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

TO M. LAFAYETTE. 1 - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII (1790-1794) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XII (1790-1794).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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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 M. LAFAYETTE.1

Philadelphia, 19 March, 1791.

Renewing to you, my dear Sir, assurances of the most perfect esteem and affection, I desire to refer the interruptions, which our correspondence has lately sustained on my part, to causes which I am persuaded you will readily admit as excusable. To the fulfilment of public duties, too interesting to be neglected, and too multiplied to allow me much leisure, I am forced to sacrifice the wishes of friendship and the pleasures of private life. This reason to you, who suffer the same privations, will apologize for the abridgment of an intercourse, ever grateful to my feelings and conducive to my happiness.

The tender concern, which you express on my late illness, awakens emotions, which words will not explain, and to which your own sensibility can best do justice. My health is now quite restored, and I flatter myself with the hope of a long exemption from sickness. On Monday next I shall enter on the practice of your friendly prescription of exercise, intending at that time to begin a journey to the southward, during which I propose visiting all the southern States.

Our country, my dear Sir, (and it is truly yours) is fast progressing in its political importance and social happiness. The last session of Congress has been occupied in additional arrangements of finance, to establish the public credit, and provide for the expenditures of government. A small increase of our military establishment has also been judged necessary to reclaim, if possible, and to chastise, if required, the irregularities of some Indian tribes on the western waters. Your friend, General St. Clair, resumes his functions as major-general.1

The laws of the United States, adapted to the public exigencies, are framed with wisdom and moderation, and acquiesced in with cheerfulness. The administration of them, aided by the affectionate partiality of my countrymen, is attended with no unnecessary inconvenience, and every circumstance is auspicious to the felicity of your fellow-citizens in this section of the globe. They are not less so, I devoutly hope, in that country which is more immediately the object of your patriotic attentions.

The distance, which separates us, joined to the delicacy of the subject, has always suspended my opinion on your national affairs. I am well aware, that it is impossible to judge with precision of measures, the motives of which are sometimes unknown, and the necessity of them not always understood; but there is one circumstance on which I find it difficult to suppress an anxious wish; that the present National Assembly may not protract their own existence so long, as to beget any uneasiness on that score. The confirmation of their decrees will be best made by a second representation of the people; and that representation, to act efficiently as a legislative body, may possibly be required to be reorganized. My affection for the French nation, my sincere wish that their government may be respectable and the people happy, will excuse the disclosure of this sentiment, the only one, I believe, that I have ventured to offer on the subject of the revolution.

Like you, my dear Sir, I sighed for retirement; like me, I am afraid you must continue the sacrifice. I have obeyed your request in communicating your remembrance to the friends mentioned in your letter of the 26th of August. Mrs. Washington joins me in respectful compliments to Madame de Lafayette, and I entreat you to be assured of the inviolable respect and esteem with which I am, my dear Sir, &c.

P. S. Your old aid-de-camp, George Augustine Washington, has got another son, to whom he has given your name.1

[1 ]The abolition of the Noblesse in France, by a decree of the National Assembly, took place on the 19th of June, 1790. Afterwards the title of Marquis was dropped in Washington’s letters to Lafayette.

[1 ]Congress directed the raising of one regular regiment, two regiments of levies for six months, and such a proportion of levies as may be thought necessary. To St. Clair was given the command in chief; to Richard Butler, the levies; and to Charles Scott the militia.

The appointment and conduct of Butler gave rise to some discontent in the army, on which Washington wrote to Col. William Darke, 9 August, 1791:

“I need not tell you, that my regret is seriously excited by learning, that any cause of discontent should exist, either on your own part, or that of your officers, with General Butler; and it is hardly necessary to express my earnest wish, that it may speedily subside, and be entirely done away. But, as I rely greatly on your disposition to advance the public interest, though even by the relinquishment of private opinions, I shall offer to your consideration some remarks, which I am persuaded will have weight with you, and induce your influence with your officers to dismiss their discontents, and to think only of their public duty.

“Let it in the first place be remembered, that one common cause engages your service, and requires all your exertions. It is the interest of your country. To that interest all inferior considerations must yield. As an apology for the seeming inattention of a commanding officer, it should be considered, that the variety of objects, which engage him, may produce an appearance of neglect by no means intended. In General Butler’s particular instance, some allowance should be made for the effects of bodily indisposition, combined with the cares of his station; and I am satisfied no one, either from temper or reflection, will more cheerfully make this allowance than yourself.

“On this belief I rest an expectation, that every uneasiness will be composed, and that the public service will be proceeded in with harmony and zeal.”

[1 ]According to the intimation given in this letter, the President commenced his tour through the Southern States. He proceeded by way of Richmond, Wilmington, and Charleston as far south as Savannah; thence to Augusta and Columbia, and returned through the interior of North Carolina and Virginia. His journal of this tour has been published under the editorship of Benson J. Lossing.