The Placer herald., 1872-05-25
Written for the HERALD.
THE UNITED STATES.
CIvH. AND POLITICAL REVIEW.
By A. 7. CHER.
CHAPTER VII.

CEAPTER ' H.
The hilt Of the sword was presented to the
American General in token of submission;
the ensign of Great Britain was lowered to in
dcate defeat; 900 British soldiers laid down
their arms, and Yorktown was surrendered.
The news of this victory was everywhere
throughout the United States hailed with
heartfelt rejoicing; day of thanksgiving was
appointed by Congress, and public demon
strations of patriotism arose from every Sec
tion of the country. Although the British
still held some important posts this battle
practically put an end to the war. The Eng
lish Ministry and Parliament rec eved the
news of this surrender as they would have
received thunderbolt against their breasts; ;
but it brought them to a realization of the
true state of affairs, and made them willing
to listen to the Americans proposition for
peace.
The British Parliament passed resolutions
in favor of terminating the war, and gave the
United States to understand they were now
willing to treat with them. The Americans
in turn, pleased to discontinue the war, ac-
cepted the proposition; and John Jay, John
Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Henry Lau
rens were appointed commissioners to conclude
a treaty with Great Britain. The commits
sioners on the part of England were very
reluctant in conceding some of the rights
claimed by the United States, but when they
found the Americans unwilling to make con-
cessions they finally gave way, and treaty
was concluded and signed, September 3D.,
1888 BY this treaty Great Britain acknowl-
edged the independence of the United States,
and the boundaries were agreed upon salts
factory to both parties.
During the war the suffering of the peo-
pie had been almost what would now seem
incredible, but it was borne with a forsitude
equal to the occasion. They had fought ,suf-
fered, sighed and bled for liberty and inde-
pendence; the war now over, liberty and in
dependence they enjoyed, but trouble was
culties arose. Soldiers were driven to des-
peraion by the appeals of wives and little
ones who cried to them for bread, and in
threatening terms demanded their pay, which
they relied on as the only means for support
ing their families There being no money in
the national treasury to pay them they be-
gan tomutiny and we can only imagine what
might have been the result had not Wash
ington by his frmness and wisdom appealed
to them, in the name of a fellow soldier, not
to be the instruments ofincreasing their pres
ent difficulties. The nation was comparatively
bankrupt; the government was imperfect,
and for a time it was feared the country
would be involved in difficulties which might
result in disruption of the whole confeder-
ate organization.
A heavy national debt had been incurred
which the Articles of Confederation made
no provisions for paying. The commerce of
the country was in a very unsettled condition,
and no clause was there in the Articles Of
government which provided for its regulation.
People complained and received no satistac-
ton; trouble occurred which could not be
amicably settled, and it became evident that
something must be done to secure more
perfect form of government.
During the war most of the States had re-
modelled their Constitutions, making them
strictly republican The right to vote was
extended to all citizens in some of the States,
while in Others they still adhered to the old
law of property qualifications. The law of
primogenturc was abolished, which caused
a more general distribution of property, and
consequently placed people on more equal
footing The common law of England still
prevailed State governments were more
liberal than they had been previous to the
Revolution, but the national government was
in many respects defective. The Virginia
Legislature was the first to pass resolutions
in favor of assembling national convention,
composed of delegates from all the states, for
the purpose of revising the Articles OF Con-
federation. The action was pressing nee
essity; other States passed similar resolutions,
and as a result convention was called to
meet at Annapolis, with special instructions
to take some measures that would revive the
commerce of the country, and equalize trade
between the States. At the time set for
meeting it was found that but few of the
States we're represented, and those present,
deeming it imprudent to act in so important
matter after recommending Congress to call
a general convention, adjourned.
The suggestion was acted on, and Philadelphia
was appointed as the place for holding the
convention. In May, 1887, representatives
from every State except Rhode Island assem-
bled at the old State House. George Wash
ingtop was elected President. and they at
once proceeded to business. When they be-
gan to revise the Articles of Confederation
they were found to be so entirely deficient,
and in general import so far from meeting
the general requirements of the people. it
was determined to draw up a new constltu-
ton. For three months this assemblage of
able Statesmen labored. with closed doors,
in preparing form of government which
would best meet the wants of the American
people. At last, as result of their labors,
they presented to the people that glorious
Constitution which, to use the language OF
another. twas the origin of our prosperity.
and has always been our pride as a nation. .
Though we must allow to the trainers OF
the Constitution the credit of laying the tonn-
dation Of the best government ever known