cumstances, give us cause to hope for the accomplishment of all our reasonable desires. Thus partaking with you in the pleasing anticipation of the blessings of a wise and efficient government, I flatter myself that opportunities will not be wanting for me to show my disposition to encourage the domestic and public virtues of industry, economy, patriotism, philanthropy, and that righteousness which exalteth a nation. I rejoice in having so suitable an occasion to testify the reciprocity of my esteem for the numerous people whom you represent. From the excellent character for diligence, sobriety, and virtue, which the Germans. in general, who are settled in America, have ever maintained, I cannot forbear felicitating myself on receiving from so respectable a number of them such strong assurances of their affection for my person, confidence in my integrity, and zeal to support me in my endeavours for promoting the welfare of our common country. So long as my conduct shall merit the approbation of the wise and the good, I hope to hold the same place in your affections, which your friendly declarations induce me to believe I possess at present; and, amidst all the vicissitudes, that may await me in this mutable existence, I shall earnestly desire the continuation of an interest in your intercession at the throne of grace. GEORGE WASHINGTON.* *The preceding addresses were delivered by General Washington, while on his way from Mount Vernon to New York, to take upon himself the charge of the government as President of the United States. He arrived at Trenton, on the 21st of April, 1789. "At Trenton," says Chief Justice Marshall, "he was welcomed in a manner as new as it was pleasing. In addition to the usual demonstra TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND COMMONALTY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. GENTLEMEN, MAY 9TH, 1789. The affectionate address presented by the magistrates, and the general joy testified by the citizens of New York, on my arrival in this metropolis, have filled my mind with the mingled emotions of gratitude and satisfaction. In accepting the momentous trust, which has been spontaneously committed to me by a free people, it was not enough to have felt a consciousness of having acted in conformity to patriotism; it was not enough to have known, that I met the wishes of my fellow-citizens; but it seemed, that these further pledges of their confidence and support were wanting, to overcome the diffidence I had in my own tions of respect and attachment, which were given by the discharge of cannon, by military corps, and by private persons of distinction, the gentler sex prepared, in their own taste, a tribute of applause indicative of the grateful recollection in which they held their deliverance twelve years before from a formidable enemy. On the bridge over the creek, which passes through the town, was erected a triumphal arch, highly ornamented with laurels and flowers, and supported by thirteen pillars, each entwined with wreaths of evergreen. On the front arch was inscribed, in large gilt letters, THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS. "On the centre of the arch above the inscription was a dome or cupola of flowers and evergreens, encircling the dates of two memorable events, which were peculiarly interesting to New Jersey. The first was the battle of Trenton, and the second the bold and judicious stand made by the American troops at the same creek, by which the progress of the British army was arrested on the evening preceding the battle of Princeton. "At this place he was met by a party of matrons leading their daughters dressed in white, who carried baskets of flowers in their hands, M* abilities, and the reluctance I experienced at engaging in such new and arduous affairs. Unelated by your toó favorable appreciation of my past services, I can only pour forth the effusions of a grateful heart to Heaven, if I have been made, in any degree, an instrument of good to my country; and, although I am far from claiming any merit for retiring in the manner I did from a military command to the shade of private life, yet I am pleased to find, that your candor has done justice to the principles by which I have been actuated on the present occasion. No circumstance, in my conception, can be more consolatory to a public man, especially to one truly sensible that the purest intentions cannot always preserve him from error, than a knowledge that his countrymen are disposed to consider the motives of his conduct and sang, with exquisite sweetness, an ode of two stanzas composed for the occasion." "WELCOME, mighty chief, once more Welcome to this grateful shore; Now no mercenary foe Aims again the fatal blow; Aims at THEE the fatal blow. "Virgins fair and matrons grave, The following communication was made to the ladies immediately afterwards in writing. "General Washington cannot leave this place without expressing his acknowledgments to the matrons and young ladies, who received him in so novel and grateful a manner at the triumphal arch in Trenton, for the exquisite sensations he experienced in that affecting moment. "The astonishing contrast between his former and actual situation at the same spot, the elegant taste with which it was adorned for the present occasion, and the innocent appearance of the white-robed choir, who met him with the gratulatory song, have made such impressions on his remembrance, as, he assures them, will never be effaced." with that liberality, which is reciprocally necessary for all, who are subject to the frailties of human nature. In this place, I cannot avoid expressing an apprehension, that the partiality of my countrymen in my favor has induced them to expect too much from the exertions of an individual. It is from their coöperation alone, that I derive all my expectations of success. Indeed, the unanimity which has prevailed, in some instances, is a happy presage, that our national government will be firmly established in the hearts of the people, and receive their united and zealous support. From the accommodating spirit, which has been displayed in respect to the constitution, I anticipate that the government will, in its operation, be productive of the most extensive utility, by rendering the Union as respectable in peace as it was triumphant in war. I feel a just sense of your fervent wishes for my personal happiness, and the success of my administration. I pray you, Gentlemen, to accept in return my cordial thanks for these demonstrations of your affection, as well as for the assurances you have given of the attachment of your fellow-citizens. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. GENTLEMEN, MAY, 1789. I receive with great sensibility the testimonial given by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, of the lively and unfeigned pleasure experienced by them on my appointment to the first office in the nation. Although it will be my endeavour to avoid being elated by the too favorable opinion, which your kindness for me may have induced you to express of the importance of my former conduct and the effect of my future services, yet, conscious of the disinterestedness of my motives, it is not necessary for me to conceal the satisfaction I have felt upon finding, that my compliance with the call of my country, and my dependence on the assistance of Heaven to support me in my arduous undertakings, have, so far as I can learn, met the universal approbation of my countrymen. While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven, as the source of all public and private blessings, I will observe, that the general prevalence of piety, philanthropy, honesty, industry, and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs, particularly necessary for advancing and confirming the happiness of our country. While all men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of their consciences, it is rationally to be expected from them in return, that they will all be emulous of evincing the sanctity of their professions by the innocence of their lives and the beneficence of their actions; for no man, who is prof |
