Part 14 (2/2)

No sooner had she arrived in the capital than Martha learned that she would be a prop in an elaborate piece of political theater One day after her arrival, she had to host a dinner for congressional leaders, and the day after that, all of New York society seemed to cram into the Cherry Street mansion for her first reception-a function for which she had not been consulted She was plunged into a giddy whirl of activity ”I have not had one half hour to myself since the day of my arrival,” she told fanny in early June74 She narrated this abrupt transformation with a note of quiet wonder: the woman who had been dubious about this new life sounded positively breathless with amazement She had been taken in hand by a professional hairdresser, a novel experience for her ”My hair is set and dressed every day and I have put on white muslin habits for the summer,” she wrote hoood deal in the fashi+on if you could but see me” She narrated this abrupt transformation with a note of quiet wonder: the woman who had been dubious about this new life sounded positively breathless with amazement She had been taken in hand by a professional hairdresser, a novel experience for her ”My hair is set and dressed every day and I have put on white muslin habits for the summer,” she wrote hoood deal in the fashi+on if you could but see ton, whose conviviality offset her husband's reserve She won over the toughest critic: the wife of the vice president, who found her the perfect republican counterpart of her husband ”I took the earliest opportunityto go and pay ail Adareat ease and politeness She is plain in her dress, but that plainness is the best of every articleHer hair is white, her teeth beautiful, her person rather short than otherwise”76 The favorable iton is one of those unassu pleasantness sits upon her countenance and an unaffected deportment which renders her the object of veneration and respect” The favorable iton is one of those unassu pleasantness sits upon her countenance and an unaffected deportment which renders her the object of veneration and respect”77 A pragned herself to the duties of a presidential wife, but a distinct touch of discontent lingered She was quietly rebellious, chafing at her restricted freedom In late October she unburdened herself to fanny: ”I live a very dull life here and know nothing that passes in the town I never go to the public place Indeed, I think I a else” She complained of ”certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from And as I cannot do as I like, I areat deal”78 Obviously there were lily satiric tone when talking about the fashi+onable people of New York When she sent fanny a watch, she described it as ”of the newest fashi+on, if that has any influence on your taste” Then she added tartly: ”It will last as long as the fashi+on-and by that tiet another of a fashi+onable kind” Obviously there were lily satiric tone when talking about the fashi+onable people of New York When she sent fanny a watch, she described it as ”of the newest fashi+on, if that has any influence on your taste” Then she added tartly: ”It will last as long as the fashi+on-and by that tiet another of a fashi+onable kind”79 At year's end Martha Washi+ngton aired her frustrations to Mercy Otis Warren, pointing out that her grandchildren and Virginia family constituted the major source of her happiness: ”I shall hardly be able to find any substitute that would inde society”80 She knew other woladly swap places with her: ”With respect to eht to have been-that I, who had reat iously pleased” She knew other woladly swap places with her: ”With respect to eht to have been-that I, who had reat iously pleased”81 But she would not rail against her destiny: ”I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I reater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circuainst her destiny: ”I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I reater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circuton would speak forlornly of the presidential years as her ”lost days” To the end of her life, Martha Washi+ngton would speak forlornly of the presidential years as her ”lost days”83

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Acting the Presidency WHEN GEORGE WAshi+NGTON BECAME PRESIDENT, the executive departments had not yet been formed or their chieftains installed, so he placed unusual reliance on his personal secretaries, whoentleoodThe staffht up from Mount Vernon In these early days Lear was aoff private letters for Washi+ngton, cranking out dinner invitations, tending files, tutoring grandchildren, accoton on afternoon strolls or Martha on shopping sprees So trusted was Lear that he kept the household accounts, and Washi+ngton turned to him for petty cash His loyalty had no li that could lessen ton ”A cohtness, and candor in all his private transactions has sometimes led me to think hioodThe staffht up from Mount Vernon In these early days Lear was aoff private letters for Washi+ngton, cranking out dinner invitations, tending files, tutoring grandchildren, accoton on afternoon strolls or Martha on shopping sprees So trusted was Lear that he kept the household accounts, and Washi+ngton turned to him for petty cash His loyalty had no li that could lessen ton ”A cohtness, and candor in all his private transactions has sometimes led me to think hi in April 1790-Martha called her ”a pretty, sprightly wo couple to share their household, enriching their lives with an extended family as they had done at Mount Vernon When Learin April 1790-Martha called her ”a pretty, sprightly wo couple to share their household, enriching their lives with an extended family as they had done at Mount Vernon3 For a second secretary, Washi+ngton retained David Huile pen Now seasoned by diplomatic experience in Paris with Jefferson, Huton on questions of etiquette and was anointed chamberlain, or master of ceremonies, for the administration The third team member was Major Williahtaken notes of the deliberations while preserving their secrecy-a ton's own heart The closest that Washi+ngton cauard, Jackson remained a protective presence at his side, whether he was out walking, riding, or perforroup were Thoovernor, and Washi+ngton's young nephew Robert Leho had escorted his aunt Martha to New York

