Why did George Washington retire from the presidency?

Question

I am aware of the references which claim that he noted in his farewell speech that he retired due to his feelings that to stay would give him too much power. But I have read the speech and can not find that in it anywhere. I need to find a credible quote in which he says that he retired because he felt that to stay would give him too much power.

As I previously said, I read the speech already, so don't need links to the speech. Perhaps someone could assist me in seeing what I may be failing to find? It may not even be in the speech, but it's apparently meant to be.

When did he say that he was retiring because to stay would give one man too much power? Credible and quotable source?

Answer 1

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence impelled me to abandon the idea.

Answer 2

George Washington Retirement Speech

Answer 3

Monuments and memorials, contemporary neighbourhoods, true local flavoring it's this that Washington, DC is; a place unlike every other; exactly like this website hotelbye . Washington it's your home abroad with free museums and America's front yard. Washington is acknowledged around the globe as a image of the United States. Here, the spot you can't skip is the Capitol. Capitol could be the seat of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The enormous dome, based on the dome of St. Peter's in Rome, stands apart especially other Washington buildings. Like Washington itself, the creating has developed over time since the main part was built between 1793 and 1812. The final addition, in 1958-62, enlarged the main façade where presidents get the oath. On the other area, a marble terrace presents beautiful opinions over the mall and the city. The inner is resplendent with frescoes, reliefs, and paintings, particularly the rotunda underneath the good cast-iron dome with a ceiling painting by Constantino Brumidi and huge paintings of scenes from American record on the walls.

Answer 4

He was afraid that he be made something like a king and given too much power.

Its more just hinted at in personal letters to correspondents.

Nearly every president since decided that George did the right thing and stepped down after two terms except FDR.

Answer 5

Here is his farewell address~

http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/P/gw1/speeches/gwfar.htm

"The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust I will only say that I have, with good intentions, contributed toward the organization and administration of the government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious in the outset of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it."

Answer 6

I don't know about him saying he retired, but I know that George Washington stepping down and John Adams stepping up was a big deal - being a peaceful transfer of power for the new nation.

Answer 7

I am not aware that George Washington ever made a quote to that effect. However here is a link to his Farewell Address that may have a quote you can use.

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/washing.htm

Answer 8

He felt that anyone staying in power too long would be too much like the monarchy which he had just fought to overthrow. The term limits were not instituted until after FDR's death during his fourth term.

Answer 9

Maybe he justed wanted to retire.

Answer 10

He never wanted to be be president. It was forced upon him.