On April 14, Washington received official confirmation from Congress that he had been elected the first President of the United States. John Jay was similar to John Adams regarding his influence in politics and foreign affairs. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 1988. Neither party had fully organized, and partisan divisions had not yet solidified. Upon hearing the news of his decisive election, Washington set out from Mount Vernon to take his place in presidential history. Branding themselves as Republicans, Jefferson and Madison promoted the candidacy of New York Gov. The Constitution created the offices of President and Vice President, fully separating these offices from Congress. Mount Vernon is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, a private, non-profit organization. Discover the Home of George and Martha Washington. Because Washington was from Virginia, then the largest state, many assumed that electors would choose a vice president from a northern state. (c) Those states that did choose electors by popular vote had widely varying restrictions on suffrage via property requirements. There was no precedent for this office in a world full of kings, leaving Washington the monumental task of figuring out how to act like a president. The deadlock still stood on January 7, 1789, the last day for electors to be chosen by the states, and New York thus failed to appoint the eight electors allocated to it by the constitution. Washington was inaugurated in New York City on April 30, 1789, 57 days after the First Congress convened. Corrections? The most significant features of this book are Washingtons personal notes, penciled in the margins. Today political parties usually nominate their slate of electors at their state conventions or by a vote of the partys central state committee, with party loyalists often being picked for the job. The Constitution stipulated that the position would be awarded to the runner-up in the Presidential election. Of the remaining candidates, only Adams, Jay, and Hancock received votes from more than one state; with 34 votes, Adams finished second behind only Washington, and by virtue of which fact was elected vice president. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday will release his book, "The Courage to be Free," to much anticipation ahead of his expected plunge into the 2024 presidential race. Presidential Greatness. "I walk on untrodden ground," was a frequent comment he made in the days leading up to his first inauguration. 1. As the first, Washington had to create the American presidency from scratch. Federalists attacked Clinton for his past association with the anti-Federalists. 3 (September 2006): 373-390. However, this would have cost them the state of Virginia, as electors were not permitted to vote for two candidates from their home state and Washington was also a Virginian. Adams, meanwhile, was backed by the Federalist Party in his bid for another term. Thus, the contest for the Vice-Presidency was open. [5], As the electors were selected, politics intruded, and the process was not free of rumors and intrigue. As a result, his signature on the new Constitution was a deciding endorsement for some of those who had opposed federalization. Washington was both an obvious first choice for president and possibly the only truly viable choice. In 1789, the first presidential election, George Washington was unanimously elected president of the United States. Federal power, strictly limited, was reserved to the Congress of the Confederation whose "President of the United States in Congress Assembled" was also chair of the Committee of the States which aimed to fulfill a function similar to that of the modern Cabinet. Different state legislatures chose different methods:[11]. Washington's victory in the election was inevitable, but the real contest in 1792 was for vice president. Thefirst draft of over seventy pages had been prepared by Washington's aide David Humphreys and included extensive recommendations to Congress on such topics as internal improvements, military affairs, international treaties, and the expansion of national borders. The president and vice president are the only elected federal officials chosen by the Electoral College instead of by direct popular vote. As expected, George Washington won the . Adams as the second-place finisher was elected vice president, serving until his election to the presidency in 1797; each of his three rivals would go on to serve as vice president in turn, Jefferson from 1797 to 1801 (when he alike succeeded to the presidency), Burr from 1801 to 1805, and Clinton from 1805 until his death in 1812. This is also how John Adams ended up as our first vice president. According to the law, appointed electors were to meet in each state on the first Wednesday in December, and on Dec. 5, 1792, electors from each of the 15 states (the 13 former colonies plus the new states of Vermont and Kentucky) duly assembled to cast their ballots. The states chose 135 electors, out of whom 132 cast ballots. How Did George Washington Interpret The Constitution. On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December of a presidential election year, each states electors meet, usually in their state capitol, and simultaneously cast their ballots nationwide. States had varying methods for choosing presidential electors. The choice for vice president was more divisive. Dinkin, Robert J. And, of course, Washington DC was named in his honor. It was held from Friday, November 2, to Wednesday, December 5, 1792. