George Washington's Final Battle
Description
George Washington's Final Battle tells the little-known story of how the country's first president tirelessly advocated for a capital on the shores of the Potomac. Although Washington died just months before the federal government's relocation, his vision and influence live on in the city that bears his name.
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Person
Robert P. Watson is a Distinguished Professor of American History at Lynn University and the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn: An Untold Story of the American Revolution, The Nazi Titanic: The Incredible Untold Story of a Doomed Ship in World War II, and America's First Crisis: The War of 1812. He is a frequent media commentator and activist who has founded three nonprofit think tanks dedicated to civic education, political reform, and fact-checking political campaigns.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chronology
Introduction: The ?Other? Founding Debates
PART I. GEORGE WASHINGTON'S EARLY LIFE AND AMERICAN VISION
1. Surveying a Future
2. Western Adventures
3. The Dispensations of Providence
4. Potomac Fever
5. Cincinnatus
PART II. THE QUESTION OF A CAPITAL
6. Swords in their Hands
7. Mutiny!
8. The Day the War Ended
9. A Singular Destiny
10. Fixing the Seat of Government
11. Political Architecture
PART III. THE GREAT DEBATE
12. Convention
13. Ten Miles Square
14. An Inauguration
15. New York City
16. The Great Debate
17. The (Second) Most Famous Dinner in History
PART IV. CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE
18. The Grand Compromise
19. Philadelphia
20. The Residence Act of 1790
21. The City of Washington
22. Financing the Capital
PART V. BUILDING THE CAPITAL
23. The Architect
24. Intrigues and Injuries
25. A Design Contest
26. Building the President's House
27. A House Divided
PART VI. LEGACY
28. Washington (Never) Slept Here
29. A Pedestal Waiting for a Monument
30. Temple of Liberty
31. The Father of His Country
32. 'Tis Well
Epilogue: The Building Is in a State to Be Habitable
Appendix A. Chronological List of Temporary Capitals
Appendix B. List of Possible Locations for the Capital
