From George Washington to the Citizens of Alexandria, Virginia, 1 July 1793
To the Citizens of Alexandria, Virginia
[Mount Vernon] July 1st 1793
Gentlemen,
The very polite invitation which you have given me in the name of the Citizens of Alexandria, to celebrate with them the approaching Anniversary of American Independence1—is received by me as a mark of attention meriting my warmest thanks—and as the best proof I can give of my feelings on the occasion will be to accept the invitation, I shall accordingly have the pleasure of meeting them at Alexandria on the 4th instt.2 I am Gentlemen with consideration & esteem Your most Obedt Sert
Df, in Tobias Lear’s writing, DLC: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB, DLC: GW. The text in angle brackets is from the letter-book copy. The internal address at the bottom of the draft reads: “The President—Vice President & Managers of the Company about to celebrate the approaching anniversary of American Independence at Alexa.”
1. The invitation of 29 June reads: “The Citizens of Alexandria, impressed with sentiments of the purest respect, and happy in every opportunity of paying to you the homage of their esteem and affection, solicit, with one voice, the honour of your Company at the approaching celebration of the Anniversary of American Independence.
“In commemorating an event so important—an Event which secured the liberties of their Country—they would, with peculiar pleasure, behold, as their Guest, the Man who was so eminently instrumental in it’s production.” It is signed by Samuel Hanson of Samuel, Roger West, Nicholas Hannah, Dr. John Dalrymple Orr, George Murray, and Isaac Roberdeau (DLC:GW).
2. For addresses exchanged during GW’s visit to Alexandria, see Citizens of Alexandria to GW, 4 July 1793.