guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records, and other evidences of my conduct, must witness to you and the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them. In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclama tion of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your Representatives in both Houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me, uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it. After deliberate examination, with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound in duty and interest to take, a neutral position. Having taken it I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation, perseverance, and firmness. The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe, that, according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all. The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other nations. The inducements of interest, for observing that conduct, will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavor to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress, without interruption, to that degree of strength and consistency which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes. Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error; I am, nevertheless, too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope, that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. Relying on its kindness in this, as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations, I anticipate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free Government-the ever favorite object of my heart and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers. GEORGE WASHINGTON. United States, 17th September, 1796. GEORGE WASHINGTON, APPOINTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF ALL THE ARMIES RAISED OR TO BE RAISED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY AND WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE.-July 3, 1798. THE calm and peaceful retreat which the great Washington promised himself beneath his own vine and fig-tree, in taking an affectionate leave of his fellow-citizens in nis farewell address, was destined to be of short duration, for, difficulties having arisen with the then existing government of France, "the opinion was universally entertained, that Washington must be called on to take the command of the armies." The weight of his name and character was of the utmost importance to produce unanimity in the leaders, and to secure the confidence and support of the people. His extreme aversion to enter again into public life was known; but it was likewise well understood, tha. it was a principle with him, from which he had never deviated, that when his services were demanded by the general voice of his fellow-citizens, he never refused to bestow them; under this impression, therefore, the President, John Adams, had made up his mind to nominate him to the Senate in any event, both because he was the best man, and because the nation would not be satisfied with any other course, and he therefore declared to him in a letter of the 22d June, 1798, that "We must have your name, if you will in any case permit us to use it. There will be more efficacy in it than in many an army." And the Secretary of War, James McHenry, on the 26th June, 1798, said to him" You see how the storm thickens, and that our vessel will soon require its ancient pilot. Will you, may we flatter ourselves, that, in a crisis so awful and important, you will accept the command of all our armies? I hope you will, because you alone can unite all hearts and all hands." - To the President, Washington replied on the 4th July, 1798, that "At the epoch of my retirement, an invasion of these States by any European power, or even the probability of such an event happening in my days, was so far from being contemplated by me, that I had no conception that that, or any other occurrence would arise in so short a period, which could turn my eyes from the shades of Mount Vernon. But this seems to be the age of wonders; and it is reserved for intoxicated and lawless France (for purposes of Providence far beyond the reach of human ken) to slaughter its own citizens, and to disturb the repose of all the world besides." "From a view of the past and the present, and from the prospect of that which seems to be expected, it is not easy for me to decide, satisfactorily, on the part it might best become me to act. In case of actual invasion by a formidable force, I certainly should not intrench myself under the cover of age (67) and retirement, if my services should be required by my country to assist in repelling it." To the Secretary of War, Washington replied also on the 4th July, 1798,-" The sentiments, which I mean to express to you in this letter on the subject of yours, shall be frank, undisguised and explicit; for I see, as you do, that clouds are gathering, and that a storm may ensue; and I find, too, from a variety of hints, that my quiet under these circumstances does not promise to be of long continuance. "It cannot be necessary for me to premise to you, or to others, who know my sentiments as well, that, to quit the tranquil walks of retirement, and enter a boundless field of responsibility and trouble, would be productive of sensations, which a better pen than I possess would find it difficult to describe. Nevertheless, the principles by which my conduct has been actuated through life would not suffer me, in any great emergency, to withhold any services I could render, required by my country; especially in a case where its dearest rights are assailed by lawless ambition and intoxicated power, contrary to every principle of justice, and in violation of solemn compacts and laws, which govern all civilized nations; and this, too, with the obvious intent to sow thick the seeds of disunion, for the purpose of subjugating the government, and destroying our independence and happiness." "In circumstances like these, accompanied by an actual invasion of our territorial rights, it would be difficult at any time for me to remain an idle spectator under the plea of age or retirement. With sorrow, it is true, I should quit the shades of my peaceful abode, and the ease and happiness I now enjoy, to encounter anew the turmoils of war, to which, possibly, my strength and powers might be found incompetent. These, however, should not be stumbling-blocks in my own way." "As my whole life has been dedicated to my country in one shape or another, for the poor remains of it, it is not an object to contend for ease and quiet, when all that is valuable in it is at stake, further than to be satisfied that the sacrifice I should make of these is acceptable and desired by my country." Before the reception of these communications from Washington, the following proceedings took place : IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.. MONDAY, JULY 2, 1798. The following written message was received from the President of the United States, by Mr. Malcom his secretary : Gentlemen of the Senate : I nominate George Washington, of Mount Vernon, to be Lieutenant-general and Commander-in-chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised, in the United States. United States, July 2, 1798. The message was read. JOHN ADAMS. |