Mount Vernon
On Monday I went to Mount Vernon. It is where George Washington lived for much of his life. Just as Ronald Reagan spent around 18th of his presidency at his ranch, Washington spent around 430 days of his presidency at Mount Vernon.
It is in Virgina, around 20 miles out of DC. Easy to get to though as you take the yellow Metro to the end of the line for $2.35 and then a bus to the estate for $1.35.
Washington, and his wife Martha, are entombed here. The flag on he right is Washington’s flag as Commander in Chief during the War of Independence.
Around 300 slaves worked at Mount Vernon and were buried there. Slaves did not get marked graves. Washington never took a position publicly on slavery as he thought it would divide the union (which it did) but he freed all his slaves upon his death – the only Founding Father to do so – and also wrote privately that he wished there to be a way forward to end slavery.
Washington was a farmer, and Mount Vernon was a large farm. Washington was often up at 5 am, and took a great interest in what crops were planted etc. After the War of Independence he went back to farming for close to a decade.
This is the interior of a typical slave cabin.
This is the original crypt where Washington was laid to rest. In his will he asked for a new one to be made, and he was transferred there around three decades later.
This is the view Washington got from his house. Makes you understand why he spent so much time there!
And this is the main house.
Definitely worth a visit if in DC. You can easily spend a day there as you have not just the house and grounds to explore, but also a museum.
I may do a longer post on Washington at some stage, but it is hard to describe how respected and revered he was. He was almost unique in carrying the trust of men from all the 13 states, regardless of their individual politics.
He wasn’t one of the legendary generals (he lost many battles) but he was a proven leader of men. He was made Commander in Chief of the Virginia militia at age 23. And while he lost many battles against the British, he had to forge an army that had never before existed – with no money, no uniforms, no established chain of command and little experience. And the British were amongst the best in the world.
One of his greatest acts may have been resigning as Commander in Chief at the conclusion of the war, and retiring to his farm. Few Generals have done the same – which is what ended the Roman Republic. He also convinced a group of officers not to threaten Congress, even though they had not been paid. Washington himself was never paid a salary during his years of service.
His other great virture is that he genuinely did not covet power, and did see public office as a service. He set the vitally important precedent of a maximum two term presidency (broken only once) and had to be persuaded to even do a second term. He remains the only President to have been unanimously elected by the Electoral College – twice.
His farewell address as President in read into the Senate record annually. Various Senators take a turn at reading parts of it.
Various founding fathers playing important roles in the founding of the United States – Jefferson, Madison, Adams etc. Washington is unique in that is is quite arguable there never would have been a United States without him – no one else could bring national unity when it was most needed.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
His great virtue was that he never told a lie…Didn’t spot the stump of the old cherry tree did you.?
July 8th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I watched a 2 part series on Adams on the way to Sydney last month – and would recommend it as a great starter for this fascinating period. Perfect length for the journey too. Washington was portrayed as literally the only man in the Congress room capable of leading the Continental army, which until then existed only in Adams’ mind. It really was hand to mouth stuff, the Brits were reinforced by Hessian mercenaries and on paper should have cleaned up.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
It is true that as the Commander of the Army he did not take pay, but it is also true if I recall correctly that Congress had agreed to reimburse his expenses and that there were many arguments over these.
July 8th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I don’t know if you have read Bill Bryson’s book about the development of the US and American English (Made in America) but he has some interesting tidbits about Washington. While as you point out he was an amazingly reluctant President and gave up his power and authority easily he was quite authoritarian in his viewpoints. His views on the role of the Presidenct in the US were almost on par with how some of the Royal heads of state of Europe viewed themselves.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
How can someone have 300 slaves working for them, yet “not take a position” on slavery? Isn’t that a position in itself?
[DPF: Not really. One can buy wine from the supermarket but also have opposed supermarkets being able to sell wine]
July 8th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Indeed David – Mt Vernon is a must-see for anyone in the DC area. I remember standing in his office and looking at his desk and his uniform and books and thinking that from this room (on rare occasions as he was away so much during the Revolutionary War) he must’ve conceived (or at least mulled over) the strategies that eventually won the War of Indepenedence against all odds and against a numerically and militarily superior foe. The sense of reverent awe from the group of people on the tour was palpable.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
All of the shots you’ve posted from your trip have a nasty heat-haze (almost ’sweaty’) look about them. Perhaps there’s a function for reducing the exposure or white balance that can be adjusted?
Alternatively, I think you need a new camera…
[DPF: Read the other threads. For the third or fourth time my camera's battery went flat and despite eight attempts to buy a charger or spare battery in NY and DC no store had any, so the photos are taken on a Blackberry instead of a proper camera]
July 8th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
There’s less haze when the subject is lit from behind the camera. Sort of like the effect you get when you have a removable plastic screen protector over the lens.
I wish I got to Mt Vernon when I was there. Mine was sort of a rushed trip really. I ended up on the steps of the capitol building at midnight. My guide was rather anxious.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:02 am
@adamsmith
“if I recall correctly…”
Just how old are you, Adam?
July 9th, 2009 at 2:07 am
@DPF
“One can buy wine from the supermarket but also have opposed supermarkets being able to sell wine”
But wouldn’t it look strange if one were opposed to supermarkets selling wine, whilst owning a chain of them that did?
[DPF: As far as I can tell back then, every farmer had slaves. One could not survive without them. This is in no way justifying slavery - just suggesting that Washington was not unusual in owning slaves but believing slavery should end]
July 9th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I believe that competative capitalism can -and should- be a vehicle for the greater good. It makes me feel uneasy when compeitition is used as a rationale for pretty, well, stupid things.
If Washington thought slavery should end whilst owning slaves, he was definately in the wrong business (farming, not statebuilding). Different times, different morals, I suppose.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:45 am
DPF, try taking the battery cover off your BB and cleaning the camera lenses with a soft cloth. I noticed on mine that the lens gathered lint from being in my pocket.
July 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
James A Mitchener address’s the issue of not taking salary in his “novel” Chesapeake, as a General in the war he had an expence account but as President he was payed a salary on the grounds that “No new nation could survive another of his damned expence accounts.” Mitchener was known for the quality of his research and Chesapeake is a great read. Thanks for the photos David