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George Washington is widely revered as the Father of America--the man who was uniquely qualified to be this nation's first president. Thomas Jefferson remarked to a colleague that, "it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him in the same constellation with whatever worthies have merited from man an everlasting remembrance."1
Born into wealth, Washington quickly gained experiences that led him down the path to the presidency. As a young man he realized that, "There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature."2 Washington was not able to receive as much of an education as he would have liked due to the early death of his father, but he soon became involved in land surveying and acquisition, an enterprise which provided him with important connections that would assist in his later career.
Washington began his military career first as a Major, and then as a commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. Later, he volunteered as an aide to British General Edward Braddock during a campaign to expel the French forces from the Ohio area. The battle in which Braddock was killed soon become a well-known story of Washington's courage, as the latter led a retreat in which two different horses he was riding were shot from underneath him, and four bullets pierced his cloak. "...by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation," he later wrote to his brother.3
Previous aspirations for a military did not become realized as he had hoped, so Washington focused on his plantation and politics. His marriage to Martha, a widow with children and a considerable fortune, provided him resources to cultivate and expand. Though a slave owner, he was kind and caring--so much so that few of the slaves ever attempted escape. His increasing wealth and development further propelled Washington in the social and political circles of the day. He enjoyed private life immensely, but Britain's economic oppression grated him to the point of action. He was in attendance when Patrick Henry introduced his resolutions against the Stamp Act in May of 1765. A few years later, he stated that resistance to "our lordly masters"4 had become necessary and, peaceful petitions to Parliament having proven unproductive, an escalation was merited.
As committees were organized and resolutions formed in leading up to the Revolution, Washington was usually witness, and often a participant. He was elected as a delegate to the first Continental Congress, took command of military companies in Virginia, served as Chairman of the Committee of Safety in Fairfax County, and was also elected a delegate to the second Continental Congress. It was in this latter Congress that Washington was, for several reasons, nominated and unanimously elected as Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of all the colonies. Ever the exemplar of humility, he refused any payment beyond necessary expenses, and asked "every gentleman in the room"5 to serve as witness that he considered himself unfit for the job.
Much has been written about the marvelous military career Washington had in ensuing years. His soldiers respected him, Americans revered him, and the British underestimated him. He was, as Henry Lee later eulogized him to Congress, "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."6 In terms of military leadership, what set Washington apart from other commanders before his time and since was his indifference towards the power he wielded--indeed, rather than mere indifference, he was keenly cognizant of its corrupting power, which was anathema to him. Whereas many men in his position would retain and abuse this position, Washington was quick to divest himself of it. Within days of the departure of British forces after their defeat, Washington stepped down from his office. On December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission to the Continental Congress, stating: "Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."7 Within 24 hours he was back home in Mount Vernon.
Having heard of the possibility of this retirement, King George III previously commented that, "if he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world." General Washington proved him correct.
Washington's retirement for a few years was slowly but steadily interrupted by the political climate surrounding the chaotic relations between the colonies in the post-war period. He felt that "something must be done, or the fabric must fall, for it is certainly tottering,"8 yet was slow to embrace the idea of a constitutional convention. Ultimately deciding that the states should determine "whether the Revolution must ultimately be considered a blessing or a curse,"9 he began in earnest to persuade others to support a convention. Once again showing his lack of concern for popularity and power, Washington was hesitant to attend the convention himself, and was hoping to be excused. Instead, he was chosen as one of Virginia's five delegates. Though he sought no influence, his countrymen recognized in him the virtues of a statesman whose leadership was essential in helping the colonies navigate self-government.
That leadership earned him the unanimous election as president of the convention, where he almost never offered his opinion while presiding over the body. Outside the convention hall, however, his advice was eagerly sought, and often very influential. Upon completion of the Constitution--a document Washington thought imperfect, yet nevertheless eagerly supported--he unsurprisingly hoped to once again return to the peace and enjoyment of private life. His fellow Americans, of course, thought differently; upon consideration of worthy candidates for the nation's first President, all eyes looked to him. Indeed, it was thought by almost all that only he could govern a budding nation and keep the diverse colonies unified. "As the first of everything, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent," he wrote James Madison, "it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles."10
Washington's character was no less tried and successfully tested during his time in office. While clearly not perfect, he nevertheless governed equitably, with praiseworthy character, and the high regard of those whom he served. The eminent historian David McCullough captured him best: "Had Washington been born in the days of idolatry, he would be worshiped as a god. If there are spots on his character, they are like spots on the sun, only discernible by the magnifying powers of a telescope."11
1 Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Walter Jones. (2 January 1814)
2 Letter to Mrs. George William Fairfax (12 September 1758)
4 Letter to George Mason, 5 April 1769
5 Washington Irving, George Washington: A Biography, 168
6 Memoirs of Lee. Eulogy on Washington, Dec. 26, 1799.
8 Letter to John Jay, 18 May 1786
9 Letters of General Washington to the governors of the several states
10 Letter to James Madison, May 1789
11 David McCullough, Pennsylvania Journal, 1777-1776, 290
Connor Boyack is a web developer, political economist, and budding philanthropist trying to change the world one byte at a time. He serves as State Coordinator for the Tenth Amendment Center in Utah, and Communications Coordinator for the Campaign for Liberty in Utah County. Read his blog or send him an email.
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