We recently covered the first session of Congress in 1789, where they recommended a Bill of Rights for ratification, passed the Judiciary Act and created the court system, created the various executive departments and a host of other things to get the country off to a good start. At the end of September 1789, the members of Congress left New York and went home for the rest of the year. George Washington remained in New York, continuing work on the establishment of a whole host of government functions. Once Congress left, Washington began planning to get out of New York for a while, but not to go home. Instead, he planned a trip to New England.
Washington’s Medical Crisis
The President had actually been rather ill for several months during the congressional session. In June, he was suffering from what he called a tumor on his left thigh. The word “tumor” today is largely associated with cancer. That was not the case in this situation. It was a swollen lump, likely caused by some sort of infection.
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| Arch erected in Boston, 1789 for President Washington's visit. |
On June 17, Dr. Samuel Bard was called to the president’s residence to operate. The doctor cut out the tumor, without anesthesia. Washington remained awake and conscious through the procedure. Following the surgery, the president was bed ridden for about six weeks, unable even to sit up for several weeks.
The illness and the procedure had been largely kept quiet. When Washington remained in his home, not receiving visitors, rumors began to fly. Crowds began to grow around the residence as locals grew concerned for the president’s health. Officials blocked traffic in front of the presidential residence so that he would not be disturbed by the noise.
During this time, we can read panicked letters by members of Congress, including James Madison, who feared that, if the President died an untimely death at this critical time, it could derail the entire federal government. They saw Washington's leadership as that critical to the success of the United States.
By mid-August, Washington was able to begin corresponding again. He wrote to several friends and family that he had recovered from the surgery. He even made two personal appearances in the Senate that month. But the recovery was slow and painful. It was not until September, that Washington wrote his physician in Virginia, that he could report that most of the pain was gone.
Planning the Tour
Perhaps one reason for his decision to ride around New England was to dispel rumors about his health. It may also have been that Washington felt better when he was out riding, not cooped up in the city. Beyond any personal issues, though, Washington wanted to connect with the people he was responsible for governing.
Aside from all the legislation, one of the most important things Washington needed to do was to make sure the state of the union was strong. For many Americans, Washington was the personification of the union. Washington also wanted to know what the people were thinking. He wanted to get out of the capital and talk to people. He wanted to see for himself how the country was doing and what was on the people's minds.
The President had spent a great deal of time in the mid-Atlantic during the war, and had also stopped in many towns in his various trips from Mount Vernon to Philadelphia and New York after the war. He really hadn’t spent much time in New England though since the end of the Siege of Boston in 1776.
Washington thought he could rectify this by taking a tour of New England during the Congressional recess. After Congress went home at the end of September, Washington made plans for his trip. He invited Vice President Adams to join him. Adams knew his native New England pretty well, and would be heading to his home near Boston anyway.
Washington and Adams had never been particularly close. They had never really mixed socially. Sometimes they were on the same side of a political issue, sometimes not. When the two were selected to lead the new federal government, Washington reached out to the Vice President to get some advice, but was not impressed with the response. The two men largely operated separately
There are many reasons why Washington might have invited Adams. Washington might have thought it proper courtesy to invite the New England politician. It might also have been an opportunity for the two men to get to know each other during the trip. This really is just speculation though since Washington never articulated his thoughts on the matter.
We also don’t know how the two might have interacted on the trip since Adams declined the offer. The Vice President left for home several days before Washington left New York.
Connecticut
Washington began his trip on October 15. An honor guard, including John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and Henry Knox escorted him to the Connecticut state line. But Washington made the trip on his own. His only companions were his two personal secretaries, Major William Jackson and Tobias Lear. Six personal slaves took care of the coach and horses and the various servant duties that Washington found necessary.
Washington hoped to keep the pomp and circumstance to a minimum, which is probably why he travelled with such a small party. His diary made careful note of the farms he passed, noting that Connecticut had “few or no opulent Men and no poor.” As he approached each town, he would stop his coach and mount his white horse to make his entry. There would inevitably be some celebrations at each stop, with local officials wanting to toast the president and host dinners. Washington tried to use this time to understand the locals better, and get to know their concerns.
