1785-Held a meeting at Mount Vernon on navigation

rights on the Potomac River, which indirectly led to the convening of the United States Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia.

1787-Was a delegate to, and President of, the National Convention which met in Philadelphia in May and adopted a new Constitution, greatly increasing the power of the Federal Government. 1788-Washington was unaminously elected the first President of the United States.

1789-On April 30, 1789, Washington took his oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall, Broad and Walnut Streets, New York City. (This is now the site of the Washington statue in front of the old Sub-Treasury Building.) At the end of his first term, he was unaminously reelected. In his Cabinet, Jefferson was Secretary of State; Hamil ton, Secretary of the Treasury; Knox, Secretary of War; and Randolph, Attorney General. Washington's accomplishments as President were substantial, and proved to be of lasting value. The Neutrality Proclamation of April 22, 1793, promulgated by Washington after the outbreak of war between France and Great Britain, was a milestone in American diplomatic history. When it was enacted into law the following year, it established the basic principles of international law and neutral rights and obligations of U.S. citizens in trading with belligerent countries.

The full force and effect of the authority of the U.S. Government was first put to the test in domestic affairs, and successfully so, in suppressing opposi tion to excise taxes on liquor (known as the Whis key Rebellion) and in dealing with Indian intrusions.

The public credit was established, at home and abroad, by Washington's support of monetary principles espoused by his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Washington made considerable progress in ironing out western and southern boundary problems which existed with Spain and were the subject of the Pinckney Treaty of 1795. Likewise, issues relat ing to commerce and neutral rights with Great Britain were brought closer to solution through negotiation of the Jay Treaty.

There evolved, during Washington's administra
tion, rules-of-the-road governing the independence
of each of the three branches of Government-the
Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial. Wash-
ington, for example, laid down the basic principle
requiring the approval of the President for the
release of controversial Executive documents
desired for examination by the Congress.

Though Washington did not favor political parties,
they did come into
into existence during his
administration.

1796-On September 19, 1796, declining a third term,

Washington delivered his "Farewell Address" to the Congress. Notwithstanding his intention of spending his remaining years in private life, he was appointed lieutenant general and Commander. in Chief of the armies of the United States, to meet a possible war with France, which did not materialize.

1799-Died on December 14 and was buried at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION

Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)--December 15, 1791, 1 Stat. 97.

Judiciary Act September 4, 1789, 1 Stat. 73.

Tariff Act—July 4, 1789, 1 Stat. 24.

District of Columbia Act (first)-- July 16, 1790, 1 Stat. 130.
Bank of Columbia Act (first) --February 25, 1791, 1 Stat. 191.
Eleventh Amendment--February 7, 1795, 1 Stat. 402.

*(The lists of "Important Legislation" which follow the presidential biographies are meant to be selective rather than all inclusive, since the term "important" is subject to varied interpretation by different authorities. With certain exceptions, declarations of war, conclusions of treaties, routine and appropriation legislation have been omitted. Some subsidiary legislation under certain existing acts has also been omitted.)