During the next five years after the close of Washington's military career, he found sufficient occupation in attending to the affairs of his homestead and property, and in fostering the progress of his native state. Mount Vernon was now constantly the scene of a profuse hospitality, over which Washington presided with the courtly dignity and grace which were natural to him, and which he dispensed with princely generosity. In the convention of 1787, which framed the constitution of the United States, Washing ton acted as a delegate from Virginia. He was unanimously chosen the first president of the United States, and on April 30, 1789, took the oath of office in New York, where congress was then sitting. Washington's administration of the civil government was marked by the methodical precision which had characterized his conduct through life. His conscientious habit of undertaking no duty until he comprehended its entire scope and bearing, was also specially apparent in his new position. He thoroughly informed himself concerning all affairs of state, and every political act of importance which had been performed by the government and its agents since his retirement. He personally directed the organization of the different departments of the government under the new system, and in accordance with the constitution, and no act of his better showed the solemn seriousness which he attached to the great drama now being performed on the western continent, than his appointment to the offices of heads of these departments of such distinguished and able men as Jefferson, Hamilton, Knox, Randolph. and Jay. Congress opened in January, 1790; and meanwhile Washington had found time to make a tour through the eastern states, to better acquaint himself with the views of those who were presently to lay the foundation for the commercial and manufacturing supremacy of the Uniteil States. Before congress, in his first message, he presentee] a profound and eminently judicious series of suggestions of laws and provisions, which were at once made the basis of legislation. Not only the skeleton of a new government was now being informed with life and made active and puissant; hut the framework of the whole politi cal and social system of the country was being erected. The people were, in the case of their social formation, assimilating; while, in that of their political organization, they were separating into two parties ; the same two parties which were henceforth—in dif ferent forms, and at times under different names—to sway the course of the empire of the west. The democrats and federals each included the names of many of Washing ton's closest personal and political friends. Not only on this account, but from the sense of justice which ruled his life, he refrained sedulously from allying'himself with either party; and, on the contrary, strove to reconcile the differences between the leaders which he foresaw must inevitably in the future bring about wider differences among the people. The success of his first administration, and the universal sense of a security under his direction which did not appear in the least to he certain under that of any other, pro duced a general anxiety, as it drew to a close, that Washington should accept the reins of government for a second term. Jefferson and Hamilton—wide apart as the poles in their political opinions. and personally at emnity with each other—agreed in this ; and
each wrote a letter to Washington urging his compliance with what was now a great popular demand. To their solicitation and those of others he acceded ; and on the 4th of March, 1793, took the oath of office for the second time as president of the United States. The very beginning of Washington's second administration saw the United States drawn into the vortex of European polities. The French revolution and the "reign of terror" had culminated in the French republic. Great Britain and France were at war, and gratitude seemed to demand that the western republic should sustain her sister state in the existing struggle. But Washington was especially opposed to foreign complica. lions, and while he accepted the French republic, and received its representative, he steadfastly adhered to his resolution, and the proclamation of neutrality was published April 22, 1793. Now arose factious in the United States, on the one side seeking to enforce practical adherence to the cause 'of France; on the other, sustaining Washing ton, though accused bitterly of bias iu favor of the ancient enemy of America. Between democrats and federalists the line was now drawn strictly on this basis. Dissensions and resignations occurred in the cabinet; and Jacobin clubs were formed among the people, and were as virulent in the expression of their animosities as were their proto types France. In the midst of all the excitement consequent to such a state of affairs, Washington sent John Jay as envoy extraordinary to England, who negotiated the treaty which was signed by Washington on Aug. 18, 1795. The publication of the terms of this treaty aroused the most violent discussion in and out of congress. The latter body called upon the president for the correspondence and instructions involved in the nego MMus, and these Washington declined to furnish. Acrimonious debate followed, but the president held firm to his position, and the matter died out. Thus by his wisdom and determination did Washington preserve his country—just emerging from the trials and vicissitudes of the war of independence—from engaging in entangling alliances which would certainly have precipitated renewed warfare, and perhaps have rendered impossible the growth of the magnificent superstructure of which lie had laid the solid foundation. On Sept. 15, 1706, Washington published his farewell address to the country he had formed—almost out of chaos. He delivered his last presidential message; a new election resulted in placing John Adams in the presidential seat—though Washington could have been elected for a third term, had not the pressure of his private affairs induced him to decline the honor; and the father of his country retired to his home at Mount Vernon, followed by the love and admiration of a people who now fully recog nized his public spirit, his stanch integrity, and the extent of his intellectual resources. There be died on Dec. 14, 1799; his epitaph a nation's praise. Europe paid tribute to the memory of Washington; the sermons and addresses in commemoration of his noble life grew into a literature ; his name, was perpetuated in the names of a multitude of American localities, and his countenance became a perpetual heirloom among his people.