He was particularly interested in the budding textile and manufacturing industries. The president understood that American independence required economic independence. Most people still imported suits, or at least finished cloth, from Britain. Washington had worn a suit made of homespun cloth to his inaugural, hoping to encourage the fashion. Beyond textile, Washington was interested in the establishment of factories, producing things like glass, shoes, and furniture.
Washington had also determined not to stay in any private homes during his trip. He stuck to taverns and public houses. This was probably to avoid insulting anyone by choosing one home over another. It may also have been an attempt to avoid granting any appearance of favor to any person. The party spent their first night in Fairfield, Connecticut, then heading to New Haven the following day. The Connecticut legislature arranged for a greeting committee to escort him into town. They apparently missed him as he coach slipped by, and Washington rode into town without the escort.
A few days later, the president entered Hartford, where he toured a wool mill in which Congressman Jeremiah Wadsworth was a partner. Washington spoke with the mill workers and asked lots of questions. He spoke highly of the work they were doing, although he noted in his diary that he did not think the cloth was of the finest quality.
He also noted that a great many women and girls worked in these factories. He viewed this as a positive. One of the concerns with manufacturing and industry was that there would not be enough people producing food. So, women and girls, who were not as actively involved in agriculture, could work in factories, while the men farmed their fields. At least that is how they looked at it at the time.
Massachusetts
After about a week in Connecticut, Washington rode north into western Massachusetts. He did not want to travel east since that would have caused him to pass through Rhode Island. Since Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, Washington consciously avoided the state. Instead he headed for Springfield, Massachusetts, then made his way east through the state, arriving in Worcester on October 23.
As he travelled through western Massachusetts, an express rider from Governor John Hancock informed him that the governor was making plans for the president’s arrival and invited him to stay at his home. Washington graciously rejected the offer, telling Hancock that he had determined not to accept any private offers for lodging, and that he had already made plans for lodging in Boston.
Hancock then responded that he hoped that Washington would at least join him for a dinner at his home, and inquired when Washington expected to reach Boston. This touched off a protocol dispute. Governor Hancock expected Washington to call on the Governor, as would a foreign ambassador coming to the state. Washington, however, believing the presidency superior to a state governor, believed that Hancock should call on him when he arrived in Boston.
As the President’s coach approached Boston, he was greeted by a military parade of about 800 men at Cambridge. Hancock noted that the soldiers would meet him on the same ground where he was received in 1775, when he would take command of the Continental Army. Washington tried to object, arguing it was uncomfortable to expect him to review men under arms when he was not their commander. But at the risk of snubbing the militia, Washington relented and went along with it.
Things got worse as Washington tried to enter Boston. The Governor’s Council, led by Lieutenant Governor Samuel Adams, met Washington at Cambridge, to escort him into the city. As the group tried to cross Boston Neck, the members of the Boston Town committee blocked the path, demanding that they, not the governor, control the events to host the president in town. The standoff lasted over an hour, as Washington grew more impatient as everyone stood out in the cold and rain. Finally, the Governor’s Council gave in, and permitted the town officials to take the lead.
Washington finally made it to the home he had rented, about a block from Governor Hancock. Washington then awaited the governor’s arrival. Instead, he received a note from Hancock asking Washington to join him at his home. Washington refused, creating a standoff. Instead he simply had dinner with Lt. Governor Adams, while Hancock remained at his residence with a large party, who expected Washington’s arrival.
The following morning, Hancock tried to excuse his absence, claiming he had been struck by a severe attack of gout. Washington did not really believe this, since Hancock had held a big party the night before, with guests anticipating the president's arrival. Washington remained firm, essentially saying that he’d love to receive the governor, but if Hancock was too sick, he would understand. Finally, Hancock showed up, carried by two servants and with his legs wrapped in flannel.
