george_washington george_washington february february december president united_states commander chief continental_army american revolutionary war founding fathers united_states presided convention drafted current united states constitution lifetime called father country widely admired strong leadership qualities washington unanimously elected president national elections oversaw creation strong financed national government maintained neutrality french revolutionary wars suppressed won acceptance americans types washington established use today cabinet system inaugural address title president retirement office terms established tradition lasted won unprecedented term 22nd amendment limits president elected terms born provincial gentry family wealthy owned tobacco plantations slaves inherited youth senior british officer colonial militia stages french indian war commissioned washington commander chief continental_army american revolution command washington forced british boston defeated nearly captured later year lost new_york_city crossing middle winter defeated british battles princeton retook new_jersey restored momentum patriot cause strategy enabled continental forces capture major british armies historians washington selection supervision generals preservation command army coordination congress state governors militia attention supplies logistics training battle washington repeatedly british generals larger armies victory finalized washington resigned commander chief seize power proving opposition dictatorship commitment american washington presided devised new form federal government united_states following election president worked unify rival factions fledgling nation supported programs satisfy debts federal state established permanent seat government implemented effective tax system created national bank avoiding war great_britain guaranteed decade peace profitable trade securing jay treaty despite intense opposition remained joining largely supported policies washington farewell address influential civic virtue warning involvement foreign wars retired presidency returning home plantation power use national authority pursued ends especially preservation liberty reduction regional tensions promotion spirit american nationalism death washington war peace hearts revered life death scholarly public polling consistently ranks presidents american history depicted remembered monuments currency present day early life child second wife george_washington born pope near present day virginia according julian calendar style years use british_empire washington born february calendar adopted later british_empire renders birth date february washington primarily english gentry descent especially england great grandfather emigrated virginia began accumulating land slaves son lawrence grandson george father tobacco tried hand iron mining ventures george youth moderately prosperous members virginia gentry rank leading families time virginia southern colonies employed slave labor rich general formed ruling class economy based slave labor george siblings reached maturity including older half brothers lawrence father marriage siblings samuel elizabeth betty charles siblings died adulthood sister died half brother butler died infancy half sister jane died age george father died sudden illness april george years old half brother lawrence father role model lawrence father law cousin virginia largest landowner thomas lord formative influence washington father justice young washington spent near inherited family property father plantation little hunting creek named honor commanding officer admiral george inherited ferry farm father death eventually acquired lawrence death death father prevented washington education england older brothers received achieved equivalent elementary school education variety school run anglican clergyman near talk securing appointment royal_navy dropped widowed mother objected washington traveled barbados lawrence suffering tuberculosis hope climate beneficial lawrence health washington contracted smallpox trip left face slightly future disease lawrence health failed improve returned died summer lawrence position militia leader virginia divided district offices death washington appointed governor district february rank major virginia militia period washington involvement minimal surveyor washington introduction surveying began early age school exercises taught basics profession followed practical experience field experiences surveying occurred surrounding territory washington opportunity surveyor occurred invited join survey party organized neighbor friend organized professional surveying party layout large tracts land border western virginia young washington gained experience field age washington began career professional surveyor subsequently received commission surveyor license mary official surveyor newly formed thanks older brother lawrence connection prominent family washington appointed paid official position days completed survey plotting acre parcel land way promising career subsequently able purchase land land acquisitions western virginia years washington worked surveying land land investment company funded virginia investors thanks lawrence position commander virginia militia washington came notice new lieutenant governor virginia hard miss feet taller contemporaries october washington resigned position official surveyor continued work years new profession continued survey professionally years receiving military appointment adjutant southern virginia washington completed close surveys numerous properties totaling acres continue survey different times life late french indian war washington began military service french indian war major militia virginia sent ambassador british crown french officials indians far north present day pennsylvania important vehicle british