Blood of Tyrants: George Washington & the Forging of the Presidency (54 page)
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25
Marcus Tullius Cicero,
The Political Works of Marcus Tullius Cicero: Comprising His Treatise on the Commonwealth; and His Treatise on the Laws
, ed. Francis Barham, Esq. (London, 1841–42), 1:237.
Marcus Tullius Cicero,
The Political Works of Marcus Tullius Cicero: Comprising His Treatise on the Commonwealth; and His Treatise on the Laws
, ed. Francis Barham, Esq. (London, 1841–42), 1:237.
26
Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 38.
Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 38.
27
John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 6, 1777, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 144.
John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 6, 1777, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 144.
28
Washington to the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:500.
Chapter 18: Victory or DeathWashington to the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:500.
1
Qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 251.
Qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 251.
2
Benjamin Rush and Henry J. Williams,
A memorial containing travels through life or sundry incidents in the life of Dr. Benjamin Rush
(1905), 94.
Benjamin Rush and Henry J. Williams,
A memorial containing travels through life or sundry incidents in the life of Dr. Benjamin Rush
(1905), 94.
3
Washington to John Hancock, December 5, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:262.
Washington to John Hancock, December 5, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:262.
4
General Grant to Johaan Gottlieb Rall, December 21, 1776, in
The Spirit of Seventy-Six
, 507.
General Grant to Johaan Gottlieb Rall, December 21, 1776, in
The Spirit of Seventy-Six
, 507.
5
Bruce Chadwick,
The First American Army: The Untold Story of George Washington and the Men Behind America’s First Fight for Freedom
(Naperville, Ill.: Sourcebooks, 2005), 142.
Bruce Chadwick,
The First American Army: The Untold Story of George Washington and the Men Behind America’s First Fight for Freedom
(Naperville, Ill.: Sourcebooks, 2005), 142.
6
Ibid.
Ibid.
7
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 30.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 30.
8
Chadwick,
The First American Army
, 142.
Chadwick,
The First American Army
, 142.
9
Ibid., 143.
Ibid., 143.
10
Ibid., 144.
Ibid., 144.
11
Ibid.
Ibid.
12
Ibid., 146.
Ibid., 146.
13
Ibid.
Ibid.
14
Qtd. in Nathaniel Hervey,
The Memory of Washington
(Boston: James Munroe & Co., 1852), 130.
Qtd. in Nathaniel Hervey,
The Memory of Washington
(Boston: James Munroe & Co., 1852), 130.
15
McCullough,
1776
, 283.
McCullough,
1776
, 283.
16
John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 6, 1777. John Adams disagreed with this rumor, writing to his wife that this notion “was without foundation, for as his hands were never tied, so they were not untied.”
John Adams to Abigail Adams, April 6, 1777. John Adams disagreed with this rumor, writing to his wife that this notion “was without foundation, for as his hands were never tied, so they were not untied.”
17
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 278.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 278.
18
Chadwick,
The First American Army
, 149.
Chadwick,
The First American Army
, 149.
19
Washington to the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of Geroge Washington, Revolutionary War Series,
7:500.
Washington to the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of Geroge Washington, Revolutionary War Series,
7:500.
20
William Tudor to Della Jarvis, December 24, 1776, qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 271.
William Tudor to Della Jarvis, December 24, 1776, qtd. in McCullough,
1776
, 271.
21
John Hancock to Washington, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:506.
John Hancock to Washington, January 1, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:506.
22
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 416.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 416.
23
Private John Howland, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 300.
Private John Howland, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 300.
24
Ibid.
Ibid.
25
Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 300.
Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 300.
26
Gerald M. Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll,”
Nathanael Greene
, Image Library, Warwick Historical Society, 31.
Gerald M. Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll,”
Nathanael Greene
, Image Library, Warwick Historical Society, 31.
27
Sergeant Joseph White, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 307.
Sergeant Joseph White, as qtd. in Fischer,
Washington’s Crossing
, 307.
28
Cornwallis, as qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
Cornwallis, as qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
29
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 280.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 280.
30
Ibid.
Ibid.
31
An unnamed American soldier, qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
An unnamed American soldier, qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
32
Qtd. in McCollough,
1776
, 289.
Qtd. in McCollough,
1776
, 289.
33
Ibid.
Ibid.
34
Washington to John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 1:152.
Washington to John Augustine Washington, July 18, 1755, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 1:152.
35
Captain Olney, qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
Captain Olney, qtd. in Carbone, “Battle of Princeton Exacts a Heavy Toll.”
36
Qtd. in Richard M. Ketchum,
The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton
(New York: Macmillan, 1999), 308.
Qtd. in Richard M. Ketchum,
The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton
(New York: Macmillan, 1999), 308.
37
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 282.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 282.
38
Washington to John Hancock, January 5, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 7:529n10.
Washington to John Hancock, January 5, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 7:529n10.
39
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 284.
Chapter 19: IdolatryChernow,
Washington: A Life
, 284.
1
As cited in Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 283.
