USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Just minutes later, the Senate approved the appointment of Alexander Hamilton unanimously as the Secretary of the Treasury. The group came to be known as the cabinet based on a reference made by James Madison, who described the meetings as “the president’s cabinet.”

Detailed explanation-2: -The First Cabinet George Washington’s cabinet included four original members: Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of War Henry Knox, and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

Detailed explanation-3: -In selecting the four members of his first cabinet-Thomas Jefferson as secretary of state, Alexander Hamilton as secretary of treasury, Henry Knox as secretary of war, and Edmund Randolph as attorney general-Washington balanced the two parties evenly.

Detailed explanation-4: -In the first year of George Washington’s presidency, only three executive departments were established: the Departments of State, Treasury, and War. Washington selected secretaries for each of these positions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Faced with diplomatic crises, domestic insurrections, and constitutional challenges―and finding congressional help lacking―Washington decided he needed a group of advisors he could turn to. He modeled his new cabinet on the councils of war he had led as commander of the Continental Army.