investors planned expand opening new settlements trading posts indian trade french began expanding military control territory claimed british colonies virginia pennsylvania competing claims led war colonies called french indian war contributed start global seven years war chance washington involved beginning lieutenant governor colonial virginia ordered british government guard british territorial claims including basin late ordered washington deliver letter asking french vacate ohio valley eager prove new adjutant general militia appointed lieutenant governor year trip washington met called half king chiefs allied secure support case military conflict french washington friends delivered letter local french commander refused leave washington kept diary expedition printed order washington recognizable virginia increased notoriety helped obtain commission raise company men start military career sent washington safeguard construction fort present day pittsburgh pennsylvania reached area french force drove colonial traders began construction small detachment french troops led discovered warriors east present day pennsylvania washington militia unit aided allies ambushed french come called exactly happened battle matter contention primary accounts agree battle lasted minutes killed party killed taken prisoner died hands cold blood shot musket sat washington means completely clear given epithet town destroyer french responded attacking capturing washington july allowed return troops virginia concludes episode demonstrated washington bravery initiative inexperience events international consequences french accused washington claimed diplomatic mission france great_britain ready fight control region sent troops north_america war formally declared disaster washington senior american aide british general ill fated expedition largest british expedition colonies intended expel french objective capture washington initially sought appointment major advice rank captain given london agreed serve staff volunteer passage expedition washington fell ill severe fever pace troops continued slow washington recommended army split divisions primary lightly adequately equipped flying column offensive rapid pace followed heavily armed reinforcing division accepted recommendation likely council war including officers took command lead division battle french indian allies ambushed reduced forces general mortally wounded suffering devastating casualties british panicked retreated disarray washington rode forth battlefield rallying remnants british forces organized retreat process despite lingering illness demonstrated bravery stamina horses shot underneath coat pierced bullets report washington chiefly blamed disaster conduct praising virginia contingent responsibility rested defeat result recommendation washington included succeeding commander col planning subsequent force movements commander virginia regiment governor rewarded washington commission colonel commander chief forces raised defense majesty colony gave task defending virginia frontier time american military unit colonies opposed time militias british regular units washington ordered act defensively thought best washington happily accepted commission british officer accompanying pay continued pressed vain british military incorporate virginia regiment ranks command thousand soldiers washington emphasized training led men brutal campaigns indians west months regiment fought battles lost men washington efforts meant virginia frontier population suffered colonies concludes success war washington participated capture fort embarrassed friendly fire episode unit british unit thought french enemy opened fire dead wounded washington involved major fighting expedition british scored major strategic victory gaining control french abandoned fort following expedition retired commission december washington return military life outbreak revolution lessons learned washington gained commission british army years young man gained valuable military political leadership skills closely observed british military tactics gaining keen insight strengths weaknesses proved revolution washington learned organize train drill discipline companies regiments observations readings conversations professional officers learned basics battlefield tactics good understanding problems organization logistics gained understanding overall strategy especially locating strategic geographical points washington demonstrated courage difficult situations including disasters developed command presence given size strength stamina bravery battle demonstrated soldiers natural leader follow question washington early years manifested ways biographer contends washington offered british generals vain attempts win great favor occasion showed youthful arrogance jealousy midst historian opinion dealing government officials conflict led advocate advantages strong national government vigorous executive agency results historians tend washington position government later service developed negative idea value militia unreliable short term compared regulars hand experience limited command men came remote frontier conditions far removed urban situations faced revolution boston new_york philadelphia wars january washington married wealthy widow years old surviving letters suggest love time wife friend george martha compatible marriage martha intelligent experienced managing estate raised children previous marriage later raised washington grandchildren eleanor george martha children earlier bout smallpox sterile couple moved near alexandria took life political figure washington marriage martha greatly increased property holdings social standing virginia wealthiest men acquired acre km2 estate marriage worth approximately managed remainder behalf martha children cared lieutenant governor promised land soldiers officers