George Washington – the First President

George Washington was the first president of the United States.

喬治·華盛頓是美國第一任總統。

He served from 1789 to 1797.

他的任期是從1789年到1797年。

He wanted to retire from public service and return home.

他想從公職退休，回到家鄉。

But the country's founders wanted him to move to New York and serve as the American president.

但國家的開國元勳們希望他搬到紐約，擔任美國總統。

Washington accepted the job as his duty.

華盛頓把這份工作當作自己的責任接受了下來。

Washington was sworn in as president in 1789.

華盛頓於1789年宣誓就任總統。

He had to invent the job of being president for all future presidents.

他必須為所有未來的總統開創總統這一職務。

He established a group of advisors — called the cabinet—as well as the nation's official money.

他組建了一個顧問團——稱為內閣——並確立了國家的官方貨幣。

And he created the Department of Foreign Affairs, now called the State Department.

他還設立了外交事務部，也就是現在的國務院。

He hoped to act in such a way that future presidents could continue to build on what he began.

他希望自己的作為能讓未來的總統在他開創的基礎上繼續發展。

From the beginning, George Washington was careful to establish a good working relationship with Congress.

從一開始，喬治·華盛頓就注意與國會建立良好的工作關係。

By his actions, he confirmed the separation of powers of the three branches of the government, as described in the Constitution.

他以自己的行動確認了憲法所規定的政府三權分立。

Historian Joseph Ellis says one of the best things about George Washington was his ability to give up power.

歷史學家約瑟夫·艾利斯說，喬治·華盛頓最好的特質之一就是他能夠放棄權力。

At the end of the Revolutionary War, General Washington returned his sword.

獨立戰爭結束時，華盛頓將軍交還了他的佩劍。

And at the end of his second term, President Washington simply returned home.

第二個任期結束時，華盛頓總統就這樣回家了。

By the end of his life, Washington opposed slavery.

到了晚年，華盛頓反對奴隸制。

He left a will ordering his survivors to free his slaves after his wife's death.

他留下遺囑，命令後人在他妻子去世後釋放他的奴隸。

Three years after he finished his second term as president, Washington fell ill.

在結束第二個總統任期三年後，華盛頓病倒了。

On December 14, 1799, he died in his bed, surrounded by his wife, enslaved maids, and friends.

1799年12月14日，他在妻子、被奴役的女僕和朋友們的陪伴下，在床上去世。

He was 67.

他享年67歲。