The life and presidency of george washington

Washington would later reflect in amazement three decades later "that so young and inexperienced a person should have been employed" in such negotiations.

His progress toward adoption of the idea of a federal convention was, in fact, puzzlingly slow. Although John Jay assured him in March that breakup of the nation seemed near and opinion for a constitutional convention was crystallizing, Washington remained noncommittal. Some understanding being necessary between Virginia and Maryland regarding the navigation of the Potomac, commissioners from the two states had met at Mount Vernon in the spring of ; from this seed sprang the federal convention.

George Washington - Wikipedia

Gallaudet, XX6 Washington arrived in Philadelphia on May 13, the day before the opening of the Constitutional Conventionand as soon as a quorum was obtained he was unanimously chosen its president.

For four months he presided over the convention, breaking his silence only once upon a minor question of congressional apportionment.

Although he said little in debate, no one did more outside the hall to insist on stern measures. He did not believe it perfect, though his precise criticisms of it are unknown. When ratification was obtained, he wrote to leaders in the various states urging that men staunchly favourable to it be elected to Congress.

For a time he sincerely believed that, the new framework completed, he would be allowed to retire again to privacy. But all eyes immediately turned to him for the first president.

Early Years

He alone commanded the respect of both the parties engendered by the struggle over ratification, and he alone would be able to give prestige to the republic throughout Europe. In no state was any other name considered. The electors chosen in the first days of cast a unanimous vote for him, and reluctantly—for his love of peace, his distrust of his own abilities, and his fear that his motives in advocating the new government might be misconstrued all made him unwilling—he accepted.

American presidential election, Results of the American presidential election, Source: United States Office of the Federal Register. On April 16, after receiving congressional notification of the honour, he set out from Mount Vernon, reaching New York City in time to be inaugurated on April His journey northward was a celebratory procession as people in every town and village through which he passed turned out to greet him, often with banners and speeches, and in some places with triumphal arches.

He came across the Hudson River in a specially built barge decorated in red, white, and blue. A great crowd broke into cheers as, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall, he took the oath administered by Chancellor Robert Livingston and retired indoors to read Congress his inaugural address.

Washington was clad in a brown suit of American manufacture, but he wore white stockings and a sword after the fashion of European courts. Sadd,after a painting by Tompkins H. But a month later she came from Mount Vernon to join him.George Washington (–) served as America's first president.

He led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. As president, he set many precedents that still stand today.

Presidency

George Washington's Childhood and Education Washington was born on . In , George Washington became the first person to hold the office of President of the United States. Portrait of George Washington. Portrait of George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart, Life of George Washington.

Life of George Washington: An Example to All There is great interest in the life of George Washington, the first President of the great United States of America. He was a man among men and if there was ever a type of man for others to emulate, he was one for the ages. Washington, George: map Map of a portion of the Ohio River region made by George Washington, Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C.

(g ct) At his father’s death, the year-old boy became the ward of his eldest half brother, Lawrence, a man of fine character who gave him wise and affectionate care.

Oct 29,  · Watch video · George Washington () was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War () and served two terms as the first U.S. president, from to George Washington (–) served as America's first president.

He led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. As president, he set many precedents that still stand today. George Washington's Childhood and Education Washington was born on .