E. Wife
1. To MRS. MARTHA CUSTIS, July 20, 1758.
“We have begun our march for the Ohio. A courier is starting for Williamsburg, and I embrace the opportunity to send a few words to one whose life is now inseparable from mine. Since that happy hour when we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have been continually going to you as another Self. That an all-powerful Providence may keep us both in safety is the prayer of your ever faithful and affectionate friend.”
2. To RICHARD WASHINGTON, September 20, 1759.
“I am now I believe fixd at this seat [Mount Vernon] with an agreeable Consort for Life. And hope to find more happiness in retirement than I ever experienced amidst a wide and bustling World.”
3. To MARTHA WASHINGTON, Philadelphia, June 23, 1775.
“My Dearest: As I am within a few minutes of leaving this city, I would not think of departing from it with out dropping you a line, especially as I do not know whether it may be in my power to write again till I get to the camp at Boston. I go fully trusting in that providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve and in full confidence of a happy meeting with you some time in the fall. I have no time to add more as I am surrounded with company to take leave of me. I return an unalterable affection for you which neither time or distance can change my best love to Jack and Nelly and regard for the rest of the family; conclude me with the utmost truth and Sincerity, Yr. entire, G. Washington.”
F. Martha Washington on her husband George
1. To JANET LIVINGSTON MONTGOMERY, Mount Vernon,
April 5th 1800.
“…your affliction I have often marked and as often have keenly felt for you but my own experience has taught me that griefs like these can not be removed by the condolence of friends however sincere—If the mingling tears of numerus friends—if the sympathy of a Nation and every testimony of respect of veneration paid to the memory of the partners of our hearts could afford consolation you and myself would experience it in the highest degree but we know that there is but one source from whence comfort can be derived under afflictions life ours To this we must look with pious resignation and with that pure confidence which our holy religion inspires.
“…but as you justly observe it is certainly a consolation and flattering to poor mortality to believe that we shall meet here after in a better place.”2
2. To JONATHAN TRUMBALL, Mount Vernon January 15, 1800.
“…the good Christian will submit without repining to the Dispensations on Divine Providence and look for consolation to that Being who alone can pour balm into the bleeding Heart and who has promised to be the widows god - … your kind letter of condolence of the 30th of December was greatfull to my feeling.
“…the loss is ours the gain is his.
“For myself I have only to bow with humble submission to the will of that God who giveth and who taketh away looking forward with faith and hope to the moment when I shall be again united with the Partner of my life But while I continue on Earth my prayers will be offered up for the welfare and Happiness of my Friends among who you will always be numbered being.”3
IV. GOVERNMENT AND LEADERSHIP
A. Government
1. The Constitution
a) Spoken as he signed it, September 17, 1787.
“Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is that an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peace—the next will be drawn in blood.”
b) To SELECTMEN OF BOSTON, July 28, 1795.
“The constitution is the guide, which I can never abandon.”
c) To ALEXANDER HAMILTON, July 2, 1794.
“The powers of the executive of this country are more definite, and better understood, perhaps, than those of any other country; and my aim has been, and will continue to be, neither to stretch nor relax from them in any instance whatever, unless compelled to it by imperious circumstances.”
d) To EDMUND PENDLETON, September 23, 1793.
“I have no object in view incompatible with the constitution, and the obvious interests of this country. . . . I only wish, whilst I am a servant of the public, to know the will of my masters, that I may govern myself accordingly.”
2. Amendment to the Constitution
a) To BUSHROD WASHINGTON, Mount Vernon, November 10, 1787. “The warmest friends and the best supporters the Constitution has, do not contend that it is free from imperfections; but they found them unavoidable and are sensible, if evil is likely to arise there from, the remedy must come hereafter; for in the present moment, it is not to be obtained; and, as there is a Constitutional door open for it, I think the People (for it is with them to Judge) can as they will have the advantage of experience on their Side, decide with as much propriety on the alterations and amendments which are necessary [as] ourselves. I do not think we are more inspired, have more wisdom, or possess more virtue, than those who will come after us.”
b) To PATRICK HENRY, September 24, 1787.
“I wish the constitution, which is offered, had been made more perfect; but I sincerely believe it is the best that could be obtained at this time. And, as a constitutional door is opened for amendment hereafter, the adoption of it, under the present circumstances of the Union, is in my opinion desirable.”
3. Power of the Constitution
a) To BUSHROD WASHINGTON, Mount Vernon, November 10, 1787. “The power under the Constitution will always be in the People. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own chusing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their Interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their Servants can, and undoubtedly will be, recalled.”
4. Time Required to Create a Constitution
a) To JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON, May 31, 1776.
“To form a new Government, requires infinite care, and unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad, too much time therefore, cannot be bestowed in weighing and digesting matters well. We have, no doubt, some good parts in our present constitution; many bad ones we know we have, wherefore no time can be misspent that is imployed in seperating the Wheat from the Tares. My fear is, that you will all get tired and homesick, the consequence of which will be, that you will patch up some kind of Constitution as defective as the present; this should be avoided, every Man should consider, that he is lending his aid to frame a Constitution which is to render Million’s happy, or Miserable, and that a matter of such moment cannot be the Work of a day.”
5. A Citizen
a) To GOVERNOR GEORGE CLINTON, Mount Vernon,
