Introduction
This pair of letters captures an exchange between two transatlantic figures at a pivotal moment in 1789–1790, just as the new federal government under the Constitution was getting underway. Catharine Macaulay Graham (1731–1791) was one of the most prominent intellectuals of the eighteenth-century Anglo-American world—a celebrated English historian whose multivolume History of England championed republican principles and made her a hero to many American Patriots. She had visited Mount Vernon in 1785 and corresponded with George Washington (1732–1799) thereafter. Writing in October 1789, she congratulates Washington on his election as the first president, frames the American Revolution as the spark that has now ignited revolutionary change in Europe, and praises the early stages of the French Revolution. Her letter reflects the optimism many republicans felt that 1789 marked the dawn of a new age of liberty on both sides of the Atlantic.
Washington’s January 1790 reply is a window into how the first president understood his unprecedented position. He repeatedly stresses that he had preferred private life and accepted the presidency only out of duty, and his famous observation that he “walk[s] on untrodden ground”—reveals his acute consciousness of setting precedents for the office. He offers an upbeat assessment of the nation’s recovery from the war, citing good harvests, growing commerce, and popular satisfaction with the new government.Document
Catherine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham to George Washington, 30 October 1789
1789
Sir
It is now about a year and a half since I had the honor of receiving a letter from you dated Novbr. 16. 87. I do not pretend to make you any apology for not troubling you with an acknowledgement sooner, tho I rather think it necessary to make one for troubling you in the important station you now fill, with my congratulations on the event, which placed you at the head of the American government. But it is not you Sir, that I consider as benefited by the unanimous election of the Americans; yr philosophic turn of mind would have lead you to the completion of human happiness in a private station; but the Americans in their judicious choice, have I flatter my self, secured to themselves the full and permanent enjoyment of that liberty for which they are indebted to yr persevering valor in the first instance. Yr wisdom and virtue will undoubtedly enable you to check the progress of every opinion inimical to those rights, which, you have so bravely and fortunately asserted; and for which many of yr Country men have paid so dear: and you will be a bright example to future presidents of an integrity rarely to be met with in the first stations of life.
All the friends of freedom on this side the Atlantic are now rejoicing for an event which in all probability has been accelerated by the American revolution. You not only possess yr selves the first of human blessings but you have been the means of raising that spirit in Europe, which I sincerely hope, will in a short time extinguish every remainr of that barbarous servitude under which all the European Nations in a less or greater degree, have so long been Subject.
The French have justified the nobleness of their original character, and from the immerssions of Luxury and frivolity, have set an example that is Unique in all the histories of human society. A populous nation effecting by the firmness of their union, the Universality of their sentiments; and the energy of their actions; the intire overthrow of a Despotism that had stood the test of ages. We are full of wonder in this part of the world, and cannot conceive how such things should be.
Yr Friend and Eleve the Merquis de la Fayette has acted a part in this revolution which has raised him above his former exploits; because his conduct has been directed to the good of his distressed country men and shews him far above those base and narrow selfishnesses with which particular privileges are so apt to taint the human mind.
I have heard that a Mons: Brissot de Warville has lately become a citizen of America; he is a warm friend to liberty and a man of the first rate abilities. He is a great friend of mine and as I presume he has been presented to yr Excelency; will take the liberty which yr known goodness inspires to beg that you would remember me to him and to assure him of my wishes for his happiness and prosperity.
Mr Graham joins me in best respects to yr self and Mrs Washington. We contemplate with no small pleasure the advantage America will reap from that check to all luxuries of dress which her example of an elegant simplicity in this article will undoubtedly effect. I am Sir Yr Excellencies Most Obednt And Obliged Humbe Servt
Cath: Macaulay Graham
George Washington to Catharine Sawbridge Macaulay Graham, 9 January 1790
New York Jany 9th 1790
Madam,
Your obliging letter, dated in October last, has been received; and, as I do not know when I shall have more Leisure than at present to throw together a few observations in return for yours, I take up my Pen to do it by this early occasion.
