At the time when the inadequacy of the first constitution was discovered America possessed the double advantage of that calm which had succeeded the effervescence of the revolution, and of those great men who had led the revolution to a successful issue.

The assembly which accepted the task of composing the second constitution was small; *c but George Washington was its President, and it contained the choicest talents and the noblest hearts which had ever appeared in the New World.

This national commission, after long and mature deliberation, offered to the acceptance of the people the body of general laws which still rules the Union.

All the States adopted it successively.

*d The new Federal Government commenced its functions in 1789, after an interregnum of two years.