When the Constitution was approved George Washington hoped to retire once again to Mount Vernon but upon completion of the first presidential election he received about from every elector and remains today the only president of United States was ever been elected unanimously.
Chapter Seven: George Washington and the Presidency
Turning down the position of king and refusing to be elected more than twice, George Washington was able to define the modern presidency successfully as we know it today. At the time, most countries were ruled by monarchs who meant that people had very little familiarity with the presidency or what rights the presidency should have versus what rights the people should have. It was George Washington who opted not to take advantage of the fortuitous position which he found himself into, rather, bring modern America into the successful country it is today.
George Washington served two terms as president of United States.
The first term he served between 1789 and 1793 is best defined by his organizing of the executive branch for the new government and his establishment of administrative procedures which allowed the government to operate effectively. He appointed Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and James Madison to help him as cabinet members.
In his first inaugural address he confessed that he was far from practiced in civil administration and yet in spite of this lack of practice he was able to ministry government with complete integrity and fairness regularly assuring Americans that the president was able to exercise executive authority without corruption. He was able to execute laws with restraint and establish many precedents that we use today for the office of the presidency. He set a standard for presidential integrity which was rarely met by any successor following him but remains the ideal by which all presidents have been judged.
During his first term as president, the federal government was able to successfully adopt different measures to resolve the debt crisis and to maintain peace with Native American tribes. But by the time his first term ended there was a war taking place on the northwestern frontier with Native American tribes who had been encouraged by the British. In addition to this, the Spanish denied Americans the use of the Mississippi River, which limited the ability for westward expansion, an idea to which George Washington was strongly committed. During this time growing partisanship took place within the government, something with which George Washington was most concerned.
Among the government started to oppose the financial program set forth to resolve the new country of its debt. During his first term, George Washington was able to tour the northern and southern states at which point he discovered that most of the American people offered him a great deal of their support. He realized upon completing this tour that the government was able to get along without him, and he could step down and return to Mount Vernon. Unfortunately, this was not the case and Thomas Jefferson had to visit George Washington personally at Mount Vernon to beg him to accept a second term. While he longed for nothing more than to return to a quiet and simple life, George Washington accepted.
During George Washington's second term as president from 1793 to 1797, a majority of his efforts focused on foreign affairs and the partisanship within the administration. On the eve of the French Revolution, he took over the presidency for a second term, and this French revolution influenced the international politics of the time. A general war was taking place in Europe which caused a struggle among American politics. George Washington decided that it was in the best interest of the nation to remain neutral in this war. The country was trying to build back up its finances and its commerce, both of which would be ruined by picking sides.
During his second term, one of his most important accomplishments was making sure that the United States did not get into the European war. The principle of neutrality which he maintained was something that continued to shape foreign policy for over a century. Of course, there were tensions among the different parties particularly between the Republicans and the Federalists which resulted in a lot of taxation issues. The final years of his presidency were distinguished by things other than petty taxation feuds back home. The war with the Native Americans along the northwestern front was effectively one, and the British had to surrender the forts they had in the Northwest. Spain eventually opened the Mississippi River to American commerce which allowed for more westward expansion. It was during his farewell address that he summarized his hopes that the nation would be able to sustain itself and grow westward.
Chapter Eight: Retirement to Mount Vernon
In March of 1797, the first President of the United States retired and did so to Mount Vernon. It was here that he was able to sigh a sigh of life. Following his work as the president, George Washington devoted the majority of his time to his multiple plantations as well as additional business interests which spanned beyond the White House. One of these additional interests included a distillery. This distillery was so successful that the first batch of spirits the former president was able to produce was enjoyed in February of 1797.
These plantations were minimally profitable at best. The lands themselves were, at the time, along the western regions which meant constant attack from Native American tribes and from squatters who took up residence on the lands but refused to pay any rent. It was assumed by many Americans at the time and even today that the former president was rich during his retirement. This was thought to be the case because of the façade of Mount Vernon, which spoke to all things wealthy and grand. But the worth of the estate at the time was roughly one million dollars, which today would be just shy of twenty million dollars in total value.
Near the end of 1798, war with France seemed imminent as relations began to sour. It was in July of that same year that President Adams offered a commission to George Washington to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the armies on the off chance that war would start. He accepted the position, effectively coming out of retirement, a position he held until he passed away seventeen months later. During this period he was able to contribute to the planning of a provisional army which would be necessary to meet emergency defense needs. However, during this time he did avoid as much involvement in any details as he could, delegating the majority of the work to the other leaders.
