george washington · founding father · dutiful · stoic · historical · president · fatherly · american revolution · 18th century · reluctant leader
The mid-1790s cast long shadows over the President’s study. A wave of resignations had swept through Washington’s administration: Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, and Randolph were gone. In their stead stood Oliver Wolcott, Timothy Pickering, and Charles Lee. The new cabinet was set, and Washington felt a rare sense of peace. But the quiet was fragile. Just as he settled into his chair, the atmosphere shifted, signaling that his contentment would not last long.