38 Ibid., vol. 3, 4-5-1775, To GEORGE MERCER “I enclose you a copy of my last letter of the 4th. of December, and an account of the proceedings of the Convention held at Richmond the 20th. ulto. A great number of very good companies were raised in many Counties in this Colony, before it was recommended to them by the Convention, and are now in excellent training; the people being resolved, altho’ they wish for nothing, more ardently, than a happy and lasting reconciliation with the parent State, not to purchase it at the expence of their liberty, and the sacred compacts of Government.”
Ibid, vol. 34, 1-22-1795, To EDMUND PENDLETON “My communications to Congress at the last and present Session, have proceeded upon similar ideas with those expressed in your letter, namely, to make fair treaties with the Savage tribes, (by this I mean, that they shall perfectly understand every article and clause of them, from correct and repeated interpretations); that these treaties shall be held sacred, and the infractors on either side punished exemplarily; and to furnish them plentifully with goods under wholesome regulations, without aiming at higher prices than is adequate to cover the cost, and charges. If measures like these were adopted, we might hope to live in peace and amity with these borderers; but not whilst our citizens, in violation of law and justice, are guilty of the offences I have mentioned, and are carrying on unauthorised expeditions against them; and when, for the most attrocious murders, even of those of whom we have the least cause of complaint, a Jury on the frontiers, can hardly be got to listen to a charge, much less to convict a culprit.”
39 Ibid., vol. 4, ANSWER TO AN ADDRESS FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE. “When the councils of the British nation had formed a plan for enslaving America, and depriving her sons of their most sacred and invaluable privileges, against the clearest remonstrances of the constitution, of justice, and of truth, and, to execute their schemes, had appealed to the sword, I esteemed it my duty to take a part in the contest, and more especially on account of my being called thereto by the unsolicited suffrages of the representatives of a free people; wishing for no other reward, than that arising from a conscientious discharge of the important trust, and that my services might contribute to the establishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent foundation, and merit the applause of my countrymen, and every virtuous citizen.”
40 Ibid., vol. 34, 12-8-1795, SEVENTH ANNUAL ADDRESS, “It is a valuable ingredient in the general estimate of our welfare, that the part of our country, which was lately the scene of disorder and insurrections, now enjoys the blessings of quiet and order. The misled have abandoned their errors, and pay the respect to our Constitution and laws which is due from good citizens, to the public authorities of the society. These circumstances, have induced me to pardon, generally, the offenders here referred to; and to extend forgiveness to those who had been adjudged to capital punishment. For though I shall always think it a sacred duty, to exercise with firmness and energy, the Constitutional powers with which I am vested, yet it appears to me no less consistent with the public good, than it is with my personal feelings, to mingle in the operations of government, every degree of moderation and tenderness, which the national justice, dignity and safety may permit.”
Ibid. vol. 35, 5-5-1769 To JOSEPH LEECH, “A sacred regard to the constitution, and to the best interests of the United States as involved in its preservation, having governed my conduct on that occasion, the consciousness thereof would at all times have furnished me with strong ground of satisfaction.”
41 Ibid., vol. 35, FAREWELL ADDRESS, 9-19-1796, “The Unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main Pillar in the Edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home; your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very Liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point in your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immoveable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our Country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.”
42 This seems to fit both categories of Washington’s use of the word “sacred” so it is included here as well.
Ibid., vol. 8, 6-10-1777, GENERAL ORDERS, “It is with inexpressible regret the Commander in Chief has been driven to the necessity of doing a severe, but necessary act of Justice, as an example of what is to be expected by those daring offenders, who, lost to all sense of duty, and the obligations they owe to their Country, and to mankind, wantonly violate the most sacred engagements, and fly to the assistance of an enemy, they are bound by every tie to oppose.”
43 Ibid., vol. 2, 6-8-1768., To MRS. WILLIAM SAVAGE June 28, 1768. , “Madam: If the most solemn asseverations of a man are sufficient to give credit to his report. If the honor and veracity of a Gentleman are things sacred enough to extort the truth, we have all the reasons imaginable to conclude that Doctr. Savage is entirely ignorant of the part you act in respect to the bond given in Trust to Mr. Fairfax and myself for your use;”
44 Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783, CIRCULAR TO THE STATES “There are four things, which I humbly conceive, are essential to the well being, I may even venture to say, to the existence of the United States as an Independent Power: 1st. An indissoluble Union of the States under one Federal Head. 2dly. A Sacred regard to Public Justice.”
45 Ibid., vol. 15, 5-29-1779. To COLONEL CLEMENT BIDDLE, “It is my wish that every possible respect should be paid in all cases to the Laws of this and every other State and a sacred regard to the property of each Individual Member as far as it can be done; but if necessity will not admit of their strict observance it must justify a deviation and such infringements as she compells. However, to prevent as much as possible any just ground of complaint and the charge of a wanton exercise of power, you should use every practicable exertion to obtain forage in the Ordinary way and where this cannot be effected, wherever circumstances will permit, you should make written requisitions to the Magistrates for pasturage and Meadows and obtain them by their allotment. If they will not permit or the Mgistrates refuse to designate them, or to make a competent provision, the exigency of the Public service must decide the conduct you are to pursue. I have mentioned the precautions because (tho’ all regulations must yield to necessity) the principle should be introduced with caution, and practised upon with still more delicacy.”
