study of any statesman of any country, and of all times. There were great difficulties in the way of forming a new constitution. These difficulties arose from the jealousies existing among the states, the difference in their extent, their wealth, population, habits, religion, education, and political views. Nothing but a wise and patriotic spirit of mutual concession and moderation could have overcome such obstacles. In many respects the constitution was a matter of compromise; the several states and the several sections of the country each yielding something for the public good.

The convention directed that the new constitution should be laid before congress, and that if ratified by that body, it should be recommended to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof, who should vote whether they would recommend its adoption or not; and as soon as nine states had ratified it, congress should take measures for the election of a president, and should fix the time and place for commencing the proceedings under the new constitution. THE CONSTITUTION APPROVED. On the 28th of September, 1787, congress approved of the constitution, and voted to transmit it to the legislatures of the several states, in order that it might be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof. These conventions were held in the several states, and the new system was discussed with great ability and great zeal, amid many conflicting opinions. The opposition to it in several of the states was very vigorous and bitter. It was, however, finally adopted by the requisite number of states, and on the 17th of September, 1778, congress having been notified

of its ratification by the conventions of all the states. except North Carolina and Rhode Island, "resolved that the first Wednesday in January, 1789, should be the day for appointing electors in the several states which had ratified the constitution; that the first Wednesday of the February following should be the day for the electors to assemble and vote for a president; and that the first Wednesday in March following should be the time for commencing operations under the constitution at New York, which was then the seat of government."

WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT. — The first Wednesday of March, 1789, was the fourth day of the month, and that date, therefore, became fixed as the day of the inauguration of the president. George Washington was unanimously elected president, and John Adams was elected vice-president. Senators and representatives were elected by the eleven states which had ratified the constitution, and these having assembled, on Wednesday, the 4th day of March, 1789, the new constitution of the United States went into legal operation, and proceedings were commenced under it.

A quorum of members did not, however, appear until the first day of April, and upon that day congress began the transaction of business. The electoral votes were not counted, however, until the 6th of April. On Thursday, April 30, George Washington took the oath required by the constitution, and delivered his inaugural address. On the next day John Adams took his seat as president of the senate.

North Carolina ratified the constitution in November, 1789, and Rhode Island, in May, 1790.

DATES OF RATIFICATION.

The following are the

dates of ratification of the constitution by each of the

(1) Delaware, Dec. 7, 1787.

(2) Pennsylvania, Dec. 12, 1787. (3) New Jersey, Dec. 18, 1787. (4) Georgia, Jan. 2, 1788. (5) Connecticut, Jan. 9, 1788. (6) Massachusetts, Feb. 6, 1788. (7) Maryland, April 28, 1788. (8) South Carolina, May 23, 1788. (9) New Hampshire, June 21, 1788. (10) Virginia, June 26, 1788. (11) New York, July 26, 1788. (12) North Carolina, Nov. 21, 1789. (13) Rhode Island, May 29, 1790.