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

TO WILLIAM WHITE. 1 [PRIVATE.] - 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 WILLIAM WHITE.1

[PRIVATE.]

Dear Sir,

It has been my intention ever since my return to the city, to contribute my mite towards the relief of the most needy inhabitants of it. The pressure of public business hitherto has suspended, but not altered my resolution. I am at a loss, however, for whose benefit to apply the Little I can give, and in whose hands to place it; whether for the use of the fatherless children and widows, made so by the late calamity, who may find it difficult, whilst provisions, wood, and other necessaries are so dear, to support themselves; or to other and better purposes, if any, I know not, and therefore have taken the liberty of asking your advice.

I persuade myself justice will be done to my motives for giving you this trouble. To obtain information, and to render the little I can afford, without ostentation or mention of my name, are the sole objects of these inquiries. With great and sincere esteem and regard, I am, &c.

[1 ]Bishop of Pennsylvania. Mr. Thomas H. Montgomery kindly sent me copies of the originals of two other letters on the same subject (printed in Wilson, Memoir of William White, 199, 200), one of which was as follows:

“The President presents his respectful regards to Doctor White. The benefit to be derived, and not the merit of bestowing it, is the only motive which has governed in the case which has been the subject of this correspondence. Of course, to know from whence it flowed ought not to be an object of enquiry, and as to conjectures they are very immaterial—however, as Doctr. White has a delicacy on the subject, the P. did not intend nor would by any means wound it—he therefore leaves it to him (knowing the motives) to accompany the contribution with such explanations as he shall think fit. Thursday morning, 2d Januy.”