” 20—The Department of Foreign Affairs (afterwards called State Department,) organized.
The Treasury Department is next established, followed by the War Department, to which the Navy was joined for the present.
The Judiciary was then constituted. Salaries, and the rules for parliamentary procedure were determined. The Postmaster general had long been an officer of the government, and required less change than most of the others. This made a very busy session. Congress also passed a resolution to add ten amendments to the Constitution—which were submitted to the States and afterward ratified. Congress adjourned the last of September.
The democratic tone of the government, and the spirit applied to the interpretation of the Constitution by the first Congress, has generally prevailed ever since. That tone and spirit were truly republican.
Nov. 8—The President made a tour through New England.
” 13—North Carolina ratified the Constitution.
Many Indian treaties were made this year.
1790.
Jan. 8—Congress reassembled. This session was scarcely inferior in interest and importance to the first from the variety of new questions required to be settled, and the more perfect development given to former ones.
Feb. 8—Provision was made for payment of the foreign debt.