George Washington, Entrepreneur by John Berlau

Author:John Berlau
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

CHAPTER 10

NEVER AT REST: WASHINGTON’S FINAL YEARS

The Rebuilt Mount Vernon Whiskey Distillery

Washington’s service as general and president each took him away from Mount Vernon for a period of roughly eight years. Upon each return, Washington would throw himself into growing the operations of the estate. Contrary to what some biographies, histories, and textbooks have stated, Washington was never “at rest” but remained active to the end of his life.

His return to Mount Vernon after two terms as president was a bit smoother than his homecoming after the Revolutionary War. During his presidency, he was able to visit Mount Vernon a few times and oversee operations. He was even able to make some major improvements during this time. For example, after personally signing the patent awarded to inventor Oliver Evans for an automation system for mills, Washington directed his estate managers to implement Evans’ system at the Mount Vernon gristmill. Even without electricity, the mill was almost fully automated through a system of conveyor belts and bucket elevators. As described by Farm Collector magazine, “The product wasn’t touched by human hands from the time the grain was dumped into the receiving hopper until the finished flour flowed into a bin ready for packing into barrels or bags.”1 The process is still in use today as one of Mount Vernon’s attractions.

During his presidency, as previously discussed, Washington also sent letters detailing the construction of the 16-sided barn for grain storage and processing that was completed in 1794. Yet serving as president had, on balance, hurt rather than helped his businesses’ profitability. Conscious of his public image and not wanting to look like he was bullying people of lesser means, Washington had to think twice before taking legal action against a delinquent tenant or purchaser. Those in debt to Washington were quick to realize his predicament, and many took advantage of it.2

Meanwhile, the costs of maintaining Mount Vernon as an unofficial national shrine soared higher than ever. More and more Americans wanted to see the unique home of the father of their country, especially when they might catch a glimpse of the man himself.

When it came to visitors, Washington had an open-door policy, albeit subject to certain limits. “I have no objection to any sober or orderly person’s gratifying their curiosity in viewing the buildings, Gardens, &ca. about Mount Vernon,” Washington wrote to his farm manager William Pearce in 1794. However, he admonished Pearce not to give all visitors the same hospitality.

Washington’s favorite Madeira wine from Portugal, for instance, should not “be given to every one who may incline to make a convenience of the house, in travelling; or who may be induced to visit it from motives of curiosity.” It should only be given, Washington instructed, to the first couple’s “particular and intimate acquaintance,” “some of the most respectable foreigners,” and “persons of some distinction (such as members of Congress &ca).”3 For other visitors, Washington directed Pearce “to provide claret, or other wine on which the duty is not so high, than to use my Madeira.

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