Ibid., vol. 24, 4-21-1782. “To do this will mark the Justice of your Excelly’s Character. In Failure of it, I shall hold myself justifiable in the Eyes of God and Man, for the measure to which I shall resort.”
Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783. “Congress, who have in all their Transaction shewn a great degree of magnanimity and justice, will stand justified in the sight of God and Man....”
Ibid., vol. 28, 6-26-1786. “...we might have appealed to God and man for justice....”
75 Ibid., vol. 27, 9-27-1783.
76 Ibid., vol. 308-31-1788. To Annis Boudinot Stockton, “And now that I am speaking of your Sex, I will ask whether they are not capable of doing something towards introducing foederal fashions and national manners? 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. A good government will, unquestionably, tend to foster and confirm those qualities, on which public happiness must be engrafted. Is it not shameful that we should be the sport of European whims and caprices? Should we not blush to discourage our own industry and ingenuity; by purchasing foreign superfluities and adopting fantastic fashions, which are, at best, ill suited to our stage of Society? But I will preach no longer on so unpleasant a subject; because I am persuaded that you and I are both of a Sentiment, and because I fear the promulgation of it would work no reformation.”
77 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789, Here we find that Washington believed there was “... an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.” So also: Ibid., vol. 35, 3-30-1796. To Tobias Lear, “She is now no more! but she must be happy, because her virtue has a claim to it. Ibid., vol. 11, 5-15-1778. To Brig. Gen. Thomas Nelson, Jr. “Matters appear abroad to be in as favourable a train as we could wish, and If we are not free and happy, it will be owing to a want of virtue, prudence and management among ourselves. Ibid., vol. 28, 3-30-1785. To Lucretia Wilhemina Van Winter, “At best I have only been an instrument in the hands of Providence, to effect, with the aid of France and many virtuous fellow Citizens of America, a revolution which is interesting to the general liberties of mankind, and to the emancipation of a country which may afford an Asylum, if we are wise enough to pursue the paths wch. lead to virtue and happiness, to the oppressed and needy of the Earth. Our region is extensive, our plains are productive, and if they are cultivated with liberallity and good sense, we may be happy ourselves, and diffuse happiness to all who wish to participate.”
78 Ibid., vol. 35, 11-28-1796. To George Washington Parke Custis, “The assurances you give me of applying diligently to your studies, and fulfilling those obligations which are enjoined by your Creator and due to his creatures, are highly pleasing and satisfactory to me. I rejoice in it on two accounts; first, as it is the sure means of laying the foundation of your own happiness, and rendering you, if it should please God to spare your life, a useful member of society hereafter; and secondly, that I may, if I live to enjoy the pleasure, reflect that I have been, in some degree, instrumental in effecting these purposes.
79 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789. The “experiment” entrusted to the American people that Washington refers to here in his first inaugural, he viewed as a “success” in his eighth address to Congress at the conclusion of his presidency, “The situation in which I now stand, for the last time, in the midst of the Representatives of the People of the United States, naturally recalls the period when the Administration of the present form of Government commenced; and I cannot omit the occasion, to congratulate you and my Country, on the success of the experiment; nor to repeat my fervent supplications to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and Sovereign Arbiter of Nations, that his Providential care may still be extended to the United States; that the virtue and happiness of the People, may be preserved; and that the Government, which they have instituted, for the protection of their liberties, maybe perpetual.” WGW vol. 35, 12-7-1796.
80 Ibid., vol. 27, 8-10-1783. To George Martin, “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.”
Ibid., vol. 9, 10-18-1777. to Brig. Gen. James Potter, “I congratulate you upon the glorious Success of our Arms in the North [i.e. the victory at Saratoga] an account of which is enclosed. This singular favor of Providence is to be received with thankfulness and the happy moment which Heaven has pointed out for the firm establishment of American Liberty ought to be embraced with becoming spirit; it is incumbent upon every man of influence in his country to prevail upon the militia to take the field with that energy which the present crisis evidently demands.”
