OBV. George Washington, President of the United States, 1789. Bust of the President.

By Pierre Simon Duvivier.

REV. Peace and Friendship. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes with buttons, each button carrying the American eagle; the other wrist is bare; above the hands, crossed, the pipe of peace and the tomahawk. By John Reich.

GEORGE WASHINGTON

1732-Born on February 22, at "Wakefield," Westmoreland County, Va.; the son of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington.

Self-educated; principal studies were geometry and trigonometry, establishing a foundation for his occupation as a surveyor.

1748 Moved to Mount Vernon, the home of his halfbrother, Lawrence; helped survey the lands of Thomas, Lord Fairfax, in the Shenandoah. 1749-Was appointed public surveyor of Culpeper County, Va.; his income from this pursuit enabled him to purchase large tracts of land. 1751-Appointed adjutant-general by Governor Robert Dinwiddie, with the rank of major, with the mission of protecting the Southern District of Virginia against French and Indian attacks. This gave Washington experience in the exercise of military

strategy and tactics-a field in which he had a particular interest.

1752-After death of Lawrence Washington, he acquired Mount Vernon by inheritance.

1753-Carried ultimatum from Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia to the French, warning them against encroaching on English lands in the Ohio Valley. War followed.

1754 Commissioned lieutenant colonel by Governor Dinwiddie; his regiment was sent out to reinforce a British post on the forks of the Ohio River (site of today's modern city of Pittsburgh). This post, occupied and renamed Fort Duquesne by the French, was so firmly established that Washington took up his position at Great Meadows, Pa., naming his new post Fort Necessity. On May 28, he defeated a French scouting party; later Fort Necessity was put under 10 hours of siege by the main French forces and it was necessary to capitulate. Despite this defeat, on July 3, the expedition enhanced Washington's combat experience.

1755-As a colonel, joined the staff of General Braddock for an expedition of regular British troops against Fort Duquesne. The attack met with failure; Braddock was mortally wounded, and the command passed to Washington. During this French and Indian onslaught, two horses were shot out from under Washington, and his coat showed four bullet holes.

Was appointed commander in chief of all the Virginia forces with the rank of colonel. For the following 3 years he had the responsibility for the defense of 350 miles of mountainous frontier, with a force of 300 troops, against French and Indian raids. The engagements, which averaged two a month, gave Washington considerable opportunity to develop his skill in conducting warfare over an extensive range of territory. 1758-He had the satisfaction this year of joining the

British forces as they moved into the burning ruins
of Fort Duquesne, abandoned by the French.
Resigned his command and withdrew to Mount
Vernon.

1759-Married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis on January 6, a Virginia widow.

Took his seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses, serving continuously with that body until 1774. 1765-Supported Virginians protesting against the Stamp

Act, which made mandatory the use of stamps on commercial and legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, almanacs, cards and dice; also supported the grievance against the British prohibition of colonial paper money. 1769-Drew up a Nonimportation Act, providing for the imposition of an embargo on various British articles. This act was ratified by the Virginia House of Burgesses.

1773-Was a delegate to the Williamsburg Convention which resolved that taxation and representation were inseparable. Was among the foremost advocates for colonial self-government. 1774-Was elected a Virginia delegate to the First

Continental Congress, which met in September. 1775 Was a member of the Second Continental Congress beginning in May; served on the committee for drafting Army regulations and planning the defense of New York City.

Was elected commander in chief of the Continental
Army and took command on July 2, at Cambridge,
Mass.

Although an American attempt to take Quebec and Montreal was not successful, it revealed Washington to be a brilliant tactician and a great soldier. 1776-On March 17, caused the British to evacuate Boston, for which he was awarded a medal by the Congress. (This medal is shown in the Army Series of Mint Medals.) The Continental Army was transferred to New York.

Was defeated on August 27, at the Battle of Long
Island.

On Christmas night, he crossed the Delaware and crushed the Hessians at the Battle of Trenton. 1777-Expelled the British from Princeton, on January 3.

The battles at Trenton and Princeton were deci sive; had it not been for them, the impetus to carry on with the Revolutionary War might have died out. In these actions, as well as in other engagements undertaken, it was evident that Washington knew how and when to retreat and how and when to take the initiative.

Attempting to prevent British forces from reaching the Chesapeake Bay, Washington intercepted them at Brandywine Creek, Chester County, Pa.. on September 11. Although defeated, this engagement prevented British forces from reaching Philadelphia for a period of 2 weeks.

Fought a gallant, but unsuccessful battle at Germantown on October 3-4. This action is believed to have damaged British morale and to have convinced the French of the determination of the Americans to persist in the War for Independence. 1777-With his troops, he endured the hardships of winter encampment at Valley Forge. 1778-By authority of the Congress, Washington was

given power to build a permanent army, one involving 3-year enlistments, or for the duration of the war; was given assistance by Baron von Steuben who undertook intensive troop training. In March the French entered into an alliance with the Americans.

On June 28, American forces overtook the British at Monmouth and held the field while the British retreated from Philadelphia to New York City. 1780-The treason of Benedict Arnold was a severe blow. 1781-Though Washington's preliminary plans were for a joint American-French attack against the Britishheld city of New York, he made the decision to utilize the French fleet under Admiral de Grasse, to attack Cornwallis at Yorktown. Bottled up and cut off from a sea escape by the French, Cornwallis surrendered on October 19.

