47 Ibid., vol. 30, 11-23-1789.
48 Ibid., vol. 28, 6-30-1785. To the Countess of Huntingdon.
49 Ibid., vol. 28, 1-25-1785. To James Jay.
50 Ibid., vol. 3, 7-16-1775. vol. 3, General Orders. “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’.” Ibid., vol. 4, 3-6-1776. General Orders. “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.’” Ibid., vol. 5, 5-15-1776. General Orders. “The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of ‘fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation.’” Ibid., vol. 10, 11-30-1777. General Orders. “It is therefore recommended by Congress, that Thursday the 18th. day of December next be set apart for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise; that at one time, and with one voice, the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that, together with their sincere acknowledgements and offerings they may join the penitent confession of their sins; and supplications for such further blessings as they stand in need of. The Chaplains will properly notice this recommendation, that the day of thanksgiving may be duly observed in the army, agreeably to the intentions of Congress.” Ibid., vol. 14, 4-12-1779. General Orders The Honorable the Congress having recommended it to the United States to set apart Thursday the 6th. day of May next to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to acknowledge the gracious interpositions of Providence ; to deprecate deserved punishment for our Sins and Ingratitude, to unitedly implore the Protection of Heaven; Success to our Arms and the Arms of our Ally: The Commander in Chief enjoins a religious observance of said day and directs the Chaplains to prepare discourses proper for the occasion; strictly forbiding all recreations and unnecessary labor. Ibid., vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders. “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... 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. 25, 12-18-1782. To Bartholomew Dandridge. “...for be assured Sir that a Man so devoid of principle as he is to be guilty, not only of the barefaced frauds with which he is accused; but the abominable Sin of ingratitude, will neglect no oppertunity of converting to his own use when he can do it with impunity every species of property that is committed to his care; and will do it the more readily after his reputation will have Suffered, than before. The most hardened villain, altho’ he Sins without remorse, wishes to cloak his iniquity, if possible, under specious appearances; but when character is no more, he bids defiance to the opinions of Mankind, and is under no other restraint than that of the Law, and the punishments it inflicts. Posey, I am perswaded, will be no exception to this rule; and that the sooner the Estate can be taken out of his hands the less it will suffer; as it cannot be in worse.” Ibid., vol. 1, 5-29-1754. To Robert Dinwiddie. “I am much concern’d, that your Honour should seem to charge me with ingratitude for your generous, and my undeserved favours; 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. 31, 6-19-1791. To Tobias Lear. I shall communicate the same sentiments to those who are with me, that, if they do sin, it shall be with their eyes open, and under a knowledge of the consequences. Ibid., vol. 25, 1782. To Bartholomew Dandridge. “...the abominable Sin of ingratitude, will neglect no oppertunity of converting to his own use when he can do it with impunity every species of property that is committed to his care; and will do it the more readily after his reputation will have Suffered, than before. The most hardened villain, altho’ he Sins without remorse, wishes to cloak his iniquity, if possible, under specious appearances; but when character is no more, he bids defiance to the opinions of Mankind, and is under no other restraint than that of the Law, and the punishments it inflicts.”
51 Ibid., vol. 24, 6-13-1782. To Brig. Gen. Jacob Bayley. “I can only advise you to attend very critically to the Movements of the Enemy on your Borders, and to the internal Machinations of evil Men and Emissaries who may be sent among you, or be contained in your own Bosoms. And to counteract them by every Means in your power; And at the same time to keep the Exertions of the people active and alert, and always prepared for speedy Action, in Case of an Appearance of the Enemy on your frontiers.”
52 Ibid., vol. 5, 7-19-1776. “Lord Howe is arrived. He and the Genl. his Brother are appointed Commissioners to dispense pardons to Repenting Sinners.” Ibid., vol. 28, 12-17-1785. “I never should have thought of this mode of punishment, had I not viewed the Defendants as wilful and obstinate sinners; presevering after timely and repeated admonition, in a design to injure me, ...”
53 Ibid., vol. 10, 1-29-1778. To the Committee of Congress. “It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature ... the experience of every age and nation has proved it .... No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.”
