Difference between revisions of "George Washington"
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| − | '''George Washington''' '''(February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799)''' was born to Augustin and Mary Washington | + | '''George Washington''' '''(February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799)''' was born to Augustin and Mary Washington and was the unanimously elected 1st [[President of the United States of America]] and the Commander-in-Chief in the [[Revolutionary War]].<ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html</ref> |
Washington endeared himself Americans by fighting to destroy monarchy, aristocracy and rule by military elites. He emulated the model of the citizen-soldier set by the Roman leader [[Cincinnatus]], a comparison drew worldwide attention and acclaim, even in England, the nation he defeated.<ref>For Lord Byron's poem on the subject, hailing Washington as "the first, the last, the best, the Cincinnatus of the West," see http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/2001/byron0101.html.</ref> The archetype of Washington as the citizen-soldier has become part of America's collective idealization of citizenship, and is immortalized in [[New York City| New York City]]'s [[Washington Square Arch]], which depicts Washington the soldier on the left, and Washington the statesman on the right.<ref>For photographic images, see http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV046WashingtonSquareArch.htm</ref> Washington is perhaps the only person other than [[Jesus]] who declined enormous worldly power, in Washington's case by voluntarily stepping aside as the ruler of a prosperous nation. | Washington endeared himself Americans by fighting to destroy monarchy, aristocracy and rule by military elites. He emulated the model of the citizen-soldier set by the Roman leader [[Cincinnatus]], a comparison drew worldwide attention and acclaim, even in England, the nation he defeated.<ref>For Lord Byron's poem on the subject, hailing Washington as "the first, the last, the best, the Cincinnatus of the West," see http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/2001/byron0101.html.</ref> The archetype of Washington as the citizen-soldier has become part of America's collective idealization of citizenship, and is immortalized in [[New York City| New York City]]'s [[Washington Square Arch]], which depicts Washington the soldier on the left, and Washington the statesman on the right.<ref>For photographic images, see http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV046WashingtonSquareArch.htm</ref> Washington is perhaps the only person other than [[Jesus]] who declined enormous worldly power, in Washington's case by voluntarily stepping aside as the ruler of a prosperous nation. | ||
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==American Revolution== | ==American Revolution== | ||
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[[Image:Georgewashington.jpg|right|President George Washington]] | [[Image:Georgewashington.jpg|right|President George Washington]] | ||
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| − | Washington | + | ==Christianity== |
| − | + | Washington was a devout Christian, with his adopted daughter once stating that: <blockquote>"If you question Washington's faith, you may as well question whether or not he was a patriot."<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g011.html</ref></blockquote> | |
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[[Image:W-pray.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''"I was riding with Mr. Potts near to the Valley Forge where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution, when Mr. Potts said, 'Do you see that woods & that plain? There laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods (pointing to a close in view) I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods. To my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home & told my wife. We never thought a man could be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God & America could prevail."'' From ''Diary and Remembrances,'' by Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden (1770-1851), who received it from an eyewitness to the scene, Valley Forge resident Isaac Potts.]] | [[Image:W-pray.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''"I was riding with Mr. Potts near to the Valley Forge where the army lay during the war of ye Revolution, when Mr. Potts said, 'Do you see that woods & that plain? There laid the army of Washington. It was a most distressing time of ye war, and all were for giving up the Ship but that great and good man. In that woods (pointing to a close in view) I heard a plaintive sound as of a man at prayer. I tied my horse to a sapling & went quietly into the woods. To my astonishment I saw the great George Washington on his knees alone, with his sword on one side and his cocked hat on the other. He was at Prayer to the God of the Armies, beseeching to interpose with his Divine aid, as it was ye Crisis & the cause of the country, of humanity & of the world. Such a prayer I never heard from the lips of man. I left him alone praying. I went home & told my wife. We never thought a man could be a soldier & a Christian, but if there is one in the world, it is Washington. We thought it was the cause of God & America could prevail."'' From ''Diary and Remembrances,'' by Rev. Nathaniel Randolph Snowden (1770-1851), who received it from an eyewitness to the scene, Valley Forge resident Isaac Potts.]] | ||
