Electoral Vote.-First Administration, 1st Term.Under the Constitution as it then existed, each elector voted for two candidates; the one receiving the highest number of votes was declared President, and the next highest Vice-President. Ten States voting-Va., N. H., Mass., Conn., N. J., Pa., Del., Md., S. Ca., and Ga. Whole number of Electors, 69. N. Ca. and R. I. had not ratified the Constitution, and N. Y. had failed to make provisions for electors. George Washington, of Va., irrespective of party, received the unanimous vote, 69. John Adams, of Mass., 34, and was declared Vice-President. R. H. Harrison, Md., 6. John Jay, N. Y., 9. John Rutledge, S. Ca., 6. Geo. Clinton, N. Y., 3. John Milton, Ga., 2. Edw'd Telfair, Ga., 1. Electoral Vote.-1st Administration, 2d Term.-Fifteen States voting-R. I. and N. Ca. having ratified the Constitution, and two new States had been admitted, Vt. and Ky. Whole number of Electors, 132. George Washington, of Va., for President, received 132 votes, and was declared unanimously elected. John Adams, of Mass., for Vice-President, received 77 votes. Geo. Clinton, N. Y., 50; Thos. Jefferson, Va., 4; Aaron Burr, N. Y., 1. Important Events of First Administration. 1789 March 4. The first Congress under the Constitution met in Federal Hall, Wall St., New York City; James Langdon, N. H., Pres. pro tem. April 30. Geo. Washington took the oath of office as President, administered by Chancellor Livingston. 1790 First census of U. S. taken-3,929,326. -The Register of the Treasury reported the estimated cost of the seven years' war at $135,000,000. April 17. Benjamin Franklin died, aged 84. 1791 United States Bank established, Philadelphia. March 4. Vermont admitted into the Union. 1792 June 1. Kentucky admitted into the Union. United States Mint established. 1793 Congress adopts the Fugitive Slave Bill. Coal mines discovered at Lehigh, Pa. 1794 Gen. Wayne defeats the Indians on the frontier. 1795 Jay's Treaty with Great Britain ratified. The Cotton-gin invented by Eli Whitney. 1796 June 1. Tennessee admitted into the Union. Sept. 17. Washington issues his Farewell Address. CABINET OFFICERS, 1ST ADMINISTRATION—1789 to 1797. Secretaries of State-Thomas Jefferson, Va.; Edmund Randolph, Va.; T. Pickering, Mass. Secretaries of Treasury-Alexander Hamilton, N. Y.; Oliver Wolcott, Conn. Secretaries of War and Navy-Henry Knox, Mass.; T. Pickering, Mass.; James McHenry, Md. Postmasters General-Sam'l Osgood, Mass.; T. Pickering, Mass.; Jos. Habersham, Ga. Attorneys-General-Edmund Randolph, Va.; Wm. Brad JOHN ADAMS.-Second President of the United States, was born at Braintree, Mass., Oct. 19th, 1735. His ancestry may be traced back to Henry Adams, who settled at Braintree, in 1640. His early educational advantages were of a very superior order. He was a good student and graduated at Harvard, 1755. He devoted himself for a time to teaching and to the study of law, and in Oct. 1758, was admitted to the bar as Attorney at Law. In 1764, he married Abigail Smith, whose ancestors were of Colonial fame. He became a prominent actor in the stirring events and scenes of the times. His first political step of any special significance was taken by the delivery of an address in op position to the Stamp Act of Great Britain. When the first outbreak at Lexington occurred, he joined the patriot forces in defending their liberties and lives. In 1774, he was chosen a member of the Continental Congress and honorably represented his constituents in that body. He had the honor of proposing George Washington as Commander-inChief of the American Army, and the proposal reflects great credit upon his judgment. He assisted in preparing the Declaration of Independence and bore an active part in the debate it occasioned. In Nov., 1777, he was appointed Minister to France. He was the first American Minister to Great Britain, being appointed in 1785. In 1788, he was elected to the office of Vice-President, and performed its duties with zeal and success. He was elected President in 1797, defeating Jefferson in the contest for that position. His administration was active and at first popular with the people, but was environed with difficulties of a perplexing character and closed amid the unscrupulous upbraidings of his political foes. Leaving Washington, he returned to the retirement of his quiet home, and there, with the grand sentiment of "Independence forever!" breaking from his lips, he passed away, on the 4th day of July, 1826. THOMAS JEFFERSON, Vice-President.-For biographical sketch, see Third Administration. |