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cherry tree myth

First of all: George Washington did NOT cut down a cherry tree. The fable had young Washington’ confessing that he was “barking” at his father’s prized offspring.

The entire story, however, is a moral lesson concocted by the patriot’s first biographer, a former Anglican minister and Bible peddler named Mason L. Weems.

Known throughout the country as “Parson” Weems, he wrote several books on good conduct to supplement his biblical treatises.

His most popular book was: “The life of George Washington with curious anecdotes equally honorable to himself and exemplary to his young countrymen.”

The book was published a year after Washington’s death in December 1799. It contained a great deal of factual information, but also spun several legends, which made our first president seem somewhat prudish.

This is unfortunate because myths have obscured the true personality of our first president. He was a man of great dignity, but a vital and emotional man. He was ambitious, hardworking and sensitive to others.

Washington’s integrity was recognized by everyone he met. However, he worked throughout his life to control his temper.

There is no documentation about the charming tale of Weem’s cherry tree. He writes that he heard the story from “a distant relative close to the family”.

A close relative claimed they had never heard the story. However, the alleged incident is in keeping with Washington’s childlike personality.

He was instructed until he was 11 years old by his father, Agustín. The elder Washington emphasized honesty and obedience, as witnessed by George’s marked textbooks and copy papers that still exist.

After his father’s death, young Washington taught himself the art of surveying. At the age of 15 he was actively engaged in that occupation. This trade took him steadily over the frontier as far west as Ohio and Kentucky.

In 1754, the Governor of Virginia sent Washington to drive out a French force occupying a fort at the fork of the Ohio and Allegheny rivers, now Pittsburgh. The young American commander was defeated and forced to sign a humiliating surrender document. It was the start of the French and Indian War.

In subsequent campaigns, George Washington vindicated himself and was chosen for several important military assignments.

Washington was 44 years old and a successful tobacco planter when the American Revolution began. As such, he was reluctant to challenge his motherland militarily.

However, he obeyed the call of the Continental Congress to take charge of the small army in Boston that had resisted the British siege at Breed Hill, not Bunker Hill as is popularly said.

It took an honest man to face the realities of an irrevocable break with Britain, to face the dangers and difficulties of creating a new nation against armed might.

The War of Independence is now remembered as the Revolutionary War. In fact, it was our most unpopular war, despite the Civil War and the Vietnam War. Many colonists were loyal to England and bitterly opposed to separation.

Washington’s patience and perseverance achieved resounding success in a bad war. He justly deserves the nickname: “Father of the Nation”.

It is unfortunate that his true talents and achievements are obscured by the image of do-gooder that a well-meaning Parson Weems foisted on his memory.

For example, here is the complete tale of the cherry tree as told by the enthusiastic Weems:

I can’t tell a lie


“When George was about six years old, he became the rich owner of an axe, which, like most little boys, he was very fond of, and was constantly going about and buying whatever came his way. in the path.

“One day, in the garden where he often entertained himself by cutting his mother’s pea sticks, he unfortunately tried with the edge of his ax the body of a beautiful young English cherry tree, at which he barked so terribly that the tree did not grow. ever got the best of him.

“The next morning the old gentleman (Washington’s father), learning what had happened to his tree—which, by the way, was a great favorite—entered the house. He very fondly inquired after the mischievous author, declaring at the same time that he would not have taken five guineas for the tree from him.

“No one could tell him anything about it. At that moment, George and his ax made their appearance. ‘George,’ said his father, ‘do you know who killed that beautiful cherry tree in the garden?’

“This was a difficult question, and George staggered for a moment, but quickly recovered. Looking at his father with the sweet face of youth, illuminated with the inexpressible charm of all-conquering truth, he courageously cried out: ‘No! I can Tell a lie, Pa. You know I can’t tell a lie. I did it with my axe.

“‘Run into my arms, dearest boy,’ cried his father in a fit. ‘Run into my arms. I am glad, George, that you have killed my tree because you have paid me a thousand times over for it. The heroism in my son! It is worth more than a thousand trees even if they flourish with silver and their fruits are pure gold!'”

I know you were here

Parson Weems was apparently not satisfied that he had adequately described all of Washington’s virtues. He embellished it in the same book with another myth:


“One day Mr. Washington went into the garden and prepared a little bed of finely pulverized earth. On it he wrote George’s name in large, full letters. Then he poured copious amounts of cabbage seeds. He covered and smoothed them very well with the roller.

“This bed he purposely prepared near a gooseberry path which he knew would be graced by George’s visits when the berries were ripe.

“Not many mornings had passed when George arrived with his eyes rolled back and his little cheeks ready to burst with big news.

“‘Oh, papa! Come here, come here. I’ll show you a show like you’ve never seen in your whole life.’

“The old gentleman, suspecting what George was up to, gave him his hand, which he took with great enthusiasm; and dragging him through the garden, he led him at point-blank range to the bed on which was inscribed in large letters: and in all the freshness of newly sprouted plants: the full name of GEORGE WASHINGTON.

“‘Dad,’ said George, in an ecstasy of amazement, ‘have you ever seen a show like that in your whole life? Who did it there?

“‘He grew up there by chance, I suppose, my son.’

“‘Oh dad, you mustn’t say that chance did all this. As a matter of fact, somebody did; and dare I say now, dad, you did it just to scare me because I’m your little boy.”

“His father smiled and said, ‘Well, George, you’ve got it right. In fact I did; but not to scare you, my son, but to learn something important that I want you to understand. I want to introduce you to your real Father.’

“‘Stop, Dad, aren’t you my real father, who has loved me and been so good to me always?’

“‘Yes, George, I’m your father, as the world calls him. I love you very much, too. But, with all my love for you, I’m just a poor, good-for-nothing kind of father compared to one you have.

“‘Yes! I know very well who you mean, Pa. You mean Almighty God, aren’t you, but where is Almighty God? I never saw him yet.’

“‘A certain son of mine; but although you never saw him, he is always with you. You did not see me when ten days ago when I made this little bed of plants where you see your name in such beautiful green letters. Although you did you do not see me here, but You know I was here

“‘Yes, Dad, I know. I know you were here!'”

* * *

So far the poetic license. The truth does not need embroidery.

Washington was that rare historical figure: the right man at the right time in the right place. His whole life was a dedication to the greatest good for the greatest number.

It wasn’t easy for him, but he worked to discipline his flaws, replacing pride with honesty, temper with duty. His life is a more inspiring example for our own imperfect nature than the preaching of moralists.

By lumping his birthday with Abraham Lincoln’s on a convenient Presidents’ Day, to give us another long weekend, we may be missing out on the real lessons these great heroes left us with.

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