Washington frequently invoked Christianity in his work and believed in the deep friendship between religion and government. As General, he commanded that chaplains be included in every regiment: | Washington frequently invoked Christianity in his work and believed in the deep friendship between religion and government. As General, he commanded that chaplains be included in every regiment: | ||
Revision as of 16:27, November 6, 2008
| George Washington | |
|---|---|
| 1st President of the United States | |
| Term of office 1789 - 1797 | |
| Political party | None |
| Vice President | John Adams |
| Succeeded by | John Adams |
| Born | February 22, 1732 Westmoreland County, Virginia |
| Died | December 14, 1799 Mount Vernon, Virginia |
| Spouse | Martha Dandridge Custis Washington |
| Religion | Anglican/Episcopalian |
George Washington (February 22, 1732 - December 14, 1799) was born to Augustin and Mary Washington and was the unanimously elected 1st President of the United States of America and the Commander-in-Chief in the Revolutionary War.[1]
Washington endeared himself Americans by fighting to destroy monarchy, aristocracy and rule by military elites. He emulated the model of the citizen-soldier set by the Roman leader Cincinnatus, a comparison drew worldwide attention and acclaim, even in England, the nation he defeated.[2] The archetype of Washington as the citizen-soldier has become part of America's collective idealization of citizenship, and is immortalized in New York City's Washington Square Arch, which depicts Washington the soldier on the left, and Washington the statesman on the right.[3] Washington is perhaps the only person other than Jesus who declined enormous worldly power, in Washington's case by voluntarily stepping aside as the ruler of a prosperous nation.
Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759.
Early years
French and Indian War
Virginia Politician
American Revolution
Christianity
Washington was a devout Christian, with his adopted daughter once stating that:
"If you question Washington's faith, you may as well question whether or not he was a patriot."[4]
Washington frequently invoked Christianity in his work and believed in the deep friendship between religion and government. As General, he commanded that chaplains be included in every regiment:
"The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country."[5]
Washington declared in his Inaugural Address:
"It would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of Providential agency."[6]
Comments such as this one have led some modern historians to conclude that Washington was a deist rather than a Christian. Of course Washington has also been quoted as saying:
"You do well to wish to learn our arts and way of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ... Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.[7]
Washington declared in his Farewell Address:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." [8]
In 1799, George Washington created his own last will and testament. Washington begins with "In the name of God, Amen".
Washington cherished his Bible so much that he includes the following sentence in his will "To the Reverend, now Bryan, Lord Fairfax, I give a Bible in three large folio volumes, with notes, presented to me by the Right Reverend Thomas Wilson" [9]
Freemason
On November 4, 1752, Washington was initiated into Freemasonry at Fredricksburg Lodge, Fredricksburg, Virginia. He was passed and raised at the same lodge, becoming a Master Mason on August 4, 1753. He later served as Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 in Alexandria, Virginia. Upon his death in 1799, he was given a Masonic funeral at his wife's request.[10]
Parson Weems And The Cherry Tree Story
In 1809, Mason Locke Weems (1756-1825), usually referred to as "Parson Weems," published a book entitled History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington. This book contained many fanciful stories and half-truths, intended to present Washington as a larger-than-life figure. Perhaps the most famous passage in it is Weems' recounting of a story which he attributed to an unnamed "aged lady, who was a distant relative [of Washington], and, when a girl, spent much of her time in the [Washington] family:"
- "When George," said she, "was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was immoderately fond, and was constantly going about chopping everything that came in his way. One day, in the garden, where he often amused himself hacking his mother's pea-sticks, he unluckily tried the edge of his hatchet on the body of a beautiful young English cherry-tree, which he barked so terribly, that I don't believe the tree ever got the better of it. The next morning the old gentleman, finding out what had befallen his tree, which, by the by, was a great favorite, came into the house; and with much warmth asked for the mischievous author, declaring at the same time, that he would not have taken five guineas for his tree. Nobody could tell him anything about it. Presently George and his hatchet made their appearance. "George," said his father," do you know who killed that beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden?" This was a tough question; and George staggered under it for a moment; but quickly recovered himself: and looking at his father, with the sweet face of youth brightened with the inexpressible charm of all-conquering truth, he bravely cried out, "I can't tell a lie, Pa; you know I can't tell a lie. I did cut it with my hatchet."—"Run to my arms, you dearest boy," cried his father in transports, "run to my arms; glad am I, George, that you killed my tree; for you have paid me for it a thousand fold. Such an act of heroism in my son is more worth than a thousand trees, though blossomed with silver, and their fruits of purest gold."[11][12][13]
(Notice that Weems did not represent Washington as calling it "my little hatchet;" that appears to be a "familiar misquotation.")
