Details
WASHINGTON, GEORGE, President. Autograph letter signed ("Go:Washington") to "The Worshipful the Magistrates of the City of Philadelphia," n.p. [Philadelphia], n.p., [17 December 1781]. 2 pages, 4to, integral blank (cleanly detached), two trifling chips at lower blank margin, otherwise in fine condition, loosely laid in a quarter red morocco gilt folder with gilt embossed decorative trim (apparently contemporary with the letter), the folder worn, with remains of red silk ties.
WASHINGTON AFFIRMS THAT RESPECT FOR THE LAW IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF "THAT LIBERTY FOR WHICH WE ARE CONTENDING"
A very fine letter, eloquently phrased, written two scant months after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army to a combined American-French army at Yorktown on 20 October 1781. While Washington did not suspect it at the time, that stunning victory marked the effective end of the military phase of the American War of Independence. After arranging for the shipment of the stores and arms captured from the British and posting a sizeable garrison, Washington left Yorktown to make his way back to his familiar headquarters on the Hudson River, in preparation for the Spring 1782 campaign he was convinced would be yet be required to achieve America's independence. News of the victory at Yorktown was greeted ecstatically by the American public. Public celebrations, rich with grand oratory and long-winded toasts were held throughout the former colonies. Washington, regarded as the architect of the triumph, received a number of flowery tributes from municipalities, town legislatures and private citizens on his journey to Mount Vernon (where he enjoyed a welcome weeks' rest). He received the thanks of Congress (to which he made a brief reply, see Fitzpatrick 23:339), an address from neighbors in Alexandria, an address from the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and another from the American Philosophical Society (for a list of these see Freeman, 3:406 fn.95), and was widely hailed as the "saviour" of his country. He arrived at Philadelphia with minimal fanfare, on 26 November, two days before a scheduled "audience" with Congress and took up residence at the new home of Benjamin Chew (1722-1810) the former Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, on South Third Street.
"Gentlemen[:] I return you my thanks for this very polite and affectionate address.
"As I have ever considered a due support of civil Authority, essential to the preservation of that liberty for which we are contending, I have from duty as well as inclination endeavoured, as far as possible, to avoid the least violation of it, - and I am happy to find that my conduct has met the approbation of those who are appointed Guardians of the Rights of a free people.
"I feel myself highly obliged by your assurance that it will be the pleasing employment of the Citizens to render my residence among them so agreeable. It shall be my study to merit so kind a mark of their attention & to approve myself...."
Washington was responding, elegantly and decorously, to an adulatory address, dated the same day and probably delivered by hand, from the Philadelphia Magistrates. In careful, slightly ornate script, the Magistrates addressed Washington ("your Excellency") with "Sentiments of the most perfect gratitude and Esteem." Acknowledging his "great and important Services, performed amidst innumerable Dangers and Difficulties: your unshaken Fortitude, Preserverance and Success; our grateful Hearts pay You the Homage so justly due, and rise in ardent Wishes to Heaven, suitably to reward such eminent Worth. Nor can we confine the pleasing Tribute to military Virtues only, the respectful Regard ever shewn by Your Excellency to the Civil Authority claim our particular Acknowledgements, and afford a high Example of the Union of those great Qualities which form the Hero and Patriot.
The Magistrates' paean continues: "The glorious Success in Virginia [the Yorktown victory] is replete with too many Blessings to the great Cause in which we are engaged and the future Happiness of America not to claim our particular Regard, the Wisdom of the Plan and Gallantry of the Execution are above our Praise. The Blessings and Thanks of a free and grateful People together with the Smiles of approving Heaven can alone reward Your Excellency, the Officers and Troops of our illustrious Ally, and our brave Countrymen, to whom under Providence we owe this happy Event. We esteem the City greatly favoured by Your Excellency's temporary Residence; it will be the pleasing Employment of the Citizens we trust to render it ageeable. Our affectionate Wishes will follow you to the Field and through every Part of your future Life, that it may be crowned with Glory and Happiness both public and private. Signed in behalf of the Magistrates...Plunkt Fleeson Prest." (We are grateful to The Papers of George Washington for furnishing a transcript and copy of the Magistrates' tribute).
Published (from a draft in Tench Tilghman's hand, omitting the last few words: "& to approve myself") in Fitzpatrick, 23:394.
PROVENANCE:
1. Isaac Howells (pencilled inscription on lower corner of first page), thence by descent to
2. The Cresson family
3. The present owner.
WASHINGTON AFFIRMS THAT RESPECT FOR THE LAW IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF "THAT LIBERTY FOR WHICH WE ARE CONTENDING"
A very fine letter, eloquently phrased, written two scant months after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army to a combined American-French army at Yorktown on 20 October 1781. While Washington did not suspect it at the time, that stunning victory marked the effective end of the military phase of the American War of Independence. After arranging for the shipment of the stores and arms captured from the British and posting a sizeable garrison, Washington left Yorktown to make his way back to his familiar headquarters on the Hudson River, in preparation for the Spring 1782 campaign he was convinced would be yet be required to achieve America's independence. News of the victory at Yorktown was greeted ecstatically by the American public. Public celebrations, rich with grand oratory and long-winded toasts were held throughout the former colonies. Washington, regarded as the architect of the triumph, received a number of flowery tributes from municipalities, town legislatures and private citizens on his journey to Mount Vernon (where he enjoyed a welcome weeks' rest). He received the thanks of Congress (to which he made a brief reply, see Fitzpatrick 23:339), an address from neighbors in Alexandria, an address from the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania and another from the American Philosophical Society (for a list of these see Freeman, 3:406 fn.95), and was widely hailed as the "saviour" of his country. He arrived at Philadelphia with minimal fanfare, on 26 November, two days before a scheduled "audience" with Congress and took up residence at the new home of Benjamin Chew (1722-1810) the former Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, on South Third Street.
"Gentlemen[:] I return you my thanks for this very polite and affectionate address.
"As I have ever considered a due support of civil Authority, essential to the preservation of that liberty for which we are contending, I have from duty as well as inclination endeavoured, as far as possible, to avoid the least violation of it, - and I am happy to find that my conduct has met the approbation of those who are appointed Guardians of the Rights of a free people.
"I feel myself highly obliged by your assurance that it will be the pleasing employment of the Citizens to render my residence among them so agreeable. It shall be my study to merit so kind a mark of their attention & to approve myself...."
Washington was responding, elegantly and decorously, to an adulatory address, dated the same day and probably delivered by hand, from the Philadelphia Magistrates. In careful, slightly ornate script, the Magistrates addressed Washington ("your Excellency") with "Sentiments of the most perfect gratitude and Esteem." Acknowledging his "great and important Services, performed amidst innumerable Dangers and Difficulties: your unshaken Fortitude, Preserverance and Success; our grateful Hearts pay You the Homage so justly due, and rise in ardent Wishes to Heaven, suitably to reward such eminent Worth. Nor can we confine the pleasing Tribute to military Virtues only, the respectful Regard ever shewn by Your Excellency to the Civil Authority claim our particular Acknowledgements, and afford a high Example of the Union of those great Qualities which form the Hero and Patriot.
The Magistrates' paean continues: "The glorious Success in Virginia [the Yorktown victory] is replete with too many Blessings to the great Cause in which we are engaged and the future Happiness of America not to claim our particular Regard, the Wisdom of the Plan and Gallantry of the Execution are above our Praise. The Blessings and Thanks of a free and grateful People together with the Smiles of approving Heaven can alone reward Your Excellency, the Officers and Troops of our illustrious Ally, and our brave Countrymen, to whom under Providence we owe this happy Event. We esteem the City greatly favoured by Your Excellency's temporary Residence; it will be the pleasing Employment of the Citizens we trust to render it ageeable. Our affectionate Wishes will follow you to the Field and through every Part of your future Life, that it may be crowned with Glory and Happiness both public and private. Signed in behalf of the Magistrates...Plunkt Fleeson Prest." (We are grateful to The Papers of George Washington for furnishing a transcript and copy of the Magistrates' tribute).
Published (from a draft in Tench Tilghman's hand, omitting the last few words: "& to approve myself") in Fitzpatrick, 23:394.
PROVENANCE:
1. Isaac Howells (pencilled inscription on lower corner of first page), thence by descent to
2. The Cresson family
3. The present owner.