the community. This steadiness of views, highly honorable to the national character, is well calculated to support, in the administration of our affairs, a spirit constantly favorable to the great object of peace. And, though the best and sincerest endeavours to this end may sometimes prove ineffectual, yet it will always be a source of consolation and encouragement, that the calamities of war, if at any time they shall be experienced, have been unsought and unprovoked. Every good citizen will then meet events with that firmness and perseverance, which naturally accompany the consciousness of a good cause, the conviction that there is no ground for self-reproach. True to our duties and interests as Americans, firm to our purpose as lovers of peace, let us unite our fervent prayers to the great Ruler of the Universe, that the justice and moderation of all concerned may permit us to continue in the uninterrupted enjoyment of a blessing, which we so greatly prize, and of which we ardently wish them a speedy and permanent participation. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF NEW LONDON. AUGUST, 1793. FELLOW-CITIZENS, The motives, which have induced a public expression of your sentiments at the present juncture, are such as naturally operate upon good citizens, when points, which materially concern the happiness of their country, are the subjects of discussion. Your approbation of my conduct on the occasion, to which it relates, could not fail to give me particular pleasure, and to serve as a support to my confidence in pursuing measures, which, dictated by official duty, have for their object the peace and happiness of our common country. Sentiments sincerely friendly to the French nation, and the most cordial wishes for their welfare, unite, I doubt not, all the citizens of the United States; but it cannot be incompatible with these dispositions to give full weight to the great and commanding considerations, which respect the immediate welfare of our own country. Experienced as we have lately been in the calamities of war, it must be the prayer of every good citizen, that it may long be averted from our land, and that the blessings, which a kind Providence has bestowed upon us, may continue uninterrupted. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE CITIZENS OF ANNAPOLIS. SEPTEMBER, 1793. FELLOW-CITIZENS, Conscious of having had in view the interest and happiness of the people of the United States in the discharge of my public duties, and fully persuaded, that remaining in a state of neutrality during the present contest between the powers of Europe, if not absolutely necessary to these objects, would tend in a very considerable degree to promote them, I receive, with infinite satisfaction, testimonies from my countrymen from various parts of the Union, expressive of their approbation of a measure intended to advance the welfare of my fellow-citizens, and none have given me more pleasure than receiving that of the citizens of Annapolis. The present flourishing situation of our affairs, and the prosperity we enjoy, must be obvious to the good citizens of the United States. It remains, therefore, for them to pursue such a line of conduct, as will insure these blessings by averting the calamities of a war. The manner, Gentlemen, in which you are pleased to express yourselves towards me personally, merits and receives my warmest gratitude; and it will always be my greatest pride and happiness to receive the approving voice of my fellow-citizens. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE BURGESSES AND OTHER CITIZENS GENTLEMEN, OCTOBER 4TH, 1794. In declaring to you the genuine satisfaction I derive from your very cordial address, I will not mingle any expression of the painful sensations which I experience from the occasion, which has drawn me hither.* You will be at no loss to do justice to my feelings. But, relying on that kindness of Providence towards our country, which every adverse appearance hitherto has served to manifest, and counting upon the tried good sense and patriotism of the great body Being on his way to join the army, that was marching to quell the western insurrection. VOL. XII. 27 R* of our fellow-citizens, I do not hesitate to indulge with you the expectation of such an issue, as will serve to confirm the blessings we enjoy under a constitution, that well deserves the confidence, attachment, and support of virtuous and enlightened men. To class the inhabitants of Harrisburg among this number, is only to bear testimony to the zealous and efficient exertions, which they have made towards the defence of the laws. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE BOROUGH OF CARLISLE. GENTLEMEN, OCTOBER, 1794. I thank you sincerely for your affectionate address. I feel, as I ought, what is personal to me; and I cannot but be particularly pleased with the enlightened and patriotic attachment, which is manifested towards our happy constitution and laws. When we look round, and behold the universally acknowledged prosperity, which blesses every part of the United States, facts no less unequivocal than those, which are the lamented occasion of our present meeting, were necessary to persuade us that any portion of our fellow-citizens could be so deficient in discernment or virtue, as to attempt to disturb a situation, which, instead of murmurs and tumults, calls for our warmest gratitude to Heaven, and our earnest endeavours to preserve and prolong so favorable a lot. Let us hope, that the delusion cannot be lasting; that reason will speedily regain her empire, and the laws their just authority where they have lost it. Let the wise and the virtuous unite their efforts to reclaim the misguided, and to detect and defeat the acts of the factious. The union of good men is a basis, on which the security of our internal peace, and the stability of our government, may safely rest. It will always prove an adequate rampart against the vicious and disorderly. In any case, in which it may be indispensable to raise the sword of justice against obstinate offenders, I shall deprecate the necessity of deviating from a favorite aim, to establish the authority of the laws in the affections of all, rather than in the fears of any. Accept a reciprocation of good wishes for yourselves and your fellow-citizens. GEORGE WASHINGTON. TO THE MERCHANTS AND TRADERS OF PHILADELPHIA. AUGUST 20TH, 1795. GENTLEMEN, I receive with great sensibility your address on the subject of the treaty, lately negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, expressing your confidence in the constituted authorities, and the concurrence of your opinions with their determinations, on this highly important subject. Such sentiments, deliberately formed, and proceeding from men whose interests are more immediately concerned, than those of any other classes of my fellow-citizens, cannot fail to strengthen that just confidence in the rectitude of public measures, which is essential to the general welfare. GEORGE WASHINGTON. |
