Volume 11, which covers the closing months of Washington's first
presidential term, opens with Washington at Mount Vernon, tending
to both public and private affairs. The implementation of a federal
excise tax on domestically produced whiskey provoked opposition
that became violent in western Pennsylvania, eliciting Washington's
proclamation of 15 September 1792 that called for U.S. citizens to
comply peacefully with the law. Returning to Philadelphia in
October 1792 for the second session of the Second Congress,
Washington encountered a continuing variety of challenges during
the fall and early winter. Preparations for war with several of the
Indian nations in the Northwest Territory intensified under the
leadership of General Anthony Wayne. At the same time, the federal
government sponsored a number of peace initiatives to the hostile
Indians and attempted to enlist the Iroquois and other Indians as
intermediaries in the peace process. Washington also faced problems
with Indians in the Southwest Territory and on the frontiers of the
southern states who were deeply angered by American incursions on
their lands, a hostility that Washington and other American
officials believed was encouraged by Spanish agents among the
Indians. Washington deplored the growing political factionalism
within the United States. He attempted to assuage the increasingly
bitter political differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas
Jefferson, and he also urged Jefferson to delay his resignation as
secretary of state. Although Washington continued to long for
retirement and a permanent return to Mount Vernon, he reluctantly
agreed to serve a second term as president after assuring himself
that the public mood of the country favored his staying in office
and that his leadership was essential to the success of the new
government. The continuing revolution in France and the abolition
of the French monarchy provoked a reevaluation of U.S.-French
relations by Washington and his cabinet. The current war in Europe,
moreover, mandated careful monitoring as Washington sought to
maintain the neutral position of the United States. Finally,
Washington continued to direct the development of the Federal City
and to oversee the management of his estate at Mount Vernon.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!