President Washington and his wife, Martha, were very big entertainers at Christmas. Although Christmas cards were not used until the mid-19th Century, George and Martha Washington sent many invitations during the eight Christmas seasons that George ran the United States, and they were often joined by relatives, friends and many prominent people of the times.
Washington was considered a fair man and would give his slaves and servants a good Christmas holiday. He spelled out in his contract of 1787 with a new gardener the amount of time for Christmas celebrations:
“In Consideration of these things being well and truly performed on the part of the sd. Philip Bater [or Bates], the said George Washington doth agree to allow him…four Dollars at Christmas, with which he may be drunk 4 days and 4 nights; two Dollars at Easter to effect the same purpose; two Dollars also at Whitsuntide (which means Pentecost) to be drunk two days…”
The only people who did not have days off for Christmas were the house servants. 1787 also saw Washington spending 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon for the Christmas holidays. The Washington’s spent lavishly; they loved music, dance, and festive occasions and would send hand written invitations to friends and family to celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. These were the “Christmas cards” of the 1800s.
President Washington missed the Christmas of 1799 when he fell ill on December 12th and died on December 14th. In his will Washington left provisions that his slaves would be freed upon the death of his wife Martha, however, she freed them shortly after his death. George Washington is, to this day, considered the most honorable and beloved president.
Although, there are many myths that have grown up around Washington, some have been disproved. He never cut down a cherry tree, he didn’t throw a silver dollar across the Potomac, and his teeth weren’t made of wood. He did have false teeth, but they were made of ivory. The other stories concerning his character seem to all be true.
Congressman Henry Lee (otherwise known as Light horse Harry), a comrade from the Revolution, said upon his death that Washington was:
First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in humble and enduring scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting…Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues…Such was the man for whom our nation mourns…
George Washington 1732-1799
George & Martha Washington
Death of President Washington
January Founder of the Month:
President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address
No Senate tradition has been more steadfastly maintained than the annual reading of President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address. In this letter to “Friends and Citizens,” Washington warned that the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the nation's domestic affairs threatened the stability of the Republic. He urged Americans to subordinate sectional jealousies to common national interests.
The Senate tradition began on February 22, 1862, as a morale-boosting gesture during the darkest days of the Civil War. Citizens of Philadelphia had petitioned Congress to commemorate the forthcoming 130th anniversary of Washington's birth by reading the Address at a joint meeting of both houses. Tennessee Senator Andrew Johnson introduced the petition in the Senate. "In view of the perilous condition of the country," he said, "I think the time has arrived when we should recur back to the days, the times, and the doings of Washington and the patriots of the Revolution, who founded the government under which we live."
Two by two, members of the Senate proceeded to the House Chamber for a joint session. As they moved through Statuary Hall, they passed a display of recently captured Confederate battle flags. President Abraham Lincoln, whose son Willie had died two days earlier, did not attend. But members of his cabinet, the Supreme Court, and high-ranking military officers in full uniform packed the chamber to hear Secretary of the Senate John W. Forney read the Address.
Early in 1888—the centennial year of the Constitution’s ratification—the Senate recalled the ceremony of 1862 and had its presiding officer read the Address on February 22. Within a few years, the Senate made the practice an annual event.
Every year since 1896, the Senate has observed Washington's Birthday by selecting one of its members, alternating parties, to read the 7,641-word statement in legislative session. Delivery generally takes about 45 minutes. In 1985, Florida Senator Paula Hawkins tore through the text in a record-setting 39 minutes, while in 1962, West Virginia Senator Jennings Randolph, savoring each word, consumed 68 minutes. At the conclusion of each reading, the appointed senator inscribes his or her name and brief remarks in a black, leather-bound book maintained by the Secretary of the Senate. Early entries in the notebook were typically brief explanations of the practice, accompanied by signature and date. Often, several entries appeared on a single page. In more recent years, entries have grown more elaborate and have included personal stories or comments on contemporary politics and policy. In 1956, Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey wrote that every American should study this memorable message. “It gives one a renewed sense of pride in our republic,” he wrote. “It arouses the wholesome and creative emotions of patriotism and love of country.” The book's first entry bears the signature of Ohio Republican Joseph Foraker and is dated February 22, 1900.
President Washington's Farewell Address
Sons of the American Revolution-California Society-Orange County Chapter