His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin.  He has a clear though rather a colorless pale skin, which burns with the sun.  A pleasing, benevolent, though a commanding countenance, dark brown hair, which he wears in a cue.  His mouth is large and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth.  His features are regular and placid, with all the muscles of his face under perfect control, though flexible and expressive of deep feeling when moved by emotion.  In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberate, deferential and engaging.  His voice is agreeable rather than strong.  His demeanor at all times composed and dignified.  His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman.”

Dr. James Thacher, writing in 1778, depicted him as “remarkably tall, full six feet, erect and well proportioned.  The strength and proportion of his joints and muscles, appear to be commensurate with the pre-eminent powers of his mind.  The serenity of his countenance, and majestic gracefulness of his deportment, impart a strong impression of that dignity and grandeur, which are his peculiar characteristics, and no one can stand in his presence without feeling the ascendancy of his mind, and associating with his countenance the idea of wisdom, philanthropy, magnanimity and patriotism.  There is a fine symmetry in the features of his face, indicative of a benign and dignified spirit.  His nose is straight, and his eye inclined to blue.  He wears his hair in a becoming cue, and from his forehead it is turned back and powdered in a manner which adds to the military air of his appearance.  He displays a native gravity, but devoid of all appearance of ostentation.”  In this same year a friend wrote, “General Washington is now in the forty-seventh year of his age; he is a well-made man, rather large boned, and has a tolerably genteel address; his features are manly and bold, his eyes of a bluish cast and very lively; his hair a deep brown, his face rather long and marked with the small-pox; his complexion sunburnt and without much color, and his countenance sensible, composed and thoughtful; there is a remarkable air of dignity about him, with a striking degree of gracefulness.”

In 1789 Senator Maclay saw “him as he really is.  In stature about six feet, with an unexceptionable make, but lax appearance.  His frame would seem to want filling up.  His motions rather slow than lively, though he showed no signs of having suffered by gout or rheumatism.  His complexion pale, nay, almost cadaverous.  His voice hollow and indistinct, owing, as I believe, to artificial teeth before his upper jaw, which occasions a flatness.”