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In April of 1789, George Washington traveled from Virginia to the nation's capital, New York City, to begin his first term as President of America.
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Large crowds lined the streets in excited to watch George Washington become president. Washington was anxious becuase he understood how much the new nation depended on him.
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When George Washington took office, the federal government was made of few people. The first job as president was to put a worknig government in place
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Three departments were set up for the executive branch: Treasury, State, and War. Each department was to be headed by a secretary that was nominated by the president. Also, there was an attorney appointed to advise Washington on legal matters.
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Washington chose Alexander Hamilton to be secetary of the treasury. He was considered one of the country's outstanding leaders and an expert on economic affairs.
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Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, became secretary of state. He had to manage relations with foreign countries.
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Henry Knox, a former general, was Washington's choice for secretary of war.
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Edmund Randolph had previously played an important role at the Constitutional Convention, became attorney general.
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Washington started meeting regularly with the leaders as a group. After a while, they become part of his cabinet, which helps to advise him.
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This provided a Supreme Court of 6 justices. The main job of the federal courts was to hear appeals from the state courts. George Washington appointed John Jay of New York as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
