Westmoreland County, Va., Citizens to George Washington, c.29 September 1795
From Westmoreland County, Va., Citizens
[c.29 Sept. 1795]1
At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of Westmoreland, Convened in Consequence of Written invitations Circulated Through the County for the purpose of Taking the Opinion of the people on the Treaty lately Conclu[d]ed between the United States and the Brittish Nation.
Joseph Pierce Esqr. Senior Majestrate in the Chair—The Treaty was Read, and after Some Explainations of its Object and the tendency, the following Resolutions were entered into without a desenting Voice.
Resolved, that we Continue to possess undeminished Confidence in our Government, and that we Sincerely believe its due preservation in all its parts, essential to our Rights, Liberties & Happiness.
Resolved, that we deem it the duty of all Good Citizens to Check by every Lawful means, the Wicked and Cunning Machinations employed with Industry and art by Certain Individuals, Their tools and adherents to withdraw the Confidence of the people from their Government, without which Confidence no free political System Can long endure, and that with deep Regret we have Marked a Certain Set of Men, exerting them selves on every Occasion which in the Course of things has presented itself for the obvious purpose of destroying a Government established by a Majority of Freemen Necessary to each Others Happiness, and who have experienced a Wonderful prosperity under the practice thereof.
Resolved, that in the late Negotiation with Great Britain its primary Object, the preservation of peace, has been Compleatly effected,2 which of itself is all important, and that very Considerable additional Good has also been Acquired by the Surrender of the Western posts which Leads to the Termination of Indian Warfare, and Compensation for the Spoliations of our Commerce.3
Resolved therefore that we feel Our selves perfectly Satisfied with the Government of the United States in the late Tran[s]action, and are fully persuaded, that the Same Signal Wisdom and Love of a Country which has invariably [Marked]4 the Conduct of the president, and immediately produced Good to his fellow Citizens will be found to have directed his Councils throughout his Arduous Administration—and we do for Ourselves determine to Support and Maintain, with our lives and our fortunes the Constituted Authority of our Country against foreign and domestic enemies of every Sort and description.
Jos. Pierce Chairman
ADS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
Joseph Pierce conveyed the resolutions with a cover letter to GW dated 29 September. Pierce noted: “I will only add that So far as I could Judge but one Sentiment animated all present & that was an entire Confidence in the Wisdom and Virtue which directs the Administration of the natural Government and a firm Resolution to Support the Constituted Authority in the execution of their Respective trusts” (ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW).
GW replied to Pierce on 9 Oct. acknowledging receipt of the resolutions and adding: “The approbation therein given of this measure, and the assurances of supporting the constituted authorities of our country cannot but be pleasing to all who know the value of regular government.
“No wish—while I fill the office I now have the honor to hold—can be more ardent, than that the acts of my administration should give satisfaction to my constituents. The contrary will always give me pain. I know but one sure method to merit the first, or to avoid the latter, and that is, to pursue steadily such measures (of an Executive nature) as appears to be most conducive to their interest and happiness. This, to the best of my judgment, has been my invariable endeavour, and I cannot but hope, that the ratification of the Treaty (agreeably to the advice and consent of the Senate) will be viewed in this light when it is better understood than it seems to be at present” (LB, DLC:GW).
Pierce (1719–1798), a Baptist, donated land for construction of the Nomini Baptist Meeting House in 1787. He freed his slaves in his will dated 1 Jan. 1796.
1. The date is based upon that given for the meeting in the newspapers and Pierce’s letter.
2. See Article I of the Jay Treaty.
3. This statement referred to Articles II and VII of the treaty.
4. Pierce wrote “Masked.”