George Washington

"Your proposal raises the greatest mischief that can befall my country. You could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable. Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for your self or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, never communicate, as from yourself, or anyone else, a sentiment of the like nature."

- George Washington, on the proposal of becoming a king.

George Washington (1732 – 1799) was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783, and served as the first of the United States from 30 April 1789 to 4 March 1797.

Born in the colony of Virginia in the British colonies of America, Washington joined the Virginian militia during his youth and participated in the French and Indian War with the British Army, fighting against the French and various indigenous tribes. Due to the lack of progress of his military career in the British Army, Washington instead turned to politics.

When the American Revolutionary War broke out, Washington supported the Patriots. Following the creation of the Continental Army, the Continental Congress of 1775 appointed Washington as its Commander-in-Chief. Though the Continental Army suffered many losses under Washington's command, the aid of individuals such as his ally Ratonhnhaké:ton, a member of the Assassin Order, managed to gain the army small victories.

After Washington obtained an Apple of Eden around 1781, the Continental Army emerged victorious against the British Army, and the colonies joined together to form the United States in 1783. Washington was subsequently offered the privilege of becoming its first President, a position he held until 1797.

Early life
"Since the death of my father four years ago, our lives have become difficult, and I must help my family."

- George Washington's journal entry - 20 March 1748.

George Washington was born on 22 February 1732, and he lived in Virginia where his family owned a tobacco plantation. His father died in 1743, and although he enjoyed school, he had to leave before he turned sixteen to support his family in his father's stead.

French and Indian War
"We're far from home with our forces divided. Worse, I fear Braddock's bloodlust makes him careless. It puts the men at risk. I'd rather not be delivering grim news to mothers and widows because the Bulldog wanted to prove a point."

- George Washington talking to John Fraser regarding Edward Braddock.

In 1754, George Washington pursued a military career by joining the Virginian militia as a soldier and surveyor, where he became involved in the French and Indian War. During an expedition to Fort Duquesne, Washington and his men attacked a French patrol while crossing the Ohio River.

Following this, the militia and Washington prepared for a retaliatory strike by erecting a fort from alpine wood, in order to defend themselves and protect their supplies. This would later be known as the Battle at Fort Necessity, however Washington was overwhelmed and forced to surrender to the French, but was released not long after.

Washington volunteered to join British Army General Edward Braddock, who enlisted Washington as a guide in his expedition to take Fort Duquesne. In the winter of 1754, Washington was stationed in Fort St-Mathieu where he formulated the route for the expedition while Braddock rallied his troops and supplies.

On 9 July 1755, in what would later become known as the Battle of the Monongahela, George Washington rode with Edward Braddock along a road amidst a wooded area. Suddenly, their forces were attacked by Native Americans and Haytham Kenway, the Grand Master of the Templar Order's Colonial Rite, who was disguised as a British soldier. Haytham then attempted to assassinate Braddock, but was interrupted by Washington, who shot the man's horse from under him. As Washington readied to fire a shot at Haytham, he was attacked and pinned down by Kaniehtí:io, which consequently led to Haytham pursuing and killing Braddock.

Washington managed to rally a retreat of the disseminated forces, during which he found Braddock's body; forthwith, Washington helped carry the man's body with him, eventually burying Braddock under a road in the Great Meadows to prevent his body from being found and desecrated by the French and Native Americans.

Following this defeat, Washington returned to his service in the Virginian militia and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He focused on revamping his forces, hoping to gain recognition and acceptance in the British armed forces. In 1760, in an attempt to prevent attacks from Native American tribes, Washington ordered his forces to burn the village of Kanatahséton, killing many Kanien'kehá:ka natives.

Becoming Commander-in-Chief
"For the support of the glorious cause I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation. But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every Gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the Command I am honored with."

- George Washington upon his appointment as Commander-in-Chief at the Continental Congress.

Over time, Washington changed to focus on political pursuits, and in 1758, he became a representative of Virginia in the House of Burgesses. In 1765, he became a strong supporter of the Patriots and an advocate against the British Parliament's Stamp Act; the taxation imposed by the British eventually led to armed conflict with the colonists.

