who did washington choose as the first attorney general?

by Dr. Karli Sauer 7 min read

Randolph had handled much of President Washington's personal legal work, and Washington appointed him as the first Attorney General of the United States in 1789 and then as Secretary of State in 1794.

Who was the first Attorney General under George Washington?

Thompson, born in Sumner, was the first native-born Washington State Attorney General. When he was appointed Attorney General, Thompson was just 31 years old. Thompson was elected in 1920 on the Republican ticket, but resigned in 1923 in …

When was the job of Attorney General created?

The attorney general is also the chief law enforcement officer in the United States. 2 Congress created the job of attorney general in 1789 when it passed the act that established the president's cabinet. Since each president chooses the members of his cabinet, George Washington chose the first attorney general.

Why did Washington choose Edmund Randolph as his attorney general?

Despite Washington’s confidence in him, Randolph resigned as Governor in 1788 in favor of serving in Virginia’s House of Delegates. He did not remain in the House of Delegates for long, because in 1789 Washington appointed him as the nation’s first Attorney General. Randolph was tasked with essentially defining the country’s justice system.

Who did George Washington appoint as Secretary of State in 1789?

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Who did Washington pick as the first Attorney General?

Colonel Nicholas was appointed U.S. Attorney by President Washington two days after the passage of the Judiciary Act of 1789. Colonel Nicholas later served as Kentucky's first Attorney General.Jan 12, 2022

Who did George Washington appoint?

United States Supreme Court Justices Appointed by President WashingtonChief Justice John JayOctober 19, 1789 to June 19, 1795John Blair, Jr.September 30, 1789 to October 25, 1795James IredellFebruary 10, 1790 to October 20, 1799Thomas JohnsonAugust 5, 1791 to January 16, 17936 more rows

Who was the attorney for George Washington?

Edmund RandolphGeorge Washington - AdministrationFirst LadyMartha WashingtonSecretary of StateTimothy Pickering (1796–1797)Attorney GeneralEdmund Randolph (1789–1794)Attorney GeneralWilliam Bradford (1794–1795)Attorney GeneralCharles Lee (1795–1797)11 more rows

Was James Madison in Washington's cabinet?

Madison helped Washington write his first inaugural address, and also prepared the official House response to Washington's speech. He played a significant role in establishing and staffing the three Cabinet departments, and his influence helped Thomas Jefferson become the inaugural Secretary of State.

Why did Washington appoint Jefferson and Hamilton?

Washington wanted to set a good example by appointing the best people to his administration – so it was natural that Washington (57) would choose two of the most talented young Americans he knew – Alexander Hamilton (32) and Thomas Jefferson (46) to serve with him.

Who did G Washington select to be his secretary of justice?

Rutledge served for six months but resigned after his nomination was rejected by the Senate in December 1795; Rutledge had alienated several Senators with his criticism of the Jay Treaty. After the rejection of Rutledge's nomination, Washington appointed Oliver Ellsworth as the third Chief Justice of the United States.

How did Washington select his cabinet?

While there are currently sixteen cabinet level positions, George Washington's original cabinet consisted of only four members. In order to establish both credibility and balance, George Washington chose a cabinet that included members from different regions of the country.

Why was George Washington chosen as general?

Commander in Chief. ... The Continental Congress commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army on June 19, 1775. Washington was selected over other candidates such as John Hancock based on his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonies.

What did Henry Knox do as Secretary of War?

3 days agoLater, Knox became Secretary of War under President Washington. In this capacity, he developed a plan for a national militia, setting a precedent that guided the new nation's military training for more than a century and a half.

Who was the nation's first vice president?

John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second President of the United States (1797-1801), after serving as the first Vice President under President George Washington.

Who did George Washington support?

As a young man, he worked as a surveyor then fought in the French and Indian War (1754-63). During the American Revolution, he led the colonial forces to victory over the British and became a national hero. In 1787, he was elected president of the convention that wrote the U.S. Constitution.Jan 5, 2022

What did James Madison weigh?

100 poundsWilliam H. Taft was the heaviest president at 340 pounds (154.2 kg). James Madison was the lightest president at 100 pounds (45.4 kg). The average weight of the presidents is 182 pounds (82.7 kg)....Presidential Weights.Rank45#4PresidentJames MadisonWeight (lbs)100 lbsWeight (kg)45.4 kg44 more columns

Who won Hamilton or Jefferson?

The Compromise of 1790 was a compromise between Alexander Hamilton with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, where Hamilton won the decision for the national government to take over and pay the state debts, and Jefferson and Madison obtained the national capital (District of Columbia) for the South.