volunteered serve french indian war washington prevailed lord new governor finally fulfilled promise washington subsequently receiving title acres km2 flows western west_virginia frequently bought additional land washington doubled size acres km2 increased slave population respected military hero large landowner held local office elected virginia provincial legislature representing seven years beginning washington lived aristocratic lifestyle fox hunting favorite leisure activity enjoyed going dances parties addition theater races washington known play cards like virginia imported goods england paid tobacco crop washington began pull debt previously tobacco centric business interests ventures paying attention affairs started switching primary cash crop away tobacco wheat crop processed sold forms colonies operations include flour fishing horse breeding spinning weaving erected whiskey production yielded gallons month prior attacks died washington arms early unexpected death proved moments life hopes martha gone place washington cancelled business activity months away martha single night death enabled washington pay british creditors half inheritance passed successful tobacco wheat washington leader social elite virginia invited guests estate considered people rank people high social status advice treat proper distance grow familiarity proportion sink authority politically active presenting legislation ban goods great_britain american revolution washington played leading military political role american revolution involvement began took political stands acts opposed stamp act direct tax colonies imposed included representatives colonies began taking leading role growing colonial resistance protests enacted widespread washington introduced proposal drafted friend calling virginia boycott english goods acts repealed parliament repealed washington regarded passage invasion rights privileges washington told friend think right hands pocket consent hands money said americans submit acts till custom use shall slaves blacks rule arbitrary sway july chaired meeting resolves adopted called things august washington attended selected delegate commander chief battles lexington concord near boston april colonies went war washington appeared military uniform signaling prepared war washington prestige military experience charisma military bearing military leader known strong patriot virginia largest colony deserved recognition new_england fighting began realized needed southern support washington explicitly seek office commander said equal competition congress created continental_army june nominated massachusetts washington appointed general commander chief british articulated washington army august britain issued royal proclamation labeling american rebels resorted force faced property leaders subject execution general washington essentially assumed roles war provided leadership troops main british forces lost battles surrendered army war continued fight british war end plotted overall strategy war cooperation congress secondly charged organizing training army recruited regulars assigned veteran prussian general staff train war effort getting supplies troops congress washington pressured congress provide june congress attempt running war effort established committee known ordnance succeeded july committee eventually included members military command structure armed forces congressional congress appointments washington input state appointments filling lower ranks militia officers results general staff mixed favorites like mastered art command eventually found capable officers general general old served french indian war colonel chief artillery colonel chief staff american officers opponents tactics maneuver consequently lost pitched battles great successes boston came trapping british far base larger numbers troops legion february came result morgan employment superior line tactics british opponent resulting double military history defeat romans decisive defeat col king mountain demonstrated superiority american mountain men british trained troops armed musket bayonet mountain men led variety elected officers including washington officers time similarly morgan virginia proved superior british post revolutionary war development creation trained rifle battalions european armies washington important role war effort embodiment armed resistance crown representative man revolution long term strategy maintain army field times eventually strategy worked enormous personal political stature political skills kept congress army french militias states pointed common goal furthermore voluntarily resigning commission disbanding army war won declaring monarch permanently established principle civilian supremacy military affairs constant point disciplined professional soldiers counted twice erratic militias clearly demonstrated rout maryland baron held firm helped overcome ideological distrust standing army victory boston washington assumed command continental_army field cambridge massachusetts july ongoing siege boston realizing army desperate shortage gunpowder washington asked new sources american troops raided british including caribbean manufacturing attempted obtained barely adequate supply million pounds end france washington reorganized army long forced british withdraw putting artillery overlooking city british evacuated boston march washington moved army new_york_city highly patriots british newspapers routinely praised washington personal character qualities military commander articles bold washington enemy general commanded army cause believed ruin empire defeat new_york august british general launched massive naval land campaign designed seize new_york continental_army washington engaged enemy time army newly independent united_states battle long island largest battle entire war americans heavily