The Life of George Washington

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER IV. IVleeting of the second session of the first congress....President's speech....Report of the secretary of the treasury of a plan for the support of public credit... Debate thereon.... Bill for fixing the permanent seat of government.... Adjournment of congress....Treaty with the Creek Indians....The United States in relations with Great Britain and Spain.... The president visits Mount Vernon....Third session of congress....The president's speech....Debates on the excise law....On a national bank....The opinions of the cabinet on the constitutionality of this last law....Progress of parties.... War with the Indians....Defeat of Harmar....Adjournment of congress. 1790. On the eighth of January, the president, ondf attended by the heads of departments, and by the 'f the gentlemen of his family, met both houses of congress in the senate chamber. In his speech, which was delivered from the chair of the vice president, after congratulating congress on the accession of the important state of North Carolina to the union, and on the pros- perous aspect of American affairs; after some general observations on the encouragement which in resuming their labours for the public good, they would derive from the satisfaction given by the measures of the preceding session, he pro- ceeded to recommend certain great objects of legislation to their more especial consideration. Among the many interesting objects, con- tinued the speech, which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence willjnerit your particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means Chap. iv. of preserving peace. 1790. A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end, a uniform and well digested plan is requisite; and their safet...