To George Washington from John Stiles, 8 October 1796
I
From John Stiles
Prospect Point near Elizabeth Town [N.J.]
8th Octr 1796
Sire
On reading Your resignation, & Affectionate Paternal Address! tho A Stranger to your Person, and in private life, I feel such a glow of Affectionate gratitude to you, for the Signal blessings we as a Nation enjoy, Owing Under God, to your Wise, Virtuous, and firm Administration, as Our Executive Officer, that I beg you Sir to recieve My most Unfeigned and hearty Thanks, as an individual Citizen, Amongst the Millions of My Brethren who feel the Same emotions for you. May we Adore that God, who hath Signalized America, With a Son possesing Characters so near his Own; as have never been Exhibited to the World before, in a mere Man. May the richest of Heavens blessings rest on you while here, And When translated receive as Distinguished a Crown of Glory, prepared of God for you. is the Sincere Desire of Sire Your Friend & Servant
John Stiles
ALS, DLC:GW.
John Stiles (c.1753–1830) served as a commissary, quartermaster, and paymaster of militia during the Revolutionary War. He later became an elder and deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Parsippany, New Jersey.
On 24 Nov., GW’s secretary George Washington Craik replied to Stiles from Philadelphia: “I am directed by the President of the United States to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th of October. For the favourable sentiments you have therein been pleased to express for him, he offers you his thanks. To receive the approbation of his fellow Citizens at a time when he is about to retire from public service is a circumstance truly gratifying, and that not less so when expressed by an individual Citizen” (DLC:GW).