outnumbered men deserted washington badly defeated generals situation plan retreat decided washington instructed general heath available flat river boat sloop area little time washington army cover darkness crossed safely loss life washington considered abandoning island recommendation attempt defense fort retreated hudson avoid americans retreat howe able offensive november landed troops island surrounded captured resulting high continental casualties biographer washington responsible decision delay patriots retreat tried blame decision defend wishes congress bad advice crossing delaware washington continued flight new_jersey future continental_army doubt string losses night december washington staged comeback surprise attack outpost western new_jersey led army capture nearly new_jersey washington followed victory british regulars princeton early january british retreated new_york_city held peace treaty washington victories wrecked british stick strategy showing overwhelming force offering generous terms americans negotiate short independence victories ensure ultimate patriot victory soldiers deserted harsh winter washington congress reorganized army increased rewards staying punishment raised troop numbers effectively subsequent battles february new_jersey washington convinced smallpox prevent destruction army washington ordered troops reports death smallpox ranks dropped deaths reported deaths historians debate washington preferred strategy harass british quick sharp attacks followed retreat larger british army catch preferred fight major battles southern commander use tactics washington fall spring losing new_york_city seeing army melt away princeton examples summer washington rebuilt strength confidence stopped raids went large scale confrontations campaigns late summer british general led major invasion army south quebec intention splitting rebellious new_england general howe new_york took army south philadelphia instead going hudson_river join near albany major strategic mistake washington rushed philadelphia engage howe closely following action upstate new_york patriots led general successor ensuing pitched battles philadelphia complex washington relatively inexperienced men defeated battle september howe washington marched american capital philadelphia unopposed september washington army unsuccessfully attacked british garrison early october north reach help howe trapped forced surrender major turning point militarily french responded defeat entering war america expanding revolutionary war major worldwide affair washington loss philadelphia prompted members congress consider removing washington command movement termed failed washington supporters rallied biographer relates inevitable defeats washington forces concurrent victory forces upper new_york compared admiration washington inevitably waned fan southern delegation wrote congress appoint thanksgiving cause ought glory turning tide arms immediately commander chief southern troops allow certain citizen wise good thinking deity valley forge washington army went winter quarters north philadelphia december months deaths camp numbered thousands majority disease compounded lack food proper clothing poor shelter extreme cold historians death toll estimates ranging men british comfortably philadelphia paid supplies sterling washington difficulty supplies farmers area accept rapidly american paper currency woodlands valley soon exhausted game conditions worsened washington faced task maintaining morale february common washington repeatedly petitioned badly needed provisions success finally january came valley forge examine conditions continental_army washington expressed urgency situation important alterations time contended congress control army supply system pay supplies promptly necessary response washington urgent appeal congress soon gave support funding supply lines army advent resulted department controlled gathering supplies army late february adequate supplies flowing camp spring army emerged good order thanks scale training program supervised general british evacuated philadelphia new_york june washington summoned council war generals lee wayne washington decided partial attack retreating british battle lee moving men washington immediate knowledge attempted launch attack british rear guard clinton men waiting anticipation came offered stiff resistance keeping americans check sharp words criticism washington relieved lee continued fighting effective draw war largest battles night fall came fighting came stop british continued retreat headed new_york washington soon moved army outside city summer washington congress decided strike warriors nations campaign force britain indian allies new_york base attack american settlements new_england june warriors joined rangers led colonel normally laid waste pennsylvania british officer witnessed brutality said return england son bitch august general led military operation destroyed villages burned available crops people killed indians fled british protection canada sullivan later reported immediate objects expedition accomplished total ruin indian settlements destruction crops designed support hudson_river southern battles washington time moved headquarters new_jersey new windsor hudson army british led howe successor sir hudson american posts point places succumbed counter offensive patriots led general briefly successful clinton end able shut strategic loss proceed river american fortifications washington army skirmishes point point demonstrated continental infantry formidable enormous boost morale winter washington went quarters represented worst suffering army war temperatures fell zero frozen snow ice covered ground weeks troops lacking provisions time valley forge late clinton moved forces south charleston offensive patriots led success clinton returned victorious new_york