As cited in Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 283.
2
James Thomas Flexner,
George Washington in the American Revolution, 1775–1783
(Boston: Little, Brown, 1968), 189.
James Thomas Flexner,
George Washington in the American Revolution, 1775–1783
(Boston: Little, Brown, 1968), 189.
3
Journals of the Continental Congress
, March 24, 1777, 7:197.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, March 24, 1777, 7:197.
4
At the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.
At the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.
5
Washington to John Armstrong, May 18, 1779, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 20:518.
Washington to John Armstrong, May 18, 1779, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 20:518.
6
Washington to Governor Jonathan Trumbull, May 11, 1777, in ibid., 9:392.
Washington to Governor Jonathan Trumbull, May 11, 1777, in ibid., 9:392.
7
Washington to John Augustine Washington, May 12, 1779, in ibid., 20:460.
Washington to John Augustine Washington, May 12, 1779, in ibid., 20:460.
8
Washington to Joseph Jones, May 31, 1780, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 18:453.
Washington to Joseph Jones, May 31, 1780, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 18:453.
9
Ibid.
Ibid.
10
Washington to Henry Laurens, November 11, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
, 18:94.
Washington to Henry Laurens, November 11, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
, 18:94.
11
Washington to John Jay, December 13, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 18:405; H. L. Landers,
The Virginia Campaign and the Blockade and Siege of Yorktown, 1781
(1931), 50.
Washington to John Jay, December 13, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 18:405; H. L. Landers,
The Virginia Campaign and the Blockade and Siege of Yorktown, 1781
(1931), 50.
12
Washington to Henry Laurens, November 11, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 18:94–112.
Washington to Henry Laurens, November 11, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 18:94–112.
13
“Proclamation concerning Persons Swearing British Allegiance,” January 25, 1777, in ibid
.,
8:152–53.
“Proclamation concerning Persons Swearing British Allegiance,” January 25, 1777, in ibid
.,
8:152–53.
14
Ibid.
Ibid.
15
Ibid.
Ibid.
16
Abraham Clark to John Hart, February 8, 1777, in
Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789
, ed. Paul H. Smith et al. (Library of Congress, 1976–2000), 6:241.
Abraham Clark to John Hart, February 8, 1777, in
Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789
, ed. Paul H. Smith et al. (Library of Congress, 1976–2000), 6:241.
17
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 7:165–66.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 7:165–66.
18
Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 39–40.
Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 39–40.
19
Joseph J. Ellis,
His Excellency: George Washington
(2004), 101.
Joseph J. Ellis,
His Excellency: George Washington
(2004), 101.
20
Nathanael Greene to Washington, March 24, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 7:627.
Nathanael Greene to Washington, March 24, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington
,
Revolutionary War Series
, 7:627.
21
Ellis,
His Excellency
, 101.
Ellis,
His Excellency
, 101.
22
John Adams to Abigail Adams, March 7, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (Boston, 1963–2011), 2:169.
John Adams to Abigail Adams, March 7, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (Boston, 1963–2011), 2:169.
23
John Marshall,
The Life of George Washington
, ed. Robert Faulkner and Paul Carrese (1838; Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2000), 84.
Chapter 20:John Marshall,
The Life of George Washington
, ed. Robert Faulkner and Paul Carrese (1838; Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2000), 84.
Dictator Perpetuo
1
Sir William Howe to Lord George Germain, April 22, 1777, in
Documents of the American Revolution
, ed. K. G. Davis (1972–1981), 14:65.
Sir William Howe to Lord George Germain, April 22, 1777, in
Documents of the American Revolution
, ed. K. G. Davis (1972–1981), 14:65.
2
John Adams, Diary Entry, September 15, 1777, in
Diary and Autobiography of John Adams
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (1961), 2:262.
John Adams, Diary Entry, September 15, 1777, in
Diary and Autobiography of John Adams
, ed. L. H. Butterfield et al. (1961), 2:262.
3
Marshall,
The Life of George Washington
, 152.
Marshall,
The Life of George Washington
, 152.
4
Ibid.
Ibid.
5
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 302.
Chernow,
Washington: A Life
, 302.
6
General Orders, August 23, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 11:51.
General Orders, August 23, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 11:51.
7
Marquis de Lafayette, August 23, 1777, as qtd. in Carl G. Karsch, “Washington’s Army Marches Past the Hall,” Carpenters’ Hall website, Independence Hall Association,
UShistory.org
.
Marquis de Lafayette, August 23, 1777, as qtd. in Carl G. Karsch, “Washington’s Army Marches Past the Hall,” Carpenters’ Hall website, Independence Hall Association,
UShistory.org
.
8
To look more professional, Washington likewise ordered that “the multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant,” be left behind. General Orders, August 4, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 10:496.
To look more professional, Washington likewise ordered that “the multitude of women in particular, especially those who are pregnant,” be left behind. General Orders, August 4, 1777, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 10:496.
9
George Washington Greene,
The Life of Nathanael Greene
(New York: Hurd & Houghton, 1867), 1:478.
