10.6 To GEORGE WILLIAM FAIRFAX State of New York, July 10, 1783. I unite my prayers most fervently with yours, for Wisdom to these U States and have no doubt, after a little while all errors in the present form of their Government will be corrected and a happy temper be diffused through the whole; but like young heirs come a little prematurely perhaps to a large Inheritance it is more than probable they will riot for a while.
10.7 To THE MINISTERS, ELDERS, DEACONS, AND MEMBERS OF THE REFORMED GERMAN CONGREGATION OF NEW YORK New York, November 27, 1783. The establishment of Civil and Religious Liberty was the Motive which induced me to the Field; the object is attained, and it now remains to be my earnest wish and prayer, that the Citizens of the United States would make a wise and virtuous use of the blessings, placed before them; and that the reformed German Congregation in New York; may not only be conspicuous for their religious character, but as exemplary, in support of our inestimable acquisitions, as their reverend Minister has been in the attainment of them.
10.8 To JONATHAN TRUMBULL Mount Vernon, June 8, 1788. Mr. Henry and Colo. Mason are at the head of the opposition; May all things turn out for the best; in respect to this highly favored Continent, is the constant and unfeigned prayer of Yours....
10.9 To JAMES McHENRY Mount Vernon, July 31, 1788. I earnestly pray that the Omnipotent Being who has not deserted the cause of America in the hour of its extremest hazard, will never yield so fair a heritage of freedom a prey to Anarchy or Despotism.
11 Prayers For Royalty
11.1 To THE KING OF FRANCE City of New York, April 6, 1790. We pray God to keep your Majesty under his holy protection.
11.2 To THE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL Philadelphia, February 21, 1791. I pray God to keep you, Great and good Friend, under his holy Protection.
11.3 To THE KING OF FRANCE New York, October 9, 1789. Permit me to assure your Majesty of the unceasing gratitude and attachment of the United States and of our prayers, that the Almighty will be pleased to keep you, our great and beloved Friend and Ally under his constant guidance and protection.
11.4 To THE EARL OF BUCHAN Philadelphia, June 20, 1792. With sincere prayers for the health and happiness of your Lordship; and gratefully impressed with the many marks of attention which I have received from you. I have the honor etc.
11.5 To THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON Mount Vernon, February 27, 1785. My Lady: It will appear evident, from the date of my publication, that I could not at the time it was promulgated, have had an eye to your Ladyship’s plan of emigration; and I earnestly pray that my communication of the matter at this time, may receive no other interpretation than what is really meant....
11.6 To THE KING OF FRANCE New York, October 9, 1789. To our great and beloved Friend and Ally, his Most Christian Majesty. By the change which has taken place in the national government of the United States, the honor of receiving and answering your Majesty’s letter of the 7th. of June, to “the President and Members of Congress” has devolved upon me. Permit me to assure your Majesty of the unceasing gratitude and attachment of the United States and of our prayers, that the Almighty will be pleased to keep you, our great and beloved Friend and Ally under his constant guidance and protection.
11.7 To THE KING OF FRANCE City of New York, April 6, 1790. Very great and good Friend and Ally: We pray God to keep your Majesty under his holy protection.
12 Prayers For Indians
12.1 SPEECH TO THE DELAWARE CHIEFS Head Quarters, Middle Brook, May 12, 1779. Brothers: When you have seen all you want to see, I will then wish you a good Journey to Philadelphia. I hope you may find there every thing your hearts can wish, that when you return home you may be able to tell your Nation good things of us. And I pray God he may make your Nation wise and Strong, that they may always see their own] true interest and have courage to walk in the right path; and that they never may be deceived by lies to do any thing against the people of these States, who are their Brothers and ought always to be one people with them.
12.2 TALK TO THE CHEROKEE NATION City of Philadelphia, August 29, 1796. I now send my best wishes to the Cherokees, and pray the Great Spirit to preserve them.