Aress, James Madison stood in a class by hiton When he ran for Congress, Madison had consulted Washi+ngton about how to ca It is not surprising that Washi+ngton leaned on Madison early in his presidency, since nobody possessed a ress had to shape both the executive and the judicial branches, which would act to enhance Madison's prestige Gradually, as the three branches of government assumed more separate characters and political differences between the two men surfaced, Madison shed his advisory role

By the tiovernment had already been set in uarantee the new governuration, Madison introduced in the House a schedule of duties on i better proclaiovernress had never coton's first days in office were doly trivial syer questions about the character of the new governs which appear of little ireat and durable consequences, froeneral governton instructed Vice President Adams4 Every action, he kneould be subjected to exhaustive scrutiny: ”My political conductainst just criticisus [the hundred-eyed y] are upon me and no slip will pass unnoticed” Every action, he kneould be subjected to exhaustive scrutiny: ”My political conductainst just criticisus [the hundred-eyed y] are upon ton had long felt those searching eyes trained upon hiton had long felt those searching eyes trained upon hion

Of the various government posts, it was the presidency that had the potential to slip into overnment, so every decision made about it aroused a firestorm of controversy For many Americans, presidential etiquette seeh which aristocratic corruption ht infiltrate the system On April 23 the Senate appointed a co the president Vice President Adahfalutin ones ”A royal, or at least a princely, title, will be found indispensably necessary to nity of the president,” he insisted6 The final Senate recohness, the President of the United States of America, and Protector of their Liberties” The final Senate recohness, the President of the United States of America, and Protector of their Liberties”7 Sensitive to criticish-flown titles were reladly accepted the simpler form adopted by the House: ”The President of the United States” An approving Madison later noted that Washi+ngton had been irritated by efforts to ”bedizen him with a superb but spurious title” Sensitive to criticish-flown titles were reladly accepted the simpler form adopted by the House: ”The President of the United States” An approving Madison later noted that Washi+ngton had been irritated by efforts to ”bedizen him with a superb but spurious title”8 The controversy served notice on Washi+ngton that such matters had powerful resonance as the new republic tried to find dignified for could equal the fer titles,” David Stuart wrote froinated from Mr Adams and [Richard Henry] Lee, they are not only unpopular to an extrehly odious The controversy served notice on Washi+ngton that such matters had powerful resonance as the new republic tried to find dignified for could equal the fer titles,” David Stuart wrote froinated from Mr Adams and [Richard Henry] Lee, they are not only unpopular to an extreton, the etiquette issue was also related to hoould preserve his privacy and sanity as president From the time he occupied the Cherry Street islators, office seekers, veterans, and ishers Before long, he felt hi inquiries, he learned that presidents of the Confederation Congress had been ”considered in no better light than as a maitre d'hotelfor their table was considered as a public one”10 As in everything else, Washi+ngton operated in uncharted waters ”I was unable to attend to any business whatsoever,” he told Stuart, ”for gentle their own convenience rather thanfrom the time I rose from breakfast-often before-until I sat down to dinner” As in everything else, Washi+ngton operated in uncharted waters ”I was unable to attend to any business whatsoever,” he told Stuart, ”for gentle their own convenience rather thanfrom the time I rose from breakfast-often before-until I sat down to dinner” 11 11 With his days cluttered with cereton complained, ”I had no leisure to read or answer the dispatches which were pouring in from all quarters” With his days cluttered with cereton complained, ”I had no leisure to read or answer the dispatches which were pouring in from all quarters”12 As he tried to barricade hiers, he wondered how he could avoid the extre visitors in a ” so secluded that he would shut out important co ers, he wondered how he could avoid the extre visitors in a ” so secluded that he would shut out important co ton solicited written opinions fro Adaston, from which he would distill his preferred policy The hall ideas In wartied officers to find a happytoo close to and too ree, he told Madison that he wanted to avoid the ”charge of superciliousness” if he held hinity that ht arise from ”too free an intercourse and too ton's solution borrowed froly traditions to a republican ethos Presidential conduct would be true to revolutionary principles but iton had known his entire life In ton's solution borrowed froly traditions to a republican ethos Presidential conduct would be true to revolutionary principles but iton had known his entire life