George Washington Greene,
The Life of Nathanael Greene
(New York: Hurd & Houghton, 1867), 1:478.
10
John Adams, Diary Entry, September 21, 1777, in
Diary and Autobiography of John Adams
, 2:265.
John Adams, Diary Entry, September 21, 1777, in
Diary and Autobiography of John Adams
, 2:265.
11
George Washington to Henry Laurens, October 3, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 17:238.
George Washington to Henry Laurens, October 3, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 17:238.
12
Washington Irving,
Life of George Washington
, 3:210.
Washington Irving,
Life of George Washington
, 3:210.
13
John Adams to Abigail Adams, October 26, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:360–61. Adams was referring specifically to Horatio Gates leading the victory at the Battle of Saratoga rather than Washington.
John Adams to Abigail Adams, October 26, 1777, in
Adams Family Correspondence
, 2:360–61. Adams was referring specifically to Horatio Gates leading the victory at the Battle of Saratoga rather than Washington.
14
Paper presented by the Legislature of the State of New York to the Continental Congress, February 1781, in
The Writings of George Washington
, ed. Jared Sparks (1833–37), 7:442n. The Jared Sparks edition contains many known errors and misrepresentations, but this language is included here since it is not unique in descriptions of Washington’s powers. For example, Richard Lee wrote to James Lovell, Theodorick Bland, and Joseph Jones of Washington’s “dictatorial powers.”
The Writings of George Washington
(ed. Fitzpatrick), 22:383n. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court likewise wrote that Washington had “possessed almost dictatorial powers.” Address from the Judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in
The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series
, 2:85n1.
Paper presented by the Legislature of the State of New York to the Continental Congress, February 1781, in
The Writings of George Washington
, ed. Jared Sparks (1833–37), 7:442n. The Jared Sparks edition contains many known errors and misrepresentations, but this language is included here since it is not unique in descriptions of Washington’s powers. For example, Richard Lee wrote to James Lovell, Theodorick Bland, and Joseph Jones of Washington’s “dictatorial powers.”
The Writings of George Washington
(ed. Fitzpatrick), 22:383n. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court likewise wrote that Washington had “possessed almost dictatorial powers.” Address from the Judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in
The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series
, 2:85n1.
15
Ibid.
Ibid.
16
Washington to William Shippen, Jr., January 27, 1777, qtd. in Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 39.
Washington to William Shippen, Jr., January 27, 1777, qtd. in Glenn A. Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
(Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1993), 39.
17
Circular to the States, May 4, 1782, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 24:236.
Circular to the States, May 4, 1782, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 24:236.
18
Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
, 39.
Phelps,
George Washington and American Constitutionalism
, 39.
19
Washington to William Livingston, April 15, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 14:525.
Washington to William Livingston, April 15, 1778, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 14:525.
20
Washington to William Livingston, April 11, 1778, in ibid., 14:477.
Washington to William Livingston, April 11, 1778, in ibid., 14:477.
21
For example, Congress again granted dictatorial powers as they fled Philadelphia on September 17, 1777, but it was to last for only sixty days.
For example, Congress again granted dictatorial powers as they fled Philadelphia on September 17, 1777, but it was to last for only sixty days.
22
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 14:566–69.
Journals of the Continental Congress
, 14:566–69.
23
Washington to Henry Laurens, August 20, 1780, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 19:402n52.
Washington to Henry Laurens, August 20, 1780, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 19:402n52.
24
John Jay to Washington, May 10, 1779, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 20:426.
John Jay to Washington, May 10, 1779, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 20:426.
25
Articles of Confederation (1781), art. IX. See also, Bennet N. Hollander, “The President and Congress—Operational Control of the Armed Forces,”
Military Law Review
27 (1965): 50, noting that the “colonists shared a deep fear of the development under the new government of a military branch unchecked by the legislature and susceptible to use by an arbitrary executive power.”
Articles of Confederation (1781), art. IX. See also, Bennet N. Hollander, “The President and Congress—Operational Control of the Armed Forces,”
Military Law Review
27 (1965): 50, noting that the “colonists shared a deep fear of the development under the new government of a military branch unchecked by the legislature and susceptible to use by an arbitrary executive power.”
26
Although, as discussed, Washington did infringe upon this power at times.
Although, as discussed, Washington did infringe upon this power at times.
27
Enemy treatment is detailed in Part II.
Enemy treatment is detailed in Part II.
28
Washington to the New York Convention, December 16, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:356.
Washington to the New York Convention, December 16, 1776, in
The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series
, 7:356.
29
Circular to the States, May 4, 1782, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 24:237.
Circular to the States, May 4, 1782, in
The Writings of George Washington
, 24:237.
30
The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution
, ed. Jonathan Elliot (1836), 3:79.
The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution
, ed. Jonathan Elliot (1836), 3:79.
31
Ibid.
Ibid.
32
Henry Cabot Lodge,
George Washington
(Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1898), 170.
Henry Cabot Lodge,
George Washington
(Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1898), 170.
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