“It appears to me that the union of the states and consequently the permanency of the government depend under Providence upon his [Washingon's] life. At this early day when neither our finances are arranged nor our government sufficiently cemented to promise duration, his death would ... have ... the most disastrous consequences.”
- Abagail Adams
In May of 1790, President George Washington was temporarily incapacitated by a severe case of influenza. Although it was widely thought he would die, neither Congress or the Vice President took action. Any transfer of executive power would be seen by the public as a coup d'etat and no one in the federal government was quite sure what would happen if the President died in office. There were no provisions in place until 1792.
What if Washington died in late May, having only served thirteen months in office?
- Abagail Adams
In May of 1790, President George Washington was temporarily incapacitated by a severe case of influenza. Although it was widely thought he would die, neither Congress or the Vice President took action. Any transfer of executive power would be seen by the public as a coup d'etat and no one in the federal government was quite sure what would happen if the President died in office. There were no provisions in place until 1792.
What if Washington died in late May, having only served thirteen months in office?