Davenport v. the Society of the Cincinnati

I

INTRODUCTION

LAVINE, J.

In May, 1783, officers of the Continental Army, having risked their Uves, fortunes and honor to win independence for the American colonies, resolved to form a hereditary society to perpetuate “the mutual friendships which have been formed under the pressure of common danger.” They prevailed upon George Washington, who had served as commander of the army, and who had not yet assumed his place as first president of the United States, to become the first president general of the new organization. They decided to name it The Society of the Cincinnati, 1 creating a General…