Following taking the oath of office on April 30, 1789, he traveled to New England in 1789 and to the South in 1791 to prevent regional rifts from growing. Washington was unable to prevent the political rift that was developing between Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and his followers and Secretary of the Treasure Alexander Hamilton. He was viewed as siding with Federalists when he supported Hamilton's monetary plans.
In 1792, George Washington was elected to a second term as President. He came under attacks from pro-French Jeffersonians when he insisted on neutrality during the war between France and England. Washington had been appalled by the excesses of the French Revolution and still hoped to have greater trade relations with England. He accepted and backed John Jay's 1794 treaty which settled the differences between America and England.
George Washington upheld federal authority by enforcing the excise law during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 in western Pennsylvania. He also dealt with the Indian threat along the western frontier when he placed Maj. General Anthony Wayne in command of army forces there. He then chose to retire from office rather than seek a third term.
Retirement: 1797-1799
George Washington delivered his famous "Farewell Address" on September 17, 1796 and retired from the presidency at the end of his term in 1797. He returned to Mount Vernon. In 1798 he was made Commander in Chief of a provisional army that was raised for the expected war with France. After becoming ill only the day before in a long ride in a snowstorm, Washington died at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799.
