Diary Entry 5

April 16^th, 1789

Dear Diary,

Today was pretty hectic. I had to wake up very early because I was asked to help babysit Thomas Jefferson’s kids Eston, Harriet, and Madison Hemmings. When he mentioned that the meeting would be held in New York I got nervous because I wasn’t sure how I would get there and I didn’t want to let him down. I mean come on now, he’s Thomas Jefferson! Then he pulled out all of our flight tickets and we boarded his private jet. This must be the life. Private jets, lots of money, I envied him. All of them, even his kids. They were handed everything while I must work for mine. Man these kids were mean and very spoiled and a living hell. When we got there they begged their father to leave us in the chamber room where we were still able to hear the whole thing. He and George Washington addressed the controversial issues about a new government plan.  I assumed they were scared of me since they wouldn’t speak. It never hit me why Mr. Jefferson asked me; out of all people, to watch his children. Then little Eston told me that his mom Sally, was a mixed-raced slave. A native one, then it all made sense.  After our brief conversation, the kids continued to sit and play with their toys. So I sat and listened. And boy did I listen very carefully. This conversation between George Washington and the congress lead to an entirely new government.

Although the constitution provided a strong foundation, it was not a detailed blueprint for governing. So they started off by explaining two of the problems they had to deal with. One of the first tasks Washington and congress dealt with was the fact that they did not have a judicial system. They solved this by announcing the Judiciary Act of 1789 which allowed state court decisions to be appealed to a federal court when constitutional issues were raised. The next problem they faced was how to create a well running executive branch. This would help the president govern by the development of the three executive departments. These departments consisted of: the Department of State, War and Treasury. The head honchos of these sections were Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox. Even though it sounded good, I could feel that one day these leaders would bump heads because of their conflicting visions.

As I was listening, I realized how Hamilton’s ideas about The United States new legal system would have no care for me and my people. It wouldn’t allow us to have a voice. Or state our opinion. But the voices that would count would be those of prosperous, educated elite of upper class. Basically rich white men. That is why I agree with the two party systems, it authorizes us to have individual rights, and the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in.

Soon we will prevail!

xoxO` Blue Feather