George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was an American political leader, military general, statesman, and founding father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Lawrence died in 1752, and Washington leased Mount Vernon from his widow; he inherited it outright after her death in 1761. Washington wrote Alexander Hamilton on July 10: 'I almost despair of seeing a favorable issue to the proceedings of our convention and do therefore repent having had any agency in the business.' Washington wrote Alexander Hamilton on July 10: 'I almost despair of seeing a favorable issue to the proceedings of our convention and do therefore repent having had any agency in the business.' Nevertheless, he lent his prestige to the goodwill and work of the other delegates. He unsuccessfully lobbied many to support ratification of the Constitution, such as anti-federalist Patrick Henry; Washington told him 'the adoption of it under the present circumstances of the Union is in my opinion desirable' and declared the alternative would be anarchy.