On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Of this he wrote to James Madison: As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and read more
One of his officers, Henry Lee, summed up contemporary public opinion of Washington: First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your read more
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to read more
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.
I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education which I received from my mother.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly read more
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to read more
The new constitution established a president with powers unheard of in the republican United States. Some even wanted him to be king, a thought that GW found ludicrous: What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & fallacious!
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered read more
The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered ... deeply, ... finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church read more
Following his brief inaugural address to the Congress, President George Washington and his party walked over to St. Paul's Church for divine services. His prayer that afternoon was: 'Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large.'
