In retirement at Mount Vernon, Washington oversees his land and laborers on horseback, welcomes guests and visitors for dinner, reads newspapers and answers correspondence. He faces the challenge of how to support his slaves, many of whom are too old, too young, or too infirm to work. Managing the affairs of his estate, welcoming guests and portrait painters, providing financial assistance to relatives, and trying to mentor his wayward step-grandson prove taxing on Washington’s time and energy.

In another challenge, Washington becomes drawn into the rancorous debates between Federalists and Republicans about the political direction the country should take. He denounces efforts by Jefferson and Madison to smear his reputation and character, describing Republicans as radicals seeking to impede the government and foment dissention. Surprisingly, he becomes an unwitting accomplice to a wild Federalist plot to establish a standing army to crush the Republican opposition and invade Florida and Louisiana. After this plot is exploded, Washington vows to avoid politics and concentrate on managing Mount Vernon.

Washington wrestles with the slavery issue, which is ever-present to him at Mount Vernon. Although morally opposed to slavery, he finds himself too economically dependent on his slaves to free them at once.