leaving south congress replaced lincoln gates despite washington recommendation gates failed south_carolina replaced british time south grasp despite news washington encouraged learn returned france additional naval assets forces arnold treason washington shocked learn treason contributed significantly war effort dealings congress rank finances alliance france arnold joined british cause british plan seize post commanded west_point washington missed capture major british intelligence officer clinton later hanged order court martial called washington washington army went winter quarters suffered lack supplies resulted considerable mutiny pennsylvania troops washington prevailed congress state officials come aid provisions suffering saying hoped army continue struggle difficulties hitherto endured help remarking reach bounds human patience victory july veteran french troops led arrived newport rhode_island aid war effort french naval forces landed led admiral washington hope initially bring allied fight new_york end war advised virginia better target followed advice arrived washington immediately saw advantage created force clinton new_york headed south virginia washington continental_army newly funded french gold delivered final blow british french naval victory allowed american french forces trap british army virginia preventing reinforcement clinton north surrender october marked end major fighting continental north_america failed appear official surrender ceremony sent general washington assigned role equal rank substantial combat ended war formal treaty peace months away creating tension british troops occupying new_york_city charleston savannah powerful fleet french army navy departed americans money matters fed anxiety treasury unpaid soldiers growing point mutiny point forced congress philadelphia princeton washington unrest officers suppressing conspiracy march congress came promise year bonus initial peace treaty articles ratified april recently formed congressional committee hamilton considering needs plans peacetime army commander chief submitted committee essentially providing official continental_army position original proposal defeated congress votes october truncated version rejected april treaty paris signed september great_britain recognized independence united_states washington disbanded army november gave farewell address soldiers november british evacuated new_york_city washington governor took possession tavern december washington formally officers farewell december resigned commission commander chief saying consider duty close act official life commending interests country protection god holy keeping historian concludes greatest act life resignation commander armies king called washington greatest character age washington later submitted formal account expenses personally advanced army year conflict said detailed small items vague concerning large ones included expenses incurred martha visits headquarters compensation service drawn war says washington mediocre military master political perfect sense timing developed capacity exploit charismatic reputation people thought constitutional convention washington retirement personal business short lived making trip western frontier inspected land holdings earned decades earlier service french indian war confronted including vacated losing court decision heard washington pennsylvania reluctance persuaded attend philadelphia summer delegate virginia elected president convention held considerable criticism thirteen colonies weak central government established referring articles rope sand support new nation washington view need strong federal government grew recent war inability rally states provide needs military clearly demonstrated winter valley forge general populace share washington views strong federal government binding states comparing prevailing entity previously ruled colonies washington participation debates minor cast vote called prestige facilitated productivity delegates couple months task washington told despair seeing favorable issue proceedings convention having agency business following convention support convinced colleagues vote ratification unsuccessfully lobbied anti saying adoption present circumstances union opinion desirable declared alternative anarchy consider appropriate cast vote favor adoption virginia expected nominated president new constitution subsequently ratified thirteen states delegates convention designed presidency washington mind allowing define office establishing precedent elected end agreements hatched washington thought achievements finally monumental presidency unanimously elected washington president remains president receive electoral votes received highest vote total elected vice president april washington inaugurated taking presidential oath office balcony new_york_city oath follows administered chancellor swear execute united_states best ability preserve protect defend constitution united_states historian indicates washington added words help god 1st united_states congress voted pay washington salary year large sum valued dollars washington despite facing financial troubles initially declined salary image public servant urging congress ultimately accepted payment avoid setting precedent presidency perceived limited independently wealthy individuals serve salary president aware set precedent attended carefully ceremony office making sure titles suitably republican emulated european royal courts end preferred title president majestic names proposed senate washington proved able administrator established functions presidency including messages congress cabinet form government despite fears democratic system lead political violence set standard tolerance opposition voices conducted smooth transition power successor excellent judge talent character talked regularly department heads