WGW, vol. 30, 4-30-1789. The First Inaugural Address, “Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign parent of the human race, in humble supplication that since he has been pleased to favour the American people, with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparellelled unanimity on a form of Government, for the security of their Union, and the advancement of their happiness; so his divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.”
81 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-21-1776. General Orders: “...the General most earnestly exhorts every officer, and soldier, to pay the utmost attention to his Arms, and Health; to have the former in the best order for Action, and by Cleanliness and Care, to preserve the latter; to be exact in their discipline, obedient to their Superiors and vigilant on duty: With such preparation, and a suitable Spirit there can be no doubt, but by the blessing of Heaven, we shall repel our cruel Invaders; preserve our Country, and gain the greatest Honor.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 8-3-1776. General Orders: “The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of profane cursing and swearing (a Vice heretofore little known in an American Army) is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavour to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms, if we insult it by our impiety, and folly; added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense, and character, detests and despises it.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 8-8-1776. General Orders: “The Honor and safety of our bleeding Country, and every other motive that can influence the brave and heroic Patriot, call loudly upon us, to acquit ourselves with Spirit. In short, we must now determine to be enslaved or free. If we make Freedom our choice, we must obtain it, by the Blessing of Heaven on our United and Vigorous Efforts.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 8-9-1776. General Orders: “The General exhorts every man, both officer and soldier, to be prepared for action, to have his arms in the best order, not to wander from his encampment or quarters; to remember what their Country expects of them, what a few brave men have lately done in South Carolina, against a powerful Fleet and Army; to acquit themselves like men and with the blessing of heaven on so just a Cause we cannot doubt of success.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 8-14-1776. General Orders: “We must resolve to conquer, or die; with this resolution and the blessing of Heaven, Victory and Success certainly will attend us. There will then be a glorious Issue to this Campaign, and the General will reward, his brave Fellow Soldiers! with every Indulgence in his power.”
WGW, vol. 5, 8-17-1776. General Orders: “Whereas a bombardment and attack upon the city of New York, by our cruel and inveterate enemy, may be hourly expected; and as there are great numbers of women, children, and infirm persons, yet remaining in the city, whose continuance will rather be prejudicial than advantageous to the army, and their persons exposed to great danger and hazard; I Do, therefore recommend it to all such persons, as they value their own safety and preservation, to remove with all expedition out of the said town, at this critical period, — trusting that, with the blessing of Heaven upon the American arms, they may soon return to it in perfect security. And I do enjoin and require all the officers and soldiers in the army under my command to forward and assist such persons in their compliance with this recommendation. Given under my hand,”
Ibid., vol. 6, 9-3-1776. General Orders: “The General hopes the justice of the great cause in which they are engaged, the necessity and importance of defending this Country, preserving its Liberties, and warding off the destruction meditated against it, will inspire every man with Firmness and Resolution in time of action, which is now approaching — Ever remembring that upon the blessing of Heaven, and the bravery of the men, our Country only can be saved.”
Ibid., vol. 9, 9-13-1777. General Orders: “The General, with peculiar satisfaction, thanks those gallant officers and soldiers, who, on the 11th. instant, bravely fought in their country and its cause.... Altho’ the event of that day, from some unfortunate circumstances, was not so favorable as could be wished, the General has the satisfaction of assuring the troops, that from every account he has been able to obtain, the enemy’s loss greatly exceeded ours; and he has full confidence that in another Appeal to Heaven (with the blessing of providence, which it becomes every officer and soldier humbly to supplicate), we shall prove successful.”
Ibid vol. 21, 3-14-1781. “To the inhabitants of Providence, The determination you are pleased to express of making every effort for giving vigour to our military operations is consonant with the Spirit that has uniformly actuated this State. It is by this disposition alone we can hope, under the protection of Heaven, to secure the important blessings for which we contend.”
Ibid., vol. 22, 5-7-1781. “To Chevalier De Chastellux. May you participate in those blessings you have invoked heaven for me, and may you live to see a happy termn. of a struggle which was begun and has been continued for the purpose of rescuing America from impending Slavery, and securing to its Inhabitants their indubitable rights in which you bear a conspicuous part...”
