Introduction | Selected letters from 1783 | 1784 | 1785 | 1786 | 1787 | 1788
1783
George Washington
to John Hancock, 11 June 1783
(Not Published)
| 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 F deral Head. 2dly A sacred regard to public Justice. 3dly The adoption of a proper Peace Establishment, and 4thly The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the People of the United States, which will induce them to forgit their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and in some instances, to sacrafice their individual advantages to the interest of the Community. Read letter... |
1784
George Washington
to Benjamin Harrison, 18 January 1784
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 1:56-57)
| The disinclination of the individual States to yield competent powers to Congress for the Fœderal Government--their unreasonable jealousy of that body & of one another--& the disposition which seems to pervade each, of being all-wise & all- powerful within itself, will, if there is not a change in the system, be our downfal as a Nation. This is as clear to me as the A, B.C.; & I think we have opposed Great Britain, & have arrived at the present state of peace & independency, to very little purpose, if we cannot conquer our own prejudices. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Henry Knox, 5 December 1784
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 2:170-72)
| Would to God our own Countrymen, who are entrusted with the management of the political machine, could view things by that large & extensive scale upon which it is measured by foreigners, & by the State[s]men of Europe, who see what we might be, & predict what we shall come to. In fact, our fœderal Government is a name without substance: No State is longer bound by its edicts, than it suits present purposes, without looking to the consequences. How then can we fail in a little time, becoming the sport of European politics, & the victims of our own folly. Read letter... |
1785
George Washington
to James McHenry, 22 August 1785
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 3:197-99)
| We are either a United people under one head, & for Fœderal purposes, or, we are thirteen independent Sovereignties, eternally counteracting each other... I confess to you candidly that I can foresee no evil greater, than disunion--than those unreasonable jealousies (I say unreasonable, because I would have a proper jealousy always awake, and the United States always upon the watch, to prevent individual States from infracting the Constitution, with impunity) which are continually poisoning our minds, and filling them with imaginary evils, to the prevention of real ones. Read letter... |
George Washington
to James Warren, 7 October 1785
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 3:298-301)
| It has long been a speculative question amongst Philosophers and wise men, whether foreign Commerce is of advantage to any Country--that is, whether the luxury, effeminacy, & corruption which are introduced by it, are counterballanced by the conveniencies and wealth of which it is productive. But the right decision of this question is of very little importance to us. We have abundant reason to be convinced, that the spirit of Trade which pervades these States is not to be restrained. it behoves us therefore to establish it upon just principles; and this, any more than other matters of national concern cannot be done by thirteen heads, differently constructed; The necessity therefore of a controuling power is obvious, and why it should be with-held is beyond comprehension. Read letter... |
George Washington
to James Madison, 30 November 1785
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 3:419-21)
| It is much to be wished that public faith may be held inviolate--Painful is it even in thought that attempts should be made to weaken the bands of it. It is a dangerous experiment--once slacken the reins and the power is lost--and it is questionable with me whether the advocates of the measure foresee all the consequences of it. It is an old adage that honesty is the best policy--this applies to public as well as private life--to States as well as individuals. I hope the Port and assize Bills no longer sleep but are awakened to a happy establishment. The first with some alterations, would in my judgment be productive of great good to this Country--without it, the Trade thereof I conceive will ever labor & languish--with respect to the Second if it institutes a speedier administration of Justice it is equally desirable. Read letter... |
1786
George Washington
to John Jay, 18 May 1786
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:55-56)
| I coincide perfectly in sentiment with you, my dear Sir, that there are errors in our National Government which call for correction; loudly I will add; but I shall find my self happily mistaken if the remedies are at hand. We are certainly in a delicate situation, but my fear is that the people are not yet sufficiently misled to retract from error! To be plainer, I think there is more wickedness than ignorance, mixed with our councils. Under this impression, I scarcely know what opinion to entertain of a general Convention. That it is necessary to revise, and amend the articles of Confederation, I entertain no doubt; but what may be the consequences of such an attempt is doubtful. Yet, something must be done, or the fabrick must fall. It certainly is tottering! Read letter... |
George Washington
to John Jay, 15 August 1786
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:212-13)
| What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror. From thinking proceeds speaking, thence to acting is often but a single step. But how irrevocable & tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systems founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal & falacious! Would to God that wise measures may be taken in time to avert the consequences we have but too much reason to apprehend. Read letter... |
George Washington
to James Madison, 5 November 1786
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:331-32)
| What stronger evidence can be given of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders? If there exists not a power to check them, what security has a man of life, liberty, or property? To you, I am sure I need not add aught on this subject, the consequences of a lax, or inefficient government, are too obvious to be dwelt on. Thirteen Sovereignties pulling against each other, and all tugging at the fœderal head, will soon bring ruin on the whole; whereas a liberal, and energetic Constitution, well guarded & closely watched, to prevent incroachments, might restore us to that degree of respectability & consequence, to which we had a fair claim, & the brightest prospect of attaining... Read letter... |
George Washington
to David Stuart, 19 November 1786
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:387-88)
| However delicate the revision of the federal system may appear, it is a work of indispensable necessity. The present constitution is inadequate. The superstructure totters to its foundations, and without helps, will bury us in its ruins. Although I never more intended to appear on a public theatre, and had in a public manner bid adieu to public life; yet, if the voice of my Country had called me to this important duty, I might, in obedience to the repeated instances of its affection & confidence, have dispensed with these objections, but another now exists which would render my acceptance of this appointment impracticable, with any degree of consistency--It is this. Read letter... |
George Washington
to David Humphreys, 26 December 1786
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 4:477-80)
| It is with the deepest, and most heart felt concern, I perceive by some late paragraphs extracted from the Boston Gazettes, that the Insurgents of Massachusetts--far from being satisfied with the redress offered by their General Court--are still acting in open violation of Law & Government; & have obliged the Chief Magistrate in a decided tone, to call upon the militia of the State to support the Constitution. What, gracious God, is man! that there should be such inconsistency & perfidiousness in his conduct? It is but the other day we were shedding our blood to obtain the Constitutions under which we now live--Constitutions of our own choice and framing--and now we are unsheathing the Sword to overturn them! The thing is so unaccountable, that I hardly know how to realize it, or to persuade my self that I am not under the vision of a dream. Read letter plus "Private and Confidential" insert... |
Introduction | Selected letters from 1783 | 1784 | 1785 | 1786 | 1787 | 1788