Breaking Barriers: George Washington and the Creation of the Presidency

Southern Tour of 1791

Mount Vernon Magazine (pgs. 18-23)

Seventeen months into his presidency, Washington had already visited nine of the thirteen states in the union. On the Southern Tour, the President visited the Carolinas, Georgia, and his home state of Virginia. Visiting small and large settlements, Washington sought to establish a connection with those he represented and he also sought to promote the new government.

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From Philadelphia, Washington was accompanied by eight men (two of them enslaved), eleven horses, and a four-wheel coach. Prior to the trip, the President received important advice on which roads to take and where to eat and rest, however, the trip proved a difficult one. At the time, there was no public transportation or paved roads, of course. Traveling through rough terrain and dangerous waterways posed a risk to most travelers. 

Primary Source: Letter from George Washington to Tobias Lear, 1791

Toward the end of this letter, Washington commented that the roads in South Georgia were “abominably sandy & heavy,” and his horses were “much worn out.”

 

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Explore a map that shows Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour.

In this map appears the route Washington took during his tour. The President and his group traveled nearly 1,900 miles. Fortunately, Washington completed the trip without any major accident or national event that might have forced him to postpone or cut short the tour.

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Pin presented to Katherine Greene, 1791

While in Georgia, Washington visited Katherine Greene, the widow of General Greene, and presented her with this pin. Nathanael Greene, who proved to be essential during the Revolution’s Southern campaigns, was one of Washington’s most trusted generals. During the War, both George and Martha Washington became very fond of "Kitty" Greene. Although Washington did not provide many details about his visit to Mrs. Greene, it is likely that he went to pay his respects for the death of her husband.

Washington also visited some of the sites where General Greene fought with valor against the British. Many of the places he visited were a reminder of the many sacrifices colonists made during the War.

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The Diary of George Washington

Primary Source: The diary of George Washington, from 1789 to 1791...

As a man who kept detailed records, President Washington kept a diary during his Southern Tour. The diary is rich with important details about the very different places he visited and the diverse people he encountered.

Always concerned about the future of the nation’s economy, he inquired about the land, crops, manufacturers and exports in different places. He noted, for example, that tobacco was Georgia’s principal export. Southern economic and social interests were diverse, and Washington had a discussion with Edward Telfair of Georgia about fugitive slaves (see pg. 191). Later on the tour, chiefs of the Catawba Indians sought to discuss their treaty rights. Washington noted that they “seemed to be under apprehension” of losing their land (see pg. 196). Throughout the tour, the President was received by grand parades and fireworks for him. Even in, a small settlement, he received the salute of one cannon upon arrival.

Washington met politicians and high society ladies, and he also attended community organized dinners and was pleased to find the people in good spirits. For example,  Washington commented in his diary that the people of Charleston, S.C. appeared “happy and satisfied with the Genl. Government” (see pg. 184).

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After the Tour

Primary Source: Letter from George Washington to Alexander Martin, 1791

After the completion of the tour, Washington shared with the governor of North Carolina his observations on the people he represented.

This letter’s excerpt reads: “…My object in that journey was not to be received with parade and an ostentatious display of opulence. It was for a noble purpose. To see with my own eyes the situation of the country, and to learn on the condition and disposition of our Citizens. In these respects, I have been highly gratified…”
With a new perspective on the diverse people he represented, Washington looked forward to the future of the nation.

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