15 Ibid., vol. 3, 9-14-1775.
16 Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington, vol. V, pp. 244-245.
17 WGW, vol. 14, 4-12-1779.
18 Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution (1886), vol. II, p. 140.
19 WGW, vol. 12, 9-6-1778.
20 Rhodehamel, George Washington: Writings, p. 526.
21 WGW, vol. 30, 10-23-1789.
22 Ibid., vol. 34, 12-24-1795. To Dr. James Anderson.
23 Ibid., vol. 34, 12-24-1795. To Dr. James Anderson.
24 Ibid., vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders. “Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our fore-fathers to this western world; for his protection to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising us, their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory: therefore,
RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several states, to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory; that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that he would smile upon the labours of his people and cause the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally great, as the father of his people and the protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be pleased to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.”
Ibid., vol. 28, 6-30-1785. To the Countess of Huntingdon. “My Lady: In the last letter which I had the honor to write to you, I informed your Ladyship of the communication I had made to the President of Congress of your wishes to obtain Lands in the Western Territory for a number of Emigrants as a means of civilizing the Savages, and propagating the Gospel among them.”
Ibid., vol. 29, 5-2-1788. To Reverend John Ettwein. “Reverend Sir: I have received your obliging letter of the 28th of March, enclosing a copy of some remarks on the Customs, Languages &c. of the Indians, and a printed pamphlet containing the stated rules of a Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen for which tokens of polite attention and kind remembrance I must beg you to accept my best thanks.”
So far as I am capable of judging, the principles upon which the society is founded and the rules laid down for its government, appear to be well calculated to promote so laudable and arduous an undertaking, and you will permit me to add that if an event so long and so earnestly desired as that of converting the Indians to Christianity and consequently to civilization, can be effected, the Society of Bethlehem bids fair to bear a very considerable part in it.”
Ibid., vol. 30, 7-6-1789. To the Society of United Brethren for Propagating the Gospel. WGW, note, “On July 10 an address from the directors of the Society of United Brethren for Propagating the Gospel Among the Heathen was sent to the President from Bethlehem, Pa.
...One paragraph of the reply stated: “In proportion as the general Government of the United States shall acquire strength by duration, it is probable they may have it in their power to extend a salutary influence to the Aborigines in the extremities of their Territory. In the meantime, it will be a desirable thing for the protection of the Union to co-operate, as far as circumstances may conveniently admit, with the disinterested endeavours of your Society to civilize and Christianize the Savages of the Wilderness.”
Ibid., vol. 30, 10-23-1789. To the First Presbytery of the Eastward. “I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation, respecting religion, from the Magna- Charta of our country. To the guidance of the ministers of the gospel this important object is, perhaps, more properly committed. It will be your care to instruct the ignorant, and to reclaim the devious, and, in the progress of morality and science, to which our government will give every furtherance, we may confidently expect the advancement of true religion, and the completion of our happiness.”
Ibid., vol. 37, 8-28-1762. To Burwell Bassett. “Dear Sir: I was favoured with your Epistle wrote on a certain 25th of July when you ought to have been at Church, praying as becomes every good Christian Man who has as much to answer for as you have; strange it is that you will be so blind to truth that the enlightning sounds of the Gospel cannot reach your Ear, nor no Examples awaken you to a sense of Goodness; could you but behold with what religious zeal I hye me to Church on every Lords day, it would do your heart good, and fill it I hope with equal fervency.”
25 Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States.
26 Ibid., vol. 5, 5-12-1779. Speech to the Delaware Chiefs.
27 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-1789. Proposed Speech to Congress.
28 Ibid., vol. 24, 6-28-1782. To Ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church.
29 Ibid., vol. 3, 9-14-1775. To Benedict Arnold.
30 Ibid., vol. 29, 4-25-1788. To Marquis de Chastellux.
31 Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States.
32 Ibid., vol. 32, 6-21-1792. To Gouverneur Morris.
33 Some 25 times, Washington will refer in his writings to “my soul” and thereby gives us a look into his inner life. For example, Ibid., vol. 1, 5-29-1754. To Robert Dinwiddie. “...for I assure you, Hon’ble Sir, nothing is a greater stranger to my Breast, or a Sin that my Soul abhors, than that black and detestable one Ingratitude.” Ibid., vol. 2, 4-27-1763. To Robert Stewart. “...but alas! to shew my inability in this respect, I inclose you a copy of Mr. Cary’s last Acct. currt. against me, which upon my honr and the faith of a Christian is a true one, and transmitted to me with the additional aggravation of a hint at the largeness of it. Messrs. Hanbury’s have also a Ball’e against me, and I have no other corrispondants in England with whom I deal, unless it be with a namesake for trifles such as Cloaths; and for these I do not know whether the Balle. is for or against me. This upon my Soul is a genuine Acct. of my Affairs in England, here.” Ibid., vol. 7, 4-15-1777. To Landon Carter. “Your friendly and affectionate wishes for my health and success has a claim to my most grateful acknowledgements. That the God of Armies may Incline the Hearts of my American Brethren to support, and bestow sufficient abilities on me to bring the present contest to a speedy and happy conclusion, thereby enabling me to sink into sweet retirement, and the full enjoyment of that Peace and happiness which will accompany a domestick Life, is the first wish, and most fervent prayer of my Soul.”
34 WGW, vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States.
35 Ibid., vol. 29, 2-11-1788. To Benjamin Lincoln.
36 Ibid., vol. 30, 11-3-1789. Thanksgiving Proclamation.
37 Ibid., vol. 35, 3-3-1797. To the Clergy of Philadelphia.
38 Ibid., vol. 26, 1-10-1783. To Maj. Gen. John Armstrong.
39 GWP Series 1a, George Washington, Forms of Writing, and The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, ante 1747, Image 25 of 36. (may be found online at www.loc.gov).
40 WGW, vol. 6, 12-25-1776. To Robert Morris.
41 Ibid., vol.23, 12-24-1781. To Major General William Heath.
42 Ibid., vol. 37, 8-28-1762. To Burwell Bassett.
43 Ibid., vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders.
44 Image 9 in George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 1a, George Washington, Forms of Writing, and The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, ante 1747.
45 WGW, vol. 30, 11-23-1789.
46 Ibid., vol. 13, 11-12-1778. To Reverend Alexander McWhorter.
