Presidents Behaving Goodly: George Washington-The Man Who Would Not Be King
In the rotunda of the Capitol Building there is a painting by John Trumbull entitled "General George Washington Resigning His Commission." It marks a significant historical event, as the general who commanded the army whose victory created a nation declined the opportunity to become the monarch of that nation. Washington certainly was popular enough to do so, and he had the support of his army, if he had been possessed of kingly aspirations. But he did not. Washington wisely resigned his commission at the end of the war and turned the governing of the nation over to civilian authority.
In July 1780, 5,000 veteran French troops led by the comte de Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island to aid Washington's Continental Army in the war effort. French naval forces landed, led by Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse. Washington had initially planned to take the fight to the British in New York, but Rochambeau advised that the army of General Cornwallis in Virginia was a better target and de Grasse followed Rochambeau's advice and sailed to the Virginia Coast. Washington agreed that Rochambeau's proposed strategy was a better one and after leaving the false impression that he was taking his forces to fight General Clinton in New York, he headed south to Virginia instead.
After a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia, the army of General Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781. This marked the end of major fighting in continental North America. When Cornwallis failed to appear at the official surrender ceremony, sending General Charles Oharrow as his proxy, Washington had General Benjamin Lincoln accept the surrender.
The British still had 26,000 troops occupying New York City, Charleston and Savannah, together with a powerful fleet. Soon the French army and navy departed, leaving the Americans on their own, with an empty treasury and unpaid soldiers who were growing restless. Washington dispelled unrest among officers by suppressing the Newburgh Conspiracy in March 1783, and Congress came up with the promise of a five-year bonus.
The initial peace treaty articles were ratified in April of 1783, and on May 2, 1783, Washington, as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, submitted his views on a peacetime army. His original proposal was defeated in Congress in two votes held in May 1783, and in October 1783. A third version was also rejected in April 1784.
By the Treaty of Paris, signed in September of 1783, Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. Washington disbanded his army and, on November 2, gave his eloquent farewell address to his soldiers. On November 25, the British evacuated New York City, and Washington and the governor took possession. At Fraunces Tavern on December 4, Washington formally said farewell to his officers and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief. He said:
"I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping."
Historians have since recognized the significance and the magnanimity of Washington's resignation as commander of the armies. It marked the first time that the nation had transitioned from wartime to peacetime, and it was unique in that the military did not exert more control over the newly formed government, with Washington opting instead to have faith in democracy. King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" because of this.
This would of course not be Washington's last service to his country, nor would it be the last time that he acted with magnanimity, humility and generosity.
In July 1780, 5,000 veteran French troops led by the comte de Rochambeau arrived at Newport, Rhode Island to aid Washington's Continental Army in the war effort. French naval forces landed, led by Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse. Washington had initially planned to take the fight to the British in New York, but Rochambeau advised that the army of General Cornwallis in Virginia was a better target and de Grasse followed Rochambeau's advice and sailed to the Virginia Coast. Washington agreed that Rochambeau's proposed strategy was a better one and after leaving the false impression that he was taking his forces to fight General Clinton in New York, he headed south to Virginia instead.
After a French naval victory allowed American and French forces to trap a British army in Virginia, the army of General Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781. This marked the end of major fighting in continental North America. When Cornwallis failed to appear at the official surrender ceremony, sending General Charles Oharrow as his proxy, Washington had General Benjamin Lincoln accept the surrender.
The British still had 26,000 troops occupying New York City, Charleston and Savannah, together with a powerful fleet. Soon the French army and navy departed, leaving the Americans on their own, with an empty treasury and unpaid soldiers who were growing restless. Washington dispelled unrest among officers by suppressing the Newburgh Conspiracy in March 1783, and Congress came up with the promise of a five-year bonus.
The initial peace treaty articles were ratified in April of 1783, and on May 2, 1783, Washington, as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, submitted his views on a peacetime army. His original proposal was defeated in Congress in two votes held in May 1783, and in October 1783. A third version was also rejected in April 1784.
By the Treaty of Paris, signed in September of 1783, Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. Washington disbanded his army and, on November 2, gave his eloquent farewell address to his soldiers. On November 25, the British evacuated New York City, and Washington and the governor took possession. At Fraunces Tavern on December 4, Washington formally said farewell to his officers and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief. He said:
"I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping."
Historians have since recognized the significance and the magnanimity of Washington's resignation as commander of the armies. It marked the first time that the nation had transitioned from wartime to peacetime, and it was unique in that the military did not exert more control over the newly formed government, with Washington opting instead to have faith in democracy. King George III called Washington "the greatest character of the age" because of this.
This would of course not be Washington's last service to his country, nor would it be the last time that he acted with magnanimity, humility and generosity.