13 Thanksgiving Prayers
13.1 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Cambridge, November 18, 1775. The Honorable the Legislature of this Colony having thought fit to set apart Thursday the 23d of November Instant, as a day of public thanksgiving “to offer up our praises, and prayers to Almighty God, the Source and Benevolent Bestower of all good; That he would be pleased graciously to continue, to smile upon our Endeavours, to restore peace, preserve our Rights, and Privileges, to the latest posterity; prosper the American Arms, preserve and strengthen the Harmony of the United Colonies, and avert the Calamities of a civil war.” The General therefore commands that day to be observed with all the Solemnity directed by the Legislative Proclamation, and all Officers, Soldiers and others, are hereby directed, with the most unfeigned Devotion, to obey the same.
13.2 To THOMAS McKEAN Mount Vernon, November 15, 1781. Sir: I have the Honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor. of the 31st. ulto. covering the Resolutions of Congress of 29th. and a Proclamation for a Day of public Prayer and Thanksgiving; The Success of the Combined Arms against our Enemies at York and Gloucester, as it affects the Welfare and Independence of the United States, I viewed as a most fortunate Event. In performing my Part towards its Accomplishment, I consider myself to have done only my Duty and in the Execution of that I ever feel myself happy. And at the same Time, as it agurs [sic] well to our Cause, I take a particular Pleasure in acknowledging, that the interposing Hand of Heaven in the various Instances of our extensive Preparations for this Operation, has been most conspicuous and remarkable.
13.3 GENERAL ORDERS Friday, April 18, 1783. The Jersey regiment gives the Guards and the Jersey battalion the fatigues tomorrow. The Commander in Chief orders the Cessation of Hostilities between the United States of America and the King of Great Britain to be publickly proclaimed tomorrow at 12 o’clock...After which the Chaplains with the several Brigades will render thanks to almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his over ruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease amongst the nations....on such a happy day, a day which is the harbinger of Peace, a day which compleats the eighth year of the war, it would be ingratitude not to rejoice!...The glorius task for which we first fleu to Arms being thus accomplished, the liberties of our Country being fully acknowledged, and firmly secured by the smiles of heaven, on the purity of our cause, and the honest exertions of a feeble people (determined to be free) against a powerful Nation (disposed to oppress them) and the Character of those who have persevered, through every extremity of hardship; suffering and danger being immortalized by the illustrious appellation of the patriot Army...
13.4 THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION [WGW Note: A copy of this proclamation was sent to the executives of the States by the President in a brief form letter (October 3). This form is recorded in the “Letter Book” in the Washington Papers.] City of New York, October 3, 1789. Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.” Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th. day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. [This was the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation under the Constitution.]
14 Prayers For Legislation and Negotiation
14.1 To WILLIAM GRAYSON Mount Vernon, July 26, 1786. I wish very sincerely that the Land Ordinance may answer the expectations of Congress. I had, and still have my doubts of the utility of the plan, but pray devoutly, that they may never be realized, as I am desirous of seeing it a productive branch of the Revenue.
14.2 To WILLIAM VANS MURRAY Mount Vernon, October 26, 1799. You are going to be employed in an important, and delicate Negotiation; for the success of which, in all its relations, no one more ardently, and sincerely prays than I do.
15 Prayers For Churches
15.1 To THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW CHURCH IN BALTIMORE [Philadelphia, January 27, 1793.] Your prayers for my present and future felicity are received with gratitude; and I sincerely wish, Gentlemen, that you may in your social and individual capacities taste those blessings, which a gracious God bestows upon the Righteous.
15.2 To THE MINISTERS, ELDERS, AND DEACONS OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH AT ALBANY Albany, June 28, 1782. Your benevolent wishes and fervent prayers for my personal wellfare and felicity, demand all my gratitude. May the preservation of your civil and religious Liberties still be the care of an indulgent Providence; and may the rapid increase and universal extension of knowledge virtue and true Religion be the consequence of a speedy and honorable Peace. I am etc.
15.3 To THE MINISTER, ELDERS, AND DEACONS OF THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH IN KINGSTON Kingston, November 16, 1782. In return for your kind concern for my temporal and eternal happiness, permit me to assure you that my wishes are reciprocal; and that you may be enabled to hand down your Religion pure and undefiled to a Posterity worthy of their Ancestors.
15.4 To THE MINISTER, ELDERS, AND DEACONS OF THE TWO UNITED DUTCH REFORMED CHURCHES OF HACKENSACK AND SCHALENBURGH AND THE INHABITANTS OF HACKENSACK November 10, 1783. In retiring from the field of Contest to the sweets of private life, I claim no merit, but if in that retirement my most earnest wishes and prayers can be of any avail, nothing will exceed the prosperity of our common Country, and the temporal and spiritual felicity of those who are represented in your Address.
