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.
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Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful read more
Written about Washington after his death by another of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson: His mind was great and powerful ... as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion.... Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw doubt, but, when once decided, going through his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed. His integrity was the most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known.... He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good and a great man ... On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect ... it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great....
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.
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.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
I die hard but am not afraid to go.
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the read more
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting read more
I know [patriotism] exists, and I know it has done much in the present contest. But a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest, or some reward.
True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is read more
True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
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.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving the peace.