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. No one contested the election of George Washington, but he remained reluctant to run until the last minute, in . The electors were split on their second choice: Adams received 77 votes to Clinton's 50, enough to secure a second-place finish behind Washington and the vice presidency. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 2000. Washington also did not run unopposed for the second election. United States Presidential Elections, 1788-1860: The Official Results by County and State. The Twelfth Amendment would eventually replace this system, requiring electors to cast one vote for president and one vote for vice president, but this change did not take effect until 1804. Washington spent eight days traveling from Virginia to New York for the inauguration. in English. (b) Less than 1.8% of the population voted: the 1790 Census would count a total population of 3.0 million with a free population of 2.4 million and 600,000 slaves in those states casting electoral votes. These men would cast their votes just under a month later, on February 4th. Illustration by Joe Ciardiello. 12 other men were on the ballot for that first election in 1789. Then on March 4, 1793 in Philadelphia, Washington, as required by Article II of the Constitution, took the presidential oath of office for the second time. With 77 electoral votes, John Adams was re-elected, positioning him well enough to become Washington's presidential heir apparent. Three states eligible to do so declined due to political tensions at the time North Carolina, Rhode Island, and New York. A student of pop culture and the arts, he wrote about popular (and semipopular) Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. (b) One electoral district failed to choose an elector. State legislatures chose different methods:[19]. Yet, Ramage painted George Washington from the life and was the first artist to whom he sat as President of the United States. [4], Nine of the 15 states eligible to chose representatives to the electoral college did so by a vote of the state legislature; the remaining six employed some form of popular vote. He won the Presidents job based on his influence and experience. Of these, complete returns from Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania survive; surviving returns from Virginia are incomplete, and popular vote records from Kentucky are not known to exist. Donald Trump said he could beat George Washington in an election, even with Abraham Lincoln as running mate. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington's home and legacy. Two other candidates won the five remaining electoral votes. Updates? Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC. Unanimously elected twice, President George Washington helped shape the office's future role and powers, as well as set both formal and informal precedents for future presidents. "The First Elections Under The Constitution." As per the terms of the unamended constitution, each elector was permitted two votes for president, with a majority of "the whole number of electors appointed" necessary to elect a president. The two men nearly crashed into the Channel along the way, however, as their balloon was weighed read more. According to Article II of the Constitution, each elector in the Electoral College possessed two votes. (Two electors from Maryland and one from Vermont were absent and did not vote.) Clinton finished in third place with 50 electoral votes, taking his home state of New York as well as three Southern states. Jefferson suggested John Jay, John Rutledge, and Virginian James Madison as other possible candidates. Print. All Rights Reserved. Athens, O.: United States Capitol Historical Society by Ohio U, 1999. Historically, over 99 percent of all electors have cast their ballots in line with the voters. He was arguably more influential on the world stage than Washington, having played an important role in the Continental Congress and the Treaty of Paris. 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial HighwayMount Vernon, Virginia 22121. But Washington's tremendous popularity was not transferable to Adams across the country, as the Vice President lost the South. In addition, New York was unable to participate in the election, as the legislature had not passed a bill in time to appoint its eight electors. Both North Carolina and Rhode Island were ineligible; neither had ratified the Constitution yet. Need help with homework? [2] In five states, the state legislature chose electors. The vote totals of Kentucky and Virginia appear to be lost. George Washington, as the first president, was well aware of the great responsibility of defining the American presidency. Free black men could vote in four Northern states, and women could vote in New Jersey until 1776. In both the election of 1789 and 1792 Washington received all votes from the Electoral College. This is largely ceremonial: Because electors nearly always vote with their party, presidential elections are essentially decided on Election Day. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington's home and legacy. It was the first contested American presidential election . On February 4, 1789, the Electoral College convened. Reichley, A. James. From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. United States presidential election of 1789, American presidential election held on Feb. 4, 1789, in which George Washington was unanimously chosen as the first president of the United States by electors from 10 of the 13 extant states. Omissions? United States presidential election of 1792, A History of U.S. Presidential Elections in Maps. Washington considered retirement after one term, preferring a return to the quiet comfort of Mount Vernon. Washington was especially beloved in his native region and Southerners took special pride in his presidency. So, Washington and Adams held on to their roles for the second term. Clinton, the Governor of New York and a former anti-Federalist leader, became the party's nominee after he won the backing of Jefferson and James Madison. Having lost the vice president position, he was appointed the 1st Chief Justice by President Washington. Adams won his home state of Massachusetts and swept the rest of New England, as well as most of the mid-Atlantic states. [6] Also, Federalists spread rumors that Anti-Federalists plotted to elect Richard Henry Lee or Patrick Henry president, with George Clinton as vice president. Considered the best artist in the city, he was the obvious choice for Washington's first presidential portrait. He received the congressional notification about his win on April 16th before taking part in the first-ever inauguration on April 30th. This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 20:03. He worked at Britannica from 2004 to 2018. The process began with each state having to choose its electors by January 7th, 1789. ", On April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York City, the first capital of the United States, Washington took the presidential oath of office. It was just three years earlier on January 31, 1950, that Truman publicly announced that had directed the Atomic Energy read more. [4] Congress took twenty-eight days to assemble. Did you know that President Washington never lived in Washington D.C.? The candidate who received a majority of the votes was elected president. The first presidential election Gilbert Stuart: portrait of George Washington Of course, everyone also loves a president that served in the military as General Washington did. Omissions? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is the first incumbent in 40 years to be ousted after just one term. (c) Those states that did choose electors by popular vote had widely varying restrictions on suffrage via property requirements. Mount Vernon is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union, a private, non-profit organization. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1987. Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen". The other candidates receiving electoral votes were George Clinton who received fifty votes, Thomas Jefferson won four votes, and Aaron Burr won one vote. For example, in Maryland, a state with a statewide popular vote, unofficial parties campaigned locally, advertising. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858. (Four remaining votes were cast for Jefferson and one for Burr.) Washington ascended to the presidency with practical experience, having served as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. [2] A group of Democratic-Republican leaders met in Philadelphia in October 1792 and selected Clinton as the party's vice presidential candidate.[3]. Electoral rules of the time required each presidential elector to cast two votes without distinguishing which was for president and which for vice president. However, Washington also feared that the country would irreparably pull and split apart, and was implored by his close associates to serve an additional four years. Clinton was from an electorally important swing state, and he convinced party leaders that he would be a stronger candidate than another New Yorker, Senator Aaron Burr. Even before the Constitution was ratified, rumors spread declaring George Washington would likely elected first President of the United States (much to the dismay of Washington himself). "The Election of 1788-89." He made the comments to Washington Post journalists in an . Voters cast ballots to choose state electors; only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. (2002). All Rights Reserved. There were 12 names on the ballot which is a lot by current standards where we are used to our two-party system and maybe some independents. All Rights Reserved. In 1792, Washington received all 132 electoral votes, winning each of the fifteen states. Carrying large and small states, northern and southern states, Washington received 132 electoral votes, one vote from each participant in the Electoral College. (b) Less than 1.8% of the population voted: the 1790 Census would count a total population of 3.0million with a free population of 2.4million and 600,000 slaves in those states casting electoral votes. We don't accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington's home and legacy. The book now resides within The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. The remainder of the votes were divided among 10 other candidates. ", D. Jason BerggrenGeorgia Southwestern State University. Washington, who remained immensely popular throughout the United States, thus eventually agreed to run for reelection in 1792. Need help with homework? Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen". For example, Hamilton aimed to ensure that Adams did not inadvertently tie Washington in the electoral vote. The Democratic-Republican Party, which had organized in opposition to the policies of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, supported Clinton for the position of vice president. This was the only U.S. presidential election that spanned two calendar years without a contingent election and the first national presidential election in American history. Adams received 77 votes as Washington's running mate on the Federalist ticket to 50 for Democratic-Republican George Clinton, 4 for Thomas Jefferson, and 1 for Aaron Burr. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, 1983. Who ran against George Washington in the first election? Between December 15, 1788 and January 10, 1789, the presidential electors were chosen in each of the states. President, fully separating these offices from Congress his presidency considered retirement after one term, a... Also did not run unopposed for the second election line with the anti-Federalists the vice president lost the president! One contested the election of 1792, a private, non-profit organization countrymen '' Library for the Study of Washington... States presidential Elections are essentially decided on election Day the ballot for that first election in 1789 presidential to! Constitution yet was well aware of the time required each presidential elector to cast two without! Northern state truly viable choice fully separating these offices from Congress chose electors the of... Dc was named in his presidency Virginia 22121 re-elected, positioning him well enough become... United states presidential election, Washington DC is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC was in... Job based on his influence and experience our first vice president lost the president... Constitution, each elector in the first-ever inauguration on April 14, Washington and Adams held on their... Congressional notification about his win on April 30th ) one electoral district failed to choose state ;. Deciding endorsement for some of Those who had opposed federalization possessed two votes without distinguishing which was for president! Upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington from the electoral vote., eventually... Northern state lanham, MD: University Press of Kansas, 1988 England, as the vice president are only. Both North Carolina and Rhode Island, and the process was not transferable to Adams across the,! Suffrage via property requirements the mid-Atlantic states, 1788-1860: the official Results by County and state, Mount Memorial. Just 15 miles south of Washington DC vote totals of Kentucky and appear! First choice for president and which for vice president from a northern state personal notes, penciled in election... He remained reluctant to run for reelection in 1792 ; neither had ratified the Constitution created offices. Study of George Washington, but he remained reluctant to run until last..., even with Abraham Lincoln as running mate Massachusetts and swept the rest of New York as as! The remainder of the United states possibly the only truly viable choice all votes the. To assemble remainder of the votes were cast for Jefferson and one for Burr. the contest for Study. 2023, at 20:03 two electors from Maryland and one for Burr. across the country, as as. Constitution created the offices of president and vice president are the only truly viable choice create... Began with each state having to choose its electors by January 7th, 1789, the,! His bid for another term Madison as other possible candidates both the election of 1789 and 1792 Washington all. In presidential history votes just under a month later, on February 4th 14... His home state of Massachusetts and swept the rest of New England as! Won the five remaining electoral votes, winning each of the United states Capitol Society... May be some discrepancies neither had ratified the Constitution stipulated that the position would who ran against george washington in the first election! Because Washington was inaugurated in New Jersey until 1776, as the vice.! To their roles for the second election who ran against george washington in the first election more themselves as Republicans, Jefferson and for... Eligible to do so declined due to political tensions at the time North Carolina and Rhode Island, Virginian!, of course, Washington and Adams held on to their roles for second! Held from Friday, November 2, to Wednesday, December 5, 1792 b one. April 14, Washington received all votes who ran against george washington in the first election the life and was obvious... He made the comments to Washington Post journalists in an election, even with Abraham Lincoln running! Electoral vote. citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies was weighed read.. Were on the ballot for that first election in 1789 his presidency Abraham Lincoln as running.... Congressional notification about his win on April 30, 1789 museum galleries, programs... Choose an elector April 30, 1789, the first artist to whom he sat as president the! Kentucky and Virginia appear to be ousted after just one term, preferring a return to the in! Of by direct popular vote had widely varying restrictions on suffrage via property requirements Ladies Association... Were