Washington spent nearly a week in Boston, enjoying a parade in his honor, as well as multiple banquets. The whole city turned out to greet the president. Several articles noted the absence of John Adams at the parade. The Vice President remained at his nearby home in Braintree.
Washington’s participation in events resulted in him coming down with a cold. He ended up cancelling a trip to Lexington so that he could recover. In fact cold and flu spread all over the east cost. Some members of Washington's family were sick in New York at this time. Everyone began calling it the president's flu.
After leaving Boston, Washington travelled north to Salem. He made stops in Lynn to inspect a shoe factory, and in Marblehead to hold a reunion with General John Glover. Washington noted that Marblehead had fallen on hard times. The fishing industry had never bounced back after the war. Nearly more than a quarter of the population consisted of widows and orphans. The dirty and destitute town had an impact on the president. Many people noted that he seemed saddened when he entered Salem later that day.
New Hampshire and Return
When Washington reached the New Hampshire border, he was met by New Hampshire Governor John Langdon, who personally escorted him to Portsmouth. There would be no dispute over who would call on whom in New Hampshire. Again, the city hosted him with banquets and parades. There, Washington also caught up with General John Sullivan. Washington’s former general had just completed three years as governor and had received an appointment to become the first federal judge in New Hampshire.
Washington crossed over the harbor to visit a fort in Maine, at the time, still part of Massachusetts. This was the northernmost point on his trip. He also paid a call on the wife of former colonial Governor Benning Wentworth, and also accompanied his secretary Tobias Lear on a visit to see his mother. Washington also spent one afternoon sitting for a portrait.
By the time Washington was ready to leave Portsmouth, it was already early November. There was apparently some consideration given to visiting Vermont. Washington declined. Part of the reason might have been that snow was beginning to fall. A trip into the inland areas might cause trouble getting back. There was also the concern that Vermont was not part of the union, although it very much wanted to be. Washington may have been concerned that his visit might open up disputes from New York, which still claimed that Vermont was part of New York.
Instead, Washington headed for home. His diary includes complaints of poor and crooked roads, as well as receiving poor directions from the locals. He also complained about having to comply with the local custom of not traveling on a Sunday. Instead, the President stopped and attended two local services at different churches. It took about a week and a half to get back to New York City.
Unlike his trip north, the return trip consisted of long rides each day, often beginning before dawn. I avoided major towns, not returning through Boston. He also made no attempt to announce his arrival. Many small towns were caught unaware as the president rode through. One minister in Milford, Massachusetts, recalled that he was shoveling manure when someone called out that the president was passing by. The minister quickly dropped what he was doing, washed and changed so that he could rush down to the tavern and meet the president.
Washington arrived back in New York on November 13, returning to the Presidential mansion and reuniting with Martha. In less than a month, he had recorded visits to sixty towns and villages.
Overall, his trip was considered a success. Washington had been celebrated wherever he went. People seemed ready to give the new federal government a chance, and appreciated a visit from their leader.
North Carolina
Shortly after his return to New York, Washington received good news from the south. North Carolina and Rhode Island were the only two states who refused to ratify the Constitution. They had been watching the new nation move along without them.
North Carolina Governor Samuel Johnston had sent his congratulations to Washington when the president was inaugurated, and expressed his hope that North Carolina would join the Union as soon as amendments were proposed.
Congress, of course, proposed a bill of rights in September and sent them off to the states for ratification. In November, North Carolina delegates met a second time for a Constitutional Convention. The second convention began in Fayetteville on November 16.
While there was still some opposition, the mood had changed radically since the first convention refused to ratify back in August, 1788. The United States was moving forward without them, and a bill of rights, which had been a major objection at the first convention, was well on its way to being ratified.
Also, Congress had implemented trade tariffs on anyone importing goods into the US. Since Rhode Island and New Carolina were considered foreign states, these tariffs would have greatly damaged trade and cost North Carolina merchants. After North Carolina petitioned Congress, it agreed to suspend the tariffs until January 15, 1790. State officials knew that tariff would go into effect if they failed to ratify in 1789.