What departments did Washington create?

Congress established three departments: the War Department, the State Department and the Treasury Department. Okay, first, the War Department. The first Secretary of War was Henry Knox.Aug 16, 2021

Why did Thomas Jefferson not like Alexander Hamilton?

Jefferson was convinced that Hamilton was a corrupt, self-interested monarchist. Jefferson complained to Washington in 1792 that Hamilton had “a squadron devoted to the nod of the treasury.” These men wanted to “form the most corrupt government on earth.” ... In short, Jefferson accused Hamilton of being a traitor.

What did George Washington and Thomas Jefferson disagree on?

Washington, while officially not belonging to a political party, tended to have more of a Federalist leaning. Federalists supported a strong, centralized government with the power to tax and regulate the economy. Jefferson, however, was a committed Anti-Federalist.Jan 13, 2022

Who were Washington's cabinet members?

George Washington's cabinet included four original members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

What was Alexander Hamilton's cabinet position?

United States Secretary of the TreasuryAlexander Hamilton / Previous office (1789–1795)On that day, the president of the United States sent his first cabinet nomination to the Senate for its “advice and consent.” Minutes later, perhaps even before the messenger returned to the president's office, senators approved unanimously the appointment of Alexander Hamilton to be secretary of the treasury.

Why did George Washington chose Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State?

As Secretary of State, Jefferson's approach to foreign affairs was limited by Washington's preference for neutrality regarding the war between Britain and France. Jefferson favored closer ties to France, who had supported the United States during the Revolutionary War.

What did George Washington do when he signed the Judiciary Act?

When Washington signed the Judiciary Act of 1789, he not only created the federal judiciary but also founded the office of Attorney General. Unlike Washington’s other cabinet officials, the Attorney General did not head an executive department.

Why did George Washington choose a cabinet?

In order to establish both credibility and balance, George Washington chose a cabinet that included members from different regions of the country. On September 11, 1789, George Washington sent his first cabinet nomination to the Senate.

Who was the secretary of the Treasury?

Just minutes later, the Senate approved the appointment of Alexander Hamilton unanimously as the Secretary of the Treasury. The group came to be known as the cabinet based on a reference made by James Madison, who described the meetings as “the president’s cabinet.”.

Who was the first president to meet with the cabinet?

One prominent individual who did not attend cabinet meetings was Vice President John Adams.

Is the Washington Library open to scholars?

Washington Library. The Library of the First President. The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only. About the Library Research Fellowships The Papers of George Washington Library Events & Programs Leadership Institute Center for Digital History George Washington Prize.

Who was the first native-born Washington State Attorney General?

He also served for a number of years on the board of directors for the Washington Mutual Savings Bank. L.L. Thompson (AG from 1919-1923). Thompson, born in Sumner, was the first native-born Washington State Attorney General.

Who is the youngest attorney general in Washington?

Tanner, at the age of 29 remains the youngest Attorney General in Washington's history. Tanner was a native of Minnesota, and had worked his way up the ladder in the AGO, having worked there as a law clerk, stenographer, and Assistant Attorney General before being appointed to succeed General Bell.

What was the most significant accomplishment of Attorney General Gregoire?

Perhaps Attorney General Gregoire's most significant achievement to date was her instrumental leadership in the national settlement reached with the tobacco industry.

What was the role of General Gregoire?

In one case, the Court upheld the constitutionality of Washington's law banning physician-assisted suicide. General Gregoire established the position of Washington State Solicitor General.

What was General Bell charged with?

However, he was successful in defending the rights of a Washington resident who, although fishing in Washington's part of the Columbia, was charged by Oregon authorities with violating Oregon fishing statutes. In 1911, General Bell stepped down to accept an appointment to the Superior Court in Snohomish County.

What was General Atkinson's main concern?

General Atkinson was primarily concerned with the ongoing pressures brought by the railroads and the growing demands of providing adequate public education. In 1905, the Legislature created the state Railroad Commission to regulate various aspects of the railroad industry in Washington.

Where is General Atkinson?

General Atkinson was a native of Pennsylvania where he began teaching school at age 15. A school principal as well as an attorney after he moved to Washington, he was appointed to the State Board of Education and served as the elected State Auditor before being elected Attorney General.

Who was the first person to oversee the Department of War?

He would have a profound impact on the early economic development of the United States. On Sept. 12, 1789, Washington appointed Henry Knox (1750–1806) to oversee the U.S. Department of War. Knox was a Revolutionary War hero who had served side-by-side with Washington.

What were the three departments that George Washington created?

