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TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF THE STATE

OF NORTH CAROLINA.

JUNE 15TH, 1789.

GENTLEMEN,

It was scarcely possible for any address to have given me more pleasure, than that which I have just received from you; because I consider it not only demonstrative of your approbation of my conduct in accepting the first office in the Union, but also indicative of the good dispositions of the citizens of your State towards their sister States, and of the probability of their speedily acceding to the new general government.

In justification of the opinion, which you are pleased to express of my readiness "to advise every measure calculated to compose party divisions, and to abate any animosity that may be excited by mere difference of opinion," I take the liberty of referring you to the sentiments communicated by me to the two Houses of Congress. On this occasion I am likewise happy, in being able to add the strongest assurance, that I entertain a well-grounded expectation, that nothing will be wanting on the part of the different branches of the general government to render the Union as perfect, and more safe than ever it has been.

A difference of opinion on political points is not to be imputed to freemen as a fault, since it is to be presumed that they are all actuated by an equally laudable and sacred regard for the liberties of their country. If the mind is so formed in different persons, as to consider the same object to be somewhat different in its nature and consequences, as it happens to be placed in different points of view; and if the

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oldest, the ablest, and the most virtuous statesmen have often differed in judgment, as to the best forms of government, we ought, indeed, rather to rejoice that so much has been effected, than to regret that more could not all at once be accomplished.

Gratified by the favorable sentiments, which are evinced in your address to me, and impressed with an idea that the citizens of your State are sincerely attached to the interest, the prosperity, and the glory of America, I most earnestly implore the divine benediction and guidance in the counsels, which are shortly to be taken by their delegates on a subject of the most momentous consequence; I mean the political relation, which is to subsist hereafter between the State of North Carolina and the States now in union under the new general government.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS.*

GENTLEMEN,

JULY 9TH, 1789.

That

Your address, with which I have been honored, has made a most sensible impression upon me. my acceptance of the Presidency of these United States should have given joy to the people of Massachusetts, and that my conduct through our late arduous struggle for liberty and independence has met the approbation of the citizens of that commonwealth,

The Addresses of the legislatures of the States, and other public bodies, were forwarded at different times, according to the several dates of their meeting, after the inauguration of the President.

will be considered by me as among the most pleasing circumstances of my life.

In executing the duties of my present important station, I can promise nothing but purity of intentions, and, in carrying these into effect, fidelity and diligence. If these, under the guidance of a superintending Providence, shall continue to me the approbation and affection of my fellow-citizens of the Union, it will be the highest gratification and the most ample reward that my mind can form any conception of in this life. The adoption of the present government by so large a majority of the States and their citizens, and the growing dispositions, which are discoverable among all descriptions of men, to give support and energy to it, are indications of its merit, auspicious of the future greatness and welfare of the empire, which will grow under it; and are the foundation on which I build my hopes of public felicity. The best efforts of mine towards the accomplishment of these great and glorious objects can only be secondary.

For the benedictions you have been pleased to implore of the Parent of the Universe on my person and family, I have a grateful heart; and the most ardent wish, that we may all, by rectitude of conduct and a perfect reliance on his beneficence, draw the smiles of Heaven on ourselves and posterity to the latest generation.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED BRETHREN FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL AMONG

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I receive with satisfaction the congratulations of your society, and of the Brethren's congregations in the United States of America. For you may be persuaded, that the approbation and good wishes of such a peaceable and virtuous community cannot be indiffer

ent to me.

You will also be pleased to accept my thanks for the treatise * you presented, and be assured of my patronage in your laudable undertakings.

In proportion as the general government of the United States shall acquire strength by duration, it is probable they may have it in their power to extend a salutary influence to the aborigines in the extremities of their territory. In the mean time, it will be a desirable thing, for the protection of the Union, to cooperate, as far as the circumstances may conveniently admit, with the disinterested endeavours of your Society to civilize and christianize the savages of the wilderness.

Under these impressions, I pray Almighty God to have you always in his holy keeping.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

"An Account of the Manner, in which the Protestant Church of the Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, preach the Gospel and carry on their Mission among the Heathen."

TO THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE

GENTLEMEN,

OF NEW YORK.

JULY, 1789.

The affectionate congratulations of so respectable a public body, as the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of New York, on my election to the Presidency of the United States, fill my breast with the most pleasing sensations.

In the fortitude and perseverance of the citizens of this State, even amidst the calamities and dangers with which they were surrounded in the late war, I found a resource, which it always gave me pleasure to acknowledge in the strongest and most grateful terms. I may also be permitted to add, the satisfaction I experienced in retiring to the enjoyment of domestic life was greatly enhanced by a reflection, that their public virtue had been finally crowned with complete success.

I am now truly happy, that my motives for reassuming the arduous duties of a public station have met with your approbation; and at the same time I entreat you to be persuaded, that nothing could be better calculated to encourage me to hope for prosperity in the execution of the duties of my office, than the assurances you have given of the favorable sentiments and expectations of the freemen of your State.

I request, Gentlemen, that you will accept my best thanks for your polite intimation, that you will do every thing in your power to make my residence in your State agreeable; as well as for your patriotic promise of being always ready to afford me your united aid and support. GEORGE WASHINGTON.

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