George
Philadelphia, April 30th, 1789
My dearest Martha,
It has recently come to my attention that I have made quite a name for myself. Not unreasonably, I assumed that becoming Commanding General of the Continental Army in 1775 was to be the pinnacle of my career. Having led our troops to victory, I expected to retire, with you by my side, to our home at Mount Vernon, which I did in 1783. I looked forward to passing the time dancing with you and attending the theater. How I long for those calmer days! I planned to continue working on the Great Dismal Swamp and Potomac canal projects I started before the war, and, indeed, I did exactly that.
But, alas, having once won our independence, there was a pressing need to re-establish a functional government. This, my love, was no trifling matter, given that those absurd Articles of Confederation were never more than a rope of sand.
I initially refused to lead the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, having had serious concerns about its legality. Eventually, however, I was persuaded to join the delegation, and it’s well that I did. Our newly adopted Constitution just might give this Union the opportunity to achieve true greatness. The alternative, I fear, would have been anarchy.
I did not, however, anticipate where that document would take me next. The Presidency? I still yearn for the days of my youth as a surveyor of land.
With you by my side, I am certain that I can do this job. I assure you that this is but a temporary position. The term of office is a mere four years, and I would never agree to serve more than two consecutive terms. I steadfastly refuse to be viewed as a king. We did not fight a bloody war just to replace one king with another.
Take care, my dearest. We shall be together soon, once I’m settled and you can join me. I eagerly await your presence.
Your entire,
Geo. Washington
