified by the requisite number of states, and no safe reliance could therefore be placed upon it. In December, 1782, the officers forwarded to congress a petition praying that all arrears which were due to them might be discharged, and that, instead of half-pay for life, a sum equal to five years full pay should be paid or secured to them when disbanded.

45. The delay of congress to comply with this request produced an alarming agitation in that portion of the army stationed at Newburgh. An address to the officers was privately circulated, written with great ability, and admirably well fitted to work upon those passions which recent sufferings and gloomy forebodings had excited in every bosom. The writer boldly recommended that, as all the applications to the sympathy and justice of congress had failed of success, an appeal should be made to their fears.

46. Fortunately the commander-in-chief was in camp. Though conscious that the officers had just cause of complaint, he was aware that duty to his country and even friendship for them, required that he should prevent the adoption of rash and disorderly expedients to obtain redress. Calling them together, he, by a calm and sensible address, persuaded them to rely still longer upon the disposition of congress to perform for them whatever the limited means of the nation would permit.

47. In a letter to that body, giving an account of these occurrences, he maintained and enforced the claims of the officers with such pathos and strength of reasoning, that their request was granted. In November, 1783, the PATRIOT ARMY was disbanded, and again mingled with their fellow citizens. In the same month, New-York was evacuated by the British troops. General Washington, taking an affectionate leave of his officers, repaired to Annapolis, where congress was sitting, and there, at a public audience, with dignity and sensibility, resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the American armies. Then, with a character illustrious throughout the world, he returned to his residence at Mount Vernon, possessing the sincere love and profound veneration of his countrymen.

CHAPTER XXIV.

ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRA

TION.

INDEPENDENCE and peace did not immediately produce all the advantages which had been anticipated by an ardent and sanguine people. The evils of war were protracted beyond its duration. Public and private debts bore heavily upon the people, restraining their enterprise and demanding all their re

sources.

2. Unsupported by the sense of imminent and common danger, the articles of confederation were found insufficient to accomplish the purposes of a national government. They conferred upon congress the power, not to raise money, but merely to make requisitions upon the states. These were often disregarded, no authority being given to enforce obedience. The revenue was therefore deficient, the public creditors were unpaid, and the national securities or evidences of debt depreciated so low that they were often sold for one eighth of their nominal value.

3. Neither did these articles confer the power to regulate commerce. Congress, therefore, could not make commercial treaties with foreign nations which would be obligatory upon the individual states. Unprotected by treaties, and unsupported by countervailing regulations, the American merchants were denied all participation, except on terms at once burdensome and degrading, in the commerce of the world. The trade between the several states, which were considered separate and independent sovereignties, was also embarrassed by numerous restrictions, producing frequent collisions, and diminishing the benefits which naturally flow from the unfettered enterprise and industry of man. Commerce languished; and from the want of its vivifying influence, all the energies of the country were dor

mant.

4. To remedy these evils, congress applied to the states for a grant of the power to regulate commerce, and to collect a revenue from it. New-York alone refused; but as unanimity was requisite, her single negative defeated the project. In the mean

time, the distress increased, and in Massachusetts, where it was greatest, urged to insurrection a portion of the inhabitants. Near the close of the year 1786, they assembled, to the number of two thousand, in the northwestern part of the state, and, choosing Daniel Shays their leader, demanded that the collection of debts should be suspended, and that the legislature should authorize the emission of paper money for general circulation.

5. Two bodies of militia, drawn from those parts of the state where disaffection did not prevail, were immediately despatched against them, one under the command of general Lincoln, the other of general Shepard. They were easily dispersed ; and afterwards abandoning their seditious purposes, accepted the proffered indemnity of the government.

6. So early as 1783, John Adams, being then minister in Europe, and seeing in what light the American confederation was regarded by foreign nations, suggested to congress the expediency of effecting a closer union of the states, and of conferring more efficient powers upon the general government. A conviction of the necessity of such a course was also felt by general Washington, and most of the distinguished patriots of that period. In September, 1786, upon the proposition of Mr. Madison, of Virginia, a convention of commissioners from five of the middle states, was held at Annapolis, for the purpose of devising and recommending to the states a uniform system of commercial regulations.

7. These commissioners, after deliberating upon the subject, came to the conclusion that nothing short of a thorough reform of the existing government should be attempted. This opinion was expressed in the report of their proceedings, which was laid before congress. That body adopted, in consequence, a resolution recommending that a convention of delegates from all the states should be held at Philadelphia, for the purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting such alterations as would render the federal constitution adequate to the exigences of government, and the preservation of the Union.

Of

8. With this recommendation all the states, except Rhode Island, complied; and in May, 1787, the convention met. this body of venerable and illustrious statesmen, George Washington was unanimously elected president. They deliberated with closed doors, and at the end of four months, agreed upon a constitution for the United States of America, which, after being reported to congress, was submitted for ratification to conventions holden in the respective states.

9. This constitution, under which the citizens of this republic have enjoyed such unexampled happiness and prosperity, differs,

in many particulars, from the articles of confederation. It connects the states more closely together, by establishing a general and supreme government composed of three departments, legislative, executive, and judicial.

10. The legislative department consists of a senate and house of representatives, and is styled the congress. The members of the house are chosen by the people, and hold their offices two years. They are apportioned among the several states, according to the number of inhabitants, as ascertained every tenth year by the census, deducting two fifths of the slaves.

11. The senators are the representatives of the states, in their sovereign capacity, and are chosen by the state legislatures, each choosing two. The constitution ordained that on assembling at the first session, they should be divided, as equally as possible, into three classes. Those composing the first class were to hold their offices but two years; those composing the second class, four years; those composing the third, six years. All subsequently chosen were to hold their offices six years, except such as should be chosen to supply the places of those who had died or resigned. Besides their legislative power, they have, in concurrence with the executive, a voice in all appointments to office, and in the ratification of treaties.

12. The executive power is vested in a president appointed by electors. These electors are chosen in the respective states, in such manner as the different legislatures may prescribe, and are equal in number to the senators and representatives from the state in congress. If, however, no person receives a majority of the votes of these electors the president is then chosen by the representatives, those from each state having but one vote. He is elected for four years; but he may be impeached by the house, tried by the senate, and, if convicted of misconduct, may be removed from office. He is commander-in-chief of the land and naval forces. He nominates to the senate all officers of the general government, and with the advice and consent of two thirds of that body, ratifies treaties. A vice-president is chosen at the same time, and in the same manner, to perform all the duties of president when that office is vacant by death, resignation, or removal.

13. To pass a law, the house and senate must concur, and it is then to be sent to the president, who must approve it. If he does not approve it, he must return it with his objections; and it must then be agreed to by two-thirds of both branches. Laws thus enacted are obligatory upon the citizens individually, and may be executed by officers appointed by the president and senate Under the confederation, the ordinances of Congress

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