In response to this, Washington became a part of the Continental Congress, and due to his military service, he was considered for the role of leading the Continental Army along with Charles Lee. However, Washington was favored because of his modesty, insistence for little pay and his promise to be financially responsible.

On 16 June 1775, George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in Philadelphia. Present at the time of his acceptance was the Assassin Ratonhnhaké:ton, then known as Connor. Washington delivered a speech declaring his humble gratitude for the position, and afterwards, he was introduced to Connor by Samuel Adams. He also had taken note of the disappointment of Charles Lee, who had wished to be appointed Commander-in-Chief himself. Washington then bid farewell to Adams and Connor and went to calm Lee from his frustrations.

On 17 June 1775, the Continental Army achieved victory at Boston, led by General Israel Putnam. During the Battle of Bunker Hill, Connor discovered a plot to assassinate Washington from a letter he retrieved from the body of John Pitcairn, masterminded by Charles Lee and Haytham Kenway.

New York City
"That man is our Jupiter Conservator, destined to lead us not just to freedom, but greatness."

- Mason Locke Weems.

In 1776, Washington seized and moved his forces to New York City. Connor also traveled to New York to stop Washington's would-be-murderer, Thomas Hickey, who was also enlisted in Washington's private guard. However, Connor was falsely arrested for counterfeiting alongside Hickey and sent to prison, where he was framed for the attempted murder of Washington and the prison warden and sentenced to death.

The next day, Washington was in attendance of Connor's execution, with Charles Lee presiding over as executioner. Despite this, with the help of his Assassin allies, Connor managed to escape. In the resulting confusion, Hickey made a desperate attempt to kill Washington, though Connor quickly caught up and killed Hickey, proving his innocence. After this attempt on his life, Washington left and began his journey back to Philadelphia, before leaving once again to hold New York. Some time later, Washington was eventually defeated by the British Army and was forced to retreat from the city.

Encampment at Valley Forge
"If I can't take a stand against some snow, then there really is no hope for us."

- Washington to Connor.

From there, Washington moved to the encampment at Valley Forge, and he was able to enlist French aid, with the vessel La Belladonna providing equipment and supplies. He also commissioned Marquis de Lafayette as a field secretary, as well as Polish horsemen to form the Patriot Cavalry.

Washington eventually met with Connor once again in the winter of 1777 at the encampment. There the Commander-in-Chief informed Connor of a traitor, Benjamin Church, and elaborated on missing supply caravans, to which Connor volunteered to find Church and retrieve the supplies. Before leaving, Connor approached Washington, who began to experience doubt and feared that defeat was inevitable. However, Connor encouraged him to continue leading his troops in their cause for freedom, renewing Washington's conviction and determination.

During his mission, Connor came upon his father, Haytham, and the two temporarily allied together. They pursued Church, eventually killing him and allowing Connor to return the stolen supplies to Washington and the Continental Army.

Battle of Monmouth
"Enjoy your victory, Commander. It will be the last I deliver you."

- Connor to Washington.

By 1778, Washington became concerned over the involvement of the Native Americans as several Iroquois clans had allied with the British to secure their independence. In response, Washington organized the, ordering his troops to exterminate all Native American villages to prevent their attacks against the Continental Army, even those not involved.

Connor and Haytham approached Washington, informing him of the British Army's intent to march from Philadelphia to New York. While Connor and Washington conversed, Haytham found a letter of Washington's correspondence with the expedition, reading it aloud and shocking Connor with the truth of Washington's orders to destroy Kanatahséton, Connor's village.

Haytham also revealed that it was Washington who was responsible for the burning of his village many years ago; Washington and Haytham argued, which prompted Connor to angrily yell at them, ceasing the uproar. With his trust in Washington broken, Connor left before warning both Haytham and Washington not to stop him or he would kill them both, before the Assassin proceeded to kill Washington's messengers, preventing the attack on his village.

From this point, Washington assembled his forces in Monmouth to stop the British Army's march to New York. However, Lafayette's contingency forces were outnumbered and attacked by the advancing British Army. Fortunately, Connor arrived and joined the battle, holding off the Redcoats while Lafayette led a retreat, saving many Patriot troops.

