Chapter III

1781-1783.

OPINIONS AND EFFORTS OF WASHINGTON, AND OF HAMILTON.--DECLINE
OF THE CONFEDERATION.

Washington's Relations to the People of this Country 200

His Address to them on resigning his Office 201

His Views at the Close of the War 202

Hamilton's Opinions 203

His Advice and Suggestions 204

The Necessity for a Complete Sovereignty in Congress 204

Hamilton's Entry into Congress 206

Nature of a Federal Constitution not understood 206

Hamilton urges the Necessity of vesting the Appointment of
Collectors of Revenue in the General Government 208

Ratio of Contribution by the States to the Treasury uncertain 210

Hamilton desires to change the Principle of the Confederation 211

Advises General Taxes to be collected under Continental
Authority 212

An Attempt to substitute Specific Taxes on Land and Houses 212

It is determined to adopt Population as the Basis of
Contribution 213

Hamilton's Views on a Peace Establishment 214

Committee to arrange the Details of such a System 215

An Army and Navy necessary 216

No Provision in the Articles of Confederation for their
Maintenance during Peace 216

Hamilton advises Federal Provision for Defence 219

Congress driven from Philadelphia 220

Hamilton examines the Confederation 221

Its Defects 222, 223

He proposes to revise it 224

His Plan unsuccessful 224

Improvement in the Revenue System 225

Causes of the Decline of a National Spirit 226

Falling off in the Attendance of Members of Congress 226

Results of the Confederation 228

Its Defects displayed 229

Another Government necessary for the great Duties of Peace 230

BOOK III.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM THE
PEACE OF 1783 TO THE FEDERAL CONVENTION OF 1787.