In a October 2000 survey of 132 prominent professors of history, law, and political science, President Washington was grouped in the "Great" group, ranked 1st, with a mean score of 4.92 out of 5.00. [14]
George Washington's expenses
Washington was magnanimous enough to lead the Revolutionary Forces against Great Britain for free, saying:
Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this arduous employment, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I desire.
It should be noted that some people will try to create a controversy where none exists. For instance certain recent writers will note that Washington's expenses in his eight years of generalship came to nearly $500,000 – well over $4 million in today's money.[15] while leaving out that the Continental dollar in use at that time was next to worthless, requiring large quantities to buy even basic supplies, and it got worse during the war. We only have accounts of Washington's expense statements because Washington himself was meticulous in creating and keeping his expenses and turning them over to Congress. It should also be noted that Congress paid them all, to the penny, and never showed any reservation.
Once he had been elected President, Washington once again offered to forego a salary and only have his expenses paid. Congress felt the position required a salary, and instead gave Washington $25,000 a year for his services, a meaningful amount as the currency situation of the United States had stabilized.
Speeches from George Washington
- George Washington's First Inaugural Speech
- George Washington's First Annual Message to Congress
- George Washington's Second Inaugural Address
- George Washington's Farewell Address
Quotes from George Washington
- The freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter. (To THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, Head Quarters, Newburgh, March 15, 1783, from The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, ed. John C. Fitzpatrick, (Washington: U.S. GPO, 1931-1944)26: 224
- Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. ("FAREWELL ADDRESS" in Writings, 35:229.)
- There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily. (To THE SECRETARY OF STATE in Writings,34:266.)
Links
- Papers of George Washington at the University of Virginia
- Last will and testament
- Text of the 1807 biography by David Ramsey
- White House biography
- PBS biography
- Smithsonian Institute biography
- George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate
- Internet Public Library, list of links
- USS George Washington CVN-73
Notes & References
- ↑ http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html
- ↑ For Lord Byron's poem on the subject, hailing Washington as "the first, the last, the best, the Cincinnatus of the West," see http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/2001/byron0101.html.
- ↑ For photographic images, see http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GV/GV046WashingtonSquareArch.htm
- ↑ http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g011.html
- ↑ http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-02-22&view=View
- ↑ Id.
- ↑ Original Intent, David Barton, 2004, Pg. 168
- ↑ Reading of Washington's Farewell Address -- (Senate - February 22, 2000)
- ↑ Last Will and Testament Ashbrook Center
- ↑ http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/washington_g/washington_g.html
- ↑ British spellings are as they appear in the original text.
- ↑ Weems, George Mason (1918), History of the Life and Death, Virtues and Exploits of General George Washington. Chapter 2: Birth and Education, online at University of Virginia]
- ↑ The Life of George Washington with Curious Anecdotes Equally Honorable to Himself, and Exemplary to his Young Countrymen. 1837, facsimile page images at Google Books
- ↑ Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House (New York, Wall Street Journal Book, 2004)
- ↑ http://www.historyhouse.com/in_history/washington/
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