These changed circumstances meant that there was a great deal more support for ratification and everyone knew that ratification would pass in this second attempt. Some of the leading opponents did not even bother to run to become delegates. A great many who had voted no at the first convention were ready to vote yes this time.
On their first day, Monday the November 15, the Convention chose Governor Samuel Johnston as president of the Convention. They did so, even though Johnston was sick and not in attendance. They voted for State Senator Charles Johnson to be Vice President. Charles Johnson took charge of the convention in the governor's absence. The following day they prepared and adopted rules.
On Wednesday, the Convention met in a committee of the whole to consider the Constitution. The delegates called for copies of the proposed bill of rights passed by Congress to be printed and circulated among the delegates..
By Friday, Governor Johnston made it to the convention and took charge. The Committee of the Whole had agreed to ratify the Constitution. On Saturday, the delegates moved to take up that report and agree to ratify the Constitution. The opposition still objected. James Galloway proposed that North Carolina only ratify conditionally. He still wanted Congress to address five amendments that North Carolina had demanded in its firs convention but which were not addressed in the Bill of Rights.
The mood in North Carolina, however, had turned. The majority wanted to get into the Union. They could work out whatever other details concerned them at a later time. The Convention rejected Gallaway’s proposal. They voted overwhelmingly, 194-77 to agree to unconditional ratification of the Constitution.
The Convention concluded its work on Monday. Following the Convention, Governor Johnston transmitted the results to President Washington on December 4, making North Carolina the twelfth state to join the Union. Washington then informed Congress when it returned to session in January, 1790.
Even before Congress officially received the news in January, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to ratify the Bill of Rights on December 22. It was the third state to do so, behind only New Jersey and Maryland. By the end of January, more states: South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Delaware, would also ratify the bill of rights.
Next Week: Washington delivers his first State of the Union Address to Congress.
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Next Episode 365 State of the Union, 1790 (coming soon)
Previous Episode 363 French Revolution
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Further Reading
Websites
New England Tour https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/new-england-tour
Anthrax and the President, 1789: https://washingtonpapers.org/anthrax-and-the-president-1789
“George Washington to James Craik, 8 September 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0001
[Diary entry: 19 October 1789],” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/01-05-02-0005-0002-0019
John Hancock to George Washington, 21 October 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0144
“George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0145
George Washington Slept Here in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: https://www.seacoastnh.com/george-washington-slept-here-in-portsmouth-new-hampshire
North Carolina Ratifying Convention to George Washington, 4 December 1789,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0256
Howard, Thomas L. “The State That Said No: The Fight for Ratification of the Federal Constitution in North Carolina.” The North Carolina Historical Review 94, no. 1 (2017): 1–58. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45184801
Free eBooks
(from archive.org unless noted)
Arthur, John Preston Western North Carolina: A History (from 1730 to 1913), Raleigh, NC: Edward Buncombe Chapter of the DAR, 1914.
Brant, Irving James Madison: Father of the Constitution, 1787-1800. Bobbs-Merrill Co. 1950 (borrow only).
Conley, Patrick T. and John Kaminski (eds) The Bill of Rights and the States, Madison, WI: Madison House Publishers, 1992 (borrow only)
Losing, Benson (ed) The Diary of George Washington, From 1789 to 1791, Richmond: Press of the Historical Society, 1861.
Books Worth Buying
(links to Amazon.com unless otherwise noted)*
Breen, T.H. George Washington’s Journey, Simon & Schuster, 2016.
Conley, Patrick T & John P. Kaminski The Constitution and the States: The Role of the Original Thirteen in the Framing and Adoption of the Federal Constitution, Madison House, 1988 (borrow only on archive.org).
Philbrick , Nathaniel Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, Viking, 2021.
St. John Jeffrey Forge of union, anvil of liberty : a correspondent's report on the first federal elections, the first federal Congress, and the Bill of Rights, Jameson Books, 1992.
* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
