ABSTRACT
At Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 the delegates to the Constitutional Convention had created the framework of a new government. In the spring and summer of 1789 that theoretical structure came to life. The initial success of this experiment in republicanism depended to a great extent on President Washington. It was Washington who provided the unity to retain the allegiance of those who feared federal power. As the hero of the Revolution, he could command support that was available to no other politician. Though a revolutionary, his political instincts were conservative.
