[Illustration:  CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.]

[Sidenote:  Opponents of the Constitution.]

[Sidenote:  The first ten amendments.]

190.  The First Ten Amendments.—­These defects seemed to be so grave that patriots like Patrick Henry, R.H.  Lee, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock could not bring themselves to vote for its adoption.  Conventions of delegates were elected by the people of the several states to ratify or to reject the Constitution.  The excitement was intense.  It seemed as if the Constitution would not be adopted.  But a way was found out of the difficulty.  It was suggested that the conventions should consent to the adoption of the Constitution, but should, at the same time, propose amendments which would do away with many of these objections.  This was done.  The first Congress under the Constitution and the state legislatures adopted most of these amendments, and they became a part of the Constitution.  There were ten amendments in all, and they should be studied as carefully as the Constitution itself is studied.

[Sidenote:  Constitution adopted. Higginson, 216; Source-Book, 175-180.]

191.  The Constitution Adopted, 1787-88.—­In June, 1788, New Hampshire and Virginia adopted the Constitution.  They were the ninth and tenth states to take this action.  The Constitution provided that it should go into effect when it should be adopted by nine states, that is, of course, it should go into effect only between those states.  Preparations were now made for the organization of the new government.  But this took some time.  Washington was unanimously elected President, and was inaugurated in April, 1789.  By that time North Carolina and Rhode Island were the only states which had not adopted the Constitution and come under the “New Roof,” as it was called.  In a year or two they adopted it also, and the Union of the thirteen original states was complete.

QUESTIONS AND TOPICS

CHAPTER 17

Sec.Sec. 168, 169.—­a.  What were the chief weaknesses of the Confederation?  Why did not Congress have any real power?

b.  How did some states treat other states?  Why?

Sec.Sec. 170-173.—­a.  Explain the distress among the people.

b.  Describe the attitude of the British government and give some reason for it.

c.  Why did the value of paper money keep changing?

d.  What were the “tender laws”?  The “stay laws”?

e.  Give some illustration of how these laws would affect trade.

Sec. 174.—­a.  Describe the troubles in Massachusetts.

b.  What was the result of this rebellion?

Sec.Sec. 175-178.—­a.  What common interest did all the states have?

b.  What did Maryland contend?  State carefully the result of Maryland’s action.  Describe the land cessions.