ment. Virginia, 6. ADOPTION of the first STATE CONSTITUTIONS. Ar the beginning of the revolutionary troubles, some of the states were embarrassed in the practical operations of governAs early as November 1775, Congress recommended to New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Virginia, to establish such forms of government, as they should judge the exigencies of the times required. This recommendation was followed by several of the states during the year 1776, and New Hampshire, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia adopted new systems of government before the declaration of independence. These were all limited to the duration of the dispute between the Colonies and Great Britain, except that of Virginia. The following list will show the times at which the first constitutions of the old states were adopted. 7. TROOPS EMPLOYED DURING THE REVOlution. [From Dr. Holmes's Annals.] Land Forces employed by Great Britain in America, 1774–1780. Naval Force for the above four I Men of war and armed vessels Complement of men Of which were lost by death British Corps and Recruits sent from Great Britai America or the West Indies. Men and Marines employed by Great Britain durin Raised for his Majesty's navy, marines included, fro to September 29, 1780 Of whom in 5 years, beginning with 1776 and e Died Were killed 18,545 19, 1,243 42,069 Troops raised in Great Britain and Ireland for his vice (Militia and Fencible Men in North Brita September 29, 1774, to September 29, 1780. Of which died in N. America and the W. In Taken prisoners, including those under the vention of Saratoga Deserted Discharged the service Account of the Ships of the Line and Frigates, take the War of the Revolution. French ships of the line taken by the British French frigates taken 27, American 12, Spanish 11, XXXVI. STATISTICAL AND OTHER PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE UNITED STATES. 1. ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION BY THE SEVERAL STATES. THE delegates for forming the Constitution assembled in Philadelphia on the second Monday in May, 1787. George Washington was appointed President of the Convention. After debating the several articles of the constitution for about four months, it was adopted and signed by all the members then present, on the 17th of September. The Constitution was then to be sent out for the approval of each state, and provision was made by the Convention, that the ratification of nine states should be sufficient for the establishment of the new system. It was warmly debated in the state conventions, but was at length adopted by them all; in some cases with the recommendation of amendments, and in others without amendments. The following table shows the dates of the adoption in each of January, Election of President, 1st Wednesday of February, Constitution went into operation on the 1st Wednesday of March, 1789 1789 1789 Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the United States. 189 2. ELECTIONS OF PRESIDENTS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. George Washington was unanimously chosen the first President, and was inaugurated April 30, 1789. John Adams was chosen Vice-President. 1796.* Thomas Jefferson Votes. 1812. 66 71 James Madison for President Votes. 128 89 128 57 dent Jared Ingersoll 1816. * This election was according to the old system, in which the highest number of votes made the President, and the next highest the Vice-President. In this case the election went to the House of Representatives, and on the 36th ballot Mr. Jefferson was chosen President by the votes of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Maryland. Aaron Burr was chosen Vice-President. The election went to the House of Representatives, and John Quincy Adams was chosen. |