GEORGE WASHINGTON: WHAT WAS HE FISHING FOR?

Here at Upland Equations, we love history, especially early American history. In particular, George Washington is one of my heroes. I believe he was one of the greatest and noblest men of his day, or of any time for that matter. As a student of history, I have always been fascinated by crucial role he played in the Revolutionary War, the Constitutional Convention, and the founding our great nation.


George Washington fox hunting in Virginia.

I’ve been doing some research for an article on bird-hunting presidents and found a book entitled, George Washington, Sportsman: From His Own Journals, by John C. Phillips. This book contains all of the journal entries of our first president regarding his outdoor sporting adventures. Many know that Washington was a diehard fox hunter and that he bred his own dogs for this endeavor, but it is not general knowledge that he participated in numerous other outdoor pursuits, but more on that in my forthcoming article. Stay tuned!

In the Introduction to the book, Phillips stated: “These journals are in a sense disappointing because the daily happenings were set down in the briefest space and the coldest manner. There could have been no thought that others would ever value these records, they were simply for the convenience of the writer . . . .” Phillips is correct about the briefness and coldness of the entries of the journal, but a good historian always tries to dig a little deeper and read between the lines.

With that thought in mind, I found something very intriguing in this book. By way of background, during the Summer of 1787, George Washington served as the president of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia while the delegates from the states attempted to create a new form of government that was by the people and for the people. This endeavor proved to be no easy task because of the different circumstances, mentality and prejudices of the men from the various states. In fact, the only thing that the delegates seemed to agree upon was their admiration for their leader, Washington. Things became so dire at one point that Benjamin Franklin called upon the delegates of the convention to have daily prayer.

From Washington’s Journals, I learned that he was able to get away for a few days of fishing during an adjournment of the Convention at the end of July and beginning of August, 1787. Upon reading this, my first impression was surprise that he would go fishing at such a time. Moreover, of all the places, Washington picked two places very significant to the Revolutionary War: Valley Forge and Trenton. If you recall, Valley Forge was where the suffering American Continental Army wintered during the Winter of 1777/1778. Circumstances were so precarious that harsh winter because the troops lacked adequate food, clothing and supplies. Many of the troops became ill and died. Washington continually pleaded to the Continental Congress for supplies. It was during this harsh winter that it is reported that Washington was observed praying fervently in the woods for his troops and for the cause of freedom.


"Washington Crossing the Delaware," by Emanuel Leutze. These are the times that try men's souls. This may be one of the most important Christmases in U.S. History.

Trenton, New Jersey, was the target the night Washington and the bedraggled troops crossed the Delaware River on Christmas of 1776 during a complete blizzard. On December 23, 1776, Washington gathered the troops and had read to them the timeless words of Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis”: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country, but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” The troops were inspired by those powerful words and the password for the desperate venture of marching on Trenton was: “Victory or death.”

"The American Crisis," by Thomas Paine.

The morning of December 26, 1776, the small Continental Army attacked the German Dragoons stationed in Trenton with fierce swiftness quickly subduing its opponent. When it was reported to Washington that the enemy had fully surrendered, he exclaimed, “Major Wilkinson, this is a glorious day for our country!” This proved to be the victory necessary to rally the Revolution and to inspire the troops to continue to support the cause of freedom. In short, Valley Forge and Trenton are two places where Washington faced some of his most difficult challenges and overcame them.

With that background in mind, here are the journal entries regarding his return to fish these historical places the summer of the Constitution Convention:

Monday, [July 30, 1787]. In a company with Mr. Govr. Morris’ and in his Phaeton with my horses, went up to one, Jane Moore’s, [in whose house we lodged] in the vicinity of Valley Forge to get Trout.

Tuesday, [July 31, 1787]. Whilst Mr. Morris was fishing, I rid over the [whole] old Cantonment of the American [Army] of the Winter, 1777 and 8, visited all the Works, wch. were in Ruins; and the Incampments in woods where the grounds had not been cultivated.

On my Return to Mrs. Moore’s I found Mr. Robt. Morris and his lady there. [Spent the day there fishing &ca and lodged at the same place].

Friday, [August 3, 1787]. In company with Mr. Robt. Morris and his Lady, and Mr. Gouvr. Morris I went up to Trenton on another Fishing party. [Dined and] Lodged at Colo. Sam Ogden’s at the Trenton Works. In the Evening fished, not very successfully.

Saturday, [August 4, 1787]. In the morning, and between breakfast and dinner, fished again with more success (for perch) than yesterday. . . .

On the surface, these passages simply describe Washington going fishing; some may argue nothing more, nothing less. But why did he go fishing during this critical time in our nation’s history. Why does anyone really go fishing for that matter? And why did he choose to fish these specific places? Was it just to catch a few fish? While these entries show nothing of what Washington thought or felt while he fished these hallowed grounds, one can imagine the peace and strength he gathered from revisiting the locations themselves and reflecting on the memories of the events that transpired there. It is now over two hundred years later, and I still get goosebumps just thinking about them. Perhaps this is why Washington came back to Valley Forge and Trenton, to seek strength and resolve to forge ahead with the creation of a completely new form of government, “the greatest experiment.” Washington himself would later call the Constitution and its ratification “little short of a miracle.”

With this history in mind, my question to the readers is this: Was Washington’s “fishing” trip to Valley Forge and Trenton that summer just a mindless outdoor excursion or did it serve a much deeper purpose for him? I’ll let you decide for yourselves.