US History #2
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- Political and Civilian Life:On January 6, 1759, Washington, at age 26, married Martha Dandridge Custis, the 27-year-old widow of wealthy plantation owner Daniel Parke Custis. The marriage took place at Martha's estate; she was intelligent, gracious, and experienced in managing a planter's estate, and the couple had a happy marriage. They moved to Mount Vernon, near Alexandria, where he lived as a planter of tobacco and wheat and emerged as a political figure. the two raised Martha's two children John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis because they could not have any children due to medical reasons.
- Commander in Chief:On June 14, 1775, Congress created the Continental Army and John Adams nominated Washington as its commander-in-chief, mainly because of his military experience and the belief that a Virginian would better unite the colonies. He was unanimously elected by Congress the next day. Washington appeared before Congress in uniform and gave an acceptance speech on June 16, declining a salary, though he was later reimbursed expenses. Washington was inaugurated on April 30, 1789. He took the oath of office at Federal Hall in New York City. Washington read a speech in the Senate Chamber, asking "that Almighty Being ...consecrate the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States" Though he wished to serve without a salary, Congress insisted that he accept it, later providing Washington with $25,000 per year to help with the costs of presidency, what was equivalent to $6.14 million today. While they offered Washington names like “His highness” or “His majesty,” he far preferred simply named “Mr. President”. Washington planned to resign after his first term, but political strife convinced him to remain in office. Despite fears that a democratic system would lead to political violence, and he conducted a smooth transition of power to his successor. He remained non-partisan throughout his presidency and opposed the divisiveness of political parties, but he favored a strong central government, was sympathetic to a Federalist form of government, and leery of the Republican opposition.
- Congress created executive departments in 1789, including the State Department in July, the War Department in August, and the Treasury Department in September. His closest advisors formed two factions, portending the First Party System. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton formed the Federalist Party to promote national credit and a financially powerful nation. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson opposed Hamilton's agenda and founded the Jeffersonian Republicans. Washington favored Hamilton's agenda, however, and it ultimately went into effect—resulting in bitter controversy.Washington proclaimed November 26,1789, as a day of Thanksgiving to encourage national unity. "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor." He spent that day fasting and visiting debtors in prison to provide them with food and beer.
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