- Published: December 25, 2021
- Updated: December 25, 2021
- University / College: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 36
Sixth Annual Message of George Washington How does Washington defend his actions? What does he cite as the basis of his power to suppress the rebellion?
Washington stated that it was important to exercise the legislative power granted by the United States’ Constitution upon which it was legal to lay and collect taxes (Burns and Dunn). Furthermore, he supported his actions by informing the Congress that he entered into office to protect, defend, and preserve the United States constitution to the best of his ability. However, some people were against the mode of taxation introduced and there were riots and rebellions in four counties of Pennsylvania. He ordered fifteen thousand men to suppress the riots and cited the following in suppressing the rebellion. The laws of the US were opposed and were too powerful to be suppressed by general judicial proceedings or by the powers vested on the marshal of the district (Podell and Anzovin). Therefore, he sought to subdue and weigh the best option for the crisis.
2) What did Washington ask Congress to do in this address?
Washington urged the Congress to support his taxation laws so that the public debt would be reduced. Further, he urged the Congress not to procrastinate the issue since the fiscal measures had commenced (Podell and Anzovin). Washington was geared to foreseeing favorable international relations and therefore urged the Congress that the intercourse with foreign nations would be mandated to the Congress.
3) How did Washington describe those who participated in the rebellion? In your opinion was this a fair assessment? Why or why not?
Washington described the people who participated in the rebellion as enemies of order who were bound to start an insurrection. He also described them as an embittered and prejudice artifice of men whose passions promoted riots and violence (Burns and Dunn). In my opinion, it was not a fair assessment because democracy entails the will of the people. Therefore, he would have engaged the citizens in dialogue and explain to them reasons behind the new taxation measures to curb public debt.
Works Cited
Burns, James MacGregor, and Susan Dunn. George Washington. New York: Times Books,
2004. Print.
Podell, Janet, and Steven Anzovin. Speeches Of The American Presidents. Bronx, NY: H. W.
Wilson, 2001. Print.
