<P> Washington proved an able administrator and established many precedents in the functions of the presidency, including messages to Congress and the cabinet form of government . He set the standard for tolerance of opposition voices, despite fears that a democratic system would lead to political violence, and he conducted a smooth transition of power to his successor . He was an excellent delegator and judge of talent and character; he talked regularly with department heads and listened to their advice before making a final decision . In handling routine tasks, he was "systematic, orderly, energetic, solicitous of the opinion of others...but decisive, intent upon general goals and the consistency of particular actions with them ." He reluctantly served a second term but refused to run for a third, establishing the tradition of a maximum of two terms for a president, which was solidified by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison . </P> <P> During his first term in office, Washington had to contend with major problems, old and new . The United States was not completely unified; North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet formally joined the Union, and the status was uncertain of the independent Vermont Republic . Great Britain refused to relinquish its forts in the American West . Additionally, the United States Army was minuscule and the United States Navy did not exist . The old Confederation lacked the powers to handle the needed workload . It had weak leadership, no executive, a small bureaucracy of clerks, a large debt, worthless paper money, and no taxing power . </P> <P> Congress created executive departments during Washington's first months in office in 1789, including the State Department on July 27, the Department of War in early August, and the Treasury Department on September 2 . The President also received two additional officers without departments: the Attorney General and Postmaster General . Washington appointed Richmond lawyer Edmund Randolph as Attorney General and Samuel Osgood as Postmaster General . He also appointed fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson to be Secretary of State and Henry Knox as Secretary of War . Finally, he appointed Alexander Hamilton to head the Treasury Department . Washington's cabinet eventually developed into a consultation and advisory body, although this was not mandated by the Constitution . </P> <P> During Washington's administration, the President was given broad powers for removing officials in the executive branch . Congress passed a bill sponsored by James Madison that gave the President the power to remove public officials whose appointments mandated Senatorial approval . In 1789, Vice President John Adams cast the deciding vote in the Senate against a bill that would have mandated senatorial consent for the removal of Senate - confirmed federal and cabinet appointments . The bill had been sponsored by Pennsylvania Senator William Maclay . </P>

What is the name of the first friendship badge in roblox