Ibid., vol. 23, 9-23-1781. To Maj. Gen. William Heath “By Information, Lord Cornwallis is incessantly at Work on his Fortifications, and is probably preparing to defend himself to the last Extremity; a little Time will probably decide his Fate; with the Blessing of Heaven, I trust it will prove favorable to the Interests of America.”
WGW vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States,... “Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving a fairer oppertunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with.”
Ibid., vol. 27, 8-25-1783. To the inhabitants of Princeton. “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.”
Ibid., vol. 27, 12-12-1783. To the militia Officers of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia “While the various Scenes of the War, in which I have experienced the timely aid of the Militia of Philadelphia, recur to my mind, my ardent prayer ascends to Heaven that they may long enjoy the blessings of that Peace which has been obtained by the divine benediction on our common exertions.”
WGW, vol. 28, 4-10-1785. To the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New York “I pray that Heaven may bestow its choicest blessings on your City. That the devastations of War, in which you found it, may soon be without a trace. That a well regulated and benificial Commerce may enrichen your Citizens. And that, your State (at present the Seat of the Empire) may set such examples of wisdom and liberality, as shall have a tendency to strengthen and give permanency to the Union at home, and credit and respectability to it abroad. The accomplishment whereof is a remaining wish, and the primary object of all my desires.”
Ibid., vol. 30, April, 1789. Proposed Address To Congress, “If the blessings of Heaven showered thick around us should be spilled on the ground or converted to curses, through the fault of those for whom they were intended, it would not be the first instance of folly [34] or perverseness in short-sighted mortals. The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest of purposes.”
Ibid., vol. 32, 6-13-1793. To the Marquise de Lafayette, “I can only add my most ardent prayers, that you may be again united to M. de la Fayette, under circumstances that may be joyful to you both; and that the evening of that life, whose morning has been devoted to the cause of liberty and humanity, may be crowned with the best of heaven’s blessings.”
Ibid., vol. 33, 8-4-1793. To the Inhabitants of the City of Hartford “‘Tis from dispositions like these that we may hope to avoid an interruption of the numerous blessings which demand our gratitude to Heaven; or that we may be encouraged to meet with firmness, confiding in the protection of a just Providence, any attempts to disturb them, which intemperance or injustice, from whatever quarter, may at any time make it our duty to encounter?”
Ibid., vol. 37, 3-3-1799. To the President of the United States: “I sincerely pray, that in the discharge of these arduous and important duties committed to you, your health may be unimpaired, and that you may long live to enjoy those blessings which must flow to our Country, if we should be so happy as to pass this critical period in an honourable and dignified manner, without being involved in the horrors and calamities of War.”
Ibid., vol. 37, 12-13-1798. To James Mc Henry, Secretary of War. (Washington’s last use of the phrase “blessing of providence” is in the context of preparing for war.) “Regarding the overthrow of Europe at large as a matter not entirely chimerical, it will be our prudence to cultivate a spirit of self-dependence, and to endeavour by unremitting vigilance and exertion under the blessing of providence, to hold the scales of our destiny in our own hands. Standing, as it were in the midst of falling empires, it should be our aim to assume a station and attitude, which will preserve us from being overwhelmed in their ruins.”
82 Ibid., vol. 3, 7-4-1775.
83 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-9-1776.
84 Ibid., vol. 1, 9-23-1756.
85 Ibid., vol. 1, 11-9-1756.
86 Ibid., vol. 1, 11-24-1756.
87 WGW, vol. 2, 4-21-1758.
88 Ibid., vol. 4, 12-15-1775, To Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, “Having heard that It’s doubtful, whether the Reverend Mr. Leonard from your Colony, will have it in his power to Continue here as a Chaplain, I cannot but express some Concern, as I think his departure will be a loss. His General Conduct has been exemplary and praiseworthy: In discharging the duties of his Office, active and industrious; he has discovered himself warm and steady friend to his Country, and taken great pains to animate the Soldiery and Impress them with a knowledge of the important rights we are contending for. Upon the late desertion of the Troops, he gave a Sensible and judicious discourse, holding forth the Necessity of courage and bravery and at the same time of Obedience and Subordination to those in Command. In justice to the merits of this Gentleman, I thought it only right to give you this Testimonial of my Opinion of him and to mention him to you, as a person worthy of your esteem and that of the Public. I am Sir, &c.”
