George Washington became president in 1789. He presided two terms in office, his first inauguration took place on April 30, 1789 on the balcony of the federal hall building in New York. After he had sworn in, Chancellor Robert R. Livingston ( the man that had sworn him in) called out, " Long live George Washington, the president of the United States." The first presidential mansion was too small for the president his staff and family. Washington said that he did not want a salary, he only wanted to be reimbursed for his expenses, so congress set a salary for $ 25,000 a year which turned out to be his expenses. The only reason he became president is because he felt obligated to serve his country, he really wanted to be a farmer at Mount Vernon.