54 Ibid., vol. 14, 3-31-1779. To James Warren. “Our conflict is not likely to cease so soon as every good Man would wish. The measure of iniquity is not yet filled; and unless we can return a little more to first principles, and act a little more upon patriotic ground, I do not know when it will, or, what may be the Issue of the contest.” Ibid., vol. 30, 6-28-1788. To Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. “After New York shall have acted, then only one little State will remain; suffice it to say, it is universally believed, that the scales are ready to drop from the eyes and the infatuation to be removed from the heart, of Rhode Island. May this be the case, before that inconsiderate People shall have filled up the measure of iniquity before it shall be too late!”
55 Ibid., vol. 10, 1-29-1778. “It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure....” Ibid., vol. 3, 5-5-1772. To Thomas Johnson. “I cannot help adding, that, his Principles have been loose; whether from a natural depravity, or distress’d circumstances, I shall not undertake to determine; change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.” Ibid., vol. 10, 1-29-1778. To the Committee of Congress. “A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle; and that almost every man is more or less, under its influence. Motives of public virtue may for a time, or in particular instances, actuate men to the observance of a conduct purely disinterested; but they are not of themselves sufficient to produce a persevering conformity to the refined dictates and obligations of social duty. Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.” Ibid., vol. 15, 5-28-1779. To Lt. col. Nicholas Rogers. “Difficult as it is to strike a likeness on so small a scale, it is the opinion of many that you have not failed in the present attempt. The dress is not less pleasing for being a copy of antiquity, it would be happy for us, if in these days of depravity the imitation of our ancesters were extensively adopted; their virtues wd. not hurt us.” Ibid., vol. 26, 3-19-1783. To the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. “By Hook or by Crook, they are certain of acquittal. In truth I am quite discouraged, and have scarce any thing left but lamentation for the want of Virtue and depravity of my Countrymen.” Ibid., vol. 29, 11-15-1786. To Bushrod Washington. “It was to these things that we owe the present depravity of the minds of so many people of this Country, and filled it with so many knaves and designing characters.” Ibid., vol. 30, 4-1789. Proposed Address to Congress. “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. Should, hereafter, those who are intrusted with the management of this government, incited by the lust of power and prompted by the Supineness or venality of their Constituents, overleap the known barriers of this Constitution and violate the unalienable rights of humanity: it will only serve to shew, that no compact among men (however provident in its construction and sacred in its ratification) can be pronounced everlasting and inviolable, and if I may so express myself, that no Wall of words, that no mound of parchmt. can be so formed as to stand against the sweeping torrent of boundless ambition on the one side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other.” Ibid., vol. 29, 4-28-1788. To Marquis de Lafayette. “As for instance, on the ineligibility of the same person for President, after he should have served a certain course of years. Guarded so effectually as the proposed Constitution is, in respect to the prevention of bribery and undue influence in the choice of President: I confess, I differ widely myself from Mr. Jefferson and you, as to the necessity or expediency of rotation in that appointment. The matter was fairly discussed in the Convention, and to my full convictions; though I cannot have time or room to sum up the argument in this letter. There cannot, in my judgment, be the least danger that the President will by any practicable intrigue ever be able to continue himself one moment in office, much less perpetuate himself in it; but in the last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity: and even then there is as much danger that any other species of domination would prevail. Though, when a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes. Under an extended view of this part of the subject, I can see no propriety in precluding ourselves from the services of any man, who on some great emergency shall be deemed universally, most capable of serving the Public. Ibid., vol. 29, 12-16-1786. To James Madison. “These, and such like things, in my humble opinion, are extremely hurtful, and are among the principal causes that present depravity and corruption without accomplishing the object in view for it is not the shadow, but the substance with which Taxes must be paid, if we mean to be honest. With sentiments of sincere esteem etc.” Ibid., vol. 29, 12-26-1786. To Henry Knox. “I feel, my dear Genl. Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these States. Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them! were these people wiser than others, or did they judge of us from the corruption, and depravity of their own hearts? The latter I am persuaded was the case, and that notwithstanding the boasted virtue of America, we are far gone in every thing ignoble and bad.”
56 Ibid., vol. 13, 12-17-1778. “I see so many instances of the rascallity of Mankind, that I am almost out of conceit of my own species; and am convinced that the only way to make men honest, is to prevent their being otherwise, by tying them firmly to the accomplishmt. of their contracts.”
