Congress, Continental, Washington's journey to, i. 128; its character and ability, 129; its state papers, 129; adjourns, 132; in second session, resolves to petition the king, 133; adopts Massachusetts army and makes Washington commander, 134; reasons for his choice, 135; adheres to short-term enlistments, 149; influenced to declare independence by Washington, 160; hampers Washington in campaign of New York, 167; letters of Washington to, 170, 179, 212, 225, 229, 266, 278, 295, 321, 323, 333; takes steps to make army permanent, 171; its over-confidence, 171; insists on holding Forts Washington and Lee, 174; dissatisfied with Washington's inactivity, 187; criticises his proclamation requiring oath of allegiance, 189; makes unwise appointments of officers, 189; especially of foreigners, 190-192; 248, 249; applauds Washington's efforts at Germantown, 200; deposes Schuyler and St. Clair, 208; appoints Gates, 210; irritation against Washington, 212-215; falls under guidance of Conway cabal, 221, 222; discovers incompetence of cabal, 223; meddles with prisoners and officers, 231; rejects English peace offers, 233; makes alliance with France, 241; suppresses protests of officers against D'Estaing, 244; decline in its character, 257; becomes feeble, 258; improvement urged by Washington, 259, 266; appoints Gates to command in South, 268; loses interest in war, 278; asks Washington to name general for the South, 295; considers reduction of army, 313; elated by Yorktown, 323; its unfair treatment of army, 333, 335; driven from Philadelphia by Pennsylvania troops, 340; passes half-pay act, 342; receives commission of Washington, 347-349; disbands army, ii. 6; indifferent to Western expansion, 15; continues to decline, 22; merit of its Indian policy, 88. Congress, Federal, establishes departments, ii. 64; opened by Washington, 78, 79; ceremonial abolished by Jefferson, 79; recommendations made to by Washington, 81-83; acts upon them, 81-83; creates commission to treat with Creeks, 90; increases army, 94, 99; fails to solve financial problems, 106; debates Hamilton's report on credit, 107, 108; establishes national bank, 109; establishes protective revenue duties, 113; imposes an excise tax, 123; prepares for retaliation on Great Britain, 176; Senate ratifies Jay treaty conditionally, 184; House demands papers, 207; debates over its right to concur in treaty, 208-210; refuses to adjourn on Washington's birthday, 247; prepares for war with France, 285; passes Alien and Sedition Laws, 296.