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

GENERAL WASHINGTON’S ANSWER. - 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.

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GENERAL WASHINGTON’S ANSWER.

14 July, 1798.

1st. If the bill, pending in Congress for augmenting the present force of the United States, should pass into a law, it becomes the duty of the President to carry that law into execution promptly. Of course, all such officers as are necessary for the purpose of recruiting, inspecting the recruits, superintending their discipline, &c., at the several places of rendezvous, must be appointed without delay. The necessity of appointing the higher grades is not so urgent; but, in my opinion, the sooner these are also fixed on and their acceptances known, the better. Not, however, to be called out, nor to receive the pay and emoluments of office, until their services are required, which circumstances must decide.

2d. It would be inexpedient, I conceive, to appoint, but very proper to fix upon the general and field officers (colonels commandants, at least) for the provisional army, without much delay; and know whether they would accept the appointments that are announced to them. To proceed further might excite alarm, and give rise to remarks which would be more than a counterpoise to the facility intended to be answered by it.

3d. If two things could be combined, and the evidence thereof pretty well ascertained, the measure would certainly be advantageous. These are, that the field officers should be composed of proper and fit men, and acceptable to the companies; but, if both cannot be attained, the first is most important, and ought to be preferred.

George Washington.