Chapter Nine: George Washington’s Death
George Washington famously spends several hours on December of 1799 outside where he was riding on horseback through his plantation in now just freezing rain, but in hail and snow. He went home that evening for supper and ate without changing from his wet clothes. That Friday he had a severe sore throat which only continued to worsen as the day went on. But he did not let this stop him from his work. In fact, that same day he still rode out into heavy snow so that he could mark trees he wanted to cut down.
It was around 3 in the morning that Saturday that Washington awoke with breathing difficulties and the inability to speak or to swallow. His estate overseer was ordered to perform bloodletting, an ancient and lethal practice which was commonplace at the time and something Washington himself had used to cure the ailments of his slaves. It was his overseer Albin Rawlins who removed half a pint of blood that evening.
That night three physicians were sent to attend to Washington including his personal physician by the name of Dr. James Craik and two additional physicians. It was thought to be nothing more than throat inflammation by the two older doctors, including the personal physician with only the youngest of the group voicing that it was something likely more severe than simple violent inflammation. The three men collectively offered bloodletting and other treatments which resulted in half of his blood being drained in just a few hours. Included in these treatments was a portion of sage tea and vinegar, an enema, and induced vomiting.
It was the youngest doctor who, upon realizing that the treatments and bloodletting were not working, decided to perform an emergency tracheotomy, something which today is only reserved for the most highly trained physicians but at the time was a new procedure with which few A
mericans were familiar.
Upon recognizing the failure of the treatments, Washington called for his wills of which he had two at the time. One was settled upon and the other was burned.
His wife remained on his death bed, and he was surrounded by his valet, his three housemaids, and his friends throughout the day. It was his wishes that his body not be buried during which time it remain inside of a mahogany casket inside of the New Room.
Around 10 p.m. that evening, Washington passed away at the age of 67. His last words were recorded as “Tis well”. His illness and cause of death have been debated to this day with most people agreeing that the cause of death was bleeding to death, or a result of the various procedures performed all at once.
Upon news of his death, people around the world were saddened. In France, Napoleon Bonaparte issued ten days of mourning. IN the United States, memorials were held in major cities wherein those in attendance wore mourning clothes. Martha Washington set fire to the correspondence between herself and her husband to protect their privacy, which left only five letters in total surviving.
Mount Vernon was a site of a funeral on December 18th that same year where the body of the late president was interred. A joint resolution was passed by Congress to create a marble monument in the crypt in the capital for the body, though the crypt remained under construction at the time.
A great deal of debate took place for the next three decades about moving the body, especially since the burning of Washington. Southern representatives opposed many measures, and there existed a great fear between the North and the South.
Finally, on October 7 of the year 1837, a new tomb was made at Mount Vernon where the body was moved during a ceremony. The inner vault door was closed following this ceremony, and the key was tossed into the Potomac.
Chapter Ten: Awards and Legacy
Awards
In 1776, George Washington received an honorary Doctorate of Laws, from Harvard University. That same year he received a Congressional Gold Medal. In 1779, he was presented with the award of Grand Master of Masons of the American Colonies. Shortly thereafter, in 1783, he received the award of President General for the Society of the Cincinnati. Since his death, he was appointed General of the Armies of the United States of America in 1976.
Legacy
This hero of the American Revolution, Commander-in-Chief for the Continental Army, and revered first president has maintained a strong legacy throughout the years. He set a reputation for everyone at the time, set precedents among the national government, the presidency, and earned nicknames like “Father of His Country”. As early as 1778 his birthday was considered a federal holiday.
As a leader of the most successful revolution ever fought at the time against a colonial empire, he became widely known across international stages for nationalism and liberation. He was a symbol of the Federalist Party for years. He was elected a Follow for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences following Yorktown, a title which remains an honor today.
He was posthumously appointed to the position of General of the Armies at the Bicentennial year for the U.S. by Congress. This restored him as the highest ranking officer in all of U.S. military history.
His legacy continues in the form of monuments and memorials. Many proposals had been put forth requesting the completion of monuments to this great man following his death. A memorial was authorized by Congress, one whose construction would take place at the national capital. The United States Lines was a shipping company which named their second American-built ocean liner in 1832 “SS Washington”. Mount Rushmore Memorial followed with a depiction of George Washington alongside Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Jefferson.
Today, however, the most popular landmark in memory of this great president is the Washington Monument.