In the first year of George Washington’s presidency, only three executive departments were established: the Departments of State, Treasury, and War. Washington selected secretaries for each of these positions. His choices were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, ...

Why did Hamilton create a financial plan?

Hamilton had created a financial plan to deal with the major economic issues that had arisen since the end of the Revolutionary War. At that time, the federal government was in debt in the amount of $54 million (which included interest), and the states collectively owed an additional $25 million.

How many members are in the President's Cabinet?

In contrast to having only four ministers, in 2019 the President’s Cabinet consists of 16 members which include the vice president.

How long did it take for the Senate to fill the four positions?

The four positions were quickly filled in only 15 days. He hoped to balance out the nominations by choosing members from different regions of the newly formed United States. Alexander Hamilton (1787–1804) was appointed and quickly approved by the Senate as the first secretary of the treasury on Sept. 11, 1789.

What is the role of the Cabinet?

Its role is to advise the president on the issues related to each of the departments. While Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution sets up the ability of the president to select the heads of the executive departments, President George Washington established the “Cabinet” as a group of advisers who reported in private and solely to the U.S.

When was the first cabinet meeting?

President Washington held his first cabinet meeting on Feb. 25, 1793. James Madison coined the term "cabinet" for this meeting of the executive department heads. Washington’s cabinet meetings soon became quite acrimonious, with Jefferson and Hamilton taking opposite positions over the issue of a national bank that was part ...

Who was the first attorney general of Virginia?

He was also elected as Virginia’s first Attorney General and Mayor of Williamsburg at the end of the Convention. In 1779, Randolph was selected to represent Virginia as a delegate to the Continental Congress, and in 1786 he was elected governor of Virginia.

Who was the Secretary of State during the Citizen Genêt affair?

As Secretary of State, Randolph oversaw the resolution of the Citizen Genêt Affair, in which the French diplomat Edmond Genêt encouraged American privateers to seize British merchant ships – a direct violation of the United States government’s policy of neutrality in the war between France and Great Britain.

Why did Randolph resign?

Despite Washington’s confidence in him, Randolph resigned as Governor in 1788 in favor of serving in Virginia’s House of Delegates. He did not remain in the House of Delegates for long, because in 1789 Washington appointed him as the nation’s first Attorney General.

Who was Edmund Randolph?

After graduating from the College of William & Mary, he pursued a career in law. He served as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington in 1775 and later had an extensive political career.

Is the Washington Library open to scholars?

The Library of the First President. The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only. About the Library Research Fellowships The Papers of George Washington Library Events & Programs Leadership Institute Center for Digital History George Washington Prize. Edmund Randolph.

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George Washington’s First Cabinet

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In the first year of George Washington’s presidency, only three executive departments were established: the Departments of State, Treasury, and War. Washington selected secretaries for each of these positions. His choices were Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, …
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Judiciary Act of 1789

  • On April 30, 1789, Washington took the oath of office as America’s first president. It was not until almost five months later, on Sept. 24, 1789, that Washington signed into law the Judiciary Act of 1789, which not only established the office of the U.S. attorney general but also established a three-part judicial system consisting of: 1. The Supreme Court (which at the time consisted of o…
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Cabinet Nominations

  • Washington waited until September to form his first cabinet. The four positions were quickly filled in only 15 days. He hoped to balance out the nominations by choosing members from different regions of the newly formed United States. Alexander Hamilton (1787–1804) was appointed and quickly approved by the Senate as the first secretary of the treasury on Sept. 11, 1789. Hamilton …
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Issues Facing Washington’s Cabinet

  • President Washington held his first cabinet meeting on Feb. 25, 1793. James Madison coined the term "cabinet" for this meeting of the executive department heads. Washington’s cabinet meetings soon became quite acrimonious, with Jefferson and Hamilton taking opposite positions over the issue of a national bank that was part of Hamilton’s financial plan. Hamilton had created a finan…
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Sources

  1. Borrelli, MaryAnne. "The President's Cabinet: Gender, Power, and Representation." Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002.
  2. Cohen, Jeffrey E. "The Politics of the U.S. Cabinet: Representation in the Executive Branch, 1789–1984." Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1988.
  3. Hinsdale, Mary Louise. "A History of the President's Cabinet." Ann Arbor: University of Michig…
  1. Borrelli, MaryAnne. "The President's Cabinet: Gender, Power, and Representation." Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002.
  2. Cohen, Jeffrey E. "The Politics of the U.S. Cabinet: Representation in the Executive Branch, 1789–1984." Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1988.
  3. Hinsdale, Mary Louise. "A History of the President's Cabinet." Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Historical Studies, 1911.