The Gazette

Portland.

General Washington's Letter.

[This day's Gazette is enriched and ornamented with Washington's Letter to the President. It must inspire every heart with joy, and excite admiration in every American breast. It breathes his pure spirit of greatness in a stile peculiar to himself. After defending his country by his wisdom and courage—after governing it with dignity and prudence—and after retiring from the brilliant scenes he had acted, covered with the world's applause, it seemed, indeed, that no new way remained for endearing him to his admiring countrymen. But see him again at the head of our armies, ready to bleed in our defence! Let this Letter be recorded in every heart—let it be read from the pulpit, read in schools, and spoken of by all mankind.]

Senate of the United States,
July 18, 1798.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

BELIEVING that the letter received this morning from General Washington will give high satisfaction to the Senate. I transmit them a copy of it, and congratulate them and the public on this great event, the General's acceptance of his appointment, as Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of the army.

JOHN ADAMS.

United States, July 17, 1798.

Mount-Vernon, July 13, '98.

DEAR SIR,

I had the honor, on the evening of the 11th inst. to receive from the hand of the Secretary of War, your favor of the 7th, announcing that you had, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed me to be Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the Armies raised or to be raised for the service of the United States.

I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this new proof of public confidence, and the highly flattering manner in which you have been pleased to make the communication; at the same time, I must not conceal from you my earnest wish, that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years, and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war.

You know, Sir, what calculation I made relative to the probable course of events, on my retiring from office, and the determination I had consoled myself with, of closing the remnant of my days in my present peaceful abode; you will therefore be at a loss to conceive and appreciate the sensations I must have experienced, to bring my mind to any conclusion that would pledge me, at so late a period of life, to leave scenes I sincerely love to enter upon the boundless field of public action, incessant trouble, and high responsibility.

It was not possible for me to remain ignorant of, or indifferent to, recent transactions. The conduct of the Directory of France towards our country; their insidious hostility to its government; their various practices to withdraw the affections of the people from it; the evident tendency of their acts, and those of their agents to countenance and invigorate opposition; their disregard of solemn treaties and the laws of nations; their war upon our defenseless commerce; their treatment of our Ministers of peace; and their demands amounting to tribute: could not fail to excite in my mind corresponding sentiments, with those my countrymen have so generally expressed in their affectionate addresses to you, approving the wise and prudent measures of administration. They ought to inspire universal confidence, and will, no doubt, combined with the facts that every thing we hold dear and sacred is so seriously threatened, call from Congress such other acts and means as will enable you to place the country in a situation to repel any attack on the full force and extent of the crisis.

Satisfied, therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavored to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause; and confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has hitherto, and so often, signally favored the people of these United States.

Thinking in this manner, and feeling how incumbent it is upon every person of every description, to contribute at all times to his country wellare, and especially in a moment like the present, when every thing we hold dear and sacred is so seriously threatened; I have finally determined to accept the commission of Commander in chief of the armies of the United States; with the reservation only, that I shall not be called into the field until the army is in a situation to require my presence, or it becomes indispensable by the urgency of circumstances.

In making this reservation, I beg it to be understood, that I do not mean to withhold any assistance I can afford, in arranging and organizing the army, which you may think I can afford. I take the liberty also to mention, that I must decline having my acceptance considered as drawing after it any immediate charge upon the public; or that I can receive any emolument annexed to the appointment, before entering into a situation to incur expense.

The Secretary of War being anxious to return to the seat of government, I have detained him no longer than was necessary to a full communication upon the several points he had in charge.

With very great respect and consideration,

I have the honor to be Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

G. Washington.

To John Adams, President of the United States.