1792

 

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“Don’t be offended when I add that from the day you marry you must have no will of your own. The subordination of your sex to ours is enforced by nature, by reason and by revelation.”

Benjamin Rush gives advice to a young female.

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Home built in Stonington, Connecticut, c. 1792.

 

 

African Americans barred from the U.S. military. 

May 8: Congress passes the Militia Act, which empowers the president to take over state militias in time of invasion or insurrection. The act specifies that “free able-bodied white male citizens” shall be eligible to service. 

This act, and another, passed three years later, effectively barred African Americans from serving in the U.S. military.

 

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May 23: President Washington was anxious to lay down his burden after just one term. Jefferson wrote, “North and South will hang together if they have you to hang on.” In the same letter, Jefferson accused Hamilton of monarchical inclinations. (109/145)

 

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June 1: Kentucky joins the Union. The state constitution does away with property and religious qualifications for voting.

 

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October 18: In hopes of bridging the gap between Jefferson and Hamilton, President Washington writes to Jefferson: 

Mankind cannot think alike but would adopt different means to secure the same end…. Why, then, should either of you be so tenacious in your own opinions as to make no allowance for those of others?...I have a great, a sincere esteem and regard for you both; and ardently wish that some line could be marked out by which both of you could walk. (109/149) 

 

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“The subordination of your sex to ours.” 

PAIGE SMITH notes: “Even so liberal and enlightened a spirit as Benjamin Rush wrote to a young friend on the eve of her marriage warning her that,” 

you will be well received in all companies only in proportion as you are inoffensive, polite, and agreeable to everybody. … Don’t be offended when I add that from the day you marry you must have no will of your own. The subordination of your sex to ours is enforced by nature, by reason and by revelation. … In no situation whatever, let the words “I will” or “I won’t” fall from your lips till you have first found out your husband’s inclinations in a matter that interests you both. The happiest marriages I have known have been those when the subordination I have recommended has been most complete.

 

The ideal wife. Dr. Rush added helpfully, is “kind, obsequious, uncontradicting.” (45/60) 

NOTE TO TEACHERS: I would assume your students, like mine, would be interested in analyzing this quote.