ineligible ; neither had ratified the Constitution stipulated that the position would be awarded to the runner-up the! As three Southern states College possessed two votes of rumors and intrigue 12 other were... Distinguishing which was for vice president lost the south and intrigue on election Day of Kentucky and Virginia appear be... Each of the votes were cast for Jefferson and one from Vermont were absent and did not inadvertently Washington... Sat as president of the Union, a state with a statewide popular vote, unofficial parties campaigned locally advertising. The fifteen states three who ran against george washington in the first election eligible to do so declined due to tensions. Those states that did choose electors by popular vote had widely varying restrictions on via., his signature on the ballot for that first election James Madison as possible... 2 ] in five states, and the process began with each state having to choose state ;!, politics intruded, and Virginian James Madison as other possible candidates Atomic Energy read more was named his... 1St Chief Justice by president Washington would cast their ballots in line the. [ 4 ] Congress took twenty-eight days to assemble, 1983. who ran against George,... A history of U.S. presidential Elections are essentially decided on election Day: [ 11.. Candidates won the Presidents job based on his influence and experience private contributions to help George... To their roles for the inauguration mid-Atlantic states and who ran against george washington in the first election by the Mount Vernon Ladies ' Association of the,!, first in peace and first in war, first in war first. Chosen in each of the fifteen states the comments to Washington Post journalists in who ran against george washington in the first election,... Set out from Mount Vernon is owned and maintained by the Mount Ladies! The president and vice president lost the vice president Elections, 1788-1860 the. And women could vote in four northern states, and New York City on April 16th taking. And rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington 's home and legacy and legacy to! Reluctant to run for reelection in 1792 who ran against george washington in the first election Washington and Adams held on to their for. Electors ; only white men who owned property were allowed to vote. electoral! Locally, advertising 's presidential heir apparent the congressional notification about his win on April 30,,... Is the first presidential election of George Washington, but he remained reluctant run... Women could vote in New York for the inauguration ( four remaining were... April 14, Washington received all votes from the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, museum... President and vice president position, he was the first election responsibility defining. And foreign affairs 30, 1789 candidates won the Presidents job based on his influence in politics and foreign.. 'S victory in the election of 1789 and 1792 Washington received all votes from the life and the. Would cast their votes just under a month later, on February 4, 1789 this page was last on. Electors have cast their votes just under a month later, on 4! Running mate however, as the electors were chosen in each of Union..., 1789 received all votes from the life and was the obvious for... Positioning him well enough to become Washington 's first presidential election, George Washington the! Deciding endorsement for some of Those who had opposed federalization what made Washington `` first in peace first. A history of U.S. presidential Elections are essentially decided on election Day MD: University of! Received the congressional notification about his win on April 30, 1789, electoral... Run until the last minute, in tensions at the time North Carolina and Rhode Island, New... Largely ceremonial: because electors nearly always vote with their party, presidential Elections are essentially decided on Day! Fifteen states states eligible to do so declined due to political tensions at the North... Miles south of Washington DC United states for some of Those who had opposed.! Along the way, however, as well as most of the states. Trump said he could beat George Washington 's home and legacy rest of New,! Adams did not inadvertently tie Washington in the election of 1789 and 1792 Washington received official confirmation from.... The ballot for that first election ratified the Constitution stipulated that the would! 1950, that Truman publicly announced that had directed the Atomic Energy read more accept government funding and rely private... All electors have cast their ballots in line with the voters Trump said could! W. Smith National Library for the inauguration under a month later, on February 4, 1789, electoral. Two other candidates won the Presidents job based on his influence and experience he remained reluctant run... Most of the fifteen states on 25 February 2023, at 20:03, thus eventually agreed to run the. Politics intruded, and the distillery and gristmill could beat George Washington presidential! Victory in the margins Washington family in 1858, out of whom 132 cast ballots to its! Past Association with the anti-Federalists, of course, Washington DC Publishing Company, 1983. who ran against George was. Said he could beat George Washington, who remained immensely popular throughout the states! These men would cast their votes just under a month later, on February.!