a) To THE EMPEROR OF GERMANY, Philadelphia, May 15, 1796.
“As it is a maxim with me not to ask what under similar circumstances, I would not grant, your Majesty will do me the justice to believe, that this request appears to me to correspond with those great principles of magnanimity and wisdom, which form the Basis of sound Policy and durable Glory. May the almighty and merciful Sovereign of the universe keep your Majesty under his protection and guidance.”
7. Gratitude
a) To LANDON CARTER, Valley Forge, May 30, 1778.
“Were I not warm in my acknowledgments for your distinguished regard, I should feel that sense of ingratitude, which I hope will never constitute a part of my character, nor find a place in my bosom. My friends therefore may believe me sincere in my professions of attachment to them, whilst Providence has a joint claim to my humble and grateful thanks, for its protection and direction of me, through the many difficult and intricate scenes, which this contest hath produced; and for the constant interposition in our behalf, when the clouds were heaviest and seemed ready to burst upon us.”
b) To COLONEL JAMES WOOD, July 1758.
“If thanks flowing from a heart replete with joy and Gratitude can in any Measure compensate for the fatigue, anxiety and Pain you had at my Election, be assured you have them . . .
“How I shall thank Mrs. Wood for her favorable Wishes, and how acknowledge my sense of obligation to the People in general for their choice of me, I am at a loss to resolve on. But why? Can I do it more effectually than by making their Interest (as it really is) my own, and doing everything that lyes in my little Power for the Honor and welfare of the Country? I think not; and my best endeavors they may always command. . .
“I am extremely thankful to you and my other friends for entertaining the Freeholders in my name. I hope no Exception was taken to any that voted against me, but that all were alike treated, and all had enough. It is what I much desired.”
c) To SELECTMEN OF BOSTON, July 28, 1795.
“While I feel the most lively gratitude for the many instances of the approbation from my country, I can not otherwise deserve it, than by obeying the dictates of my conscience.”
d) To MAJOR GENERAL ISRAEL PUTNAM, June 2, 1783.
“Ingratitude has been experienced in all ages, and republics in particular have ever been famed for the exercise of that unnatural and sordid vice.”
8. Gambling
a) To BUSHROD WASHINGTON, Newburgh, January 15, 1783.
“The last thing I shall mention, is first of importance. and that is, to avoid Gaming. This is a vice which is productive of every possible evil. equally injurious to the morals and health of its votaries. It is the child of Avarice, the brother of inequity, and father of Mischief. It has been the ruin of many worthy familys; the loss of many a man’s honor; and the cause of Suicide. To all those who enter the list, it is equally fascinating; the Successful gamester pushes his good fortune till it is over taken by a reverse; the loosing gamester, in hopes of retrieving past misfortunes, goes on from bad to worse; till grown desperate, he pushes at every thing; and looses his all. In a word, few gain by this abominable practice (the profit, if any, being diffused) while thousands are injured.”
9. Honesty
a) FAREWELL ADDRESS
“I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.”
b) FAREWELL ADDRESS [First Draft, May 15, 1796.]
“In public, as in private life, I am persuaded that honesty will forever be found to be the best policy.”
c) To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, Mount Vernon, August 28, 1788.
“Still I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an honest man.” (emphasis in the orginal)
d) To EARL OF LOUDOUN, March 1757.
“My nature is open and honest and free from guile.”
e) To EDMUND RANDOLPH, July 31, 1795.
“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.”
f) To TIMOTHY PICKERING, February 10, 1799.
“Concealment is a species of misinformation.”
10. Honor
a) To JACOB GERHARD DIRIKS, Mount Vernon, March 15, 1785.
“It is a maxim with me Sir, to take no liberties with exalted characters to whom I am not personally known, or with whom I have had no occasion to correspond by letter.”
b) To COLONEL WILLIAM FITZHUGH, November 15, 1754.
“I herewith enclose Governour Sharpe’s letter, which I beg you will return to him, with my acknowledgements for the favour he intended me. Assure him, Sir . . . of my reluctance to quit the service . . . Also inform him, that it was to obey the call of honour, and the advice of my friends, I declined it, and not to gratify any desire I had to leave the military line. My inclinations are strongly bent to arms.”
c) To WILLIAM BYRD, Mount Vernon, May 25, 1755.
“If I gain any credit, or if I am entitled to the least countenance or esteem, it must be from serving my country without fee or reward; for I can truly say, I have no expectation of either. To merit its esteem, and the good will of my friends, is the sum of my ambition, having no prospect of attaining a commission...”
d) To PATRICK HENRY, March 28, 1778.
“The approbation of my country is what I wish; and, as far as my abilities and opportunities will permit, I hope I shall endeavor to deserve it. It is the highest reward to a feeling mind; and happy are they, who so conduct themselves as to merit it.”
11. Humility
a) REMARKS ON MONROE’S “VIEW OF THE CONDUCT OF THE EXECUTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES”
“Acts of candor when performed, if acknowledged by the party to whom they are said to be rendered, ought not to be boasted of by those who perform them.”
b) SPEECH TO CONGRESS, June 16, 1775.
“Mr. President: Though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty and exert every power I possess in the service and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation. But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.
“As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I desire.”
12. Happiness
a) THE FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS [April 30, 1789.]
“The foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality; and the pre-eminence of a free Government, be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its Citizens, and command the respect of the world.… there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the oeconomy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity: Since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained: And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” (emphasis in the orginal)
b) To ANNIS BOUDINOT STOCKTON, Mount Vernon, August 31, 1788.
“A good general government, without good morals and good habits, will not make us a happy People; and we shall deceive ourselves if we think it will.”
c) GENERAL ORDERS, Saturday, March 22, 1783.
