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

TO M. TERNANT. - 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.

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 M. TERNANT.

Sir,

The first intimation, which I received of your mission to the United States in the capacity you lately filled, gave me pleasure. I anticipated on your part a conduct, which, while it was calculated to promote the objects of your duty, would, in its manner, be pleasing to the government and citizens of this country. My anticipations have not been disappointed. Uniformly attentive to the advancement of the interests confided to your care, (notwithstanding the agitations and vicissitudes experienced in the government of your country,) the tenor of your official and private conduct throughout the course of your mission has appeared to me deserving of approbation, and has acquired to you a new title to my regard.

I give you this private and personal mark of my satisfaction and esteem in remembrance of your services as an officer in the army of the United States, and in consideration of the peculiar and extraordinary circumstances under which you have acted. With sentiments of attachment and regard, I am, dear Sir, &c.1

[1 ]The above letter was written at the request of M. de Ternant, communicated in the following note:

“Sir; I have just handed to the Secretary of State an official information of my recall, and of the appointment of Citizen Genet to be minister of the French Republic near the United States. Though I have reason to hope the official answer to my letter on the subject may do justice to my conduct, yet I cannot help wishing to obtain from you a personal and private assurance, that, notwithstanding the violent agitations and great vicissitudes experienced by the government of my country, I have always uniformly and faithfully attended to the interests intrusted to my care, and that my public and private conduct throughout the whole of my mission has appeared unexceptionable to you. I hope the expression of such a wish may neither prove disagreeable to you, nor be without effect. With lively sentiments of respect and attachment, believe me, &c.”—May 17th.

On the back of the President’s letter in reply to this note is the following endorsement:

“This letter was drafted in answer to the one which covers it; but, on reflection, was not sent, nor any written reply given to the recal’ed French minister; forasmuch as the motives to that recall were not communicated, and the policy of the measure questionable, as the consequences could not be foreseen.”