In the early history of this country the people were subjects of the British Empire. Extensive grants of territory were conferred upon individuals and companies. Some of these grants conferred certain powers of government. Out of these grants Colonies were organized, with charters specifying what governmental powers might be exercised. They authorized the establishment of Legislatures to make laws for the government of the people, provided such laws should not conflict with the laws of the British Parliament.

Governors for the Colonies were appointed by the King of England, in whom was vested executive authority.

The Colonies, while subject to Great Britain, were entirely independent of each other.

In course of time the British Government became exacting and oppressive towards the Colonies, denying them many of the privileges that had been granted by their charters.

In 1765, at the request of the Massachusetts Legislature, the different Colonies sent representatives, or delegates, to

meet in convention to counsel together concerning their difficulties with the British Government. In the same year delegates from nine Colonies met in New York, and agreed upon, and signed petitions and memorials representing their grounds of complaint, and forwarded them to the King.

September 5, 1774, delegates from eleven of the Colonies. met at Philadelphia. This body was called the Continental Congress. It adjourned in October, to meet again in May, 1775. Various measures were adopted designed to protect the people against the encroachments of the mother country, and on the 4th of July, 1776, Congress declared the Colonies to be free and independent States.

Thus far, no provision had been made for incorporating the States into one nation for the purposes of government; but believing it to be necessary for their mutual protection and safety, in November, 1776, a plan of union was agreed upon. This plan was set out in a writing called," Articles of Confederation and perpetual union between the States,” and was to become operative, that is, go into effect, when adopted by the Legislatures of all the States.

In 1778, the articles were adopted by eleven of the States; in 1779, by one, and by the thirteenth and last, in 1781. So that, on the 23d of March, 1781, the new government went into operation, under the name of the United States of America.

It was soon found that the Articles of Confederation did not confer sufficient power upon the National Government, to make it effective. Its powers were vested in Congress; and no provision had been made for an executive or a judicial department. It could pass laws, but could not enforce them. It could determine how many men and how much money each State should furnish to carry on the war, but it was left for the States to execute the law. If they refused, there was no

law to compel them to comply. To defray the expenses of the war, Congress borrowed large sums of money; several millions of which was from Holland and France.

Another difficulty arose from the fact that different States enacted laws giving their own citizens undue advantages over the citizens of other States.

To enable the National Government to control, in needful cases, the action of the States, it was found necessary to confer greater powers upon it. So, in May, 1787, delegates chosen by all the States, except Rhode Island, assembled at Philadelphia, and adopted our present constitution. This was submitted to the people of the States for their approval.

The people chose delegates in each State to attend State Conventions, with power to approve or reject the proposed constitution. These Conventions approved the constitution, and thus our present Government was established.

The Constitution of the United States may be said to be an agreement of the different States with each other, as to the form and powers of the National Government. It confers certain powers of government and control over the States and the people of the United States. Hence, we refer to the Constitution and the Government as the Federal Constitution, or the Federal Government.

Questions-Of what Government were the people of this country formerly subjects? What is said of the organization of Colonies? Who appointed the Governors? What action was taken by the Colonies in 1765 ? In 1774? In 1776? When were the Articles of Confederation adopted? What powers had the Government under the Articles of Confederation? What was the occasion for a change in the government? How, and when was this change effected? What is said of the Constitution of the United States?

CHAPTER II.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES-THE DIFFERENT SECRETARIES AND THEIR DUTIES.

The Executive Department of the Government is vested in the President. The duties of the President and VicePresident are similar to those of the Governor and LieutenantGovernor of a State. The President appoints the officers

necessary to assist him in executing the laws.

Most of the executive business is done through departments; and each department has a head officer, called a Secretary.

The Secretary of State performs for the National Government duties similar to those performed by the State Secretaries, for the States; and in addition thereto, he has charge of our affairs with foreign nations, and gives directions, under the President, to our foreign Ministers and Consuls.

The Secretary of the Treasury has charge of, and conducts the financial affairs of the Government. Amongst other things, it is his duty to attend to the collection of funds for the support of the Government; to make out and report to Congress, estimates of the public revenues and expenses, and to inform that body what appropriations will be needed for the use of the Government.

The Secretary of War has charge of the Military Department.

The Secretary of the Navy has the charge of the business relating to the Navy.