The common and continual mischief's [sic] of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and the duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion.

1777 campaigns
In the late summer of 1777 the British under John Burgoyne sent a major invasion army south from Quebec with the intention of splitting off rebellious New England. United States Constitution

Washington's retirement to Mount Vernon was short-lived. French and Indian War (or 'Seven Years War' 1754–1758)

In 1753 the French began expanding their military control into the "Ohio Country" a territory also claimed by the British colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

As the leader of the first successful revolution against a colonial empire in world history Washington became an international icon for liberation and nationalism especially in France and Latin America. Chosen by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolution Washington managed to force the British out of Boston in 1776 but was defeated and almost captured later that year when he lost New York City. His leadership style establiGeorge Washingtond many forms and rituals of government that have been used since such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address.