No Senate tradition has been more steadfastly maintained than the annual reading of President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address. In this letter to “Friends and Citizens,” Washington warned that the forces of geographical sectionalism, political factionalism, and interference by foreign powers in the nation's domestic affairs ...

In September 1796, worn out by burdens of the presidency and attacks of political foes, George Washington announced his decision not to seek a third term. With the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, Washington composed in a “Farewell Address” his political testament to the nation.

George Washington (February 22, 1732 [a] – December 14, 1799) was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Continental Army , Washington led Patriot forces to victory in the …

Feb 22, 2016 · George Washington's "Farewell Address" is dated September 19, 1796, and was printed as a Senate Document in the 2nd session of the 106th Congress. Since 1893, the Senate has observed Washington’s birthday by selecting one of its members to read the Farewell Address. The assignment alternates between members of each political party.

On April 6, 1789, the Senate mustered its first quorum —five weeks late. The Senate's first order of business was to meet jointly with the House to count the electoral ballots that formally gave George Washington his presidential victory. Finally, there is September 17.

Washington initially believed that the “advice and consent” provision of the Constitution required the president to seek the Senate’s guidance regarding treaties with foreign entities. He and his successors for the most part abandoned this practice.

Feb 24, 2014 · WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of a time-honored Senate tradition, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today delivered President George Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address on the Senate floor. “Washington was the execution of the vision of the Constitution. When he took office, there was no United States.

On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. “As the first of every thing, in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent,” he wrote James Madison, “it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents ...

The 1st United States Congress, comprising the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during the first two years of George Washington's presidency, first at Federal Hall in New York City and later at Congress Hall in …

Address of the Senate to George Washington, President of the United States. SIR: We, the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent speech delivered to both Houses of Congress, congratulate you on the complete organization of the Federal Government, and felicitate ourselves and our fellow-citizens on your ...