To Doctor James Anderson, July 25, 1798, President Washington observes, “…a man was not designed by the All wise Creator to live for himself alone…”41
In a letter to Elizabeth Parke Custis, German Town, September 14, 1794, our first president wrote, “That as the allwise dispensor of human blessings has favored no Nation of the Earth with more abundant, and substantial means of happiness than United America, that we may not be so ungrateful to our Creator.”42
From a draft of his Farewell Address, enclosed in Washington’s letter to Alexander Hamilton, May 15, 1796, read,
That as the allwise dispensor of human blessings has favored no Nation of the Earth with more abundant, and substantial means of happiness than United America, that we may not be so ungrateful to our Creator; so wanting to ourselves; and so regardless of Posterity, as to dash the cup of beneficence which is thus bountifully offered to our acceptance.43
And we could cite example after example of this.
WASHINGTON’S FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE: THE VINE AND FIG TREE
Probably, George Washington’s favorite biblical allusion referred to each man sitting under his own vine and fig tree. Washington used this phrase more than forty times in his writings. It comes from Micah chapter 4, verse 4: “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” He saw the new nation and especially his own Mount Vernon as places where each citizen, including himself, could enjoy the fruit of his own labor without fear of government intrusion.
Mary Thompson, research specialist at Mount Vernon, said this about Washington, the Bible and the vine and fig tree allusion:
He clearly, in his writings, uses biblical language, and makes reference to two events in the Bible. He talks about Noah, he talks about Haman, he uses the phrase—the most famous one, of course—is the vine and fig tree, which he uses in terms of coming back to Mt. Vernon and retiring. But there are many others in his writings that he hasn’t been given credit for, so he’s clearly very familiar with the Bible.44
The vine and fig tree example is so common that we could list example after example. Here are just a few:
• To Marquis de Lafayette, June 19, 1788: “…every one (under his own vine and fig-tree) shall begin to taste the fruits of freedom…”45
• To the Hebrew congregation of Newport, August 17, 1790: “…every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”46
• To William Pearce, February 21, 1796: “…under my own Vine and Fig tree…”47
• To Landon Carter, October 17, 1796: “…in the shades of Mount Vernon under my Vine and Fig Tree; where at all times I should be glad to see you.”48
• To George Clinton, February 28, 1797: “…I shall be extremely happy to see you under the shade of my Vine and Fig tree.”49
• Doctor James Anderson, April 7, 1797: “I am once more seated under my own Vine and Fig tree, and hope to spend the remainder of my days…”50
• To the Secretary of the Treasury, May 15, 1797: “…if ever this happens it must be under my own Vine and Fig tree as I do not think it probable that I shall go beyond the radius of 20 miles from them.”51
• To Thomas Pinckney, May 28, 1797: “…I got seated under my Vine and Fig tree…”52
• To Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, June 24, 1797: “As for myself I am now seated in the shade of my Vine and Fig tree…”53
• To Louis Philippe, Comte De Segur, June 24, 1797: “…at no period have I been more engaged than in the last three months, to re-establish myself comfortably, under my Vine and Fig tree.”54
• To Rufus King, June 25, 1797: “…having taken my seat in the shade of my Vine and Fig tree…”55
• To John Quincy Adams, June 25, 1797: “I am now, as you supposed the case would be when you then wrote, seated under my Vine and Fig-tree; where, while I am permitted to enjoy the shade of it, my vows [i.e. prayers] will be continually offered for the welfare and prosperity of our country…”56
• To David Humphreys, June 26, 1797: “…after I had left the chair of Government, and was seated in the shade of my own Vine and Fig-tree.”57
• To the Earl of Buchan, July 4, 1797: “…as my glass is nearly run, I shall endeavor in the shade of my Vine and Fig tree…”58
• To the Earl of Radnor, 1797: “I am now placed in the shade of my Vine and Fig tree…”59
This expression is not only a longing of his own heart, it is also his goal for the nation to enjoy the peace and contentment the concept offers of God’s anticipated peaceable kingdom on earth. Again, it is the Bible that provides this motif that Washington uses dozens of times in his writings. We will also see in another context Washington’s view of the “Millennial” hope of God’s peace on earth.60
WASHINGTON’S BIBLICAL HUMOR
From what we have seen so far, we can see how misguided Paul Boller is in claiming that Washington’s use of scripture was minimal and only for “whimsy.”61 Yet we do not want to suggest that Washington did not enjoy the humorous use of the Bible that is part of the Christian tradition as well. Two marvelous examples of friendly biblical humor can be found in Washington’s letters. The point here is that Washington is not laughing in derision or in opposition to the scriptures, but he is laughing with the scriptures. The first is written to his brother-in-law, Burwell Bassett, celebrating the birth of their new child, and protesting Noah’s inclusion of certain creatures on the ark.