Ibid., vol. 24, 7-11-1782, To GOVERNOR GEORGE CLINTON “To remedy these evils, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with this, and to entreat that your Excellency will have the goodness to use your assistance and influence in devising some efficacious mode for furnishing Forage, without imposing upon the Public, or injury to the owners; taking care at the same time, that the value of the property taken may be justly ascertained in such manner, as that the debt shall be equitably paid by the Public, without breaking in upon the present arrangements of the Financier, which ought to be supported and maintained inviolably sacred, as we regard the safety and preservation of our Country.”
46 Ibid., vol. 36, 7-13-1798, To THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, “Satisfied therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavoured to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop, the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and may confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has heretofore, and so often, signally favoured the People of these United States.
“Thinking in this manner, and feeling how incumbent it is upon every person, of every description, to contribute at all times to his Country’s welfare, and especially in a moment like the present, when every thing we hold clear and Sacred it so seriously threatned, I have finally determined to accept the Commission of Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, with the reserve only, that I shall not be called into the field until the Army is in a situation to require my presence, or it becomes indispensable by the urgency of circumstances.”
Ibid., vol. 36, 7-16-1798, To HENRY KNOX, “Viewing things in this light, I would fain hope, as we are forming an Army A New, which Army, if needful at all, is to fight for every thing that ought to be dear and sacred to freemen that former rank will be forgot; and among the fit and chosen characters, the only contention will be, who shall be foremost in zeal at this crisis, to serve his Country, in whatever situation circumstances may place him. Most of those, who are best qualified to oppose the enemy, will have sacrifices of ease, Interest, or Inclination to make; but what are these, when put in competition with the loss of our Independence or the Subjugation of our Government? both of which are evidently struck at, by an intoxicated, ambitious, and domineering Foe.”
Ibid., vol. 36, 7-25-1798, To DOCTOR JAMES ANDERSON, “When every thing Sacred, and dear to Freemen is thus threatned, I could not consistent with the principles which have actuated me through life, remain an idle spectator, and refuse to obey the call of my Country to lead its Armies for defence and therefore have pledged myself to come forward whensoever the exigency shall require it.”
47 Ibid., vol. 2, CATALOGUE OF BOOKS FOR MASTER CUSTIS REFERRED TO ON THE OTHERSIDE, VIZ. Blackwells Sacred Classics, 2 vols.
48 Ibid., vol. 26, 2-15-1783, GENERAL ORDERS, “The Commander in Chief also desires and expects the Chaplains in addition to their public functions will in turn constantly attend the Hospitals and visit the sick, and while they are thus publickly and privately engaged in performing the sacred duties of their office they may depend upon his utmost encouragement and support on all occasions, and that they will be considered in a very respectable point of light by the whole Army.”
49 Ibid., vol. 4, 3-6-1776, GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Cambridge, March 6, 1776. , “Thursday the seventh Instant, being set apart by the Honourable the Legislature of this province, as a day of fasting, prayer, and humiliation, “to implore the Lord, and Giver of all victory, to pardon our manifold sins and wickedness’s, and that it would please him to bless the Continental Arms, with his divine favour and protection” — All Officers, and Soldiers, are strictly enjoined to pay all due reverance, and attention on that day, to the sacred duties due to the Lord of hosts, for his mercies already received, and for those blessings, which our Holiness and Uprightness of life can alone encourage us to hope through his mercy to obtain.”
50 WGW, vol. 27, 8-20-1783. To John Gabriel Tegelaar.
51 WGW, vol. 30, 6-15-1789. Note. Answer to the Address of the Governor and Council of North Carolina. “A difference of opinion on political points is not to be imputed to Freemen as a fault since it is to be presumed that they are all actuated by an equally laudable and sacred regard for the liberties of their Country. If the mind is so formed in different persons as to consider the same object to be somewhat different in its nature and consequences as it happens to be placed in different points of view; and if the oldest, the ablest, and the most virtuous Statesmen have often differed in judgment, as to the best forms of Government, we ought, indeed rather to rejoice that so much has been effected, than to regret that more could not all at once be accomplished.”
52 WGW, vol.11, 4-21-1778, to John Banister.
53 WGW, vol. 10, 12-17-1777.
54 Throughout this section, all of the references unless otherwise noted are to John Joseph Stoudt, Ordeal At Valley Forge (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1963.) Page numbers will simply be included in the text without footnote.
55 WGW, vol. 10, 12-20-1777
56 Stoudt, Ordeal, 3-10-1778, p. 176, 123, 176, 299, 250
57 Ibid., p. 250, 4-26-1778.
58 Ibid., p. 46.
59 Ibid., p. 66.
60 Ibid., p. 68.
61 Ibid., p. 133.
62 Ibid., p. 158.
63 Ibid., p. 225.
64 Ibid., p. 53.
65 Ibid., p. 49.
66 Ibid., p. 89.
67 Ibid., p. 101.
68 Ibid., p. 110.
69 Ibid., p.104, 156.
70 Ibid., p.121.
