THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502170170
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Stephen Harriman
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
George Washington was ``first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'' Henry Lee III uttered those words as he delivered Washington's funeral eulogy in 1799.
That phrase would become the second most significant contribution ``Light-Horse Harry,'' a dashing and controversial cavalry officer in the Revolutionary War, made to American history - the first being the fathering of Robert E. Lee.
But maybe you didn't know this: First and foremost though he was, Washington was not the first president of the United States. Not even the first from Virginia. Not exactly.
Technically, the first president was John Hanson of Maryland. After the Articles of Confederation were approved by the Continental Congress, he was elected president by the United States Congress. After serving one year, he was followed in office by, among others, John Hancock of Massachusetts and the tempestuous Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, a cousin of Henry ``Light-Horse Harry'' Lee.
After the Articles of Confederation proved to be a disaster, a new Constitution was drawn up and, under its provisions in 1789, George Washington was elected president. by CNB