Page "George Washington" Paragraph 83

By 1798, relations with France had deteriorated to the point that war seemed imminent, and on July 4, 1798, President Adams offered Washington a commission as lieutenant general and Commander-in-chief of the armies raised or to be raised for service in a prospective war.

He reluctantly accepted, and served as the senior officer of the United States Army between July 13, 1798, and December 14, 1799.

He participated in the planning for a Provisional Army to meet any emergency that might arise, but avoided involvement in details as much as possible ; he delegated most of the work, including leadership of the army, to Hamilton.