party were for "State Rights," meaning the right of each State to be independent of the others, with an agreement that all should unite in times of war, or in the event of the invasion of an enemy into any one of the States. Another party wanted a strong, united government, which should bind all the States into a great nation," one and

indivisible." Another party, who thought the English form of "limited monarchy," about as good a government as could be made, would have been glad to have had such an one in this country. This was a small party, however. The largest part of the people believed in a "republic," and in being governed by men chosen from among their own ranks for a limited time. The American colonies had flourished for a century and a half, with a whole broad ocean between themselves and their monarch, and consequently,

had learned to believe they could get on very well without any king at all.

In the spring of 1787, a convention met in Philadelphia, to make "The Constitution of the United States." Washington was made president of this body. Franklin, now a venerable man; Roger Sherman, whose trembling fingers had signed the Declaration; Robert Morris, the treasurer of the old Congress; Alexander Hamilton, whom we saw leading on a charge upon the batteries of Yorktown, all these were in the convention. With them many other able men fifty in all debated earnestly day after day, rejecting this proposition, accepting that one, striking out a word here, putting in another there; endeavoring to make the whole as perfect a set of laws as could be made by man. To aid them they had the "Articles of Confederation" which Franklin had drawn up in 1777, when the colonies united to carry on the war. Four months they

worked in this way, and at the end presented to the States the result of their labor for their approval. Of course it could not be a perfect Constitution, and it could not suit everybody. Franklin said, very wisely, that he was not exactly suited with it, but he thought on the whole it was the very best they could do, with so many diverse opinions to consult, with thirteen States, each wanting something a little different from the others, to unite under one government. Jefferson, who was in Paris, learning how wretched the tyranny of kings can make a nation, was so afraid of seeing the people here too much governed, that he wrote home he felt sure he should never like the new Constitution. On the wliole it gave very good satisfaction. Ten of the States accepted it at once. The other three held out against it for a time; little Rhode Island was the last to come into the ranks, and stoutly refused for a year or two, but finally gave in. Thirteen stars were set in the flag of the United States, and George Washington, "the father of his country," was made the first president.

Then the large cities held celebrations on the adoption of the new Constitution. In New York they had a grand procession, such as was never before seen in America. It was headed by a person dressed to look like Columbus, the discoverer of our country. He was surrounded by pioneers, bearing axes, to denote the early settlers in the wilderness; then came the farmers, with plows, scythes,

and reapers. All kinds of artisans followed, in cars fitted up like workshops. The bakers with a gigantic loaf of bread, ten feet high, inscribed with the names of the States; the coopers, binding the staves of an immense barrel with a strong iron hoop called "The New Constitution;" the butchers, with an ox weighing 1,000 pounds roasted whole; the cabinet makers with a "federal chair of state," gorgeous enough for an eastern emperor; tailors, masons, carpenters, all carried some emblem of their trade. In the ranks were thirteen beautiful boys, each thirteen years old, dressed in white, with ribbons and garlands of green. Grandest of all, was the ship of state, drawn on a car, by ten milk-white horses. The ship was manned by thirty sailors, who went aloft in the rigging, furled and unfurled the sails, and went through all the motions of bringing a ship safe to port through fair and foul weather. At one point they stopped and took a pilot on board, and at another, the gallant vessel was presented with a flag, which was received with cheers from the sailors and the crowd. On the car representing a printing-office, a press was kept all the time in motion, printing copies of a patriotic song, which they flung right and left among the crowd. It was a grand day. The people shouted and hurrahed till they were hoarse, and finally the procession sat down to a banquet in a fine pavilion decorated with flags, and ate the barbecued ox, which the butchers had roasted, and drank toasts to the Constitution, and to George Washington, "the father of his country."

With the Constitution the first political parties were born. You hear now about "Democrats" and "Republicans," or whatever else the two parties who vote against each other at elections are called. At this time there were " Federalists" and " Anti-Federalists." The Federalists were those who were for the Constitution, and in favor of a strong, central government. The others, who were called first "Anti-Federalists," then "Republicans," and lastly, "Democrats," were opposed to the Federalists. They accused them of being an aristocratic party, and said they wanted to make the government too aristocratic and leave the States no power, outside the general government. Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, were Federalists. Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, James Madison, were Anti-Federalists. Please keep these parties in mind, as you will hear of them often.