After Yorktown, the American forces drew back to quarters at Newburgh, N.Y.

1783-Held the Army together until November 25, when the British evacuated New York City, and he led the American troops into the city.

On December 4, Washington said farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City; on December 23, at Annapolis, he resigned his commission; and he returned to his home at Mount Vernon.

1785-Held a meeting at Mount Vernon on navigation

rights on the Potomac River, which indirectly led to the convening of the United States Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia.

1787-Was a delegate to, and President of, the National Convention which met in Philadelphia in May and adopted a new Constitution, greatly increasing the power of the Federal Government.

1788-Washington was unaminously elected the first President of the United States.

1789-On April 30, 1789, Washington took his oath of office on the balcony of Federal Hall, Broad and Walnut Streets, New York City. (This is now the site of the Washington statue in front of the old Sub-Treasury Building.) At the end of his first term, he was unaminously reelected. In his Cabinet, Jefferson was Secretary of State; Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury; Knox, Secretary of War; and Randolph, Attorney General. Washington's accomplishments as President were substantial, and proved to be of lasting value. The Neutrality Proclamation of April 22, 1793, promulgated by Washington after the outbreak of war between France and Great Britain, was a milestone in American diplomatic history. When it was enacted into law the following year, it established the basic principles of international law and neutral rights and obligations of U.S. citizens in trading with belligerent countries.

The full force and effect of the authority of the U.S. Government was first put to the test in domestic affairs, and successfully so, in suppressing opposition to excise taxes on liquor (known as the Whiskey Rebellion) and in dealing with Indian intrusions.

The public credit was established, at home and abroad, by Washington's support of monetary principles espoused by his Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Washington made considerable progress in iron. ing out western and southern boundary problems which existed with Spain and were the subject of the Pinckney Treaty of 1795. Likewise, issues relating to commerce and neutral rights with Great Britain were brought closer to solution through negotiation of the Jay Treaty.

There evolved, during Washington's administration, rules-of-the-road governing the independence of each of the three branches of Government-the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial. Washington, for example, laid down the basic principle requiring the approval of the President for the release of controversial Executive documents desired for examination by the Congress.

Though Washington did not favor political parties, they did come into existence during his

administration.

1796-On September 19, 1796, declining a third term,

Washington delivered his "Farewell Address" to the Congress. Notwithstanding his intention of spending his remaining years in private life, he was appointed lieutenant general and Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States, to meet a possible war with France, which did not materialize.

1799-Died on December 14 and was buried at Mount Vernon, Virginia.

IMPORTANT LEGISLATION*

Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments)-December 15, 1791, 1 Stat. 97.

Judiciary Act-September 4, 1789, 1 Stat. 73.

Tariff Act-July 4, 1789, 1 Stat. 24.

District of Columbia Act (first)-July 16, 1790, 1 Stat. 130.
Bank of Columbia Act (first)-February 25, 1791, 1 Stat. 191.
Eleventh Amendment-February 7, 1795, 1 Stat. 402.

*(The lists of "Important Legislation" which follow the presidential biographies are meant to be selective rather than all-inclusive, since the term "important" is subject to varied interpretation by different authorities. With certain exceptions, declarations of war, conclusions of treaties, routine and appropriation legislation have been omitted. Some subsidiary legislation under certain existing acts has also been omitted.)

OBV. John Adams, President of the United States, A.D. 1797. Bust of the President. By Moritz Furst.

REV. Peace and Friendship. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes with buttons, each button carrying the American eagle; the other wrist is bare; above the hands, crossed, the pipe of peace and the tomahawk. By John Reich.

JOHN ADAMS

1735-Born on October 30, in the village of Braintree

(Quincy), Mass. He was the fourth in descent from Henry Adams who fled from persecution in Eng. land and settled in Massachusetts about 1630. Another of his ancestors was John Adams, a founder of Plymouth Colony in 1620. 1755 Graduated from Harvard College; taught school at Worcester, Mass., and studied law. 1758-Admitted to the bar of Suffolk County and com

menced the practice of law in Boston. He soon acquired prominence for his writings which were spirited, terse, clear and pungent. 1761-Already identified with the patriot cause, he evi

denced his growing interest in constitutional law by reporting on the action brought by the merchants of Boston, questioning the legality of general search warrants. Known as "writs of assistance",

FRIENDSHI

these documents were issued to the customs officers by the superior courts of several colonies. Joined the Sons of Liberty, an energetic and forceful organization which served as the extralegal arm of a movement for colonial self-government. 1764-Married Abigail Smith, the daughter of a minister. 1765-Appeared before Governor Hutchison to oppose the

Stamp Act on the basis that it constituted taxation without representation. This legislation required the use of stamps on all legal papers, pamphlets, newspapers, almanacs, cards and dice. Adams' protest served as a model for other New England colonies.

1768-Moved to Boston where he won distinction at the bar. Became the father of John Quincy Adams. destined to become the sixth President of the United States.

1770 Exhibited great moral courage in defending and winning acquittal of a British officer he felt was unjustly charged with responsibility for the Boston Massacre, an incident in which four citizens were killed.

1771-Represented Boston in the Massachusetts Legislature (General Court).

1774 Condemned the act which closed the Port of Boston until the townspeople paid for the cargoes of taxed tea they had dumped into the harbor, and otherwise demonstrated to the satisfaction of the crown that they would be peaceful subjects. The "Tea