The Patriots Daily Bites of American History Series 4, Volume 2 :Washington Seeks retirement




The Patriots Daily Bites of American History Series, Volume 2 
 American History 4, volume 2   

By Gregory Dixon US History teacher 1956

Washington Seeks retirement: 

The Treaty of Peace with Great Britain had not been carried out satisfactorily with either party. In 1793 we had promised to pay certain debts due to British subjects and they complained that we did not keep our word.

 On the other hand, England persisted in holding forts in Detroit and elsewhere along the northern frontier although they had agreed to give them up. The English also interfered with our trade with France. Chief Justice John Jay went to England to obtain a new treaty in 1795. 

The treaty did not satisfy the people who thought the English were getting the best of the bargain but the forts were given up to us. Washington signed the treaty for the reason that he, like Justice Jay, considered that we were not able to consider anything better. Certain newspapers attacked him and Jay in the most violent manner. Washington, worn out with their abuse, declared that he would rather be in his grave than in the presidency. However, the majority of the people stood firmly by Washington who had brought them through so many dangers and the treaty was confirmed by congress. 

When Washington retired in 1796 he left the country in every way stronger and more prosperous than he had found it. Several of the American newspapers were edited by foreigners or by men who sympathized with France and were anxious to force us into a war with England. To put a stop to this constant abuse to the government congress with consent of John Adams passed (1798) the “alien and sedition law.” This law gave the president power to banish any alien or foreigner from the country who’s influence he felt dangerous to our welfare. 

THE PRESIDENT NEVER ENFORCED THAT LAW! The sedition law undertook to punish persons who should speak, write or publish anything false or malicious against the president or the government of the United States. Under this law persons were heavily fined and imprisoned. the legislation of Kentucky and Virginia denounced this law as dangerous and contrary to the Constitution. They furthermore declared that should the executive office insist enforcing them that the states would have the right to refuse to obey them. 

This Doctrine was known as “States Rights” and the idea that states must resist the national government when they saw fit. this destined to become the great issue in which the war between the states would be fought. during the excitement caused by these unpopular laws Washington died at his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. The whole country then united to do honor to the memory of him who was first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his fellow citizens. What the Constitution did for our Country.

(to be continued) 
What the Constitution did for our Country.

To be Continued in the Next Daily Bites of History Series






For the complete list of Constitution Bites>>>>Here


Popular posts from this blog

LV shooting: More facts coming out and they are frightening

Is our former Chief Executive clearly engaging in sedition?

150,000 Polish Nationalists march against muslim immigration