In 1783, at the end of the Revolution, Washington voluntarily resigned as Commander in Chief. This astounded the world. Most people assumed that Washington, the most powerful man in the newly-formed United States, would move quickly to make himself its ruler. Even George III, King of England, is said to have exclaimed in surprise that Washington was, "the greatest man alive."
George Washington resigned for many reasons. First, he had promised to do so when he accepted the job in 1775. And secondly, he believed firmly in government by law, not by monarchs and dictators. To avoid any suspicions that he might wish to rule as one, Washington not only resigned as Commander in Chief, but announced he would never seek a role in the future government.
Washington's experience in the Revolution convinced him that the new nation needed a strong central government in order to levy taxes for national defense, facilitate trade between states, and establish a national currency. The Articles of Confederation, which the states had agreed upon in 1781 to govern themselves, had little strength. In the years after the Revolution, it was clear that the nation Washington had fought to create was coming apart.
Washington responded by helping those who called for a new Constitution. When the Constitutional Convention was held in 1787, he attended as a delegate from Virginia and was quickly elected its presiding officer. His important role helped the Constitution win approval in state after state. Many wanted Washington to become first president, for who else had proven himself trustworthy with such power?
February 4, 1789 was set as the day for the first presidential election. Electors met in each state, cast their votes, and sent the sealed ballots to the newly-formed United States Congress. Although the votes would not be opened and counted for several months, it was widely believed that George Washington would receive the most votes for president.
Washington, however, was reluctant. He did not want to break his earlier promise to not seek office. He also realized the challenges and demands of creating a new government and worried that he would not fully succeed.
His concerns were addressed by many friends and officials. They pointed out that his promise had been that he would not 'seek' office, and he had not campaigned or otherwise worked to get the job of president. They argued that the new government needed his authority if it were to have any chance of succeeding. It would be far worse for him to refuse to help his country than to worry about misguided criticism regarding his earlier promise.
The first Congress convened in New York City on March 4, 1789. After a month's delay awaiting a quorum, the sealed ballots were opened and officially counted on April 6, 1789. George Washington was the first choice for President of every elector in every state. He is the only person to be unanimously elected president. The Secretary to Congress, Charles Thomson, left for Mount Vernon where, on April 14, 1789, he notified George Washington of his election. The question of whether Washington would serve was answered when he said, 'I cannot give a greater evidence of my sensibility for the honor my fellow citizens have done me, than by accepting the appointment.' Washington, now President-elect, left for New York by horse-drawn coach on Thursday, April 16. In his diary that day, he did not write about winning the election. Instead he wrote about his worries about doing the job well. He also wrote about his belief that he should serve 'my country in obedience to its call.'
His journey turned into a parade across the mid-Atlantic states. Washington was greeted by political leaders, Revolutionary War veterans, and citizens in every town. Escorts, gun salutes, ringing of church bells, parades, speeches and ceremonial dinners marked every day of the journey. The people drew together in their trust and support of George Washington, and his journey came to symbolize their hopes for a transition to a new, unified government. He was inaugurated first president in New York City on April 30, 1789.
