Washington's administra tion of the government in the next eight years was marked by the caution, the methodical precision and the sober judgment which had always characterized him. He regarded himself as standing aloof from party divisions, and emphasized his position as presi dent of the whole country by a tour first through the Northern States and later through the Southern. A painstaking inquiry into all the problems confronting the new nation laid the basis for a series of judicious recommendations to Congress in his first mes sage. In selecting the four members of his first cabinet, Thomas Jefferson as secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of Treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of War and Edmund Randolph as attorney-general, Washington balanced the two parties evenly. But he leaned with especial weight upon Hamilton, supporting his scheme for the assumption of State debts, taking his view that the bill establishing the United States Bank was constitutional and in general strengthening the authority of the Federal Government. Distressed when the inevitable clash between Jefferson and Hamil ton arose, he tried to keep harmony, writing frankly to each and refusing to accept their resignations. But when war was declared between France and England in 1793, he again took Hamilton's view that the United States should completely disregard the treaty of alliance with France and pursue a course of strict neu trality, while he acted decisively to stop the improper operations of the French Minister, Genet. The sequel was the resignation of Jefferson at the close of 1793, the two men parting on good terms and Washington praising Jefferson's "integrity and talents." The suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion in
by Federal troops whom Hamilton led in person, and the despatch of John Jay to conclude a treaty of commerce with Great Britain, tended further to align Washington with the Federalist party. Though the general voice of the people compelled him to acquiesce reluctantly in a second term in 1792, and his election that year was again unani mous, during his last four years in office he suffered from a fierce personal and partisan animosity. This culminated when the pub lication of the terms of Jay's treaty, which Washington signed on Aug. 18, 1795, provoked a bitter discussion, and the House of Representatives called upon the president for the instructions and correspondence relating to the treaty. These Washington, who had already clashed with the Senate on foreign affairs, refused to de liver, and in the face of an acrimonious debate firmly maintained his position.
Early in his first term Washington, who by education and natural inclination was minutely careful of the proprieties of life, estab lished the rules of a virtual republican court. In both New York and Philadelphia he rented the best houses procurable, refusing to accept the hospitality of George Clinton, for he believed the head of the nation should be no man's guest. He returned no calls and shook hands with no one, acknowledging salutations by a for mal bow. He drove in a coach with four or six smart horses, and outriders and lackeys in rich livery. At receptions he came in a black velvet suit with gold buckles, yellow gloves, powdered hair, a cocked hat with an ostrich plume in one hand, and a sword in a white leather scabbard. After being overpowered by callers, he announced that except for a weekly levee open to all, persons desiring to see him must make previous engagements. On Friday afternoons Mrs. Washington held more informal receptions, at which the president appeared and chatted gravely with both ladies and gentlemen. Though the presidents of the Continental Con gress had made their tables partly public, Washington, who enter tained largely, taking members of Congress in rotation, insisted that his hospitality be entirely private. He served good wines and
the menus were elaborate, but such visitors as Senator Maclay complained that the atmosphere was too "solemn." Indeed, his simple ceremony offended many of the more radical anti-federal ists, who did not share his sense of its fitness and accused the president of conducting himself like a king. But his cold and reserved manner was due rather to native diffidence than to any excessive sense of dignity.
Earnestly desiring leisure, feeling a decline of his physical powers, and wincing under opposition abuse, Washington refused to yield to the general pressure for a third term. This refusal was blended with a testament of sagacious advice to his country in the Farewell Address of Sept. 19, 1796, written largely by Hamilton but remoulded by Washington and expressing his ideas. Retiring in March, 1797, to Mount Vernon, he devoted him self for the last two and a half years of his life to his family, farm operations and care of his slaves. In 1798 his seclusion was briefly threatened when the prospect of war with France caused his ap pointment as commander-in-chief of the provisional army, and he was much worried by the political quarrels over high commis sions; but the war cloud passed away. On Dec. 12, 1799, he ex posed himself on horseback for several hours to cold and snow, and returning home exhausted, was attacked late next day with quinsy or acute laryngitis. He was bled heavily four times, given gargles of "molasses, vinegar and butter," and a blister of cantharides was placed on his throat, his strength meanwhile rapidly sinking. The best modern treatment would probably have been unavailing. He faced the end with characteristic serenity, saying "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go," and later : "I feel myself going. I thank you for your attentions; but I pray you to take no more trouble about me. Let me go off quietly. I cannot last long." After giving instructions to his secretary, Tobias Lear, about his burial, he died at io P.M. on Dec. 14 without pain or struggle. The news of his death placed the entire United States in mourning, and the sentiment of the country permanently endorsed the famous words of Henry Lee, embodied in resolutions which John Marshall in troduced in the House of Representatives, that he was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen." When the intelligence reached Europe the British channel fleet and the armies of Napoleon paid tribute to his memory; and many of the political and intellectual leaders of the time joined in according him a preeminent place among the heroes of history.
earliest known portrait of Washington is that by Charles Wilson Peale, painted in 1772. A long line of painters and sculptors followed, and their work may be found criticized in Justin Winsor's Narrative and Critical History of America, vol. VII. Wash ington himself thought highly of the likeness by Joseph Wright, painted in /782. According to Winsor, the favourite profile is Hou don's, while Gilbert Stuart's canvas had been popularly preferred for the full face, and John Trumbull's florid paintings for the whole figure. Stuart's pictures are somewhat idealized, while all the later portraits suffer from the fact that the artificial teeth worn by Washington in later years altered the expression of his face. Houdon's statue hardly does justice to Washington's imposing stature ; he was 6 ft. 3 in. tall in his prime, and weighed 22o lb., carrying himself with great dignity and poise.