in its defined sphere; and the several States sovereign in their internal concerns, where not expressly restrained by the federal Constitution, which they have approved and adopted. The former Congress, under the confederation, consisted of one body, or assembly, for devising and recommending measures of a general nature; and the members were appointed by the general assemblies, or representatives in the several States, and not directly by the whole people. Under the new Constitution, Congress* is a separate and complete government, composed of a House of Representatives, a Senate, and an executive officer, with the title of "President of the United States." It was not until the thirtieth of April, that the federal government was fully organized; as on that day President Washington was inducted into office as the chief magistrate of the Union. On this very interesting occasion, he delivered an address to the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, who had assembled some weeks previously, and had been occupied in forming their respective bodies, in the order, and with the rules necessary for the proper discharge of their legislative duties. It is difficult to do full justice to the merits of this speech, by any verbal representation of it; and an extract is here given, as characteristic of the mind of this very distinguished personage. "Among the vicissitudes incident to life, no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that, of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the fourteenth of the present month (April). On the one hand, I was summoned by my country, whose voice I never hear but with veneration and love, from a retreat which I had chosen, with the fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, with an immutable decision, as the asylum of my declining years-a retreat rendered every day more necessary, as well as more dear to me, by the addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent interruptions in my health, to the gradual waste committed on it by time. On the other hand, the magnitude and difficulty of the trust, to which the voice of my country has called me, being sufficient to awaken, in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens, a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but overwhelm with despondence one, who, inheriting inferior endowments from nature, * In the language of the Constitution, the term Congress is frequently used to signify the federal Government in all its branches united. 1 and unpractised in the duties of civil administration, ought to be peculiarly conscious of his own deficiences. In this conflict of emotions, all I dare aver is, that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it may be affected. All I dare hope is, that, if in accepting, I have been too much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former, or by an affectionate sensibility to this transcendant proof of the confidence of my fellow-citizens; and have, thence, too little consulted my incapacity, as well as disinclination, for the weighty and untried cares before me, my error will be palliated by the motives which misled me; and its consequences be judged by my country, with some share of the partiality in which they originated. "Such being the impressions, under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to the Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aid can supply every human defect, that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves, for these essential purposes; and may enable every instrument employed in its administration, to execute, with success, the functions alloted to his charge. "In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. And in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government, the tranquil deliberation and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seems to presage. "These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have been forced too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking there are none, under the influence of which the proceedings of a new government can more auspiciously commence. "Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave, but not without reverting, once more, to the benign Parent of the human race, in humble supplication, that, since he has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating, in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding, with unparalleled unanimity, on a form of government, for the security of their Union, and the advancement of their happiness; so his divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures, on which the success of this government must depend." In public men of less sincerity and purity of mind than Washington, this repeated reference to an overruling Providence, and the need of Divine direction for the happy issue of human exertions, might appear ostentatious, or as intended to court the favor of the common people; but in him there can be no doubt, that these sentiments were deeply impressed on his own heart. There are many instances recorded, illustrative of his deep and habitual sense of dependence on the Supreme Being, notwithstanding the absence of all parade and publicity in his religious character. And he seems to have been equally sincere in his belief, that Divine Providence extends to the affairs of nations and societies views and sentiments not often found in military characters. But though a brave and accomplished soldier, it is most evident, from his general character, that he was averse to war, except in defence of justice and the rights of man. Hon. John Adams was inducted into the office of Vice President of the United States, and ex officio President of the Senate, on the twenty-fourth of April: when he addressed the Senate as follows: "Gentlemen of the Senate, -Invited to this respectable situation by the suffrages of our fellow-citizens, according to the Constitution, I have thought it my duty cheerfully and readily to accept it. Unaccustomed to refuse any public service, however dangerous to my reputation, or disproportionate to my talents, it would have been inconsistent to have adopted another maxim of conduct, at this time, when the prosperity of the country and the liberties of the people require, perhaps, as much as ever, the attention of those who possess any share of the public confidence. "I should be destitute of sensibility, if, upon my arrival in this city, and presentation to this legislature, and especially to the Senate, I could see, without emotion, so many of those characters, of whose virtuous exertions I have so often been a witness; from whose countenance and example I have derived encouragement and animation; whose disinterested friendship has supported me, in many intricate conjunctures of public affairs, at home and abroad -those celebrated defenders of the liberties of our country; whom menaces could not intimidate, corruption seduce, nor flattery allure; those intrepid asserters of the rights of mankind, whose philosophy and policy have enlightened the world, in twenty years, more than it was ever before enlightened in as many centuries, by ancient schools or modern universities. "I must have been inattentive to the course of events, if I were either ignorant of the same, or insensible to the merits of those other characters in the Senate, to whom it has been my misfortune to have been hitherto personally unknown. "It is with great satisfaction, that I congratulate the people of America on the formation of a national Constitution, and the fair prospect of a consistent administration of laws; on the acquisition of a House of Representatives chosen by themselves; of a Senate, also, composed by their own legislatures; and on the prospect of an executive authority, in the hands of one, whose portrait I shall not attempt to draw. Were I blessed with powers to do justice to his character, it would be impossible to increase the confidence or affection of his country, or make the smallest addition to his glory. This can only be effected, by a discharge of the present exalted trust, on the same principles, with the same abilities and virtues, which have uniformly appeared in all his former conduct, public or private. May I, nevertheless, be indulged to inquire, if we look over the catalogue of the first magistrates of nations; whether they have been denominated presidents, or consuls, kings or princes; where shall we find one, whose overruling good fortune has so completely united all hearts and all voices in his favor; who enjoyed the esteem and admiration of foreign nations and his fellow citizens with equal unanimity? Qualities so uncommon, are no common blessing to the country that possesses them. By those great qualities, and their benign effects, has Providence marked out the head of this nation, with a hand so distinctly visible, as to have been seen by all men, and mistaken by none. It "It is not for me to interrupt your deliberations by any general observations on the state of the nation, or by recommending or proposing any particular measures. would be superfluous to gentlemen of your great experience, to urge the necessity of order. It is only necessary to make an apology for myself. Not wholly without experience in public assemblies, I have been more accustomed to take a share in their debates, than to preside in their dedeliberations. A trust of the greatest magnitude is committed to this legislature; and the eyes of the world are upon you. Your country expects, from the results of your deliberations in concurrence with the other branches of government, consideration abroad, and contentment at home-prosperity, order, justice, peace, and liberty. And may the providence of Almighty God assist you to answer their just expectations." Mr. Adams was a member of the first Continental Congress, from Massachusetts, in 1774; and continued a member till the year 1778, when he was appointed to France. He afterwards went to Holland, to obtain a loan for the United States. And in 1783, when peace was made with England, he received the appointment of Envoy Extraordinary to the British court. His character for talents, learning, and patriotism, was as highly distinguished as that of any citizen in the United States. And under the auspices of Washington and Adams, the great majority of the people had full confidence that their rights and liberties were secure, and that the wisest measures would be adopted for the welfare and prosperity of the country. The members of the Senate and House of Representatives were also men of great political experience, and of tried patriotism; and many of them had taken an active part in favor of freedom and independence, and in concerting measures for the safety of the country, in the war of the Revolution. The first Congress, under the federal Constitution, was held in the city of New York, and continued in session six months. The House of Representatives consisted of fiftynine members, * and the Senate of twenty-two.† The sub * Rhode Island and North Carolina had not then adopted the Constitution, and had no representatives in the first Congress. The members present were usually fifty-two or three. † Eleven States were represented in the Senate at this time. From New |