The Assumption Bill

The United States of America is the first nation in history to successfully declare and obtain independence from colonial rule. Obtaining independence from the British Monarchy resulted in being only half the battle for the new republic. It would take decades before the new nation could proudly say they are “One nation under God.” But, with the help of the noble leaders of the American Revolution, the thirteen colonies are able to unite as one republic. Through challenging and creating new domestic and foreign policies, the seven great leaders of the American Revolution are able to create a stable and self-sufficient country. The change in domestic policies began in 1790 with the introductions of the Residence Bill and the Assumption Bill.

According to Ellis, “The case Madison had tried to make for the Potomac was simultaneously crafty and driven by romantic illusions about its prowess that were shared by Jefferson, Washington, and most members of the Virginia Dynasty” (Ellis, 70). When it came time to vote on this bill the results are 32-29, which moves the location of the nation’s capital from its temporary spot in New York City to the Potomac River. The Assumption Bill is also being considered at the same time as the Residence Bill. The Assumption Bill deals with the issue of passing over state debts to the federal government and creating a national debt that the federal government can oversee. With the end of the American Revolution not long ago war debt was on the mind of all of the delegates. This war debt was divided up by the thirteen colonies and is never conceived as being one nation’s grievance until now. The Assumption Bill passed with a vote of 34-28 and these two bills are known as the Compromise of 1790. After the Compromise of 1790 slavery became the main topic of the debate. Right after the Compromise of 1790 is passed a group of Quaker delegations from Pennsylvania petition that the institution

On September 19th, 1796 George Washington’s Farewell Address is published in the American Daily Advertise, a newspaper based in Philadelphia. Washington’s Farewell Address alerts the American people of his retirement while at the same time advising the public on what they should do about foreign affairs, or lack thereof. As Ellis Argues “His angle of vision for the new American nation was decidedly western. The chief task facing the next several generations was to consolidate control for the North American continent. Anything that impaired or deflected that central mission was to be avoided at all costs” (Ellis, 133). George Washington advised the public that the new nation was too weak from the revolution to risk delving into other countries’ affairs and instead recommended that the American people explore west beyond the Proclamation Line of 1763 and find new prospects out west. This idea of isolationism is not popular with the first generation of Americans is hypocritical to George Washington and John Jay’s meeting with English representatives in 1795. In 1795 Washington and Jay met English officials and organized Jay’s Treaty which organizes an agreement to pay off English war debt from the revolution in exchange for the evacuation of English troops on the western frontiers; this meeting is also organized as a peace treaty