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© 2000 Philip Ernest Schoenberg, PhD
George Washington should be considered a true New Yorker. He told George Clinton, the first governor of New York State that the state might someday be a "seat of empire," coining the state nickname, "The Empire State." George Washington had been the first person to use "New-Yorker" in a letter he wrote in 1754.
Washington briefly visited New York City on February 1756 to enroll his step-son Jacky Curtis at Columbia College. Columbia College was located on College Street, now 75 Park Place, near present-day city hall, from 1755 to 1857. He visited New York in May 1773 briefly and in June 1775 shortly before taking command of the Continental Army. He then returned in 1776 to defend the city. In all visits, he enjoyed visiting the theater.
In 1776, New York City[`s population was about 20,000 and extended a mile north of the Battery. Washington considered the city strategically important because of its geographic position and fine harbor. If the British seized it, they could control the Hudson River and divide the southern colonies from the northern colonies. Washington would change his strategy to let the British occupy the cities while he would attack their armies. His initial strategy in trying to hold the cities proved to be disastrous. After several disastrous defeats, Washington simply besieged the British army in the city instead of trying to defend or attack it during the rest of the American Revolution. He operated several spy rings inside the city.
On November 25, 1783, Washington returned triumphant to the city to observe the final departure of British troops. He lead a victory parade down the Bowery to Battery Park. This day known as Evacuation Day was celebrated as a major holiday in New York City until Armistice Day of World War I eclipsed it. Then, and he bade an emotional farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern on December 4, 1783. In a final meeting at Fraunces' Tavern, Washington said farewell to his officers. "I cannot come to each of you,' he said, his voice shaking, `but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand." As he looked the first man in the ye, he put his arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. With tears flowing, they all came up to him in turn and received his embrace. Then the general raised his arm in silent farewell, and walking out of the tavern, started for home. He would return six years later to be inaugurated president of the United States.
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