Washington Era Administration – 1789

John Adams – Vice President

Precedents:
1. struggle for visiting hours with the Pres. – public meetings on Tuesday afternoon and Friday evening
2. Names – Mr. President
3. Access to Congress – dinners with the representatives – set up an alphabetical order system – see everyone on a fairly regular basis
4. advice and consent from the senate –
Washington having an Indian problem – needed to sign a treaty – important – sets the precedents that Presidents will handle treaty negotions – 2/3 of the Senate has to approve
Handle foreign policy/initiative
Pushes for the need of a cabinet

1st Congress – lots of work.
1.Springtime meeting – ½ of all trade takes place at that time, concerned about losing revenue
James Madison – drafted tariff and tonnage bills
Tariff – import tax –
Tonnage – licensing fee
Generate revenue to kick start the economy

2. Bill of Rights
Originally their were 12 – but gutted down to 10
2nd amendment right – right to bear arms AND maintain a well-regulated militia
Reaction to Boston Massacre, Quartering Act, etc.

All amendments reactions to the revolution
Passed and ratified by 1791

3. Pay for the President and Congress
4. unilateral removal of individuals – the cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the President
5. Establish a Cabinet
1st sec of state – Thomas Jefferson
1st sec of Treasury – Alexander Hamilton
5. Creation of the Judiciary -
Judiciary Act of 1789 –
1. deemed that a trial court should be established in every state – called district courts – 13
2. appeals levels courts – circuit courts
3. establish the number of Supremes at that 6 – groups of 2 – travel around and works the circuit courts
Lifetime Appointments
1st Chief Justice – John Jay, hated the job, so John Marshall will take over

Hamilton’s Financial Program - ***
1st congress asked