This episode of Whistlestop travels to December 23, 1783 when the commander in chief of the Continental Army sat before the president of the Confederation Congress and prepared to step away from the job.  Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/gabfest/2015/02/political_gabfest_on_the_supreme_court_s_obamacare_case_israeli_prime_minister.html"> Political Gabfest</a> host<a href="http://www.slate.com/authors.john_dickerson.html"> John Dickerson</a>, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival.Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at<a href="http://slate.me/1ENza1a"> slate.com/podcastplus</a>.Email: whistlestop@slate.com. Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald and Elizabeth Hinson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story

John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American carnival of politics. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential cycle so fascinating.