A few years ago I read “Washington’s Secret War”, by Thomas Fleming. Fascinating stuff. The entire cause was hanging by a thread and infighting and self-interest among Congress made his job all but impossible.
George Washington was an absolute genius as a field commander, military leader, statesman and politician (among other roles). When one hears “indispensable American citizen” I believe they must be talking about George Washington. It is more true of him than any other person from that era.
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BTW - he owned slaves/
(wanted to say that before .... well .... its so fashionable to abuse him ....... )
No warts, but a nice summary of the greatest American.
One thing though, on this:
When he stepped down at last after two terms, setting a precedent that was to stand for a century and a half, again the world was amazed; people in power just didn’t relinquish power willingly… but George Washington did.
The more important example of stepping away from power was in his resignation as Commander of the Army in 1783, celebrated in this painting which hangs in the Capitol Rotunda (under which scores of idiots walk daily without ever comprehending its significance):
