Reading the Presidents: George Washington

There's a lot of talk these days about the legacy of presidents. Political pundits debate which president was the best or the worst, and they can't seem to agree, so I decided to find out for myself.

And with that, I've decided to read a book on every U.S. President.

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GEORGE WASHINGTON 

What I read: "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow

Presidential term:  Apr. 30, 1789–Mar. 3, 1797 

Age at inauguration: 57

Political Party: Independent

Age at death: 67

Cause of Death: He died after his throat swelled up in a condition called epiglottitis. Doctors treated him by bleeding him, causing a loss of 40% of his blood, then gave him enemas (because obviously??), then made him throw up (through a swollen throat because that makes sense) and finally, put flies in his throat to cause blisters (because blisters should help!?) He would have lived if they simply intubated him. Sadly, one doctor recommended it but his lead doctor said no.

Health & Appearance: He had blue-grey eyes and red hair. He was very muscular, but childhood smallpox left him scarred and sterile. He had reoccurring malaria, tuberculosis, multiple bouts of dysentery, diphtheria, and depression or “gloomy apprehensions"—he often thought of his own death. While President, he had pneumonia in which they feared he would die, was almost deaf, and had a skin lesion on his face removed. He was almost always in pain from his dental issues which he had for his adult life. His teeth, which he started losing in his 20’s, were made from many different things including hippopotamus bone, enslaved people’s teeth, and gold wiring. Other than that, he was perfectly healthy.

Pre-Presidency: He was a farmer and a British officer. Some say he started the British Indian War. He had little formal education but a lifelong love of reading and learned to be a surveyor. He was an accomplished horseman. His political path began as Member of the Virginia House of Burgess, Delegate to the first Continental Congress, President of the Continental Congress, First Major General of U.S. forces before being elected the first POTUS.

Major Accomplishments & Leadership: He set many precedents such as The Inaugural Address, selecting cabinet officers, the farewell address, and chose the title “Mr. President” rather than being called “His Excellency Protector of the people.”

For his top advisors, he chose two men who rarely agreed with each other, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.  Washington had a history of taking in as much information as he could and then making his choice.  He was also not afraid to admit he was wrong. He supported religious freedom and pluralism, and he was against having a state sanctioned religion.

He hated political parties and rightfully said they would be the ruin of the union. Under his signature, the Copyright Act became law and he vetoed only two bills. He led troops into the field to stop the Whiskey Rebellion—who was going to fire on George? He also oversaw the layout and construction of the District of Columbia.

His second inauguration speech is the shortest ever delivered, and his Farewell letter is regarded as one of the greatest ever written by a U.S. president.

Are you kidding me?

He was the first president to break a federal law by serving Barbados rum at his inauguration. It was illegal to import rum at the time.

He is tied for 5^th tallest president at 6’2”.

He loved to dance which caused several scandalous rumors due to dancing the night away with young women after his wife Martha retired for the evening.

Due to his own childhood experience with smallpox, Washington forced the inoculation of the Union Troops, against the wishes of most of the Continental Congress. Many historians believe this decision was one of the key factors in winning the Revolutionary War.

What I learned: Like many of his time, George Washington was an incredible leader, yet brutal. Without him, the United States might not have been born or survived for long. However, he owned people and was not afraid to use the lash or chase down those who tried to escape. His enslaved chef Hercules was one of the few to never be caught. He ordered the decimation of several indigenous tribes who were trying to defend their lands. His steady presence kept the troops together but he also had people shot for desertion.

There is no such thing as perfection. All heroes are flawed—some a little, some a lot—but they must be judged within the times they lived. If you were enslaved by him or an indigenous person, then he was a cruel, evil bastard. He could have chosen a different path in both of these matters. If you were a colonist (White landowners) he was a god. Washington did free his slaves upon his death, and the death of Martha, which showed a tiny bit of personal growth. However, he did not inform Martha of this! She must have been a bit uneasy as the enslaved people knew they were free upon her death. “Here you go Martha, would you like some pie?  I baked it ‘special’ for you!”

SUCCEEDED BY: John Adams