Ch 3 and 4 Summary (Founding Brothers)

Ch3. The Silence

This chapter deals mostly with the decision of whether or not to end the slave trade. A discussion of ethics vs. economics arose when the time came to decide what the effects of an end to the slave trade might mean.
Despite any economic reasons to continue slave trafficking, the petition to Congress pointed out that the slave trade was in contradiction with the ideals stated in the Declaration and that Congress did have the power to abolish it considering it affected the general well-being of the people. There was a debate among Congressmen about whether God or the Constitution permitted slavery and also there had to be a consensus about which states depended on slave labor and which did not (this issue would obviously lead to future conflicts).
Basically, most of Congress agreed that a gradual abolition to slavery might be possible, but considering the country was in a vulnerable state, that in order to preserve unity, this issue might be revisited at a later time when people are more equipped to handle the situation. It is said that Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Hamilton were all against the institution of slavery, but that it was not an appropriate time to address the issue.

Ch4. The Farewell

On Sept. 19, 1796, George Washington published a letter in a Philadelphia newspaper that it was time for a new president to be chosen. His choice in retiring was mostly due to old age and the fact that the media was highly critical of his second term in office. It created a stir among the people and questions arose such as how to preserve unity and also, who would be the next leader?
Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to Britain in order to negotiate a post war treaty, possibly to avoid any future conflicts with the English who proved to be superior in military aspects. The treaty accepted by both parties stated, among other things, that British troops had to be removed from all ports and that America was required to pay back pre-revolutionary debt.
The treaty proved to be extremely unpopular.
When the time came for Washington to deliver his farewell address, he wrote a draft which Hamilton edited and revised. Some ideas did not quite make the cut, like an idea for a national university Washington had, and also, the conclusion of the speech was shortened quite a bit (possibly to avoid a feeling of unwanted nostalgia and increased forward thinking about the future). Some issues were brought to the forefront with his address. The Indian negotiations were still prominent and Washington also stated that trade with the British was helping the economy. Despite minor opposition, the population was generally regretful that such a political giant was leaving office.
Washington officially left in 1797 and died in 1799.