"Thank you, Andrew," nodded President Washington. He stood and began to speak again. "Gentlemen, as you know, I fought for seven long years with my brave men to weather the tyranny of the English monarchy. When the war was over, I surrendered my authority as Commander of the American Forces to Congress, and I retired to my home at Mount Vernon. I had scarcely returned to private life when the clash of civil strife broke our newfound peace. Rumors of rebellion, talk of monarchy, and schemes for military dictatorship alarmed me. I then urged the formation of a strong government, not by the scepter or the sword, but by discussion, propositions, and ratification. To this end I accepted membership in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. I presided over its deliberations and acted as conciliator behind the scenes. My friends pressed me to lend the weight of my name to the Federal experiment agreed upon. So I accepted the presidency, and for eight years devoted my energies to the new civil administration. I took great care to install as members of my cabinet men loyal to the new order. Under my administration the federal judicial system was created. We arranged to pay our revolutionary debts, a protective tariff was enacted, the first United States bank was established, and encouragement was given to commerce. We were on our way." President Adams spoke up: "There was much turmoil in those days. I was, as you know, vice-president during George's two terms. Thomas, here, returned from France to serve as Secretary of State. He later assumed the position of vice-president with me, and four years later replaced me as chief executive. We did not always see eye to eye then, but we did later become good friends. And curiously, we both died on the same day, July fourth, 1826." "Oh yes, I remember it well," smiled President Jefferson. "Do you remember when you first drafted the Constitution of the United States?" said President Washington. "Yes. That was an exciting time for me," replied President Jefferson. "Which brings us to the next point. It's quite interesting to hear the discussions revolving around various interpretations of the Constitution." "People seem to read into it what they wish to believe. It would be nice to be able to go back and explain some of the fine points. I don't think the wording of the Constitution leaves any room for doubt," said President Washington. "If people would only read it objectively, without bringing their own emotions and self interest into their interpretation." "So true," sighed President Jefferson, shaking his head slowly. "But isn't it human nature to see things as we want to see them?"