Introduction | Selected letters from 1783 | 1784 | 1785 | 1786 | 1787 | 1788
1788
George Washington
to Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:2-4)
| I did myself the honor to forward to you the plan of Government formed by the Convention, the day after that body rose; but was not a little disappointed, and mortified indeed (as I wished to make the first offering of it to you) to find by a letter from Commod[or]e Jones, dated in New York the 9th of Novr that it was, at that time, in his possession. You have, undoubtedly recd it, or some other 'ere now, and formed an opinion upon it. The public attention is, at present, wholly engrossed by this important subject. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:17-18)
| The diversity of Sentiments upon the important matter which has been submitted to the People, was as much expected as it is regretted, by me...If the opponants in the same State cannot agree in their principles what prospect is there of a coalescence with the advocates of the measure when the different views, and jarring interests of so wide and extended an Empire are to be brought forward and combated. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Lafayette, 7 February 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:95-97)
| It appears to me, then, little short of a miracle, that the Delegates from so many different States (which States you know are also different from each other in their manners, circumstances and prejudieces) should unite in forming a system of national Government, so little liable to well founded objections. Nor am I yet such an enthusiastic, partial or undiscriminating admirer of it, as not to prerceive it is tinctured with some real (though not radical) defects. The limits of a letter would not suffer me to go fully into an examination of them; nor would the discussion be entertaining or profitable, I therefore forbear to touch upon it. With regard to the two great points (the pivots on which the whole machine must move) my Creed is simply... Read letter... |
George Washington
to John Armstrong, 25 April 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:224-27)
| Baffled in their attacks upon the constitution they have attempted to vilify and debase the Characters who formed it, but even here I trust they will not succeed. Upon the whole I doubt whether the opposition to the Constitution will not ultimately be productive of more good than evil; it has called forth, in its defence, abilities (which would not perhaps have been otherwise exerted) that have thrown new lights upon the science of Government, they have given the rights of man a full and fair discussion, and have explained them in so clear and forcible a manner as cannot fail to make a lasting impression upon those who read the best publications on the subject, and particularly the pieces under the signiture of Publius. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Lafayette, 28 April - 1 May 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:242-46)
| There are other points on which opinions would be more likely to vary. As for instance, on the ineligibility of the same person for President, after he should have served a certain course of years.... 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. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Lafayette, 18 June 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:335-38)
| I like not much the situation of affairs in France. The bold demands of the Parliaments and the decisive tone of the King, shew that but little more irritation would be necessary to blow up the spark of discontent into a flame that might not easily be quenched. If I were to advise, I would say that great moderation should be used on both sides. Let it not, my dear Marquis, be considered as a derogation from the good opinion that I entertain of your prudence, when I caution you, as an individual desirous, of signalising yourself in the cause of your country and freedom, against running into extremes and prejudicing your cause. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 June 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:365-66)
| No one can rejoice more than I do at every step taken by the People of this great Country to preserve the Union--establish good order & government--and to render the Nation happy at home & respected abroad. No country upon Earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wonderously strange then, & much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means, and to stray from the road to which the finger of Providence has so manifestly pointed. I cannot believe it will ever come to pass! Read letter... |
George Washington
to James McHenry, 31 July 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:409-10)
| That some of the leading characters among the Opponents [of] the proposed government have not laid aside their ideas of obtaining great and essential changes, through a constitutional opposition, (as they term it) may be collected from their public speeches. That others will use more secret and, perhaps, insidious means to prevent its organization may be presumed from their previous conduct on the subject. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:482-83)
| I wish I may be mistaken in imagining, that there are persons, who upon finding they could not carry their point by an open attack against the Constitution, have some sinister designs to be silently effected if possible. But I trust in that Providence which has saved us in six troubles, yea in seven, to rescue us again from any imminent, though unseen, dangers. Nothing, however, on our part ought to be left undone. I conceive it to be of unspeakable importance, that whatever there be of wisdom, & prudence, & patriotism on the Continent, should be concentred in the public Councils, at the first outset. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Edmund Newenham, 29 August 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:486-89)
| I hope the United States of America will be able to keep disengaged from the labyrinth of European politics & Wars; and that before long they will, by the adoption of a good national government, have become respectable in the eyes of the world so that none of the maritime Powers, especially none of those who hold possessions in the new world or the West Indies shall presume to treat them with insult or contempt. It should be the policy of United America to administer to their wants, without being engaged in their quarrels. And it is not in the ability of the proudest and most potent people on earth to prevent us from becoming a great, a respectable & a commercial nation, if we shall continue united & faithful to ourselves. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:491-94)
| The merits and defects of the proposed Constitution have been largely & ably discussed. For myself, I was ready to have embraced any tolerable compromise that was competent to save us from impending ruin; and I can say, there are scarcely any of the amendments which have been suggested, to which I have much objection, except that whch goes to the prevention of direct taxation--and that, I presume, will be more strenuously advocated and insisted upon hereafter than any other. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Annis Boudinot Stockton, 31 August 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:496-98)
| The felicitations you offer on the present prospect of our public affairs are highly acceptable to me, and I entreat you to receive a reciprocation from my part. I can never trace the concatenation of causes, which led to these events, without acknowledging the mystery and admiring the goodness of Providence. To that superintending Power alone is our retraction from the brink of ruin to be attributed. A spirit of accomodation was happily infused into the leading characters of the Continent, and the minds of men were gradually prepared by disappointment, for the reception of a good government. Nor would I rob the fairer Sex of their share in the glory of a revolution so honorable to human nature, for, indeed, I think you Ladies are in the number of the best Patriots America can boast. Read letter... |
George Washington
to Henry Lee, 22 September 1788
(The Papers, Confederation Series, 6:528-31)
| Probably, prudence, wisdom, & patriotism were never more essentially necessary than at the present moment: and so far as it can be done in an irreproachable direct manner, no effort ought to be left unessayed to procure the election of the best possible characters to the new Congress. On their harmony, deliberation & decision every thing will depend. I heartily wish Mr Madison was in our Assembly: as I think, with you, it is of unspeakable importance Virginia should set out in her foderal measures under right auspices. Read letter... |
Introduction | Selected letters from 1783 | 1784 | 1785 | 1786 | 1787 | 1788