GREAT DECISIONS While Washington was bearing with military fortitude the rigors and annoyances of the imitation court in which he was confined, Congress reached decisions that had a vast effect in determining the actual character of the government.

The first business in order of course was the raising of revenue, for the treasury was empty, and payments of interest due on the French and Spanish loans were years behind.

Madison attacked this problem before Washington arrived in New York to take the oath of office.

On April 8 he introduced in the House a resolution which aimed only at giving immediate effect to a scheme of duties and imposts that had been approved generally by the States in 1783.

On the very next day debate upon this resolution began in the committee of the whole, for there was then no system of standing committees to intervene between the House and its business.