Connor and Lafayette then approached Washington, revealing that General Charles Lee had betrayed him, intending to force Washington to suffer defeat, to which Lafayette vouched for. Connor explained that Lee was plotting to have him killed or dishonored in order to replace him as Commander-in-Chief. In response, Washington promised to investigate and deal with Lee, but Connor warned him not to spare Lee, which Washington could not guarantee. Bitterly, Connor left, telling Washington that their alliance was over.

Washington's subsequent investigation led to Lee's court martial, wherein Lee was charged for insubordinate behavior and poor command decisions. Despite this, Lee was spared execution and was instead suspended from duty.

Benedict Arnold's betrayal
"Whom can we trust now, if Patriot heroes are betraying us...?"

- Washington.

In 1780, Washington requested Connor's help again, revealing that West Point had been infiltrated and he had received information of a potential plot to assassinate Benedict Arnold. Connor reluctantly agreed to investigate and stop the plot, but warned Washington to never call upon him again.

Connor eventually uncovered that Arnold was a traitor, collaborating with John André to give West Point to the British General Henry Clinton. Though Connor eventually exposed the plot, leading to André's arrest, Arnold escaped on board the Vulture, as Connor was forced to defend the fort from Redcoats. Washington later met with Connor, revealing that André would be executed. As Washington lamented over Arnold's betrayal, Connor left, unsympathetically commenting "You reap what you sow."

The Apple of Eden
"Take it! Take it from me. I do not want it! Sink it into the sea. Weight it and sink it into the bottom-most reaches of the ocean!"

- George Washington imploring Connor to get rid of the Apple.

In 1781, Washington came into contact with an Apple of Eden, which was taken from a captured officer following the.

The American Revolution eventually ended two years later, with the Patriots as the victors. After the British evacuated from the colonies, Connor met with Washington in New York. The Assassin congratulated Washington for his victory, to which Washington decided to retire and settle into a quiet life. However, Connor scolded the idea, reprimanding Washington and implying that he did not deserve the luxury of relinquishing his responsibility as a leader.

Some time later, Washington began suffering from disturbing dreams, which he suspected were coming from the Apple. In his distress, Washington sought out Connor, and proceeded to describe the nightmares he had been experiencing. When Connor expressed his confusion and doubt, Washington showed him the Apple. Connor instantly recognized the familiar design of the Apple, and could sense its power; he asked Washington to hand it over, but as he touched it, Connor entered the reality of Washington's nightmares – the world of "King" Washington.

After fighting his way through this world, both Connor and Washington were released from their dream, and Washington decided upon passing the Apple into Connor's ownership. The commander suggested Connor dispose of the powerful device by dropping it in a weighted bag into the sea. While Connor did this, Washington was sitting in his office when the Apple generated an illusion of a man suggesting the United States needed a king. Washington, having seen the tyrant he had become in his nightmares, responded that crowning another monarch for the States would be a mistake, following which the illusion disappeared.

Later life
"My death has not yet quite arrived, but it is near and inevitable as night follows day."

- George Washington journal entry – 14 December 1799.

In 1789, Washington was elected the first President of the United States. He served until 1797, where he then retired to his home on. Washington later died in his home on 14 December 1799, but not before writing a last entry in his journal recollecting the events of his life and even remembering and naming Connor's importance in the American Revolution, accompanied by the filling in of one last page on the day of his death.

Alternate timeline
In the reality created by the Apple, Washington crowned himself king of the United States, used the Apple to obtain loyalty from his troops, and ruled from a massive pyramidic palace in New York. Kaniehtí:io infiltrated the palace and stole the scepter containing the Apple, but Israel Putnam shot it off her back before she escaped, recovering it for the king. Washington responded to Kaniehtí:io's theft by launching an assault on the Frontier, burning Concord and Lexington to find her. She and her son confronted Washington in Lexington, but Ratonhnhaké:ton – having been forced into the reality by the Apple of Eden – expressed confusion as to why Washington would do such a thing. King Washington, who never knew Connor, deemed him a delusional savage and rode off.

