Benjamin West, a painter from Pennsylvania who did work in the service of England’s King George III during the Revolutionary War, said that the King asked him what George Washington would do if America succeeded and became independent. West said he told King George that he believed Washington would retire to a private situation. King George responded that if he did that (give up that power and prestige) Washington would be the greatest man in the world.
George Washington did retire to his farm in Mt. Vernon after serving two terms as President—a position he did not seek, but to which he was “drafted,” when the war ended.
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