“We shall never have Peace till the enemy are convinced that we are in a condition to carry on the War. It is no new maxim in politics that for a nation to obtain Peace, or insure it, It must be prepared for War.”
b) To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, Head Qurs., Orange Town,
August 20, 1780. “Many circumstances will contribute to a negotiation. An Army on foot not only for another Campaign but for several Campaigns, would determine the enemy to pacific measures, and enable us to insist upon favourable terms in forcible language. An Army insignificent in numbers, dissatisfied, crumbling into pieces, would be the strongest temptation they could have to try the experiment a little longer. It is an old maxim, that the surest way to make a good peace is to be well prepared for War.”
c) To JAMES McHENRY, Philadelphia, December 11, 1781.
“You know it is an old and true Maxim that to make a good peace, you ought to be well prepared to carry on the War.”
d) To JONATHAN BOUCHER, August 15, 1798.
“Peace with all the world is my sincere wish.”
e) To GOUVERNEUR MORRIS, June 25, 1794.
“My primary objects, to which I have steadily adhered, have been to preserve the country in peace if I can, and to be prepared for war if I cannot; to effect the first, upon terms consistent with the respect which is due to ourselves, and with honor, justice, and good faith to all the world.”
15. Public Good
a) To JOHN JAY, Head Quarters, Middle brook, April 14, 1779.
“Conscious that it is the aim of my actions to promote the public good, and that no part of my conduct is influenced by personal enmity to individuals, I cannot be insensible to the artifices employed by some men to prejudice me in the public esteem.”
16. Respect
a) To BENEDICT ARNOLD, September 14, 1775.
“As the contempt of the religion of a country by ridiculing any of its ceremonies, or affronting its ministers or votaries, has ever been deeply resented, you are to be particularly careful to restrain every officer and soldier from such imprudence and folly, and to punish every instance of it. On the other hand, as far as lies in your power, you are to protect and support the free exercise of the religion of the country, and the undisturbed enjoyment of the rights of conscience in religious matters, with your utmost influence and authority.”
b) To LAFAYETTE, August 15, 1787.
“Being no bigot myself, I am disposed to indulge the professors of Christianity in the church with that road to Heaven, which to them shall seem most direct, plainest, easiest and least liable to exception.”
c) To the HEBREW CONGREGATION OF NEWPORT, August, 1790.
“It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that those who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it, on all occasions their effectual support. . . .May the Father of Mercies scatter light and not darkness on our paths, and makes us all, in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”
d) To THOMAS JEFFERSON, August 23, 1792.
“Without more charity for the opinions and acts of one another in governmental matters, or some more infallible criterion by which the truth of speculative opinions, before they have undergone the test of experience, are to be fore-judged, . . . I believe it will be difficult, if not impracticable, to manage the reins of government.”
17. Republic
a) To LAFAYETTE, September 1, 1778.
“In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude. Every man will speak as he thinks.”
b) To EDMUND PENDLETON, January 22, 1795.
“Republicanism is not the phantom of a deluded imagination. On the contrary, . . . under no form of government, will laws be better supported, liberty and property better secured, or happiness be more effectually dispensed to mankind.”
18. War
a) To BENEDICT ARNOLD, September 14, 1775.
“Prisoners . . . you will treat with as much humanity and kindness, as may be consistent with your own safety and the public interest. Be very particular in restraining . . .your . . . troops . . . from all acts of cruelty and insult, which will disgrace the American arms.”
b) To BOARD OF WAR, November 30, 1776.
“You ask my advice as to the propriety of enlisting prisoners of war. I would just observe, that, in my opinion, it is neither consistent with the rules of war, nor politic; nor can I think, that, because our enemies have committed an unjustifiable action, by enticing, and in some instance intimidating, our men into their service, we ought to follow their example.”
c) To JOHN BANISTER, April 21, 1778.
“I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle [patriotism] alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest or some reward.”
d) To DAVID HUMPHREYS, July 25, 1785.
“My first wish is to see this plague to mankind banished from off the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent amusements, than in preparing implements and exercising them for the destruction of mankind.”
e) To JOHN BANISTER, April 21, 1778.
“I will venture to assert, that a great and lasting war can never be supported on this principle [patriotism] alone. It must be aided by a prospect of interest or some reward.”
19. Washington D.C.
a) To MRS. SARAH FAIRFAX, May 16, 1798.
“A century hence, if this country keeps united, . . . will produce a city, though not as large as London, yet of a magnitude inferior to few others in Europe, on the banks of the Potomac, where one is now establishing for the permanent seat of the government of the United States, . . . a situation not excelled, for commanding prospect, good water, salubrious air, and safe harbour, by any in the world; and where elegant buildings are erecting and in forwardness for the reception of Congress in the year 1800.”
