Neither separate nor equal : Congress in the 1790s / edited by Kenneth R. Bowling and Donald R. Kennon.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Bowling, Kenneth R.

Kennon, Donald R., 1948-

United States Capitol Historical Society.

Series:

Perspectives on the history of Congress, 1789-1801

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Congress--History--18th century.

United States.

United States. Congress.

History.

Legislators--United States--History--18th century.

Legislators.

United States--Politics and government--1789-1797.

Politics and government.

Physical Description:

xi, 344 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Athens : Published for the United States Capitol Historical Society by Ohio University Press, [2000]

Summary:

Scholars today take for granted the existence of a "wall of separation" dividing the three branches of the federal government. Neither Separate nor Equal: Congress in the 1790s demonstrates that such lines of separation among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, however, were neither so clearly delineated nor observed in the first decade of the federal government's history.

The first two essays describe the social and cultural milieu attending the movement of the republican court from New York to Philadelphia and the physical and social environment of Philadelphia in the 1790s. The following section examines the congressional career of New York's Egbert Benson, the senatorial career of Robert Morris as an expression of his economic interests, the vigorous opposition of Rep. William Branch Giles to the Federalist policies of the Washington administration, and finally the underappreciated role of congressional spouses.

The last five essays concentrate on areas of inter-branch cooperation and conflict. In particular, they discuss the meaning of separation of powers in the 1790s, Washington as an active president with Congress, the contrast between Hamilton's and Jefferson's exercise of political influence with Congress, and John Adams's relationship with Congress during the Quasi-War crisis.

The essays in this collection, the second volume of the series Perspectives on the History of Congress, 1789-1801, originated in two conferences held in 1995 and 1996 by the United States Capitol Historical Society.

Contents:

The federal government and the Republican court move to Philadelphia, November 1790-March 1791 / Kenneth R. Bowling

Philadelphia as the nation's capital, 1790-1800 / Anna Coxe Toogood

Egbert Benson: a nationalist in Congress, 1789-1793 / Dohn D. Gordan III

The financier as senator: Robert Morris of Pennsylvania, 1789-1795 / Elizabeth M. Nuxoll

In opposition: the congressional career of William Branch Giles, 1790-1798 / Mary A. Giunta

A congressional wife at home: the case of Sarah Thatcher, 1787-1792 / William C. diGiacomantonio

Separation of powers? relations between the judiciary and other branches of the federal government before 1803 / Wythe Holt

French cruisers, British prizes, and American sailors: coordinating American foreign policy in the age of fighting sails / William R. Casto

"The line of my official conduct": George Washington and Congress, 1789-1797 / Jack D. Warren, Jr.

"The art and address of ministerial management": Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and Congress / Joanne B. Freeman

"Father and protector": President John Adams and Congress in the quasi-war crisis / John Ferling.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0821413279

OCLC:

43541203