In the first place, I thank you for your congratulatory sentiments on the event which has placed me at the head of the American Government; as well as for the indulgent partiality, which it is to be feared however, may have warped your judgment too much in my favor. But you do me no more than Justice, in supposing that, if I had been permitted to indulge my first & fondest wish, I should have remained in a private Station. Although, neither the present age or Posterity may possibly give me full credit for the feelings which I have experienced on this subject; yet I have a consciousness, that nothing short of an absolute conviction of duty could ever have brought me upon the scenes of public life again. The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment, for promoting human happiness, by reasonable compact, in civil Society. It was to be, in the first instance, in a considerable degree, a government of accomodation as well as a government of Laws. Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness. Few, who are not philosophical Spectators, can realise the difficult and delicate part which a man in my situation had to act. All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated Office. To me, there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity. In our progress towards political happiness my station is new; and, if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any action, whose motives may not be subject to a double interpretation. There is scarcely any part of my conduct wch may not hereafter be drawn into precedent. Under such a view of the duties inherent to my arduous office, I could not but feel a diffidence in myself on the one hand; and an anxiety for the Community that every new arrangement should be made in the best possible manner on the other. If after all my humble but faithful endeavours to advance the felicity of my Country & Mankind; I may endulge a hope that my labours have not been altogether without success, it will be the only real compensation I can receive in the closing Scenes of life.
On the actual situation of this Country, under its new Government, I will, in the next place, make a few remarks. That the Government, though not absolutely perfect, is one of the best in the World, I have little doubt. I always believed that an unequivocally free & equal Representation of the People in the Legislature; together with an efficient & responsable Executive were the great Pillars on which the preservation of American Freedom must depend. It was indeed next to a Miracle that there should have been so much unanimity, in points of such importance, among such a number of Citizens, so widely scattered and so different in their habits in many respects, as the Americans were. Nor are the growing unanimity and encreasing good will of the Citizens to the Government less remarkable than favorable circumstances. So far as we have gone with the new Government (and it is completely organized and in operation) we have had greater reason than the most sanguine could expect to be satisfied with its success. Perhaps a number of accidental circumstances have concurred with the real effects of the Government to make the People uncommonly well pleased with their situation and prospects. The harvests of Wheat have been remarkably good—the demand for that article from abroad is great—the encrease of Commerce is visible in every Port—and the number of new Manufactures introduced in one year is astonishing. I have lately made a tour through the Eastern States. I found the Country, in a great degree, recovered from the ravages of War—the Towns flourishing–& the People delighted with a government instituted by themselves & for their own good. The same facts I have also reason to believe, from good authority, exist in the Southern States.
By what I have just observed, I think you will be persuaded that the ill-boding Politicians, who prognosticated that America would never enjoy any fruits from her Independence & that She would be obliged to have recourse to a foreign Power for protection, have at least been mistaken. I shall sincerely rejoice to see that the American Revolution has been productive of happy consequences on both sides of the Atlantic. The renovation of the French Constitution is indeed one of the most wonderful events in the history of Mankind: and the agency of the Marquis de la Fayette in a high degree honorable to his character. My greatest fear has been, that the Nation would not be sufficiently cool & moderate in making arrangements for the security of that liberty, of which it seems to be fully possessed.
Mr Warville, the French Gentleman you mention, has been in America & at Mount Vernon; but has returned, sometime since to France.
Mrs Washington is well and desires her Compliments may be presented to you. We wish the happiness of your fire side; as we also long to enjoy that of our own at Mount Vernon. Our wishes, you know, were limited; and I think that our plans of living will now be deemed reasonable by the considerate part of our species. Her wishes coincide with my own as to simplicity of dress, and every thing which can tend to support propriety of character without partaking of the follies of luxury and ostentation. I am with great regard Madam. Your Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant
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