He wrote to Robert Cary & Co. from Mount Vernon on July 25, 1769:
“Gentn: Inclosd you will receive Invoices of Goods wanted for myself and Master Custis for this place and our Plantations on York River, as also for Miss Custis which I beg may be sent by Captn. Johnstoun if the Orders gets to hand in time, if not by any other Vessel bound to this River. But if there are any Articles containd in either of the respective Invoices (Paper only excepted) which are Tax’d by Act of Parliament for the purpose of Raising a Revenue in America, it is my express desire and request, that they may not be sent, as I have very heartly enterd into an Association (Copies of which, I make no doubt you have seen otherwise I shoud have Inclosed one) not to Import any Article which now is or hereafter shall be Taxed for this purpose untill the said Act or Acts are repeal’d. I am therefore particular in mentioning this matter as I am fully determined to adhere religiously to it, and may perhaps have wrote for some things unwittingly which may be under these Circumstances.”
He wrote in his General Orders from Head Quarters in Cambridge on July 16, 1775,
“The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and supplicate the all wise and merciful disposer of events, to avert the Desolation and Calamities of an unnatural war.” The General orders, that Day to be religiously observed by the Forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the proclamation of the Continental Congress: It is therefore strictly enjoin’d on all Officers and Soldiers, (not upon duty) to attend Divine Service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the Lines, as the Encampments and Quarters; and it is expected, that all those who go to worship, do take their Arms, Ammunitions and Accoutrements and are prepared for immediate Action if called upon. If in the judgment of the Officers, the Works should appear to be in such forwardness as the utmost security of the Camp requires, they will command their men to abstain from all Labour upon that solemn day”.
He wrote to Brig. Gen. Wm. Maxwell from Head Quarters in Morris Town on February 12, 1777,
“Sir: In answer to your Letter of the 9th. Instt., respecting the case of the young Men of Eliza. Town, who refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance to the States, or to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines, and discourage all the Militia round about them; I would observe, that tho’ it is my desire to have the terms and Conditions of my Proclamation religiously complied with, yet I do not intend that it shall be made a Shelter for our Enemies to injure us under, with impunity.”
102 WGW, vol. 35, 10-9-1795.
103 Ibid., vol. 34, 1-22-1795.
104 Ibid., vol. 20, 10-18-1780.
105 Ibid., vol. 2, 4-17-1758.
106 Ibid., vol. 34, 12-24-1795.
107 Ibid., vol. 30, 5-29-1789.
108 Ibid., vol. 30, 9-28-1789.
109 Ibid., vol. 8, 6-8-1777.
110 Ibid., vol. 32, 6-22-1792.
111 Ibid., vol. 35, 3-3-1797.
112 Ibid., vol. 31, 12-1790.
113 Ibid., vol. 30, 10-9-1789.
CHAPTER 29
1 WGW, vol. 29 4-28-1788.
2 Flexner, The Indispensable Man, p. 216.
3 There are many examples. For one example, see WGW, vol. 9, 10-18-1777. See also the sermon by Ezra Stiles in Washington’s library entitled: The United States elevated to Glory and Honor....May 8, 1783. Lane, Washington Collection, Boston Athenaeum, p. 194.
4 The Reverend Dr. Donald Binder, in an interview with Peter Lillback and Jerry Newcombe, 2005.
5 WGW, vol. 6, 12-18-1776.
6 Ibid., vol. 21, 3-9-1781. To Reverend William Gordon.
7 WGW vol. 29 4-28-1788.
8 See Ibid., vol. 9, 10-27-1777; vol.11, 3-1-1778; vol. 11, 5-30-1778;vol. 21, 3-89-1781; vol. 24, 6-5-1782; vol. 28, 8-1-1786; vol. 33, 9-25-1794; vol. 35, 3-30-1796; vol. 35, 6-8-1769; vol. 35, 10-12-1796; vol. 35, 3-2-1797; vol. 35, 3-3-1797; vol. 37, 11-22-1799.
9 See Ibid., vol. 17, 11-1-1779; vol. 21, 1-31-1781; vol. 30, 8-28-1788.
10 See Ibid., vol. 15, 5-29-1779; vol. 27, 10-15-1783.
11 See Ibid., vol. 30, 1-18-1790.
12 There are many examples. For a sampling, see Ibid., vol. 26, 4-18-1783; vol. 5, 6-16-1776; vol. 5, 7-10-1776; vol. 5, 8-12-1776; vol. 5, 8-13-1776; vol. 6, 12-14-1776; vol. 9, 9-10-1777; vol. 31, 8-14-1790; vol. 27, 12-9-1783.
13 See Ibid., vol. 12, 8-20-1778; vol. 21, 3-26-1781.
14 See Ibid., vol. 4, 1-14-1776; vol. 29, 5-28-1788; vol. 30, 7-20-1788.
15 See Ibid., vol. 27, 12-6-1783.
16 See Ibid., vol. 10. 11-8-1777.
17 See Ibid., vol. 27, 10-12-1783.
18 See Ibid,. vol. 10, 11-30-1777; vol. 3, 8-20-1775; vol. 5, 8-20-1776; vol. 9, 10-19-1777; vol. 11, 4-2-1778; vol. 29, 4-28-1788; vol. 32, 6-10-1792.
19 See Ibid., vol. 31, 7-28-1791; vol. 12, 9-6-1778; vol. 36, 7-13-1798; vol. 36, 7-25-1798; vol. 36, 8-15-1798.
20 See Ibid., vol. 30, 4-16-1789.
21 See Ibid., vol. 21, 3-26-1781.
22 See Ibid., vol. 27, 7-10-1783.
23 See Ibid., vol. 27, 6-11-1783; vol. 27, 8-21-1783; vol. 11, 5-2-1778; vol. 21, 4-15-1781.
24 See George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 2 Letterbooks, Letter book 38, Images 147-148.
25 Mary Thompson interview with Peter Lillback and Jerry Newcombe, 2005.
26 According the Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, a Deist was “One who believes in the existence of a God, but denies revealed religion, but follows the light of nature and reason, as his only guides in doctrine and practice; a freethinker.” Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary.
27 WGW, vol. 12, 8-20-1778.
28 Ibid., vol. 11, 8-20-1778.
29 Ibid., 31, 8-17-1790; 3, 9-15-1755; 24, 3-21-1782; 3, 7-18-1775; 5, 7-11-1776; 27, 8-21-1783; 27, 11-7-1783; 27, 11-10 1783; 31, 6-4-1790; 30, 5-9-1789; 32, 11-6-1792; 33, 9-23-1793; 35, 2-17-1797.
30 Ibid., 1, 7-18-1755; 2, 7-20-1758; 36, 8-15-1798; 5, 5-13-1776; [see also 21, 4-15-1781; 11, 5-2-1778].
31 Ibid., 37, 1-20-1799; 30, 7-20-1788; 30, 8-31-1788; 2, 9-1-1758; 3, 4-25-1773; 30, 8-18-1788.
