Being George Washington (40 page)

SHAYS’S REBELLION, Washington’s Reaction to.
—I am mortified beyond expression when I view the clouds that have spread over the brightest morn that ever dawned upon any country…. My humble opinion is that there is a call for decision. Know precisely what the insurgents aim at. If they have real grievances, redress them if possible, or acknowledge the justice of them and your inability to do it in the present moment. If they have not, employ the force of government against them at once. If this is inadequate, all will be convinced that the superstructure is bad, or wants support. To be more exposed in the eyes of the world, and more contemptible than we already are, is hardly possible.—To Henry Lee. (1786)

SLAVERY, Abolition of.
—There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of [slavery]; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by legislative authority; and this, as far as my suffrage will go, shall never be wanting.—To Robert Morris. (1786)

SLAVES, Liberated in Washington’s Will.
—Upon the decease of my wife, it is my will and desire that all the slaves which I hold in my own right shall receive their freedom.—Last Will and Testament. (1799)

SLAVES, Old and Infirm, Provided for in Washington’s Will.
—And whereas, among those who will receive freedom according to this device, there may be some who from old age or bodily infirmities … will be unable to support themselves, it is my will and desire that all … shall be comfortably clothed and fed by my heirs while they live.—Last Will and Testament. (1799)

SLEEP, Rise Early from.
—Rise early, that by habit it may become familiar, agreeable, healthy, and profitable. It may for a while be irksome to do this; but that will wear off, and the practice will produce a rich harvest
forever thereafter, whether in public or private walks of life.—To George Washington Parke Custis. (1798)

VIRTUE, Public, Needed to Safeguard the Constitution.
—The [federal] government … can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any other despotic or oppressive form so long as there shall remain any virtue in the body of the people.—To the Marquis de Lafayette. (1788)

VIRTUE, And Happiness.
—There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists, in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.—First Inaugural Address. (1789)

WASHINGTON (George), Humility of.
—I wish … it were more in my power than it is to answer the favorable opinion my friends have conceived of my abilities. Let them not be deceived; I am unequal to the task [of commanding Virginia’s military forces], and do assure you it requires more experience than I am master of to conduct an affair of the importance that this is now arisen to.—To Charles Lewis. (1755)

When I contemplate the interposition of Providence, as it was manifested in guiding us through the revolution, in preparing us for the reception of a general government, and in conciliating the good will of the people of America towards one another after its adoption, I feel myself … almost overwhelmed with a sense of the divine munificence. I feel that nothing is due to my personal agency in all these complicated and wonderful events, except what can simply be attributed to the exertions of an honest zeal for the good of my country.—To the mayor, recorder, aldermen, and common council of Philadelphia. (1789)

WASHINGTON (George), His Devotion to Duty.
—You ask how I am to be rewarded for all this? There is one reward that nothing can deprive me of, and that is the consciousness of having done my duty with the strictest rectitude and most scrupulous exactness; that if we
should ultimately fail in the present contest, it is not owing to the want of exertion in me.—To Lund Washington. (1780)

WASHINGTON (George), Too Modest to Write His Memoirs.
—Any memoirs of my life, distinct and unconnected with the general history of the war, would rather hurt my feelings than tickle my pride while I lived. I had rather glide gently down the stream of life, leaving it to posterity to think and say what they please of me, than by any act of mine to have vanity or ostentation imputed to me…. I do not think vanity is a trait of my character.—To Dr. James Craik. (1784)

WASHINGTON (George), His Attitude Toward Death.
—Do not flatter me with vain hopes; I am not afraid to die, and therefore can bear the worst…. Whether tonight or twenty years hence makes no difference; I know that I am in the hands of a good Providence.—Spoken to Dr. Samuel Bard, attending surgeon. (1790)

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