The American System was a plan adopted by President James Madison when mentioned it in his annual message, or State of Union address, to Congress in December 1815. Henry Clay, a United States senator and member of the House of Representatives, coined the label of American System. The American System rested essentially on three parts, or pillars including a new national bank, a tariff on imported manufactured goods to protect American industry, and federal financing of improved roads and canals. The first pillar, creating a new national bank, would promote one currency to make commerce run smoothly in the United States. In 1816, the first pillar became a reality because a new Bank of the United States was created. The second pillar, imposing