evidence: Washington intended to retire from public service following the American Revolution and leave the country’s political future to others. He envisioned an energetic republic uniting the 13 states and the vast western territories ceded by Britain under the treaty recognizing American independence. He said as much in his 1783 Circular Letter to the States, issued at a time when he despaired over the Confederation’s inability to pay its troops and repay its creditors. [...] These comments on a single executive, coming as they did from old friends, vexed Washington, who prided himself on his republican virtue, public support, and unbiased nationalism. Every delegate who knew him well must have understood that Washington would never consent to serve as one member of an executive triumvirate nor be suited for such a post. While he remained silent, others rallied to defend the sort of unitary executive that Washington was so clearly qualified to fill. "Unity in the Executive" promotes "vigor and dispatch" in office, James Wilson noted, and by fixing responsibility on one person, served as "the best safeguard against tyranny." Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts stressed that a troika would be especially troublesome in war. "It would be a general with three heads," he declared.