Many people visit Washington
But what a change had come to Virginia! Eight years before George III was king over all the Thirteen Colonies, and Virginia was ruled by one of his governors. Now the people were ruling themselves, andhad elected one of Washington's neighbors, Benjamin Harrison, to be their governor. He missed some old friends. Some had died on the field of battle; others, like Lord Fairfax, had gone back to England, where they could be ruled by George III. Soon visitors began to come—old soldiers, beloved generals, and great statesmen from America, as well as distinguished people from Europe. They all wanted the honor of visiting the man who had led the American armies to victory, but who, again, was only a Virginia planter.
75. Lafayette Visits Washington.The year after peace was made Lafayette came back to America to visit General Washington. There were great times at Mount Vernon. Washington, Lafayette, and other noble men sat around the table and there told stories of their struggles and of their triumphs.
LAFAYETTE AT MOUNT VERNONAfter a painting by Rossiter and Mignot
LAFAYETTE AT MOUNT VERNONAfter a painting by Rossiter and Mignot
LAFAYETTE AT MOUNT VERNON
After a painting by Rossiter and Mignot
Lafayette visited many other places and received a warm welcome wherever he went; he had taken active part in many battles of the Revolution; his blood had flowed for the American cause. At Monmouth he had saved the Americans from retreat by sending for Washington. He had had an important part in the crowning victory at Yorktown. The Americans loved and admired him, and did all in their power to show their gratitude. Many years after, on another visit to America, Congress voted him two hundred thousand dollars and twenty-four thousand acres of land as a reward for his great services.
Another call to duty
76. Washington Elected First President.The American people would not let Washington long enjoy Mount Vernon, for when they met to make a new constitution, or plan of government, he was chairman of the meeting, and when that government was to go into operation they would have no other man for their first president than George Washington.
A triumphal procession from Mount Vernon to New York
In 1789 he once more bade Mount Vernon and his aged mother good-by, and began the journey to New York, which was at that time the capital of the new nation. What a journey! It was almost one continual procession and celebration! At every town and roadside the people came to show their love for Washington, whom they rightly called the "Father of his Country." School children scattered flowers in his way and beautiful young women sang patriotic songs as he passed under decorated arches. When he reached New York Harbor the bay was white with the sails of many nations. Crowds thronged the streets, cannon boomed, and flags were thrown to the breeze to welcome him.
Washington takes the oath as first president
On April 30, 1789, standing on the balcony of FederalHall in Wall Street, Washington took the oath of office, and pledged himself to govern the people according to the Constitution they had just made. He reverently bent and kissed the Bible, and became the first President of the United States. From the street, from doors and windows, and from the housetops, the people cried out: "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!"
His new office was almost as hard a task as the Revolution had been. He was now in charge of the affairs of the country. He had to see to it that laws were made to protect the rights of every one. Then he had to see that these laws were carried out. He could not guide himself by what another president had done, for there had been none before him.
WASHINGTON'S GRAND ENTRY INTO NEW YORK CITY, 1789From a chromo-lithograph after an original drawing by Alphonse Bigot
WASHINGTON'S GRAND ENTRY INTO NEW YORK CITY, 1789From a chromo-lithograph after an original drawing by Alphonse Bigot
WASHINGTON'S GRAND ENTRY INTO NEW YORK CITY, 1789
From a chromo-lithograph after an original drawing by Alphonse Bigot
WASHINGTON'S TOMB, MOUNT VERNON
WASHINGTON'S TOMB, MOUNT VERNON
WASHINGTON'S TOMB, MOUNT VERNON
But Washington directed the new ship of state so that it suffered no harm. When it looked as though we should have another war with England, he wisely preserved peace. So well were the people satisfied that they made him president a second time. When they offered him the office for a third term he refused. Thousands gathered to see him leave the capital. As he gave them his final farewell, tears rolled down his cheeks, and men cried like children.
Death in 1799
He was glad to get back to Mount Vernon, for he had grown old and weary in serving his country. He spent his remaining years among the scenes he loved so well. There he died in 1799, mourned as a father by the whole people.
