1790 State of the Union Address

This State of the Union Address was given on Friday, January 8, 1790, during the term of George Washington. It was the first annual address given by a president. It was given in New York City. The first President felt, "great satisfaction from a cooperation with you in the pleasing though arduous task of insuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal government."[1]

This State of the Union Address was given on Friday, January 8, 1790, by President George Washington. It was given in New York City in the Senate Chamber of Federal Hall.[2] It was the first annual address given by a president of the United States of America. As the first State of the Union Address President Washington created the example of what would become expected of presidents long after him. Everything from his choice of clothing, who was standing beside him, to the way he gave his message was criticized. "According to Sen. William Maclay’s account "The President was dressed in second morning, and read his speech well. The senate headed by their president were on his right The House of Representatives …. With their speaker were on his left…".[3] His demeanor gave the event the respect and importance that it has been given since his first speech. For all the importance that his speech has it is the shortest State of the Union Address that has been given to this day with only 1,089 words.[4] His speech did not address in detail many of his points. He explained some of the challenges that their young America would face and he addressed what he expected of the future. President George Washington begins his speech by congratulating the houses with the accession of North Carolina and expressing the country's progress "… and plenty with which we are blessed are circumstances auspicious in an eminent degree to our national prosperity.".[1] President Washington celebrated with the people but he realized the work that they would have to do in order to secure America's future. "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."[1] was Washington's call to his country to create a good army and to gather the resources needed to maintain it. The army itself, its funding, supplies, and structure still needed to be decided so Washington included this in his speech because it was of great importance that needed to be addressed immediately. As a new country it had to find its place in the world and shine the light of democracy. The need for foreign policy was a concern that he felt should be dealt with by the President and he promised to do his "duty in that respect in the manner which circumstances may render most public good.".[1] The need for a naturalization process to be made for foreigners was inserted to show how important they were to the country and to show the need the nation had for new citizens. The citizens themselves were not ignored in his State of the Union Address. With the government being formed by various official men the citizens of the United States were also asked to participate in the growth of their country. President Washington moved beyond official needs to address the everyday lives of the citizens. The President expressed " the advancement of agriculture, commerce, manufactures…the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness." in hopes of inspiring the people to embrace these fields of knowledge in order to better the country.[1] He reminded the country that they needed knowledge in order to be able to "know and to value their own rights; to discern and provide against invasions of them, etc…".[1] Lastly he also reminded the houses of their duty to the country and the cooperation that they would need to have for the future. The first President felt, "great satisfaction from a cooperation with you in the pleasing though arduous task of insuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal government.[2]" The short speech that will forever be remembered by American citizens gave them hope for the future and revealed to the world the great efforts that were made by courageous men and women.

Congressional Response

In concert with the portion of Washington's speech calling for "the promotion of "science and literature," Congress began drafting the Patent Act of 1790 and the Copyright Act of 1790. However, Washington's further suggestion that the United States establish a "national university" was questioned in the House of Representatives. Representative Michael Jenifer Stone was concerned that this would be unconstitutional because there was no authorization for Congress to found such a business.[5]

References

1. Washington, George (January 8, 1790). "State of the Union Address 1790". George Washington Mount Vernon. 2016 Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
2. "President George Washington Delivered His First Regular Annual Message to a Joint Session of Congress". History, Art & Archives. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
3. Washington, George. "From George Washington To The United States Senate and House of Representatives, 8 January 1790". National Archives. The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
4. Schlesinger, Robert (January 24, 2012). "State of Union History and Trivia". U.S.News & World Report. U.S.News & World Report. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
5. 1 Annals of Cong. 1550-1 (Joseph Gales, ed. 1790)

Preceded by First	State of the Union addresses 1790	Succeeded by 1790 State of the Union Address