On April 30, 1789 George Washington became the first President of the United States of America. The inauguration ceremony was held at Federal Hall, the nation's temporary capital in New York,
National Tour
To promote national unity, President Washington embarked on a tour of the northern states in 1789. In the spring of 1791 he toured the southern states.
Legislation
Tariff Act of 1789
Though the Tariff Act was created to raise money for the federal government by levying a 5% tax on all foreign imports, duties on certain products were set higher than 5% in order to protect American producers of those goods.
Bill of Rights
Twelve Amendments were proposed by Congress, but only ten were ratified by the states. The Bill of Rights ensured freedom of speech, press, and religion; affirmed the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to due process of law; made illegal "unreasonable search and seizure," and constraint to testify against oneself in a criminal case; guaranteed that all powers not specifically reserved to the federal government were "reserved to the state respectively, or to the people."
Judiciary Act of 1789
The Judiciary Act established a federal judiciary. It created a Supreme Court and set the number of Supreme Court justices at six. The Judiciary Act also provided for the creation of a federal district court to be held in each state, and for the creation of three appeals courts, each comprising two Supreme Court justices and a district judge.
Congress Creates Departments of State, War, and Treasury
From July to September 1789 Congress passed a series of acts expanding the Executive Branch to include the Departments of State, War, and Treasury. These offices were continuations of similar offices already created under the Second Continental Congress, and Articles of Confederation.
Postal Act of 1789
The Postal Act continued the postal system already in effect under the Articles of Confederation.
Congress Assumes States' Debts
In July of 1790 Congress passed legislation to assume the states' war debts, and to borrow $12 million from foreign nations to pay other war expenses.
Bank Act of 1791
The first Bank of the United States was established by Congress in 1791. The Bank was instituted for a term of twenty years.
Four States Join the Union
North Carolina joined the Union in November of 1789, followed by Rhode Island in 1790, Vermont in 1791, and Kentucky in 1792.
1793-1797 Second Term
Events
Inauguration
President Washington delivered his second inaugural address at the nation's second temporary capital in Philadelphia on April 30, 1793.
Citizen Genet Affair
In April of 1793, Citizen Edmund Charles Genet, minister of the French Republic to the United States, arrived in Charleston, South Carolina. Genet had been sent to the United States to gain support for the French Republic in its struggle against the monarchy. Genet, however, did not appeal his case to the American Government, instead he took it directly to the people. The French minister began to work his way north up the American coast, passing out military commissions to private American citizens, and authorizing these American regiments to attack British vessels. Genet went so far as to set up courts on American soil to try and condemn captured British sailors. President Washington was forced to ask the French Republic to recall their minister, which they promptly did.
Thomas Jefferson Resigns his Position as Secretary of State
President Washington's policy of neutrality in the war between France and Britain was opposed by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson felt that the United States owed a debt to France for its aiding of colonial forces during the American Revolution. Jefferson resigned his position in protest of the policy late in 1793.
The Whiskey Rebellion
An excise tax placed on whiskey inspired an anti-federal uprising in Pennsylvania which came to a head in the summer of 1794. President Washington ordered the governors of Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland to supply the federal government with over 15,000 troops. The President then traveled to Pennsylvania where he personally led the troops westward towards the rebellion. The President got as far as Pittsburgh before consenting to step down and let Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton lead the troops on to the sight of the conflict. Upon the arrival of the federal forces the leaders of the uprising fled over the mountains, and the crowd dispersed. The leaders were captured, tried, found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death. President Washington later pardoned them.
Washington's Farewell Address
President Washington's farewell address was published in national newspapers on September 17, 1796.
Legislation
Neutrality Act of 1794
On April 22, 1793 President Washington issued a declaration of neutrality in the war between France and Britain. Congress reinforced the Presidents foreign policy with the passage of the Neutrality Act early in 1794.
Jay Treaty
Troubled by a host of problems ranging from British impressment of American seamen, to British occupation of forts on American soil, President Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to repair the deteriorating relationship between the United States and Britain. The resulting Jay Treaty was ratified by Congress in 1795.
