A passion for combining writing and history and biography has burned in me since childhood. A first attempt at personal essay, “My Day With George Washington”, received 5 foil stars. Looking at those stars and reading the six handwritten sentences over and over cemented two things in my mind that day: I would love writing — AND George Washington — forever.
Decades later, I knew I’d succeeded in passing on the second love to my own first-grader when she came home from school one day absolutely devastated. “Did you KNOW,” she wailed in alarm, “that George Washington is DEAD????!”
He is dead. But his character, accomplishments, and vision are very much alive.
Or should be.
In that spirit, I share below excerpts from George Washington’s Circular to the States, 1783 (which might as well be titled Circular to the States, 2020).
The Citizens of America, placed in the most enviable condition…— They are from this period to be considered as the Actors, on a most conspicuous Theatre, which seems to be peculiarly designated by Providence for the display of human greatness and felicity [intense happiness], here they are not only surrounded with every thing which can contribute to the completion of private and domestic enjoyment, but Heaven has crowned all its other blessings by giving a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with — …
…Such is our situation, and such are our prospects: but nowithstanding the Cup of blessing is thus reached out to us, notwithstanding happiness is ours if we have a disposition to seize the occasion and make it our own, yet it appears to me there is an option still left to the United States of America; that it is in their choïce and depends upon their conduct, whether they will be respectable and prosperous or contemptible and Miserable as a Nation.
This is the time of their political probation: this is the moment when the eyes of the whole World are turned upon them —
This is the moment to establish or ruin their National Character for ever —
…There are four things, which I humbly conceive are essential to the well being, I may even venture to say to the existence, of the United States as an independent Power.
1st An indissoluble Union of the States under one federal Head.
2ndly A sacred regard to public Justice.
3dly The adoption of a proper Peace Establishment — and
4thly The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies, to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity, and, in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community.
…These are the pillars on which the glorious fabrick of our Independancy and National Character must be supported — Liberty is the basis — and whoever would dare to sap the foundation or overturn the Structure under whatever specious pretexts he may attempt it, will merit the bitterest execration and the severest punishments which can be inflicted by his injured Country.
…It is only in our United Character, as an Empire, that our Independance is acknowledged, that our power can be regarded or our Credit supported among foreign Nations —
…in the meantime let an attention to the chearfull performance of their proper business as individuals and as members of Society be earnestly inculcated on the Citizens of America — then will they strengthen the hands of Government & be happy under its protection —
…I now make it my earnest prayer, that God…in his holy protection that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination & obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field — and finally that he would most graciously be pleas’d to dispose us all to do Justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves, with that Charity, humility & pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion & without an humble immitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.
With the greatest regard and esteem, I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and most humble Servant.
George Washington
Washington’s text courtesy of George Washington’s Mt. Vernon: https://www.mountvernon.org/
Image: George Washington statue in front of Federal Hall, New York, by andersphoto, Adobe Stock