rent
departments of government--in short, to make one nation out of thirteen.

Washington never flinched from responsibility. He took up his new work
with methodical patience, and was most fortunate in having the help of
great men. The States sent their best men to Congress. John Adams was
Vice-President. The first Secretary of State was Thomas Jefferson, who
had written the Declaration of Independence. General Knox was made
Secretary of War. The still youthful Alexander Hamilton was appointed
Secretary of the Treasury; the country owes much to him for its success
and prosperity, for he was the one who made the financial plans, without
which the government could not exist.

[Illustration: Federal Hall]

Washington's family joined him in New York, where they lived. The city
streets were dirty and dark at this time and only one was paved. Negro
slaves carried all the water for the household from the river, in tubs
balanced on their heads, while drinking water was sold from wagons, as
there was only one pump in the city. The President traveled about in a
cream-colored coach with pictures painted on the doors and panels. It
was drawn by cream-colored horses with white manes and tails. Sometimes
on Saturday afternoons, this coach, which was well known to all the
people, was sent to bring playmates to drive with Nelly and George.

Washington drove to the first meeting of Congress in a coach drawn by
six horses, with a coachman and footman in scarlet and white liveries,
and with an escort mounted on prancing white steeds. Such style really
was not uncommon in those days and the six horses were not so much for
show as they were needed to draw the heavy carriage over the bad roads.
The fear that our country might become a monarchy had not entirely
disappeared, so Washington lived as simply as he could and avoided
everything that suggested the pomp of a king.

The President and Mrs. Washington often went on foot to call on their
friends, and that the people might meet them freely, they held public
receptions on Friday evenings from eight to ten. While always reserved
and dignified, Washington was gracious and attentive to his guests. His
wife was the same sweet hostess as at Mount Vernon. At dinner, if no
chaplain was present, Washington asked the blessing himself. Sunday was
always strictly observed in the Washington household. In the morning,
the President went to church, and the rest of the day he spent quietly
with his f