Ibid., vol. 27, 8-10-1783. To George Martin, “Your Congratulations to our happy-fated Country, are very agreeable, and your Expressions of personal Regard for me, claim my sincerest Thanks, as do your Exertions in favor of our righteous Cause, now so happily terminated.”
Ibid., vol. 27, 11-27-1783. To the Ministers, Elders, Deacons, and Members of the Reformed German Congregation of New York. “Disposed, at every suitable opportunity to acknowledge publicly our infinite obligations to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for rescuing our Country from the brink of destruction; I cannot fail at this time to ascribe all the honor of our late successes to the same glorious Being. And if my humble exertions have been made in any degree subservient to the execution of the divine purposes, a contemplation of the benediction of Heaven on our righteous Cause, the approbation of my virtuous Countrymen, and the testimony of my own Conscience, will be a sufficient reward and augment my felicity beyond anything which the world can bestow.”
65 Ibid., vol. 31, 2-1792. In a note entitled, “Errors of Government Towards The Indians” Washington wrote, “But, we are involved in actual War! Is it just? or, is it unjust?”
Ibid., vol. 1, in a an “Address To His Command”, Washington said, “You see, gentlemen soldiers, that it hath pleased our most gracious sovereign to declare war in form against the French King, and (for divers good causes, but more particularly for their ambitious usurpations and encroachments on his American dominions) to pronounce all the said French King’s subjects and vassals to be enemies to his crown and dignity; and hath willed and required all his subjects and people, and in a more especial manner commanded his captain-general of his forces, his governors, and all other his commanders and officers, to do and execute all acts of hostility in the prosecution of, this just and honorable war.”
Ibid., vol. 10, 11-30-1777. General Orders: “Forasmuch as it is the indispensible duty of all men, to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligations to him for benefits received, and to implore such further blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also, to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence of our unalienable rights and liberties.”
Ibid., vol. 23, 11-21-1781. To Mayor John Bullen, “That the State in general and this City in particular may long enjoy the benefits which they have a right to expect from their very spirited exertions in the prosecution of this just War is the sincere Wish of Sir Your etc.”
Ibid., vol. 24, 5-6-1782. To Gov. William Livingston, “I must beg you to make it known to all persons acting in a military capacity in your State that I shall hold myself obliged to deliver up to the Enemy or otherwise to punish such of them as shall commit any Act which is in the least contrary to the Laws of War. I doubt not of your doing the same with those who come under the Civil power.”
Ibid., vol. 3, 8-8-1775. To the New York Legislature, “You cannot but have heard that the Disstresses of the Ministerial Troops, for fresh Provisions and many other Necessaries, at Boston, were very great; It is a Policy, Justifiable by all the Laws of War, to endeavour to increase them; Desertions, Discouragement, and a Dissatisfaction with the Service, besides weakening their strength, are some of the Natural Consequences of such a Situation; and, if continued, might afford the fairest Hope of Success, without further Effusion of human Blood.”
Ibid., vol. 16, 8-19-1779. To John Beatty, “You are absolutely to reject every overture for exchanging those persons whom we do not consider as military prisoners of war. We do not hold General Clinton bound by any act of ours respecting this matter; but we reject their exchange solely on the principle that by the Laws and practice of war, we do not think they were proper subjects of military capture. From this we shall never recede.”
Ibid., vol. 24, 5-6-1782.
67 Ibid., vol. 29, 3-31-1787. Writing to James Madison, Washington says, “We seem to have forgotten, or never to have learnt, the policy of placing one’s enemy in the wrong. Had we observed good faith on our part, we might have told our tale to the world with a good grace.”
Ibid., vol. 28, 7-26-1786. Writing to William Grayson, Washington says, “It is good policy at all times, to place one’s adversary in the wrong. Had we observed good faith, and the western Posts had then been withheld from us by G: Britain, we might have appealed to god and man for justice, and if there are any guarantees to the treaty, we might have called upon them to see it fulfilled.” But this approach can be misapplied by individuals as
Ibid., vol. 24, 6-16-1782 shows, “Mr. Sands who yielding nothing himself requiring every thing of others and failing in the most essential parts of his Contract adopts, as is too commonly the Case with little minds the policy of endeavoring to place the adverse party in the wrong, that he may appear in a more favorable point of View himself.”
68 Compare, for instance, WGW, vol. 32, 1-27-1793. To the Members of the New Church in Baltimore, “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.”
69 Appleton’s Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1889, vol. VI, p. 383; William Johnson, George Washington The Christian (Arlington Heights: Christian Liberty Press, 1919), p. 67. This letter nor either of the two listed sources are not cited nor referenced in “Worthy Partner”: The Papers of Martha Washington (Westport: Greenwood Press, 1994).
70 WGW, vol. 11, 4-12-1778.
71 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-9-1776.
72 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789.
73 Ibid., vol. 27, 9-2-1783.
74 Ibid., vol. 35, 12-19-1796. To his grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, he said, “...a proper sense of your duties to God and man....” Ibid., vol. 4, 12-18-1775. “The Law of Retaliation, is not only justifiable, in the Eyes of God and Man, but absolutely a duty, which in our present circumstances we owe to our Relations, Friends and Fellow Citizens.”
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.”
