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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
President George Washington's letter from Philadelphia on Dec. 16, 1795, responds to citizens of Frederick County, Virginia, expressing satisfaction at their approval of his ratification of the recent US-Great Britain treaty, and reflects on the value of public approbation and the importance of persevering in duty.
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Philadelphia, Dec. 16, 1795
GENTLEMEN,
I RECEIVED with great satisfaction your obliging and affectionate letter, dated the 2d inst. at Winchester, enclosing a Resolution of the citizens of Frederick county, who met the preceding day at the county Court-House, expressing their entire approbation of my conduct, in ratifying the treaty lately negotiated between the United States and Great Britain.
Next to the approbation of my own mind, arising from a consciousness of having uniformly, diligently and sincerely aimed, by doing my duty, to promote the true interests of my country—the approbation of my fellow citizens is dear to my heart.
In a free country, such approbation should be a citizen's best reward; and so it would be, if truth and candor were always to estimate the conduct of public men. But the reverse is so often the case, that he who, wishing to serve his country, is not influenced by higher motives, runs the risk of being miserably disappointed.
Under such discouragement, the good citizen will look beyond the applauses and reproaches of men, and, persevering in his duty, stand firm in conscious rectitude, and in the hope of approving Heaven: I am, gentlemen, with much respect, your fellow-citizen and friend,
GO: WASHINGTON
To Daniel Morgan, Charles M. Thruston, Robert White, Charles Magill, and Joseph Caldwell.
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Letter to Editor Details
Author
Go: Washington
Recipient
Daniel Morgan, Charles M. Thruston, Robert White, Charles Magill, And Joseph Caldwell
Main Argument
washington expresses gratitude for the citizens' approval of his treaty ratification and emphasizes that while public approbation is valued, true public servants must persevere in duty guided by conscience and higher motives despite potential discouragements.
Notable Details