President

Washington was elected president with 69 votes (the largest number possible) from the 69 electors. People respected him very much. They called him words like, "Your highness." and "You excellency." They called Mrs. Martha Washington, "Lady Washington." During his term in office, the U.S. faced one crisis after another. First, members from Washington's cabinet quarreled bitterly over how the new government should be set up and who would have the power. There were still some farmers who did not want to pay taxes to the new government. England and France started fighting each other again. Washington did not want to get involved. He was afraid that the United states wasn't strong enough to survive another war. But many Americans thought we ought to help France out. After all, the French had come to our aid during the Revolutionary War. Suddenly, Washington wasn't a hero. Instead of cheering for him, mobs of people marched through the street calling him names. In spite of these troubles, Washington worked very hard. He traveled around the new country giving as many people as possible a chance to see and talk to their leader. He tried to settle arguments among his cabinet members in a way that would keep the country strong. After two terms, president George Washington decided to retire, like so many of his decisions caused an uproar. Many people thought that a president should keep on being re-elected until he died in office. They argued that choosing a new leader every four years, or even every eight, would tear the country apart. Washington had more faith in the future. He sent the newspapers a message saying, "Goodbye." In the spring of 1797 the Mr. and Mrs. Washington returned home for good. Washington thought he was a failure as a president, but as he rode along going home he still had many friends. People waved good-bye to Washington.

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