listened advice making final decision handling routine tasks systematic orderly energetic opinion decisive intent general goals consistency particular actions reluctantly serving second term washington refused run establishing tradition maximum terms president solidified domestic issues washington member political party hoped formed fearing conflict undermine closest advisors formed factions setting framework future secretary treasury bold plans establish national credit build financially powerful nation formed basis secretary founder republicans opposed hamilton agenda washington typically favored hamilton jefferson hamilton agenda went effect jefferson political actions support national gazette attempt undermine hamilton nearly led george_washington dismiss jefferson cabinet jefferson left cabinet voluntarily washington spoke early hamilton devised plan approval washington culminating residence act established new government permanent location congress previously issued million certificates debt war suppliers states incurred debt north accordance plan congress authorized assumption payment debts provided funding customs duties taxes proposal largely favored north opposed south hamilton obtained approval southern states exchange agreement place new national capitol national debt increased result hamilton service secretary treasury nation established good credit congress government trading debt paper assumed washington fellow considered adequate congressional representatives revenue act authorized president select specific location seat government president appoint commissioners survey acquire property seat washington personally oversaw effort term office commissioners named permanent seat government territory columbia honor washington territory columbia district_of_columbia federal government moved site according provisions residence act partly result congress imposed tax spirits led protests frontier districts especially pennsylvania washington ordered protesters appear district court protests turned scale defiance federal authority known federal army small washington invoked militia act summon militias pennsylvania virginia maryland new_jersey governors sent troops washington taking initial command subsequently named field commander lead troops rebellious districts rebels dispersed fighting washington forceful action proved new government protect represented premier instance federal government military force exert authority states citizens time sitting president personally commanded troops field foreign affairs february french revolutionary wars broke great_britain allies revolutionary france europe washington cabinet approval proclaimed american neutrality revolutionary government france sent diplomat called america welcomed great enthusiasm began promoting case france network new major cities issued french letters french ships manned american sailors capture british merchant ships washington denounced societies demanded french government recall hamilton formulated jay treaty trade relations great_britain remove western forts resolve financial debts remaining revolution negotiated signed treaty november supported france strongly attacked treaty washington listened sides announced strong support mobilized public opinion pivotal securing ratification senate thirds majority british agreed depart forts great lakes boundary adjusted numerous pre revolutionary debts british opened west_indies colonies american trade importantly treaty delayed war great_britain instead brought decade prosperous trade british treaty angered french central issue political debates relations france deteriorated treaty signed leaving succeeding president prospect war farewell address washington farewell address issued public letter influential statements drafted primarily washington help hamilton gives advice necessity importance national union value constitution rule law political parties proper virtues republican people referred morality necessary spring popular government said conceded influence refined education minds peculiar structure reason experience expect national morality prevail exclusion religious principle address warned foreign influence domestic affairs american european affairs bitter domestic politics called men serve common good cautioned permanent alliances portion foreign world saying united_states concentrate primarily american interests friendship commerce nations advised involvement european wars entering long term alliances advancing general idea foreign affairs farewell address clear distinction domestic foreign policies interpreted washington policy advocating strong nationalist foreign policy limiting america international activities address quickly set american values foreign affairs washington policy foreign affairs old world largely embraced founding generation american including retirement retiring presidency march washington returned profound sense relief devoted time plantations business interests including produced batch spirits february explains plantation operations profitable lands west yielded little income attack indians living refused pay rent americans assumed rich known façade wealth historians estimate estate worth million dollars equivalent million purchasing power relations france deteriorated point war imminent july president adams offered washington commission lieutenant general commander chief armies raised raised service prospective war accepted served senior officer united_states_army july death seventeen months later participated planning meet emergency arise avoided involvement details possible delegated work including leadership army hamilton serving major general comparisons revolutionary early republican periods american history commentators compared washington roman statesman comparison arose washington like remained command continental_army british