page_title: Diagram of the Federal Government and American Union
section_title: Departments of the Federal Government
hierarchical_section_title: Diagram of the Federal Government and American Union / The diagram / Departments of the Federal Government
caption_attribution_description: English: Congress and House of Representatives, 1862
context_page_description: The Diagram of the Federal Government and American Union is an organizational chart of the Federal Government and the American Union designed by N. Mendal Shafer, and published circa July 15, 1862.
  By the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the political landscape was radically altered and the diagram was probably outdated. The diagram eventually ended up in the archives of the US Library of Congress.
context_section_description: About the Executive Department Mendal Shafer (1862) wrote:
  "The President and Cabinet constitute the Executive department. The seven arms are wielded by the President through the Cabinet in executing the laws. The President is Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy; his salary is $25.000 per annum. The Cabinet are his advisers, the Attorney General is its legal adviser, and the government lawyer. The Secretary of State receives all Foreign Ministers, and attends to all matters of diplomacy. The Post-Master-General attends to the Mail department. The Secretary of the Interior attends to the Land Office and Indian Affairs. The Secretary of the Treasury attends to the Financial Department. The Secretary of the navy presides over the Navy Department."
  And about the Legislative Department - Congress the text continued:
  "Congress is composed of a Senate and House of Representatives. The United States Senators are elected by a joint ballot of the State Legislature for a term of six years, salary $6.000 per annum. Each State is entitled to two as shown by the heavy lines in the diagram. The Representatives in the Lower House commonly called Congressmen, are elected by direct vote of the people, for a term of two years. This branch is more directly under the control of the people that any other. The straight lines show the number from each State. Each State sends a member for every 129.000 inhabitants, nearly. Salary $3.000 per annum."
  And about the Judicial Department and U.S. Courts:
  "The Supreme Court constitutes the Judicial department. It is composed of nine Judges, who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They hold their office during life, or good behavior. Their position is the highest political position on earth; their decisions are rge end of the law. It commences its sessions on the first Monday in December, at Washington. Salary of Chief Justice $6.500 per annum; associates $6.000. Scott case was brought in the United States District of Missouri, then taken to the United States Circuit Court, and from there to the Supreme Court of the United States and decided by Judge Tancy."
  And about the Union and State Governments:
  "Each State has a Legislature composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, a Constitution (which must be subordinate to the Constitution of the United States) a Governor, a Supreme Court, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Auditor, and Commissioners, (See the State of Alabama and Kansas, on the diagram.)
  And furthermore Shafer (1862) wrote in the bottom right corner of the diagram:
  "The blue line connecting the States shows the democratic idea of Union; the upper part of the diagram the Federal idea contended for by Washington, John Adams, Hancock, Hamilton and others. The present crisus shows the wisdom of the old Federals of having strong Government. It is the duty of every citizen to obey the Federal Government first and at all times. The large blue line running from the States to the Constitution represents allegiance, as all officers must swear to support the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of his own State before he can enter upon the duties of office. The red line flowing out represents Constitutional power.
  Magistrates Courts have original jurisdiction of all sums over less than $100 and with Court of Common Pleas have concurrent original jurisdiction of all sums over $100 and under $300. Suits may be taken from Magistrates Court to Common Pleas either by petition in error or appeal; from Common Pleas to the district Court by petition in error or appeal; from District Court to the Supreme Court of the State by petition in error only. Superior Courts are created by a special act of the Legislature for the convenience of a City; they have original concurrent jurisdiction with Courts of Common leas. A case may be taken from Supreme Court at special term to Supreme Court at general term; on petition in error to the Supreme Court of the State.
  Criminal cases have their preliminary trial before a Magistrate's, Probate Judge's, or Mayor's Court, and held to bail, an
caption: Congress and House of Representatives, 1862
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