George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to John Adams, 13 July 1798

To John Adams

Mount Vernon 13th July 1798

Dear Sir,

I had the honour on the evening of the 11th instant to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War, your favour of the 7th announcing that you had with the advice and consent of the Senate appointed me “Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised for the Service of the U. S.”1

I cannot express how greatly affected I am at this New proof of public confidence, and the highly flattering manner in which you have been pleased to make the communication; at the sametime I must not conceal from you my earnest wish, that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of War.

You know, Sir, what calculation I had made relative to the probable course of events, on my retiring from Office, and the determination I had consoled myself with, of closing the remnant of my days in my present peaceful abode; you will therefore be at no loss to conceive and appreciate, the Sensations I must have experienced, to bring my mind to any conclusion, that would pledge me, at so late a period of life, to leave Scenes I sincerely love, to enter upon the boundless field of public action—incessant trouble—and high responsibility.

It was not possible for me to remain ignorant of, or indifferent to, recent transactions. The conduct of the Directory of France towards our Country; their insiduous hostility to its Government; their various practices to withdraw the affections of the People from it; the evident tendency of their acts and those of their Agents to countenance and invigorate opposition; their disregard of solemn treaties and the laws of Nations; their war upon our defenceless Commerce; their treatment of our Ministers of Peace, and their demands amounting to tribute, could not fail to excite in me corresponding sentiments with those my countrymen have so generally expressed in their affectionate addresses to you. Believe me, Sir, no one can more cordially approve of the wise and prudent measures of your Administration. They ought to inspire universal confidence, and will no doubt, combined with the state of things call from Congress such laws & means as will enable you to meet the full force and extent of the Crisis.

Satisfied therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavoured to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop, the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and may confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has heretofore, and so often, signally favoured the People of these United States.

Thinking in this manner, and feeling how incumbent it is upon every person, of every description, to contribute at all times to his Countrys welfare, and especially in a moment like the present, when every thing we hold dear & Sacred is so seriously threatned, I have finally determined to accept the Commission of Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States, with the reserve only, that I shall not be called into the field until the Army is in a Situation to require my presence, or it becomes indispensible by the urgency of circumstances.

In making this reservation, I beg it to be understood that I do not mean to withhold any assistance to arrange and organise the Army, which you may think I can afford. I take the liberty also to mention, that I must decline having my acceptance considered as drawing after it any immediate charge upon the Public, or that I can receive any emoluments annexed to the appointment, before entering into a Situation to incur expence.

The Secretary of War being anxious to return, to the Seat of Government, I have detained him no longer than was necessary to a full communication upon the several points he had in charge. With very great respect and consideration I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Sert

Go: Washington

ALS, MHi: Adams Papers; ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW; Df, in the hand of James McHenry, PWacD; copy, in the hand of Tobias Lear, NN: Washington Papers; copy, DNA: RG 46, Fifth Congress, 1797–1799, Records of Executive Proceedings, Other Records.

1GW’s commission as commander in chief, dated July 4, reads: “John Adams President of the United States of America.

“To all who shall see these Presents Greeting:

“Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valour, Fidelity and Abilities of George Washington I have nominated and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, do appoint him Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the Armies raised or to be raised for the service of the United States: He is therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Lieutenant General & Commander in Chief by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under his Command, to be obedient to his Orders as Lieutenant General & Commander in Chief And he is to observe and Follow such Orders and Directions from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the Future President of the United States of America. This Commission to continue in Force during the Pleasure of the President of the United States for the Time being.

“Given under my Hand, at Philadelphia this Fourth day of July in the Year of our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and ninety eight and in the twenty third Year of the Independence of the United States. John Adams. By Command of the President of the United States of America James McHenry Secry of War” (DLC:GW). The commission is a printed form; the italicized words were inserted in longhand.

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