Washington and His Colleagues

Excerpt

Washington was glad to remain at Mount Vernon as long as possible after he had consented to serve as President, enjoying the life of a country gentleman, which was now much more suited to his taste than official employment.  He was weary of public duties and the heavy demands upon his time which had left him with little leisure for his private life at home.  His correspondence during this period gives ample evidence of his extreme reluctance to reassume public responsibilities.  To bring the matter to its true proportions, it must be remembered that to the view of the times the new constitution was but the latest attempt to tinker the federal scheme, and it was yet to be seen whether this endeavor would be any more successful than previous efforts had been.  As for the title of President, it had already been borne by a number of congressional politicians and had been rather tarnished by the behavior of some of them.  Washington was not at all eager to move in the matter before he had to, and he therefore remained on his farm until Congress met, formally declared the result of the election, and sent a committee to Mount Vernon to give him official notice.  It was not until April 30, 1789, that he was formally installed as President.