His Excellency: George Washington

“This hero/villain image is, in fact, the same portrait, which has a front and back side that we rotate regularly. It is really a cartoon, which tells us less about Washington than about ourselves.” 

Ellis lays out one of his principal reasons for writing his book—the superficial characterization that popular culture typically applies to Washington. Either Washington is viewed as a knight in shining armor who could do no wrong, or as the perpetuator of an “imperialistic, racist, elitist, and patriarchal” society. Ellis hopes to bring greater perspective on Washington’s life, to seek “a man, not a statue” and to avoid imposing either celebratory or dismissive agendas to his biography. 

“Both you and the English are White. We live in a Country between, therefore the Land does not belong either to one or the other; but the GREAT BEING above allow’d it to be a Place of Residence for us.” 

This quote is spoken by Tanacharison, Washington’s American Indian ally in the French and Indian War. It expresses the conviction of the Indians that their land was given to them by divine gift and cannot be taken away by force. Caught between French and English claims on their land, the Indians wish to be left in peace. 

“I may point out to the Public […] that heroic youth Col. Washington, who I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a Manner for some important Service to his Country.” 

Reverend Samuel Davies writes these words in the wake of Washington’s action in the (albeit unsuccessful) attack on the French forces at Fort Duquesne. It is strikingly prescient of Washington’s future career and the praise and glory that will accompany him in almost all of his military exploits.