We all know about Washington as the Commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and as the first president under the U.S. Constitution. But did you know that Washington was a very successful business man?
John Berlau writes:
During a time period of America’s existence as an English colony and then a young nation – when, to put it mildly, communication and transportation faced challenges – [Washington’s] enterprise processed 1.5 million fish per year sent throughout the 13 American colonies and the British West Indies. The mill he built grinded 278,000 pounds of branded flour annually that was shipped through America and, unusual during colonization, even exported to England as well as Portugal. And in the 1790s, during the last years of his life, this mogul built one of the largest whiskey distilleries in the new nation.
George Washington was an entrepreneur (the backbone of any prosperous society) and a really good one to boot even with the restrictions placed upon him by King George III at the time. Also, Washington was said to have been a very handsome red-haired fellow; unlike the white-haired gentleman with which we have become familiar.
Today is the celebration of Lincoln as well but, since it’s a holiday, I’ll just abide by the old adage that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. So, here it goes. ......................................... He was one of the finest examples of government-in-action that I have ever read and he could spin words with the best of them. ............. I liked his hat.
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." – George Washington