57 Ibid., vol. 24, 8-7-1782. To John Price Posey. “If what I have heard, or the half of it be true, you must not only be lost to the feelings of virtue, honor and common honesty; but you must have suffered an unwarrantable thirst of gain to lead you into errors which are so pregnant with folly and indiscretion, as to render you a mark for every mans arrow to level at. Can you suppose Sir, that a Manager, can dissipate his Employers Estate with impunity? That there are not Laws in every free Country by which justice is to be obtained? or, that the Heirs of Mr. Custis will not find friends who will pursue you to the end of the Earth in order to come at it? If you do, you are proceeding upon exceedingly mistaken principles. but, for a moment only let us suppose that you have taken the advantage of an unsuspecting friend; for such I am sure Mr. Custis was to you. and, that you have acted so covertly, as to elude the Law; do you believe that in the hours of cool reflection, in the moment perhaps, when you shall find that ill-gotten pelf can no longer avail you; that your conscience will not smite you severely for such complicated inequity as arises not only from acts of injustice, but the horrors of ingratitude; in abusing the confidence of a man who supposed you incapable of deceiving him, and who was willing, and I believe did, in a great degree, commit his whole property to your care? But this by the by, I do not mean to put this matter upon the footing of Conscience. Conscience, must have been kicked out of doors before you could have proceeded to the length of selling another Mans Negros for your own emolument and this too after having applyed the greatest part, or the whole of the profits of his Estate to your own benefit. Conscience again seldom comes to a Mans aid while he is in the zenith of health, and revelling in pomp and luxury upon ill gotten spoils; it is generally the last act of his life and comes too late to be of much service to others here, or to himself hereafter.”
58 Ibid., vol. 35, 12-19-1796. To George Washington Parke Custis.
59 Ibid., vol. 4, Answer to an Address from the Massachusetts Legislature. “May that being, who is powerful to save, and in whose hands is the fate of nations, look down with an eye of tender pity and compassion upon the whole of the United Colonies; may He continue to smile upon their counsels and arms, and crown them with success, whilst employed in the cause of virtue and mankind. May this distressed colony and its capital, and every part of this wide extended continent, through His divine favor, be restored to more than their former lustre and once happy state, and have peace, liberty, and safety secured upon a solid, permanent, and lasting foundation.”
60 Ibid., vol. 31, 7-28-1791. to Marquis de Lafayette.
61 Ibid., vol. 33, 11-6-1793. To the Trustees of the Public School of Germantown.
62 Ibid., vol. 35, 12-7-1796. Eighth Annual Address to Congress.
63 PGW, 2:179-181. To the Lutheran Church; PGW, 2:411-412, To the Methodist Bishops.
64 WGW, vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders. “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 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. 4, 11-18-1775. General Orders. “a day of public thanksgiving “to offer up our praises, and prayers to Almighty God, the Source and Benevolent Bestower of all good; That he would be pleased graciously to continue, to smile upon our Endeavours, to restore peace, preserve our Rights, and Privileges, to the latest posterity.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 6-13-1776. To Brig. Gen. John Sullivan. “...and wishing you and your Brothers, under the Direction of a gracious Providence, to lead your Army to Conquest and Victory.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 7-10-1776. “... it behoves us to adopt such, as under the smiles of a Gracious and all kind Providence will be most likely to promote our happiness.”
Ibid., vol. 7, 4-23-1777. “All agree our claims are righteous and must be supported; Yet all, or at least, too great a part among us, withhold the means, as if Providence, who has already done much for us, would continue his gracious interposition and work miracles for our deliverance, without troubling ourselves about the matter.”
Ibid., vol. 11, 3-1-1778. To Bryan Fairfax. “The determinations of Providence are all ways wise; often inscrutable, and though its decrees appear to bear hard upon us at times is nevertheless meant for gracious purposes; in this light I cannot help viewing your late disappointment....”
Ibid., vol. 4-12-1779. General Orders. “...a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to acknowledge the gracious interpositions of Providence ; to deprecate deserved punishment for our Sins and Ingratitude....”
Ibid., vol. 26, 1-10-1783. To Maj. Gen. John Armstrong. “I offer you the compliments of the Season and wish you may possess health and spirits to enjoy, after we shall have seated ourselves under our own Vines and Figtrees, if it is the gracious will of Providence to permit it, the return of many happy years.”
Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States. “I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, ...that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion....”
Ibid., vol. 27, 11-10-1783. To Ministers of the Dutch Reformed Churches. “Having shared in common, the hardships and dangers of the War with my virtuous fellow Citizens in the field, as well as with those who on the Lines have been immediately exposed to the Arts and Arms of the Enemy, I feel the most lively sentiments of gratitude to that divine Providence which has graciously interposed for the protection of our Civil and Religious Liberties.”
Ibid., vol. 27, 12-6-1783. To the Legislature of New Jersey. “I am heartily disposed to join with you, Gentlemen, in adoration to that all-wise and most gracious Providence which hath so conspicuously interposed in the direction of our public affairs and the establishment of our national Independence.”
Ibid., vol. 30, 4-16-1789. To the Mayor of Alexandria. “All that now remains for me is to commit myself and you to the protection of that beneficent Being, who, on a former occasion has happly brought us together, after a long and distressing separation. Perhaps the same gracious Providence will again indulge us with the same heartfelt felicity. But words, my fellow- citizens, fail me: Unutterable sensations must then be left to more expressive silence: while, from an aching heart, I bid you all, my affectionate friends and kind neighbours, farewell!”
Ibid., vol. 30, 1-8-1790. “... to secure the blessings which a Gracious Providence has placed within our reach, will in the course of the present important Session, call for the cool and deliberate exertion of your patriotism, firmness and wisdom.”
Ibid., vol. 32, 1-27-1793. To 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.”
Ibid., vol. 33, 9-25-1794. Proclamation. “Now, therefore, I, George Washington, President of the United States, in obedience to that high and irresistible duty, consigned to me by the Constitution, “to take care that the laws be faithfully executed;” deploring that the American name should be sullied by the outrages of citizens on their: own Government; commiserating such as remain obstinate from delusion; but resolved, in perfect reliance on that gracious Providence which so signally displays its goodness towards this country, to reduce the refractory to a due subordination to the laws....”
Ibid., vol. 34, 11-199-1794. Sixth Annual Address to Congress. “Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives: When we call to mind the gracious indulgence of Heaven, by which the American People became a nation; when we survey the general prosperity of our country, and look forward to the riches, power, and happiness, to which it seems destined; with the deepest regret do I announce to you, that during your recess, some of the citizens of the United States have been found capable of an insurrection.”
65 Ibid., vol. 3, 7-26-1775. General Orders. “The Court Martial upon the prisoners pleading Guilty and promising to behave obediently for the future, recommended him to the General’s mercy, who is pleased to pardon the prisoner.”
Ibid., vol. 4, 3-6-1776. General Orders. “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.”
Ibid., vol. 5, 5-15-1776. “The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation” — The General commands all officers, and soldiers, to pay strict obedience to the Orders of the Continental Congress, and by their unfeigned, and pious observance of their religious duties, incline the Lord, and Giver of Victory, to prosper our arms.”
Ibid., vol. 9, 8-10-1777. “From the Representation made to me respecting Brown and Murphy, I then thought that it became necessary to execute one of them by way of Example, but as you are of Opinion that the necessity is in some degree removed, and from late discoveries, that there is a possibility of their not being guilty, you have my free consent to pardon them both, as it is my most sincere wish, that whenever we are guilty of an Error in matters of this Nature, it may be on the Side of Mercy and forgiveness.”
Ibid., vol. 9, 8-17-1777. General Orders. “William Rickett of the 12th. Pennsylv. Battalion, charged with “being a sleep on his post when over prisoners,” pleaded guilty, and begged for mercy; sentenced to receive thirty nine lashes on his bare back.”
Ibid., vol. 9, 9-3-1777. General Orders. “James Martin of the 2nd. Pennsylv. regt. charged with” Being drunk and asleep on his post while sentinel over prisoners,” found guilty, and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back; and to have the hair from the front part of his head shaved off without soap, and tar and feathers substituted in the room of the hair. Henry Hargood charged with “Desertion from the German regiment”; found guilty, and sentenced to suffer death: But for the reasons mentioned by the court, they recommend him to the Commander in Chief’s clemency and mercy. The Commander in Chief pardons the offender.”