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; but heark’ee; I am told you have lately introduced into your Family, a certain production which you are lost in admiration of, and spend so much time in contemplating the just proportion of its parts, the ease, and conveniences with which it abounds, that it is thought you will have little time to animadvert upon the prospect of your crops &c; pray how will this be reconciled to that anxious care and vigilance, which is so escencially necessary at a time when our growing Property, meaning the Tobacco, is assailed by every villainous worm that has had an existence since the days of Noah (how unkind it was of Noah now I have mentioned his name to suffer such a brood of vermin to get a birth in the Ark) but perhaps you may be as well of as we are; that is, have no Tobacco for them to eat and there I think we nicked the Dogs, as I think to do you if you expect any more; but not without a full assurance of being with a very sincere regard etc.62
The second letter is written to Annis Boudinot Stockton, sister of Elias Boudinot and wife of Richard Stockton, both of whom had signed the Declaration of Independence. Here his humor includes a keen understanding of the Roman Catholic tradition, as well as of the Bible.
You apply to me, My dear Madam, for absolution as tho’ I was your father Confessor; and as tho’ you had committed a crime, great in itself, yet of the venial class You have reason good, for I find myself strangely disposed to be a very indulgent ghostly Adviser on this occasion; and, notwithstanding “you are the most offending Soul alive” (that is, if it is a crime to write elegant Poetry) yet if you will come and dine with me on Thursday and go through the proper course of penitence, which shall be prescribed, I will strive hard to assist you in expiating these poetical trespasses on this side of purgatory. Nay more, if it rests with me to direct your future lucubrations, I shall certainly urge you to a repetition of the same conduct, on purpose to shew what an admirable knack you have at confession and reformation; and so, without more hesitation, I shall venture to command the Muse not to be restrained by ill-grounded timidity, but to go on and prosper.
You see Madam, when once the Woman has tempted us and we have tasted the forbidden fruit, there is no such thing as checking our appetites, whatever the consequences may be. You will I dare say, recognize our being the genuine Descendents of those who are reputed to be our great Progenitors.
Before I come to the more serious Conclusion of my Letter, I must beg leave to say a word or two about these Fine things you have been telling in such harmonious and beautiful Numbers. Fiction is to be sure the very life and Soul of Poetry. All Poets and Poetesses have been indulged in the free and indisputable use of it, time out of Mind. And to oblige you to make such an excellent Poem, on such a subject, without any Materials but those of simple reality, would be as cruel as the Edict of Pharaoh which compelled the Children of Israel to Manufacture Bricks without the necessary Ingredients. Thus are you sheltered under the authority of prescription, and I will not dare to charge you with an intentional breach of the Rules of the decalogue in giving so bright a colouring to the services I have been enabled to render my Country; though I am not conscious of deserving any thing more at your hands, than what the purest and most disinterested friendship has a right to claim; actuated by which, you will permit me, to thank you in the most affectionate manner for the kind wishes you have so happily expressed for me and the partner of all my Domestic enjoyments. Be assured we can never forget our friend at Morven; and that I am etc.63
To enjoy humor like this, Washington had to have had a deep Christian experience in the scriptures and in Christian theology. His humor toward the scriptures and toward the Roman Catholic tradition in his second letter are simultaneously accurate and in good taste. His humor avoids derision, but still evokes a smile.
SAFETY AND PEACE: NO SANCTION GIVEN TO BIGOTRY
Washington’s every-man-under-his-own-vine-and-fig-tree concept discussed earlier was not merely an expression to our first president. This biblical notion was a profound vision of what America was intended to be (and has indeed become for millions). Again, it’s the idea of safety and peace, regardless of your religious or political persuasion. In America, there was to be no sanction given to bigotry.
Washington thus received and answered letters from the Hebrew congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, and from the clergy of Newport. In replying to the former he said: “May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the Father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.”64
Here are some of the many biblical allusions found in this one letter:
1) children of the Stock of Abraham (Acts 13:26)
2) who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants (Deuteronomy 12:10)
3) while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree (“And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree…”) (1 Kings 4:25)
4) there shall be none to make him afraid (“But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid…”) (Micah 4:4)
5) Father of all mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3)
6) scatter light and not darkness in our paths (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 4:18);
7) make us all in our several vocations useful here (Ephesians 4:1)
8) in his own due time and way (Ecclesiastes 3:11);
9) everlastingly happy (Isaiah 35:10)
Earlier in that same letter, Washington pointed out that our country is a place where religious bigotry is not to be countenanced by the government: “For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.” Rabbi Daniel Lapin, an orthodox rabbi and the head of Toward Tradition, points out.
No country in the last two thousand years has provided the same haven of tranquillity and prosperity for Jews as had the United States of America. And, this is not in spite of Americans being Christian; it is because of it. You might say that America’s Bible belt is the Jewish communities’ safety belt.65
The Bible has played a pivotal role in the founding of America, just as it did in the life and thinking of George Washington.
