Mental Confusion, Politics at Sunset, Washington and Slavery and Death of a Hero Summary and Analysis

Removed now from the office he has held for eight years, Washington tries valiantly to distance himself from politics but is drawn in again when news of negative writings about Washington surface to threaten Washington's relationship with Jefferson. As it turns out, the letters are not written by Jefferson and people wonder at Washington's rush to judgment on the matter. To complicate things, the French are unhappy with John Adams and demand a special expedition and concessions to maintain a positive relationship with America. The incident comes to be known as the XYZ affair, for the three anonymous French representatives making demands on America.

Adams, without notifying Washington, names Washington commander in chief of the army, a...