On April 30, 1789, Washington took the oath of office and began his new job as President of the United States. He had traveled from Mount Vernon to New York City slowly, accompanied by celebrations, cannon salutes, and parades. Soon afterwards he fell very ill. A tumor was discovered in his leg. When the surgeons went to remove it they were certain they would kill him. Jefferson feared that his death would destroy the government. But Washington recovered, and within a month he was back on the job. At first he had little to do. He began by appointing his cabinet: Henry Knox as Secretary of War, John Jay as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury, Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and Edmund Randolph as Attorney General. He was happy with this group, but less happy with his Vice President, John Adams. Washington and Adams did not get along, and they mostly ignored each other. He devoted much of his time to working out the details of his office, such as how and when to receive visitors. Otherwise he waited for Congress to present him with bills to bring into law. Because he felt it was his duty as president to make a decision for the good of everyone, he did …show more content…
Merchants and traders, generally approved of Hamilton 's plans. Many farmers, including southern planters such as Jefferson and Madison, opposed it. Washington supported Hamilton 's plan because he believed it would strengthen the nation. He kept his opinions to himself, however, so it won’t influence the. Jefferson made up a compromise that he would persuade southern Congressmen to vote for Hamilton 's plan if Hamilton would persuade northerners to support moving the national capital to the South. A deal was reached, and Washington selected the site for the future capital of Washington, D.C. He chose a spot on the banks of the Potomac, not far from Mount