UNITED STATES, _July 17, 1798_.
MOUNT VERNON, _July 13, 1798_.
DEAR SIR: I had the honor, on the evening of the 11th
instant, to receive from the hands of the Secretary of War,
your favor 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 United States.
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 same time 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 insidious
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 and means as will
enable you to meet the full force and extent of the crisis.
Satisfied, therefore, that you have sincerely wished and
endeavored 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 favored 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 country's welfare, and especially in a
moment like the present, when every thing we hold dear and
sacred is so seriously threatened, 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
indispensable 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
organize 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 expense.
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 obedient and humble servant,