defeated instead seeking great political power returned quickly possible lands remarking washington resignation december decision retire poet wrote rome proud sway return sought shade lord ode napoleon washington death thursday december washington spent hours plantation horseback snow hail freezing rain later evening ate supper changing wet clothes friday severe sore throat increasingly day progressed rode heavy snow marking trees estate wanted cut saturday suddenly severe difficulty breathing completely unable speak swallow firm believer standard medical practice era treat slaves plantation ordered estate remove half blood total physicians sent including washington personal physician brown thought washington dick younger man thought condition violent throat time physicians finished treatments president massive volume blood loss half total blood content removed course hours recognizing treatments failing dick proposed performing emergency procedure american physicians familiar time ditch effort save washington life doctors disapproved washington died home saturday december aged journal recorded washington words diagnosis washington final illness immediate cause death subjects debate day died days immediately following death dick published account stated felt symptoms consistent term period describe severe structures upper early date accusations medical believing washington death modern medical authors speculated washington probably died severe case complicated given treatments accepted medical practice washington day notably massive deliberate blood loss certainly caused shock world people washington death united_states memorial held major cities thousands wore mourning clothes months wore black mourning cape year france ordered days mourning country protect privacy burned correspondence exchanged letters couple known survived letters martha george martha december funeral held body interred congress passed joint resolution construct marble monument planned center section capitol construction body plan supported martha december house passed bill build pyramid foot square base southern representatives senators later opposition plan defeated measure felt best washington body remain centennial birth new tomb constructed receive remains year unsuccessful attempt steal body washington despite joint congressional committee early debated removal president washington body capitol built architect 1820s reconstruction burned structure british set august burning washington southern opposition intense growing rift congressman georgia expressed fear said remove remains washington association remains consort ancestors native state deposit capitol let union occur remains washington shore foreign native soil washington remains moved october new tomb constructed presented philadelphia ceremony inner vault door closed key thrown personal life martha biological family george_washington close relationship nephew heir son george younger brother year uncle death associate justice supreme_court united_states george apparently difficulty getting mother second wife difficult woman young man washington red hair popular myth wore wig fashion time washington wear wig instead hair represented portraits including known unfinished depiction called washington height variously recorded unusually great physical strength amazed younger men jefferson called washington best age american european observers praised riding benefited hunting favorite hobby washington excellent dancer frequently attended theater referencing shakespeare letters drank precisely recorded gambling wins losses washington disliked excessive drinking gambling smoking profanity common colonial virginia grew tobacco eventually stopped smoking considered man worst vice washington glad society likely force guests drink honor send home drunk washington suffered problems teeth life historians tracked experiences great detail lost adult tooth left time president claims lost crack brazil nuts modern historians suggest mercury given treat illnesses smallpox malaria probably contributed loss sets false teeth named sets wood set president carved elephant ivory held gold springs prior set real human teeth likely ones purchased unnamed presumably slaves dental problems left washington constant pain took distress apparent portraits painted office including bill religion entire life washington affiliated later called served church warden parish alexandria parish administrative positions like positions virginia official religion required swear speak act way conform church numerous historians suggested washington agreed largely spoke particular beliefs words deity god providence avoiding words jesus christ collected works appear official letter indians drafted aide time theological outlook organized compatible argues washington theological position rejected core beliefs christianity christ trinity original sin unlike theological believed prayer god historian argues washington christian believed core beliefs christianity washington frequently accompanied wife church services hand reports took communion usually characterized rarely participating rite regularly leave services communion non custom day rector ceased attending communion sundays washington regarded religion protective influence america social political order recognized church endeavors render men sober honest good citizens subjects government generally conceded washington christian exact nature religious beliefs debated historians biographers years washington biographer notes instances people opposing opinions frequently base views washington beliefs beliefs washington ways conventionally religion saying mode worship contempt organized christianity clergy jefferson washington commander army president vigorous promoter tolerance religious denominations believed religion important support public order morality