89 Ibid., vol.4, 2-7-1776. General Orders: “The Continental Congress having been pleased to order, and direct, that there shall be one Chaplain to two Regiments, and that the pay of each Chaplain shall be Thirty-three dollars and one third, pr Kalendar Month — The Revd. Abiel Leonard is appointed Chaplain to the Regiment of Artillery, under the command of Col Knox, and to the 20th. Regiment, at present commanded by Lt. Col Durkee.”
90 Along with the discourse mentioned in Washington’s letter to Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, there is written record of two other sermons by Abiel Leonard that Washington heard.
On Sunday, December 3, 1775, he attended service at the Reverend Dr. Appleton’s Church; discourse by Abiel Leonard, chaplain of General Putnam’s command. This was the “old congregational church,” which Washington attended while in Cambridge, the minister being the venerable Nathaniel Appleton....” (Johnson, George Washington the Christian, pp. 74-75.)
On the same day, [the evacuation of Boston by the British, March 17, 1776] a few hours after the departure of the British, Washington and his officers attended thanksgiving service, and listened to the Reverend Dr. Abiel Leonard preach from Exodus 14:25: “And he took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.” (Johnson, George Washington the Christian, pp 78-79.)
The following from George Littell, George Washington: Christian, 1913, adds additional information about Abiel Leonard, his illustrious family and Washington’s contact with him: “...in Cambridge on Sunday, Dec. 3, 1775, he [Washington] went to the Reverend Dr. Appleton’s church, and heard a discourse by Abiel Leonard, Chaplain to Gen. Putman’s command. This building was taken down in 1833, and the land sold to Harvard College. Abiel Leonard is easily remembered in both State and Church. His son was Capt. Nathaniel Leonard, whose son was Abiel Leonard, a Supreme Court Justice of Missouri, whose son was the Right Reverend Abiel Leonard, the heroic Bishop of Salt Lake in Utah, and the 145th Bishop of the American Church to which Washington belonged....” Sadly, Chaplain Leonard’s life ended early after a struggle with mental illness. Ibid., vol. 4, 12-15-1775, Note: “Abiel Leonard, chaplain of the Third Connecticut Regiment; chaplain of Knox’s Continental artillery through the year 1776. He became insane in 1777 and died in 1778.”
91 See Appleton, A Catalogue of the Washington Collection at the Boston Athenaeum, p. 557.
92 Abiel Leonard’s Prayer in its entirety can be found in the appendix.
93 WGW, vol. 31, 3-4-1791, note says, “On this same day (March 4) Washington also sent to the Senate the nominations of Arthur St. Clair to be major general, Samuel Hodgdon to be quartermaster, and John Hurt to be chaplain, in consequence of the new regiment added to the United States Army.” Chaplain John Hurt had served in the Revolutionary War and was from Virginia. See chapter 2, note 28.
94 See William C. Lane, A Catalogue of the Washington Collection at the Boston Athenaeum, see under Evans
95 The title page goes on to say, “At a Meeting of the General and Field Officers of the Western Army, it was Voted, That Brigadier General Maxwell, Colonel Courtlandt, Colonel Cilley, Lieutenant Colonel Forest, and Major Edwards, be a Committee to wait on the Reverend Mr. Evans, and return him the thanks of the Army for this Discourse, delivered before the Troops, on the seventeenth instant; and that they request of him a copy for the Press: That a number of copies be procured and distributed amongst the federal Corps of the Army gratis.”
96 WGW, vol. 11, 4-21-1778.
97 Ibid., vol. 8, 7-19-1777.