On the 4th of March, 1789, Washington was made president. He had been at Mount Vernon to enjoy a little rest and quiet, be

fore he entered on his new duties. His aged mother was there, proud of the son whom she had nursed, when she saw his whole country united in loving and honoring him. He said "Good-by' to the pleasant shades of his home almost with regret as he went to take his seat at the head of the nation. On his way to New York city, where Congress was to assemble, he was met everywhere by the outpouring of the people's love and reverence. At Trenton,

where he had crossed the Delaware that wintry Christmas night, twelve years before, his way was strewn with roses, and young girls held arches of flowers over him, while they sang hymns of gratitude and welcome.

In New York there was a grand "Inauguration Ball," where the array of handsome dresses was almost equal to that of the Parisian court. Washington left off his blue military coat with buff facings and his buff breeches, and wore a handsome suit of black velvet with white silk stockings, and white satin waistcoat. He was always very nice in his dress, and with his tall elegant figure and powdered hair, would have made a distinguished appearance anywhere. John Adams, the vice-president, was at the ball; so was Hamilton, who was the new secretary of the treasury; General Knox, the secretary of war, and his distinguished looking wife, were also there; and the whole assembly presented an array of beauty and grace, such as any court in Europe might have been proud of.

Jefferson was called home from Paris to be secretary of state. He had been with Lafayette and a party of republicans in France who wore the red color of revolution, and astonished all his friends on his return by appearing in a white broadcloth coat, very longwaisted, scarlet waistcoat and breeches, cocked hat, and white silk stockings. It was enough to make men wonder to see Jefferson, generally so plain in his dress, in such brilliant hues.

Just about this time, too, boots began to be worn, in place of low shoes with shining buckles, and high-topped "Hessians" reaching to the knee, with dangling tassels, were seen on the feet of the gentlemen who followed the newest fashions. There were a good many dandies sported their new Hessians on Broadway in those days. The new government made changes in the habits of the American people as well as in their rulers. This began to show itself in the clothes of the working men and women in the large cities, very soon after Washington became president. Before the war, the mechanics had worn leather aprons and breeches, checked

tow shirts, and flannel jackets all the week, and on Sundays their best clothes were homespun, with clumsy shoes and brass buckles. Now, they doffed leather aprons when they left the work-shop, and took to wearing full suits of broadcloth. Some people complained that you could not tell a carpenter or blacksmith in the street from a gentleman. There were a good many aristocrats left over from the old order, and they had not learned that a man may be both a gentleman and a carpenter or blacksmith. Some of the ladies, who did not own slaves, but kept white servants, complained that the new state of things had spoiled the servant-maids, who wanted to be called "hired help," had stopped saying "master" and "mistress," and would wear caps and gowns like a lady, although before the war they had been content with blue and white check gowns, and caps without frills. And they had grown so pert, that one could hardly give an order to a girl without seeing her flounce off to a new place. "There were a great many inconveniences in a republican government," said some of the grumblers.

CHAPTER II.

EVENTS IN WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION.

Settlers in the Western Country. — “D. Boon cilled a Bar.” — Scarcity of Salt. — Danger from Indians. General Anthony Wayne sent to fight Savages.

Death of Wayne. — Three

New States added to the Nation. - Story of Young Andrew Jackson.-Revolution in France. The Guillotine. French Sympathizers in the United States. Washington's

Public Life draws to a Close.

MEANWHILE the good ship of state sailed resolutely on, often among troubled waters. There were the Indian troubles always. The red men seemed to have made up their minds that no more white men should settle beyond the Ohio River. The great "Ohio Land Company" had been formed, holding the tract which now makes all the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. There was a steady tide from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, spreading over that country, and settling up and down the banks of La Belle Riviere (the beautiful river), as the Ohio was called. Across the Cumberland Mountains, in the fertile valleys of Tennessee-a very garden spot of the earth, the poor Indians thought it, the settlers from North Carolina were rushing in