Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. - The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799)

Return to Title Page for The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, 22 June, 1798.

Dear Sir,—

I have this morning received with great pleasure the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 17th of this month.1

Although a visit to the city of Washington would give me great pleasure, and chiefly for the opportunity it would afford me of paying my respects at Mount Vernon, yet I cannot but consider the execution of the plan as very uncertain. I thank you, Sir, for your obliging invitation, and shall certainly wish to spend as much time as possible under the refreshing shade of your vine.

The approbatory addresses are very precious to me, as they discover more union among the States, and greater unanimity among the people, than was expected. My administration will not certainly be easy to myself; it will be happy, however, if it is honorable. The prosperity of it to the country will depend upon Heaven, and very little on any thing in my power. I have no qualifications for the martial part of it, which is like to be the most essential. If the Constitution and your convenience would admit of my changing places with you, or of my taking my old station, as your Lieutenant Civil, I should have no doubts of the ultimate prosperity and glory of the country.

In forming an army, whenever I must come to that extremity, I am at an immense loss whether to call out all the old generals, or to appoint a young set. If the French come here, we must learn to march with a quick step, and to attack, for, in that way only, they are said to be vulnerable. I must tax you sometimes for advice. 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. Mrs. Adams and Miss Smith join with me in presenting our best respects to yourself, Mrs. Washington, and Miss Custis.

With the highest esteem, &c.,

John Adams.

[1 ]Sparks’s Washington’s Writings, vol. xi. p. 241.