virtue attended services different denominations suppressed anti catholic celebrations army suggest washington intention maintain studied ambiguity personal privacy deepest religious convictions americans time time come feel free approach terms feel like members new republic equal conclude educated adhered sic conviction believed fundamental doctrines christianity usually taught church according understanding particle faith modes worship adopted christians denominations washington initiated high regard praised seldom attended lodge meetings attracted movement dedication enlightenment principles reason american share anti clerical perspective european controversial convention virginia recommended washington grand master newly established virginia washington declined necessity lead continental_army critical stage installed master warden lodge consider legal serve grand master washington personal consent named master virginia charter slavery washington prominent founding father arrange slaves following death privately opposed slavery institution viewed economically morally regarded feelings slavery potentially mortal threat unity nation publicly challenged institution slavery possibly wanted avoid provoking split new republic issue pass slave trade act limited american involvement atlantic slave trade washington owned slaves death father age inherited slaves time marriage personally owned slaves meant achieved status major wealthy widow martha brought slaves late husband estate wife great wealth washington bought land size plantation purchased additional slaves needed work paid taxes slaves figure include record slave purchase later received slaves debts washington hired staff white servants april offered reward return runaway white servants legacy commander chief continental_army hero revolution president united_states george_washington legacy remains greatest american history congressman revolutionary war famously washington war peace hearts lee words set standard washington overwhelming reputation impressed american memory biographers hailed great washington set national government presidency particular called father country early washington birthday federal holiday united_states terms personality leading biographer concluded great big thing stamped man character character says freeman meant integrity self discipline courage absolute honesty resolve decision respect leader successful revolution colonial empire world history washington international icon liberation nationalism symbol party years continued distrust influence delayed building service commander chief brought election fellow united_states year george_washington posthumously appointed grade congressional joint resolution public law passed january effective appointment date july restored washington position highest ranking military officer history papers collection publication washington documentary record began pioneer work sparks 1830s life writings george_washington writings george_washington volume set edited contains letters documents available online definitive edition writings begun today comprises published volumes come contains written washington signed incoming letters collection available online monuments memorials starting victory revolution proposals build monument washington death congress authorized suitable memorial national capital decision reversed democratic republicans took control congress democratic republicans dismayed washington symbol construction foot memorial didn begin naval vessels including uss george washington named washington honor washington lincoln depicted stone mount memorial best known american landmarks built honor george washington national memorial alexandria virginia constructed voluntary contributions local governing bodies united_states places entities named honor washington washington nation capital washington national capitals globe named american president state washington state named united_states president new_hampshire tallest mountain named soon american revolution colonel climb summit scientific observations washington monuments united_states including known equestrian statues manhattan richmond virginia statue washington horseback dedicated located manhattan union square postage currency george_washington appears contemporary currency including dollar bill quarter dollar coin washington quarter washington appeared nation postage stamps time washington appeared postage issues presidents combined washington victory battle commemorated cent stamp battle anniversary october anniversary signing constitution george_washington presiding officer celebrated cent issue september adapted painting washington presidential inauguration federal hall new_york_city celebrated anniversary april selected issues selected currency cherry tree best known story washington childhood father favorite cherry tree admitted deed questioned tell lie reported biographer washington death interviewed people knew child half century earlier text widely reprinted 19th century example adults wanted children learn moral lessons history especially taught example lives great national heroes like washington historians insisted scientific research methods statement documentation apart report learned neighbors knew young washington claimed washington tales published fiction set england found alternative source cherry tree story great nephew george_washington maintains unlikely man clergy writing account truth honesty turn outright lie story maintains making story dramatically depicted young washington cherry tree merely bark claimed tree attacks historians story proven story date personal property auction record june george_washington personal copy acts passed includes constitution united states draft bill rights sold fees added final cost mount ladies association record document sold auction
George Washington