George Washington Leads Initial Discussions

Speaking to the assembled group of Founding Fathers in 2011, George Washington says, “When we last met as a group in Philadelphia in 1787, we created a document that we believed could provide a solid foundation for our new nation.  I’m proud to have presided over that convention and of the work we did, and I’m especially proud that you gentlemen with broadly differing views unanimously elected me chairman.  We defined a stronger central authority than provided for in the Articles of Confederation; yet we limited this new entity so that individual and State freedom could flourish and lead to a politically and economically strong country.  We achieved difficult compromises because we all worked toward a common goal, the birth of a viable nation.
“Incredible as it seems, we have been given the opportunity to reconsider our past actions.  Many things have changed that we had no concept of when we undertook to write a lasting Constitution for these United States.  Had we anticipated some of the changes in society and in technology, perhaps we would have done things differently.  Now is our opportunity to accomplish just that.  The changes in broad education, numbers of people in the US, ease of transportation, the lethality of warfare, distribution of wealth, and access to information lead me to believe that there are many things we would reconsider.  Many of you led teams to investigate various areas and make recommendations.  We will get to those investigations and recommendations soon.   I for one wish to return to my home as soon as possible so let us get down to business,” said George Washington, the presiding officer.  “As a first order of business I propose that we settle on the functions of the federal government.  In the original Constitution we identified the functions as:
…establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common
defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity…
perhaps we were not explicit enough because apparently almost everything being done today has been lumped into one or more of these categories.  While a Federalist myself, I am amazed at amount of control the Federal Government has taken from the states.  Whether this is to the good or not we will determine, but first let us clearly delineate the functions we expect the Federal Government to assume.”
Rising from his seat Alexander Hamilton says, “Clearly the function of enforcing and interpreting the Constitution itself cannot be left to the devices of any constituent entity.  This must be a primary function of the Federal Government.  Yet, as we agreed when we met in 1787, this function must be divided among the branches of government in such a way to balance the power.”
“Defence of the nation was of great importance at our last meeting.  Despite our hope for a continuing peace, there is apparently no evidence that peace has, or will soon, occur.  Thus I propose that the defense of the United States continues as a primary purpose of the Federal Government,” said Thomas Mifflin.
“Relations with foreign nations must be consistent, and cannot therefore be settled by individual states.  This too needs to be a function of the Federal Government,” proclaimed Pierce Butler.
With great gravity Robert Yates proclaimed: “It was always our intent to have individuals and states make their decisions consistent with the direction of the nation as a whole.  Yet we agreed that the Federal Government should not capriciously coerce individuals and states to act in a manner contrary to their own self interest.  The Federal Government must provide accurate and convincing information that allows informed decision in these respects.”
Nicholas Gilman chimed in: “That argument implies that, where the Federal Government does not dictate particular actions, it must assemble and provide information, standards, and guidelines for each of the alternatives.  It must also publish the results of individual and state decisions and approaches in a manner that allows all to see the results of the various courses of actions and make intelligent decisions based on these data.”
The rotund Gunning Bedford uncharacteristically shouted: “Gentlemen are we not neglecting the obligation of the Federal Government to increase the prosperity of its citizens?  My belief has always been that growing the wealth in these States was a great goal of establishing our government.”
“Of course the enforcement of laws established by Congress must perforce be a role of the Federal Government,” said William Few.
“In order to perform these functions and any others the Central Government must be able to create revenue by taxes and duties.  Such revenue generation must be approved by the peoples and States impacted said Daniel Jenifer of St. Thomas.
Following a period of quiet discussion, President Washington spoke.  “Much of what has been proposed for the role of the Federal Government is entirely consistent with the existing document.  You will recall that our intent was to ensure that the Federal Government did not have any responsibilities that could be effectively carried out by individual States.  I think functions we discussed all fall into this area.  At this time …”
Thomas Fitzsimmons stood and said, “Excuse me Mister President, but I believe we missed one function of the Federal Government that we also missed the last time we met.  That function, consistent with ‘promote the general welfare’ is to act as an insurer for the States and citizens against natural and man-made disasters of a scale that the entire nation is adversely affected -- a disaster of such scope that no individual State could fully recover without Federal Assistance.  Such an insurance-like capability should be funded by contributions from the States but administered by the Federal Government.”
After discussion and eventual agreement on this point, President Washington again called the meeting to order.  “Gentlemen,” he said, “having general agreement on the functions of the Federal Government, our next action is to address specific issues and how to assure that the Federal Government performs the above functions and no others (except after amending the Constitution.)