The Leading Facts.1.Washington was born on the Potomac, spent his early days on the Rappahannock, and went to school at Fredericksburg.2.He learned many things outside of school, such as horseback riding, fox hunting, and how to find his way in the deep forests.3.He became a surveyor in the Shenandoah for Lord Fairfax.4.Governor Dinwiddie sent Washington to order the French to leave the Ohio.5.Washington joined Braddock's campaign against the French, and in the battle tried to save the army.6.Washington married young Mrs. Martha Custis, and was elected to the House of Burgesses.7.Heard Patrick Henry's fiery speech, went to first Continental Congress, and the second Congress made him commander over the Continental army.8.Washington drove the British out of Boston, outwitted them around New York, retreated across the Jerseys, and then beat them at Trenton and Princeton,9.He fought at Brandywine, suffered at Valley Forge, penned the British up in New York, and finally captured Cornwallis at Yorktown.10.Washington gave up his command and retired to Mount Vernon, but was called to be the first president of the new republic.Study Questions.1.Who was Washington's father and where did he meet Washington's mother?2.What was a plantation and why so large?3.What things did Washington love to do besides study?4.Why did George make a good captain?5.Picture the yearly ship from London at Mount Vernon.6.Who was Lord Fairfax and what did he engage Washington to do?7.What did Washington do at Greenway Court?8.Why was Washington chosen for the mission to the French, and what was the result?9.What were the preliminary events before the great war?10.Picture Braddock's defeat.11.How old was Washington when he first visited Boston?12.How did he become so rich?13.What news did Washington bring back to Mount Vernon in 1765?14.Who went to Congress with George Washington, and how did a member speak of him?15.What did he learn at Congress?16.Picture the scene in the second Congress.17.Describe the trip to Boston.18.What task did he set before himself, and how did he accomplish it?19.How did Washington outwit Howe?20.Who was Nathan Hale?21.What discouraged the Americans?22.Picture the surprise and capture of the Hessians.23.How did Washington outwit Cornwallis?24.What effect did these victories have?25.What sort of a time did the soldiers spend at Valley Forge?26.Who was Steuben, and what did he do?27.How did Lafayette aid Washington?28.Picture the surrounding and capture of Cornwallis.29.What changes had the war made in Virginia?30.In what way did Congress honor Lafayette?31.Picture Washington's journey to New York.Suggested Readings.Washington: Cooke,Stories of the Old Dominion, 94-139; Blaisdell and Ball,Hero Stories from American History, 62-76, 123-155; Hart,Camps and Firesides of the Revolution, 239-255, 261-266, 307-309; Glascock,Storiesof Columbia, 101-113; Baldwin,Four Great Americans, 9-68; Hart,How our Grandfathers Lived, 45-47; Mabie,Heroes Every Child Should Know, 274-288; Hawthorne,Grandfather's Chair, 186-191; Magell,Stories from Virginia History, 56-78, 79-94; Brooks,True Story of Lafayette; Wister,The Seven Ages of Washington; Mace,George Washington: A Virginia Cavalier.
The Leading Facts.1.Washington was born on the Potomac, spent his early days on the Rappahannock, and went to school at Fredericksburg.2.He learned many things outside of school, such as horseback riding, fox hunting, and how to find his way in the deep forests.3.He became a surveyor in the Shenandoah for Lord Fairfax.4.Governor Dinwiddie sent Washington to order the French to leave the Ohio.5.Washington joined Braddock's campaign against the French, and in the battle tried to save the army.6.Washington married young Mrs. Martha Custis, and was elected to the House of Burgesses.7.Heard Patrick Henry's fiery speech, went to first Continental Congress, and the second Congress made him commander over the Continental army.8.Washington drove the British out of Boston, outwitted them around New York, retreated across the Jerseys, and then beat them at Trenton and Princeton,9.He fought at Brandywine, suffered at Valley Forge, penned the British up in New York, and finally captured Cornwallis at Yorktown.10.Washington gave up his command and retired to Mount Vernon, but was called to be the first president of the new republic.
Study Questions.1.Who was Washington's father and where did he meet Washington's mother?2.What was a plantation and why so large?3.What things did Washington love to do besides study?4.Why did George make a good captain?5.Picture the yearly ship from London at Mount Vernon.6.Who was Lord Fairfax and what did he engage Washington to do?7.What did Washington do at Greenway Court?8.Why was Washington chosen for the mission to the French, and what was the result?9.What were the preliminary events before the great war?10.Picture Braddock's defeat.11.How old was Washington when he first visited Boston?12.How did he become so rich?13.What news did Washington bring back to Mount Vernon in 1765?14.Who went to Congress with George Washington, and how did a member speak of him?15.What did he learn at Congress?16.Picture the scene in the second Congress.17.Describe the trip to Boston.18.What task did he set before himself, and how did he accomplish it?19.How did Washington outwit Howe?20.Who was Nathan Hale?21.What discouraged the Americans?22.Picture the surprise and capture of the Hessians.23.How did Washington outwit Cornwallis?24.What effect did these victories have?25.What sort of a time did the soldiers spend at Valley Forge?26.Who was Steuben, and what did he do?27.How did Lafayette aid Washington?28.Picture the surrounding and capture of Cornwallis.29.What changes had the war made in Virginia?30.In what way did Congress honor Lafayette?31.Picture Washington's journey to New York.
Suggested Readings.Washington: Cooke,Stories of the Old Dominion, 94-139; Blaisdell and Ball,Hero Stories from American History, 62-76, 123-155; Hart,Camps and Firesides of the Revolution, 239-255, 261-266, 307-309; Glascock,Storiesof Columbia, 101-113; Baldwin,Four Great Americans, 9-68; Hart,How our Grandfathers Lived, 45-47; Mabie,Heroes Every Child Should Know, 274-288; Hawthorne,Grandfather's Chair, 186-191; Magell,Stories from Virginia History, 56-78, 79-94; Brooks,True Story of Lafayette; Wister,The Seven Ages of Washington; Mace,George Washington: A Virginia Cavalier.