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WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph letter signed ("Go: Washington") as Commander-in-chief, to François Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux (1734-1788), Princeton, New Jersey, 12 October 1783. 4 pages, 4to, very fine.
Awaiting the definitive treaty: "being anxiously desirous to quit the walks of public life, and under my own vine, and my own Fig Tree." Washington contemplates retirement while also discussing the debate on fixing a national capital (“near the Falls of the Delaware”) and his recent tour of the western frontier and expresses his hopes for its future development: “Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them.”
Washington has not received a letter from Chastellux "but I will ascribe my disappointment to any cause, rather than to a decay of your friendship.—" Washington, the Congress and the American populace are waiting anxiously for news for the Definitive Treaty, (signed in Parish on 3 September), which would affirm the independence of the 13 states. "Having the appearances, and indeed the enjoyment of peace, without a final declaration of it, I, who am only waiting for the ceremonials, or 'till the British forces shall have taken leave of New York, am placed in an awkward and disagreeable situation; being anxiously desirous to quit the walks of public life, and under my own vine, and my own Fig Tree, to seek those enjoyments, and that relaxation, which a mind that has been constantly upon the stretch for more than eight years, stands so much in want of.”
"I have fixed this epoch to the arrival of the Definitive Treaty-- or to the evacuation of my Country by our newly acquired friends [the British].—In the meanwhile, at the request of Congress, I spend my time with them at this place [Princeton], where they came in consequence of the Riots at Philadelphia, of which you have doubtless, you have been fully informed -- for it is not a very recent transaction. They have lately determined to fix the permanent residence of Congress near the Falls of the Delaware, but where they will hold their Sessions till they can be properly established at that place, is yet undecided.” Washington was referring to a mutiny staged by 400 Continental troops who demanded back pay by surrounding the Pennsylvania State House, where Congress was then in session. When the State of Pennsylvania could not guarantee the safety of the delegates, the Congress moved to leave the city in June 1783—first decamping to Princeton, and in November 1783, to Annapolis and later Trenton, New Jersey before finally settling in New York in November 1784. The moves provoked a lively debate over where to fix a permanent seat of national government, which was not determined until 1790.
Washington then describes a visit to the upper reaches of New York, where Burgyone’s defeat led France to recognize American independence in 1778--yet this tour was focused on the future, not the past: “I have lately made a tour through the Lakes George and Champlain as far as Crown Point— then returning to Schenectady, I proceeded up the Mohawk River to Fort Schuyler (formerly Fort Stanwix) crossed over to the Wood Creek which empties into the Oneida Lake and affords the water communication with Ontario;— I then traversed the Country to the head of the Eastern branch of the Susquehanna & viewed the Lake Otsego, and the Portage between that Lake and the Mohawk River at Canajoharie. Prompted by these actual observations, I could not help taking a more contemplative & extensive view of the vast inland Navigation of these United States from Maps, & the information of others, and could not but be struck with the immense diffusion, and importance of it; and with the goodness of that Providence which has dealt her favors to us with so profuse a hand.— Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them.— I shall not rest contented till I have explored the Western part of this Country, and traversed those lines (or great part of them) which have given bounds to a New Empire.-- But when it may, if it ever should happen, I dare not say, as my first attention must be given to the deranged situation of my private concerns which are not a little injured by almost nine years absence and total disregard of them. With every wish for your health and happiness, and with the most sincere and affectionate regard, I am etc.”
A poignant letter from Washington as he contemplated retirement from public life.
Letter book copy published in Writings, 27:188-190.
Awaiting the definitive treaty: "being anxiously desirous to quit the walks of public life, and under my own vine, and my own Fig Tree." Washington contemplates retirement while also discussing the debate on fixing a national capital (“near the Falls of the Delaware”) and his recent tour of the western frontier and expresses his hopes for its future development: “Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them.”
Washington has not received a letter from Chastellux "but I will ascribe my disappointment to any cause, rather than to a decay of your friendship.—" Washington, the Congress and the American populace are waiting anxiously for news for the Definitive Treaty, (signed in Parish on 3 September), which would affirm the independence of the 13 states. "Having the appearances, and indeed the enjoyment of peace, without a final declaration of it, I, who am only waiting for the ceremonials, or 'till the British forces shall have taken leave of New York, am placed in an awkward and disagreeable situation; being anxiously desirous to quit the walks of public life, and under my own vine, and my own Fig Tree, to seek those enjoyments, and that relaxation, which a mind that has been constantly upon the stretch for more than eight years, stands so much in want of.”
"I have fixed this epoch to the arrival of the Definitive Treaty-- or to the evacuation of my Country by our newly acquired friends [the British].—In the meanwhile, at the request of Congress, I spend my time with them at this place [Princeton], where they came in consequence of the Riots at Philadelphia, of which you have doubtless, you have been fully informed -- for it is not a very recent transaction. They have lately determined to fix the permanent residence of Congress near the Falls of the Delaware, but where they will hold their Sessions till they can be properly established at that place, is yet undecided.” Washington was referring to a mutiny staged by 400 Continental troops who demanded back pay by surrounding the Pennsylvania State House, where Congress was then in session. When the State of Pennsylvania could not guarantee the safety of the delegates, the Congress moved to leave the city in June 1783—first decamping to Princeton, and in November 1783, to Annapolis and later Trenton, New Jersey before finally settling in New York in November 1784. The moves provoked a lively debate over where to fix a permanent seat of national government, which was not determined until 1790.
Washington then describes a visit to the upper reaches of New York, where Burgyone’s defeat led France to recognize American independence in 1778--yet this tour was focused on the future, not the past: “I have lately made a tour through the Lakes George and Champlain as far as Crown Point— then returning to Schenectady, I proceeded up the Mohawk River to Fort Schuyler (formerly Fort Stanwix) crossed over to the Wood Creek which empties into the Oneida Lake and affords the water communication with Ontario;— I then traversed the Country to the head of the Eastern branch of the Susquehanna & viewed the Lake Otsego, and the Portage between that Lake and the Mohawk River at Canajoharie. Prompted by these actual observations, I could not help taking a more contemplative & extensive view of the vast inland Navigation of these United States from Maps, & the information of others, and could not but be struck with the immense diffusion, and importance of it; and with the goodness of that Providence which has dealt her favors to us with so profuse a hand.— Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them.— I shall not rest contented till I have explored the Western part of this Country, and traversed those lines (or great part of them) which have given bounds to a New Empire.-- But when it may, if it ever should happen, I dare not say, as my first attention must be given to the deranged situation of my private concerns which are not a little injured by almost nine years absence and total disregard of them. With every wish for your health and happiness, and with the most sincere and affectionate regard, I am etc.”
A poignant letter from Washington as he contemplated retirement from public life.
Letter book copy published in Writings, 27:188-190.