During George Washington’s first term as president, an influential faction in Kentucky wanted to separate from the newly formed United States and join the United Kingdom. The group spread lies and deceived the public into accomplishing its goals. Washington denounced those “spreading mischief far and wide either from real ignorance of the measures pursuing by the government, or from a wish to bring it, as much as they are able, into discredit.” Frustrated and perplexed by the falsehoods, the president put his faith in honesty.