In Alexandria, Virginia there is the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, which was created over the course of a decade thanks to voluntary contributions from 52 local Freemason governing bodies across America.
Since that time, there have been multiple entities and places named in honor of George Washington. His name became the name of the national capital, only one of two capitals around the world names for a U.S. president. Washington State, also named for this historic man, is the only state ever to be named after a president in U.S. history. The tallest mountain found in northeast America assumes the name Mount Washington after the president as well.
Other monuments include a statue in Richmond, Virginia and a statue in Manhattan. The one in Union Square in Manhattan is the first statue to ever depict the first president on horseback.
His legacy has lived on with his profile printed on the quarter dollar which is commonly referred to as the Washington quarter today. It also appears on the dollar bill, which it has been since 1928. In addition to this, his legacy lives on through stamps. He alongside Benjamin Franklin were the first to appear on national postage stamps in 1847, the first of their kind. Since that time he has been featured on many other stamps, often in conjunction with other presidents.
His battle at Yorktown over Cornwallis is something commemorated in 1931, to mark the 150th anniversary. At that time, the new two-cent stamp was issued with this battle scene. Along the same vein, for the 150th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, there was a three-cent stamp issue in 1937 on which President Washington appears as the president of the Constitutional Convention, a scene which was adapted by a painting which was previously painted by Julius Brutus Stearns. In 1939, yet another 150th anniversary was commemorated with the issuance of a stamp in honor of the presidential inauguration which took place at Federal Hall located in New York City.
Chapter Eleven: Books
Books by George Washington
George Washington wrote a great many books during his life, many of which can be found in edited versions today.
The Writings of George Washington
The Works of Joseph Addison, Vol. 1 of 6: Including the Whole Contents of BP; Hurd's Edition, with Letters and Other Pieces Not Found in Any Previous Collection; And Macaulay's Essay on His and Works
The Spurious Letters Attributed to Washington
The Life and Influence of Washington
The Life of General Washington, First President of the United States, Vol. 2 of 2: Written by Himself, Comprising His Memoirs and Correspondence, as Prepared by Him for Publication, Including Several Original Letters Now First Printed
Gen. George Washington's Account with the United States: From 1775 to 1783
The Washington Year Book: Maxims and Morals of the Father of His Country
Original Autograph Letters, from General Washington to Joseph Reed, During the American Revolution: Many of Which Have Not Been Published
Diary of George Washington: September-December, 1785
Washington and the West: Being George Washington's Diary of September, 1784
The Agricultural Papers of George Washington
The Philanthropist: Or Political Peace-Maker Between All Honest Men of Both Parties
Washington on Leadership: Lessons and Wisdom from the Father of Our Country
In addition to the books authored by the first president, there are 14,706 books written about the president, 1,746 academic journals, 4,319 magazines, 24,569 newspapers, and 191 encyclopedia entries.
Today there are collections of publications and books written and edited by George Washington, which were collected by Jared Sparks in the 1830’s. This consists of a 37 volume set. Today there is a letterpress edition of this collection which is made up of 52 published volumes containing everything ever written by Washington, ever signed by Washington, and his incoming letters.
A few of the most popular books about the President include the following:
1. History of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration - Vol. 1
CONTRIBUTORS: United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission
2. Special News Releases Relation to the Life and Time of George Washington - Vo
l. 1
CONTRIBUTORS: United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission
3. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 - Vol. 27
CONTRIBUTORS: George WashingtonJohn C. Fitzpatrick
4. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 - Vol. 11
CONTRIBUTORS: George WashingtonJohn C. Fitzpatrick
5. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 - Vol. 19
CONTRIBUTORS: George WashingtonJohn C. Fitzpatrick
6. The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799 - Vol. 32
CONTRIBUTORS: George WashingtonJohn C. Fitzpatrick
7. The Journal of Major George Washington (1754)
CONTRIBUTORS: George Washington
8. George Washington Carver in His Own Words
CONTRIBUTORS: George Washington CarverGary R. Kremer
9. The Family Life of George Washington
CONTRIBUTORS: Charles Moore
10. George Washington and the Origins of the American Presidency
CONTRIBUTORS: Mark J. RozellWilliam D. PedersonFrank J. Williams
Chapter Twelve: Movies and Television Shows
With regard to films, there are many publications available in the form of television shows, movies, and documentaries. Below is a comprehensive list:
Documentaries
Date
Title
George Washington: 1st President of U.S. and his Great Offering (Founding Fathers) Page 3