Kaniehtí:io and Ratonhnhaké:ton returned to Kanatahséton, where Washington's troops attacked shortly after. The king rode in with Arnold and Putnam at his side, and proceeded to kill Kaniehtí:io with the scepter. Ratonhnhaké:ton tried to attack the king, but he was no match for the mad monarch's power, and Washington proceeded to shoot him repeatedly and stab him with a bayonet. Despite this, Ratonhnhaké:ton survived, and after assassinating Arnold, he was captured by Putnam and brought to Boston as a present for the king.

There, an impressed and curious Washington observed Ratonhnhaké:ton in his cell, and chose to have him executed. However, the Assassin escaped and assaulted Benjamin Franklin, severing Washington's grip on his mind; forthwith, the king teleported in, refusing to have anyone meddle in his plans. However, Ratonhnhaké:ton proved to be a match for the king this time, having embarked on spirit journeys to gain the powers of the wolf and eagle. Washington subsequently fled to his palace in New York, leaving Putnam in charge of Boston.

When Ratonhnhaké:ton escaped from Boston after having assassinated Putnam, he arrived in New York and used the Aquila to devastate Washington's fleet. As a result, the king rode out to New York's western district, where he found Franklin washed ashore. Franklin vowed he would not come under Washington's spell again, so the king obliged by trying to kill him instead. Fortunately, Ratonhnhaké:ton's friend Kanen'tó:kon tackled Washington, knocking the scepter away. In a furious show of defiance, Kanen'tó:kon almost assassinated the helpless king, but a group of soldiers managed to shoot him to death. At once, Washington took back the scepter and retreated to his palace.

Buoyed by Ratonhnhaké:ton's destruction of the fleet, Thomas Jefferson led an attack on the pyramid's courtyard. Ratonhnhaké:ton, having gained the power of the bear, began shaking the courtyard, to which Washington overheard from his throne and expressed anger that people would attack him after all he had done in the war. As unrest in the city spread, Washington tried to win popularity by declaring that he would invade England and enslave its population, but this did not prevent the populace from turning on the military occupation.

As fighting raged before his palace gates, Washington stood atop the pyramid's stained glass ceiling, waiting for Ratonhnhaké:ton to confront him. When the Assassin arrived, he offered to spare Washington if he gave up the Apple, claiming the Apple controlled him, but the king refused. Ratonhnhaké:ton ended the battle by breaking the ceiling, causing the two men to fall inside the pyramid; A mortally wounded Washington picked up the Apple and slumped into his throne, dying where he lay. Following this, by reaching for the Apple, Ratonhnhaké:ton returned to the true timeline.

Legacy
Throughout his life, Washington was a landowner, planter, soldier, politician and a military hero. Despite some flaws in his leadership and the expenses of his poor military choices, Washington's actions were significant as an experienced officer and leader. As Commander-in-Chief, Washington was notably efficient in organizing the Continental Army by coordinating logistics, training and drilling his troops. More importantly, he maintained an elevated command presence and was a heroic icon for the Patriots, ensuring their unity, morale and dedication to the Revolution.

Inadvertently, Washington was also an obstacle to the Templars, Charles Lee in particular, and their plans to control the colonies. As a result, he was unwittingly tangled in the secret war between the Templars and Assassins, and forged a highly beneficial alliance with Connor that would greatly impact the course of the Revolution. However, the revealed truth of Washington's acts against the Native American tribes eventually alienated him from Connor.

To this day, Washington remains an important and iconic historical figure in American history, as a Founding Father of the United States and its first President.

Trivia

 * Despite advertisements marketing the relationship between Connor and Washington as being friends, the real interaction between the two was limited, and Connor even broke off ties with Washington with much anger. After the war, they seemed to at least mend some civility; though Connor still held some contempt towards Washington, even going as far as to say that after everything Washington had done, he did not deserve the luxury of peace.
 * Connor could interact with Washington through a game of bocce once he had liberated all of the districts in both Boston and New York. This corresponded itself on the Animus mini-map with a "W" mark.
 * In the memory "Execution Is Everything", it was possible for Haytham to kill George Washington, though this would cause desynchronization.
 * Washington had reddish-brown hair in his youth, which he powdered in later life. However, Assassin's Creed III depicts him with grey hair in 1755.
 * During the events of the alternate timeline, Washington bore a cloak with a design resembling the Apple of Eden.