To strike a proper balance, Haton hold weekly levees-the term was borrowed from royal receptions-in which visitors could chat with him The president would enter, reuests, then disappear A enital formality, who kept an iton did not enjoy socializing with strangers, so Haested dinners with sislators, especially senators who shared with the president constitutional responsibilities, such as concluding foreign treaties and approving ree, his constitutional counselors,” Haton refuse invitations to dine elsewhere, lest it iton syations ”I have no relish for foreive in to them when they cannot be avoided” He also recoton refuse invitations to dine elsewhere, lest it iton syations ”I have no relish for foreive in to them when they cannot be avoided”16 To handle the staton decided to hold his levees every Tuesday afternoon at three PM The newspapers let it be known that, on other days, visits would ”not be agreeable” to the president17 Guests would need introductions froton's secretaries would assist thees, but the president was capable of perfor When the s of Nathanael Greene and Richard Montgoton went outside to help thees Guests would need introductions froton's secretaries would assist thees, but the president was capable of perfor When the s of Nathanael Greene and Richard Montgoton went outside to help thees

The president was a punctualroouests; at three-fifteen, they were shut to further visitors By the titon had struck a stately pose by the fireplace, encased in rigid protocol The roo been cleared to , David Humphreys announced him and his visitors in a raised voice At the first levee Huton in such a loud, poton shot him a reproachful look

In a well-directed sequence, visitors caton, who then bowed in return before they took their place in a standing circle With an excellent ton seldom required a second introduction In a ton never shook hands, holding on to a sword or a hat to avoid direct contact with people Slowly hebriefly with each, then resuuests,like so many marionettes, came up to him one by one, bowed, and went their way The reception concluded pro nothing to chance, Washi+ngton reproduced this ritual exactly each week Ston ”was not the greatest president, he was the best actor of the presidency we have ever had”18 One guest, describing the president's ure of Washi+ngton clad in black velvet; his hair in full dress, powdered and gathered behind in a large silk bag; yellow gloves on his hands; holding a cocked hat with a cockade in it, and the edges adorned with a black feather about an inch deep He wore knee and shoe buckles; and a long sword, with a finely wrought and polished steel hilt, which appeared at the left hip; the coat worn over the sword, so that the hilt, and the part below the folds of the coat behind, were in view The scabbard hite polished leather19 Froton fashi+oned the ie that he broadcast to the world Walter Buchanan, a New York physician, left a revealing tale of a visit to the Cherry Streetthe president's first Fourth of July in office When told that a sation from the Society of the Cincinnati had appeared on his doorstep, Washi+ngton disappeared upstairs, donned his black velvet suit and dress sword, then invited the veterans in for cakes and wine ”On their departure,” noted Buchanan, ”the general again retired and came down to dinner in his usual costume of pepper-and-salt colored clothes”20 The Tuesday-afternoon levees, wooden and boring, were excruciating affairs, unrelieved by spontaneity Washi+ngton's heroic stature, an essential part of his strength, was turned into a plaster cast that i these scripted functions, people found it ie in substantive discussions with hiton could see people without worrying that they would solicit hi for the happy reat fa it21 Despite the benign look in his eye, he ed to preserve a certain official distance ”He is polite with dignity,” Abigail Ada, ”affable without forrave without austerity, n look in his eye, he ed to preserve a certain official distance ”He is polite with dignity,” Abigail Ada, ”affable without forrave without austerity, ton's Tuesday levees were limited to men, he and Martha decided that she would entertain fe tea, coffee, ice cream, and leuests entered, enjoyed sa the desserts She dressed well but avoided jewelry as inappropriate for the new republic and was addressed by the deton” Never a sparkling talker, she was invariably a capable one, falling easily into conversation with people and ers feel welcoail Adaton chided anyone who violated protocol: ”The president never fails of seeing that [the seat] is relinquished forreive it to tona brown coat on Friday evenings More relaxed than at his own levees, he circulated and chatted anity, and ease that leaves Royal George far behind hihted in the cohtened by the presidency ”The young ladies used to throng around hie him in conversation,” said one visitor ”There were sohted in the cohtened by the presidency ”The young ladies used to throng around hie him in conversation,” said one visitor ”There were soined themselves to be favorites with him As these were the only opportunities which they had of conversing with hiined themselves to be favorites with him As these were the only opportunities which they had of conversing with him, they were disposed to use theton seemed less austere at his wife's teas, where he ”talks more familiarly with those he knows and sometiton seemed less austere at his wife's teas, where he ”talks more familiarly with those he knows and soed in flirtatious looks, but he unquestionably paid special attention to wo was thin, especially of ladies,” he coton never engaged in flirtatious looks, but he unquestionably paid special attention to wo was thin, especially of ladies,” he complained in his diary after one Friday soiree27 Because the Washi+ngtons rose early, Martha often ters before the allotted ten o'clock deadline, saying that she and the president had to go to bed Because the Washi+ngtons rose early, Martha often ters before the allotted ten o'clock deadline, saying that she and the president had to go to bed

Even as the Washi+ngtons sought an optimal balance between presidential splendor and republican austerity, an opposition press e to foist a monarchy on the country For anyone who had seen the opulence of Versailles or Windsor Castle, such accusations would have seemed wildly overblown But every revolution breeds fears of counterrevolution, and worries about a reversion to ainst royal absolutiston was stung by co his dinners, the Daily Advertiser Daily Advertiser warned readers that ”in a few years we shall have all the paraphernalia yet wanting to give the superb finish to the grandeur of our AMERICAN COURT! The purity of republican principle seeroundWe are on the eve of another revolution” warned readers that ”in a few years we shall have all the paraphernalia yet wanting to give the superb finish to the grandeur of our AMERICAN COURT! The purity of republican principle seeroundWe are on the eve of another revolution”28 Even Martha's rather wholesos were depicted darkly in so roos were depicted darkly in so rooton's birthday was celebrated in February 1790 as a national holiday, purists disparaged it as yet another showy ton's birthday was celebrated in February 1790 as a national holiday, purists disparaged it as yet another showycritics of Washi+ngtonian excess was William Maclay, the caustic senator from Pennsylvania with a thin, bony face The son of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian irants, Maclay had a pronounced populist streak that predisposed hins of incipient monarchy In June 1789 he recorded his private fears that fancy people around town had seduced the president: ”Indeed, I entertain not a doubt but , with all their force, to establish a splendid court with all the poton, if you are taken in this snare, hoill the gold become dim?”30 In copious diary entries, written with the satirical eye of a gadfly, Maclay left vivid iton in social situations during his first terossip, Maclay was scarcely objective, taking a mordant, often jaundiced, view of people Soht mean-spirited, as when Robert Morris's wife told him of a presidential dinner at which she bit into a dessert only to find it full of rancid creaed his plate iton ate a whole heap of it”31 His observations could be laced with patent envy: ”No Virginian can talk on any subject but the perfections of Gen[era]l Washi+ngton” His observations could be laced with patent envy: ”No Virginian can talk on any subject but the perfections of Gen[era]l Washi+ngton”32 Nonetheless, Maclay left soe and Martha Washi+ngton, whom he satirized as boors and bu to is, picking up little fidgety habits that showed hi the with so nity to presidential protocol, Washi+ngton so the levity and conversational flow that enlivened at least so the war

Every other Thursday the Washi+ngtons held an official dinner at four PM The president, seeking geographic diversity, often tried to balance northern and southern legislators on his guest list If guests were even five minutes late by the hall clock, they found the president and his coton would then explain curtly that the cook was governed by the clock and not by the coust 27, 1789, in which George and Martha Washi+ngton sat in theeach other, while Tobias Lear and Robert Lewis sat on either end John Adauests Maclay described a table bursting with a rich assortment of dishes-roasted fish, boiled meat, bacon, and poultry for the s, and ton usually downed a pint of beer and two or three glasses of wine, and his derew livelier once he had consumed theton at one dinner as a veteran bore, devoid of conversation except platitudes, and very jittery: ”The president kept a fork in his hand when the cloth was taken away-I thought for the purpose of picking nuts He ate no nuts, but played with the fork, striking o