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Washington, who had established his preeminence among the new nation's Founding Fathers by leading the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War and by resigning his commission afterward, served as president of the 1787 constitutional convention. Even before the new Constitution was formally ratified, it was widely expected that Washington become the first President of the United States, though it was his desire to retire from public life.

After all, Washington was a national hero for engineering the Continental Army's surprising victory in the American Revolution, and he had the full respect and admiration of his fellow statesmen.
 * How George Washington’s Personal and Physical Characteristics Helped Him Win the Presidency

George Washington (1732-99)

Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, known as the Compact Clause, prohibits the establishment of pacts or treaties among the states, or between states and any foreign government without the consent, real or implied, of Congress. Congress must approve any compact that would increase the states' political power in a manner that would encroach upon the federal government's power. Also under this clause, states may not, without the consent of Congress, keep troops or armies during times of peace, or enter into alliances or compacts other states or with foreign governments. Furthermore, states may not engage in war unless invaded. States may, however, organize and arm a militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress. The National Guard, whose members are also members of the militia as defined by, fulfill this function, as do persons serving in a state defense force with federal oversight under.

Comparable prohibitions had earlier been contained in the Articles of Confederation, but the writers of the Constitution in 1787 chose somewhat stronger language in in an effort to assure federal supremacy in foreign affairs and in relations among the states. The first interstate compact was the Maryland–Virginia Compact of 1785, governing navigational rights on Chesapeake Bay, and on the Potomac and Pocomoke rivers. Through the early 20th century, they were used infrequently and mostly to settle state boundary and jurisdictional disputes. Only 36 interstate compacts had approved through 1920. That number has grown substantially during the past century.

Historically, interstate compacts have been used for three reasons: 1) to establish state boundaries; 2) to establish advisory commissions to study interstate policy issues and report back to the respective states on their findings; and 3) to create administrative agencies to regulate and manage a variety of interstate policy concerns.


 * On Presidential Births and Deaths, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
 * On Presidential Births and Deaths, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior