More on George Washington

Before I did some more researching about this great man, I figured that he was just a British citizen who became very rich after serving his country, payed too much taxes for too many things, and consequentially rebelled. However after looking at his life story I have concluded otherwise. His life story is more noble, and his cause more just.

George Washington was born here in Westmoreland County, Virginia to a family of prosperous farmers. He did his country’s duty by delivering ultimatums to the French and spying for England. In the French and Indian wars Washington demonstrated exceptional bravery, and became a war hero. After leaving the military Washington became an active farmer and politician in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Henry Lee said that of all Americans, he was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

Washington was also a pioneer in the aspect of freedom of religion. In a letter he wrote to his hiring agent for work on his plantation he wrote “If they be good workmen, they may be from Asia, Africa, or Europe; they may be Mohammedans, Jews, or Christians of any sect, or they may be Atheists.” In 1790, he wrote a response to a letter from the Touro Synagogue, in which he said that as long as people remain good citizens, their faith does not matter. This was a relief to the Jewish community of the United States, since the Jews had been either expelled from or prejudiced against in many European countries.

As President, George Washington was the only man in the history of the United States to receive 100% of all electoral votes. If anyone remembers the “Cherry Tree” incident, and the famous one liner “I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet.” is a popular saying but has never been confirmed by Washington and there is no evidence to support that the event actually happened.