who did washington chose as his attorney general

by Jessyca Lakin 5 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. After leaving government service, Randolph represented Aaron Burr during Burr's 1807 trial for treason.

Did George Washington have an attorney general?

James B. Metcalf (AG from 1887-1889). A Mississippi native and Confederate veteran of the Civil War, Metcalf worked his way west after the war while studying law at night. In 1870 he was admitted to the California bar. After moving to Washington Territory, he became a distinguished trial attorney and was appointed territorial Attorney General in 1887.

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

Dec 23, 2020 · Who did Washington choose as his state department head? T homas Jefferson In selecting the four members of his first cabinet—Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph as attorney general—Washington balanced the two parties evenly.

Who was the first Attorney General in the US?

Jul 07, 2017 · Randolph was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a member of the Constitutional Convention. He was elected attorney general of Virginia in 1776, served until 1782 and served as Governor of Virginia from 1786-1788. On September 26, 1789, Randolph was appointed the first Attorney General of the United States by President Washington.

What departments did George Washington have during his presidency?

Mar 31, 2021 · What cabinet positions did Washington chose Jefferson and Hamilton for? In selecting the four members of his first cabinet—Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph as attorney general—Washington balanced the two parties evenly.

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Who did Washington pick to be the first Attorney General what was his job?

He chose Edmund Randolph for the job. At first, the attorney general was not ranked as a member of the cabinet, but Washington wanted Randolph at all of his cabinet meetings to give legal advice whenever it was needed. Soon, the attorney general became an official member of the cabinet.

Did George Washington have an Attorney General?

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. In 1794, he replaced Jefferson as 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.

Was James Madison in George Washington 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.

Who was the attorney general when Washington was president?

General Edmund RandolphWashington's Cabinet While the current presidential cabinet includes sixteen members, George Washington's cabinet included just four original members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

Who did George Washington choose to fill his cabinet?

In selecting the four members of his first cabinet—Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph as attorney general—Washington balanced the two parties evenly.

Who did George Washington support?

General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War. Despite having little practical experience in managing large, conventional armies, Washington proved to be a capable and resilient leader of the American military forces during the Revolutionary War.

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.

Was George Washington friends with Hamilton?

Though they worked in close proximity for years, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington never became close friends; different positions and different personalities prevented it. However, they gave each other things that were perhaps more valuable.

What political party was James Madison?

Democratic-Republican PartyJames Madison / PartyThe Democratic-Republican Party, also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party and known at the time as the Republican Party and occasional other names, was an American political party founded ... Wikipedia

Did Jefferson and Madison agree?

Jefferson and Madison formed a political partnership and personal friendship that made them the dynamic duo of the Founding Fathers. From their first meeting in the fall of 1776, Jefferson and Madison brought out the best in each other.

What did James Madison believe?

He felt the government should be set up with a system of checks and balances so no branch had greater power over the other. Madison also suggested that governors and judges have enhanced roles in government in order to help manage the state legislatures.Sep 30, 2019

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.