ashore on Union Rocks. Philadelphia had an especial 1 7 8 7 interest in the event; she expected to become the national 1 7 8 8 capital. At Providence, there were a Federalist barbecue, an Anti-federalist attempt to break it up, and almost a riot. At Albany, the Anti-federalists burned the constitution, but the Federalists hoisted another copy on a pole raised on the spot where the first had been burned. A conflict between the two factions followed in which some blood was shed. Meanwhile, the struggle in New York was virulent. In New York Governor George Clinton and his powerful following were bitterly opposed to the new system and, at first, had a majority of the people. Although not then the Empire State, New York extended from the ocean to the lakes and cut in twain the Union that was now assured. The feeling that the state was necessary was so keen that it was seriously proposed that, if she did not come in peaceably, she be conquered and dragged in. Face to face and foot to foot with Clinton stood Alexander Hamilton backed by such men as Chancellor Livingston and John Jay. In the preceding fall, Hamilton had conceived the idea of explaining the new system to the people in a series of essays and secured the assistance of Madison and Jay. Of the eighty-five numbers, Jay wrote five, The Madison twenty-nine, and Hamilton fifty-one; collect- Federalist ively, the papers are called The Federalist. They were published in the newspapers at intervals during the period. from October to August. Although their immediate influence was not as great as some have supposed, The Federalist still stands as the best commentary on the constitution and as one of the most profound treatises on government ever written. The convention assembled at Poughkeepsie on the The seventeenth of June with a majority of the delegates Convention hostile to the constitution. The contest was long and bitter, but Hamilton's eloquence and the news from New Hampshire and Virginia worked wonders. Melancton Smith, one of the leaders of the Clinton party and one of the foremost debaters in the country, turned Federalist 1 7 8 8 and, on the twenty-sixth of July, by a vote of thirty to twenty-seven, New York ratified the constitution. It was Hamilton's tre Rhode Island and North Carolina August 2 The Melancton Smith mendous triumph Autograph of Melancton Smith and, in the subsequent rejoicings the emblematic ship of state was drawn through the streets with his name emblazoned on her side. Before the vote was taken, however, the convention "clogged its acceptance" by adopting a resolution to the effect that a circular letter should be prepared and sent to the legislatures of the various states recommending a general convention. There was less to fear from such a call than there was from New York's rejection of the constitution. All of the states were now under the "New Roof" except North Carolina and Rhode Island. The North Carolina convention assembled on the twenty-first of July, but, influenced largely by Jefferson's desire that nine states should ratify and the others hold aloof until amendments had been adopted, adjourned without definite action. In Rhode Island, which was said to be "in no condition to do anything wise," the constitution was printed and distributed by order of the legislature. As directed by that body, the town-meetings met on the fourth of March to consider the constitution, but the Federalists generally abstained from voting and the result stood two thousand seven hundred and eight against adoption and only two hundred and thirty-seven for it. The new government under the constitution was put into operation with these two states "out in the cold," but, not long thereafter, both of the laggard members took their places in the family circle, as will be set forth more fully in succeeding chapters. But the backwardness of North Carolina and Rhode Island was of little real importance. Eleven states had adopted the constitution as the supreme law of the land. All that remained was to elect and install the officers who were to make the great experiment a concrete actuality. The consummation and justification of the Revolution were at hand. At times, the outlook had been dark, but the good sense of the American people and the training of the colonial school for self-government had triumphed. All sodden yesterday were sea and sky; A rood, perhaps, beyond the strand-not more- Crept shuddering back ships that would blasts defy; In shrouds close, wet, and chill they hugged the shore, To-day, the merry Morn, with glorious flight, Wheels up the jocund East, and gilds the deep. The ships of yesterday, aglow with light, Crowd on full sail, and seaward lordly sweep; And I, I gaze with glad but baffled sight, That from such boding gloom such life can leap. 788 Presidential January 7 CHAPTER I I SETTINGS AIL O N the second of July, 1788, the president of the continental congress announced to that body that nine states had ratified the constitution and suggested that steps be taken to put the new government into operation. After some delay, congress By the United States in Congrefs W SEPTEMBER 13, 1789. HEREAS the Convention affembled in Philadelphia, purfuant to the Refolution of Congress of the 21ft February, 1787, did, on the 17th of September in the fame year, report to the United States in Congrefs affembled, a Conflitution for the People of the United States; whereupon Congrefs, on the 28th of the fame September did refolve unanimously," That the faid report, with the Refolutions and Letter accompanying the fame, be tranfitted to the feveral named the first Wed nesday of January, 1789, for the choice of presidential electors in the several states, the first Wednesday in February for the meeting of the electors to Legiflatures, in ender to be fulmitted to a Convention of Delegates choose a president and thofen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to the vice-president, and the first Wednesday in March "for commencing the proceedings under the said constitution." In some states the election was by direct vote of the people; in others, by Clay the legislatures, either RESOLVED, That the fit Wednesday in January next be the day for appointing Electors in the feveral States, which before the faid day hall have ratified the faid Conftitution; thatthe first Wednelday in February next, be the day for the Electors to allemble in their refpective States, and vote for a Prefident; and that the fuft Wednesday in March net, be the time, and the prefent Seat of Congrels the place for commencing Proceedings under the-faid Conflitation. Continental Congress Broadside appointing the Constitution by joint ballot or by |