Justin Hitchcock's Remarks and Observations

77

In September thi year the convention of the United
States met at Philadelphia to adopt a constitution for
the states This was an important and necssary
measure. Congress under the confederation possessed
no power to enforce their resolutions and individual
states were too jealous of each other to act in concert
in any national transaction. And the insurrection in
Massachusetts plainly skewed the necessity of a National
Government. And it is likely hastened on the adoption
of it the convention chose Genl Washington their President
and formed the constitution under which we live
Other Nations have had their Governments establish
by the sword here then was anovel scene a great people
sending their greatest men to form for them in a
peaceable and tranquil manner a form of government
which was to be binding on them and their Posterity
And they happily suceeded

1788 Nothing very remarkable took place this year
the several states held conventions of delegates to take
into consideration the Federal Constitution prepared
for the United States by the General Convention
last year there was considerable opposition to it
in each state but a majority having adopted
it in nine states the Legislatures chose senators
and the people chose electors of Presidentt and
Vice President and Representatives to Congress
from this time we may date the rise of the
Political parties in our country Those who ware in