George Washington – the First President

George Washington was the first president of the United States.

乔治·华盛顿是美国第一任总统。

He served from 1789 to 1797.

他的任期是从1789年到1797年。

He wanted to retire from public service and return home.

他想从公职退休，回到家乡。

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

但国家的开国元勋们希望他搬到纽约，担任美国总统。

Washington accepted the job as his duty.

华盛顿把这份工作当作自己的责任接受了下来。

Washington was sworn in as president in 1789.

华盛顿于1789年宣誓就任总统。

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

他必须为所有未来的总统开创总统这一职务。

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

他组建了一个顾问团——称为内阁——并确立了国家的官方货币。

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

他还设立了外交事务部，也就是现在的国务院。

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

他希望自己的作为能让未来的总统在他开创的基础上继续发展。

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

从一开始，乔治·华盛顿就注意与国会建立良好的工作关系。

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

他以自己的行动确认了宪法所规定的政府三权分立。

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

历史学家约瑟夫·埃利斯说，乔治·华盛顿最好的品质之一就是他能够放弃权力。

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

独立战争结束时，华盛顿将军交还了他的佩剑。

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

第二个任期结束时，华盛顿总统就这样回家了。

By the end of his life, Washington opposed slavery.

到了晚年，华盛顿反对奴隶制。

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

他留下遗嘱，命令后人在他妻子去世后释放他的奴隶。

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

在结束第二个总统任期三年后，华盛顿病倒了。

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、被奴役的女仆和朋友们的陪伴下，在床上去世。

He was 67.

他享年67岁。