George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen

For Lesson Three: Integrity and Firmness is All I Can Promise:
The Washington Presidency

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George Washington Papers, 1741-1799

[Letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, July 6, 1796]

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NOTE: This is an excerpt. The full text version of Letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, July 6, 1796 is in George Washington Papers, 1741-1799.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 35

Mount Vernon, July 6, 1796.

...

Perceiving, and probably, hearing, that no abuse in the Gazettes would induce me to take notice of anonymous publications, against me; those who were disposed to do me such friendly Offices , have embraced without restraint every opportunity to weaken the confidence of the People; and, by having the whole game in their hands, they have scrupled not to publish things that do not, as well as those which do exist; and to mutilate the latter, so as to make them subserve the purposes which they have in view.

As you have mentioned the subject yourself, it would not be frank, candid, or friendly to conceal, that your conduct has been represented as derogatory from that opinion I had conceived you entertained of me. That to your particular friends and connextions you have described, and they have denounced me, as a person under a dangerous influence; and that, if I would listen more to some other opinions, all would be well. My answer invariably has been, that I had never discovered any thing in the conduct of Mr. Jefferson to raise suspicions, in my mind, of his insincerity; that if he would retrace my public conduct while he was in the Administration, abundant proofs would occur to him, that truth and right decisions, were the sole objects of my pursuit; that there were as many instances within his own knowledge of my having decided against , as in favor of the opinions of the person⁴² evidently alluded to; and moreover, that I was no believer in the infallibility of the politics, or measures of any man living . In short, that I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.

[Note 42: Alexander Hamilton.]

To this I may add, and very truly, that, until within the last year or two ago, I had no conception that Parties would, or even could go, the length I have been witness to; nor did I believe until lately, that it was within the bonds of probability; hardly within those of possibility, that, while I was using my utmost exertions to establish a national character of our own, independent, as far as our obligations, and justice would permit, of every nation of the earth; and wished, by steering a steady course, to preserve this Country from the horrors of a desolating war, that I should be accused of being the enemy of one Nation, and subject to the influence of another; and to prove it, that every act of my administration would be tortured, and the grossest, and most insidious mis-representations of them be made (by giving one side only of a subject, and that too in such exaggerated and indecent terms as could scarcely be applied to a Nero; a notorious defaulter; or even to a common pick-pocket). But enough of this; I have already gone farther in the expression of my feelings, than I intended.

... {excerpt ends}

Questions:

• According to Washington, should differences of opinion be put aside in the interest of unity?
• How do political factors obstruct the functions of government?
• Why does Washington feel that the nation will be torn asunder by political factions?
• According to Washington, what role have gazettes (newspapers) played in promoting discord?
• What is the tone of Washington's letter to Jefferson?

Go to the complete interview from which this excerpt was taken.