16 Prayers For Nations
16.1 To GEORGE MARTIN Head Quarters, August 10, 1783. I cannot but join with you in my most earnest prayers, that these States may be blessed with Wisdom equal to the arduous Task of rightly formg the Establishment of their New Empire. And while I thus express my Wishes in favor of my Native Country, I would felicitate the Kingdom of Ireland on their Emancipation from British Controul, and extend my pious Entreaties, that Heaven may establish them in a happy and perpetuated Tranquility, enjoying a freedom of Legislation, and an unconfined Extension of Trade, that connecting Link, which binds together the remotest Countries.
16.2 To COMTE DE ROCHAMBEAU New York, October 13, 1789. The Revolution, announced by the intelligence from France, must be interesting to the nations of the world in general, and is certainly of the greatest importance to the country in which it has happened. I am persuaded I express the sentiments of my fellow-citizens, when I offer an earnest prayer, that it may terminate in the permanent honor and happiness of your government and people. With sentiments of respectful affection &c.
16.3 To BARON VAN DER CAPELLEN DE POL Head Quarters, State of New York, August 2, 1783. Your Nation, Sir, and your Character in particular, have indeed merited the confidence and regard of the confederated States of America, and they will long I trust be considered with grateful veneration. The Union so happily commenced, will I hope be cultivated by both with the utmost care and Attention, and I pray to Heaven, that it may be as durable as mutual Interests and reciprocal benefits can render it....May Heaven long Bless your Country with the enjoyment of her liberty, the choicest Earthly layout; and may personal happiness and domestic pleasures, ever attend your footsteps through all your future Walks of Life.
16.4 To MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE Philadelphia, November 22, 1791. I cannot conclude this letter without congratulating you most sincerely on the King’s acceptance of the Constitution presented to him by National Assembly, and upon the happy consequences which promise to flow upon your Country, as well as to mankind in general, from that event. The prayers and wishes of the friends to the human race have attended the exertions of your Nation, and when your affairs are completely settled under an energetic and equal government the hearts of good men will be gratified, and no one will rejoice in your felicity, and for the noble and disinterested part you have acted more than your sincere friend and truly Affectionate &c.
16.5 To MARQUIS DE LA LUZERNE Philadelphia, September 10, 1791. The complete restoration of our public credit holds us up in a high light abroad. Thus it appears that the United States are making great progress towards national happiness, and if it is not attained here in as high a degree as human nature will admit of its going, I think we may then conclude that political happiness is unattainable. But at the same time we wish it not to be confined to this Country alone; and, as it expands through the world, our enjoyments will expand with it; and that you may find it in your nation, and realize it yourself, is the sincere prayer of, Sir, &c.
16.6 To MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE New York, October 14, 1789. The revolution, which has taken place with you, is of such magnitude and of so momentous a nature that we hardly yet dare to form a conjecture about it. We however trust, and fervently pray that its consequences may prove happy to a nation, in whose fate we have so much cause to be interested and that its influence may be felt with pleasure by future generations.
17 Prayers For Government in Health Crisis
17.1 To THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL OF GERMANTOWN [November 6, 1793.] Where it will be best for Congress to remain will depend on circumstances which are daily unfolding themselves, and for the issue of which, we can but offer up our prayers to the Sovereign Dispenser of life and health. His favor too on our oft, the good sense and firmness of our fellow Citizens, and fidelity in those they employ, will secure to us a permanence of good government.
18 Prayers For a University
18.1 To THE INHABITANTS OF PRINCETON AND NEIGHBORHOOD, TOGETHER WITH THE PRESIDENT AND FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE Rocky Hill, August 25, 1783. I now return you Gentlemen my thanks for your benevolent wishes, and make it my earnest prayer to Heaven, that every temporal and divine blessing may be bestowed on the Inhabitants of Princeton, on the neighbourhood, and on the President and Faculty of the College of New Jersey, and that the usefulness of this Institution in promoting the interests of Religion and Learning may be universally extended.
19 Prayers For Individuals and Friends
