LESSER-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT OUR PRESIDENTS



LESSER-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT OUR PRESIDENTS

Or PRESIDENTIAL PARAGRAPHS

Mort Fox

George Washington, our first president, who died in December of 1799 found a greater enemy than the British whom we fought for independence - one we are fortunate not to have to fight today – the medical profession. Having caught a cold and working on a sore throat, he was committed to his bed. Now, had he been left to heal on his own, he might have survived for several more years. After all he was only 67 years old and a very fine specimen at 6’ 3” and a little over 200 pounds. But no, the doctors were called in; too bad for George.

First, the doctors, attempted to raise boils on his neck and legs. This merely added to his discomfort. Naturally, the next step was the lancet. If you are not aware, the lancet is the instrument that they used to bleed people. That’s right, here laid the “father of our country”, in a weakened condition. All they, the doctors, could think of to do was to make him weaker. After the first ghoulish extraction, and no success, yes, you guessed it they went in for more.

Picture them scratching their wigs. The three of them, the doctors, “well gentlemen, what do we do now?” One of these learned practitioners then came up with the “solution”. “Let’s take some more blood, that’s got to do it.” Well it did it; he died not too long thereafter.

George Washington was truly the “father of our country”. Although not the father of any natural offspring, he had the task of establishing many of the precedents necessary to run the Executive branch of the Federal Government.

He also had the foresight to realize that slavery was not only morally wrong but also a financial burden when considering all those who were too young to work or too old to work or sick. All had to be fed, clothed and boarded. In his will he freed all those slaves that were in his power to free. Some were his only as long as he lived since they came to him as a result of marriage to Martha. Of the almost 200 slaves under his control, approximately half were set free.

Along with all of the other difficulties associated with being the “First”, he had to contend with the sparring of his 2 top cabinet members. Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury, didn’t see eye to eye on almost anything. Both would leave the cabinet before Washington left office. Hamilton, who established the basis for our governmental financial structure, however, continued to advise the president.

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