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On the Rebellion:
"On August 7, 1794, President Washington issued a proclamation, calling out the militia and ordering the disaffected westerners to return to their homes!. Washington's order mobilized an army of approximately 13,000 — as large as the one that had defeated the British — under the command of General Harry Lee, the then-Governor of Virginia and father of Robert E!. Lee!. Washington himself, in a show of presidential authority, set out at the head of the troops to suppress the uprising!.

This was the first use of the Militia Law of 1792 setting a precedent for the use of the militia to "execute the laws of the union, (and) suppress insurrections," asserting the right of the national government to enforce order in one state with troops raised in other states!. Even more importantly, it was the first test of power of the new federal government, establishing its primacy in disputes with individual states!. In the end, a dozen or so men were arrested, sent to Philadelphia to trial and released after pardons by Washington!. "
http://www!.earlyamerica!.com/earlyamerica!.!.!.

On the bank:
"The bank bill won final passage in February 1791, amid protests by opponents that it was unconstitutional!. With the bill presented to him for signature, Washington now had to decide the question!. He consulted his advisers, and this time Jefferson and Hamilton locked horns!.

Jefferson asserted that the bank bill was unconstitutional because the Constitution nowhere vested Congress in plain words with power to charter a bank!. Hamilton’s opposing view was vigorously expressed: The Constitution did give Congress wide powers in such matters as taxation, payment of the public debt, coining of money, and regulation of commerce!. To Hamilton a national bank was essential for the effective exercise of these powers!.

Here for the first time was at issue the great question of rigid versus flexible interpretation of the Constitution that has been the subject of heated partisan dispute through much of the life of the United States!. Washington set down nothing in writing on this point, but he had frequently made clear his unshakable belief that a strong central government was essential to the survival of the United States!. A strong government required reasonable freedom of action because unexpected situations were certain to arise!. Washington signed the bill in February 1791, creating the first Bank of the United States!. "
http://encarta!.msn!.com/encyclopedia_7615!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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