In building the state, the local self-government was left un- Instructive contrast with France Some causes of French political incapacity Vastness of the functions retained by the states in the Amer- ican Union 175, 176 176, 177 Germs of the idea of a written constitution. Development of the idea of contract in Roman law; medi- æval charters Foreshadowing of the American idea by Sir Harry Vane The "Fundamental Orders" of Connecticut (1639) Germinal development of the colonial charter toward the modern state constitution THE FEDERAL UNION. Circumstances favourable to the union of the colonies The New England Confederacy (1643-84). Albany Congress (1754); Stamp Act Congress (1765); The several states were never at any time sovereign states Nature and powers of the Continental Congress It could not impose taxes, and therefore was not fully en- Decline of the Continental Congress Weakness of the sentiment of union; anarchical tenden- cies 206, 207 208, 209 209-211 Original purpose of the electoral college not fulfilled Nomination of candidates by congressional caucus (1800-24) 232 Qualifications for the presidency; the term of office CIVIL GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, CONSIDERED WITH SOME REFERENCE TO ITS ORIGINS. CHAPTER I. TAXATION AND GOVERNMENT. IN that strangely beautiful story, "The Cloister and the Hearth," in which Charles Reade has drawn such a vivid picture of human life at the close of the Middle Ages, there is a good description of the siege of a revolted town by the army of the Duke of Bur gundy. Arrows whiz, catapults hurl their ponderous stones, wooden towers are built, secret mines are exploded. The sturdy citizens, led by a tall knight who seems to bear a charmed life, baffle every device of the besiegers. At length the citizens capture the brother of the duke's general, and the besiegers capture the tall knight, who turns out to be no knight after all, but just a plebeian hosier. The duke's general is on the point of ordering the tradesman who has made so much trouble to be shot, but the latter still remains master of the situation; for, as he dryly observes, if any harm comes to him, the enraged citizens will hang the general's brother. Some parley ensues, in which the shrewd hosier promises for the townsfolk to set free their prisoner and pay a round |