His Excellency: George Washington

Adams (1735-1826) figures sporadically in the book, principally as vice president during Washington’s two presidential terms. Yet Adams first appears before the war as the leader of a radical faction pressing for American independence, and Ellis reports various colorful remarks of his on the progress of the war and during Washington’s presidency. For example, as Washington is increasingly deified during the war, Adams comments that Americans should “allow a certain Citizen to be wise, virtuous, and good, without thinking him a Deity or a savior” (106). Adams forms a contrast to Washington both physically and temperamentally. Where Washington is tall, majestic, and quiet, Adams is short, stout, and talkative; Adams envies Washington’s “gift of silence” (194). As Washington’s successor to the presidency, Adams sends a peace commission to France, thus eliminating the prospect of war with that country—a decision he regards as “the crowning moment of his presidency” (255). 

Having written the document that officially launched the American Revolution—the Declaration of Independence—Jefferson (1743-1826) is a natural choice to serve as secretary of state in Washington’s administration. Jefferson is an ardent supporter of the French Revolution and believes that America should support it too, partly as a debt of gratitude for France’s aid in the American Revolution. This view clashes with Washington, who would like America to remain neutral on foreign affairs. Similarly, Jefferson’s belief in a smaller federal government is at variance with Washington’s desire for a robust federal government that will unite the country.

The lines of opposition between the Federalists and Republicans are drawn, and Jefferson and James Madison start an active campaign of attack on the very administration they are serving in, depicting Washington as merely another autocrat like the British king. To discredit Washington, Jefferson engages in a campaign to depict him as senile and in declining health. One of Washington’s friends warns him that Jefferson is a “serpent” who intends to “sting” Washington to death (219), and another describes him as “one of the most […] double-faced politicians in America” (246). At first, Washington regards Jefferson as a wayward son who will eventually return to the fold. However, during his retirement, Washington lashes out at the Republicans as the “French party” who want to subvert and impede the actions of the American government. Thus, although Washington and Jefferson share a similar background as Virginia aristocrats, their differing political viewpoints put them frequently at odds. 

Madison (1751-1836) is emerging as the “shrewdest political thinker in Virginia, perhaps the nation” (181) when he is chosen as a key member of President Washington’s cabinet. Madison has already co-authored The Federalist Papers and distinguished himself as a leader at the Constitutional Convention. With Washington’s approval, he drafts the amendments to the Constitution that will become the Bill of Rights. Madison acts as Washington’s consultant on judicial and executive appointments and unofficial liaison with Congress (198). Madison’s strength is as a political theorist and strategist, and particularly as someone with the ability to express political policy in writing. Ellis describes Madison’s role as a “one-man shadow government” (198) because he drafts both Congress’ addresses to Washington and Washington’s responses.

However, Madison later joins with Jefferson in orchestrating an attack on Washington’s Federalist political program. The two men believe that concentrating political power in the federal government will transform it into an imperial monster much like the British monarchy. Madison and Jefferson eventually form an opposition party, the Republicans (not to be confused with the latter-day Republican Party founded in 1854). The “triumvirate” of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison illustrates the special place that Virginians see for themselves as the elite leaders of the new country. When Jefferson and Madison break philosophically with Washington, the latter sees their move as motivated by regional Virginia interests. 

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731-1802) figures but lightly in the book. She is a wealthy Virginia widow—with two young children—whom Washington marries in 1759. Martha accompanies George to Cambridge in 1776 and rejoins him at various times during the war. However, upon George’s retirement the couple is startled to realize that they have not sat down to a meal together in over 20 years (242). Martha feels like a “prisoner” in New York during her husband’s presidency and longs to return home.

George mostly defers to Martha for the discipline for their two children, Jackie and Patsy. Because slaves were tied into her own economic legacy, it is possible that Martha did not agree with her husband’s plan to emancipate the slaves. Thus, she may have partly been responsible for his reticence in the issue. We know comparatively little about the Washington marriage because Martha destroyed their private correspondence after her husband’s death (42). Ellis believes that George and Martha Washington were very compatible as a couple, and although they produced no children of their own, they enjoyed an “intimate and mutually affectionate bond” (42).

Gilbert du Motier, better known as the Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), is a French nobleman who volunteers for the American revolutionary cause at the age of 19. Although at first Washington regards him as merely another Frenchman looking for fame and glory, the Marquis proves courageous and devoted to the ideals of the American Revolution. The Marquis becomes the “chief symbol of the gloriously effective Franco-American alliance” (116), but on a more personal level, a close friendship develops between the two men. The Marquis brings out a tenderness and emotion in Washington that he shows to few others and becomes something like a surrogate son to him. After the war, the Marquis returns to France and helps launch the French Revolution. In the 1780s he visits Washington at Mount Vernon and urges him to take action to abolish slavery—a recommendation that carries considerable weight coming from such a close friend. The Marquis is significant as the person with whom Washington shares the most emotional and unguarded relationship that has been recorded (Washington’s letters to his wife were destroyed).