The Life Of George Washington1849 |
Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
adopted Ameri American army appointed apprehended attack attempt body Britain British army camp campaign character circumstances citizens Colonel WASHINGTON Commander in Chief communicated conceived conduct confidence Congress consequence Constitution corps Count d'Estaing defence detachment disposition duty effect endeavours enemy engaged establish event execution exertions expected expedition experience expressed favourable feelings force Fort Mifflin France French friends garrison Gene give Governour gress happiness honour hundred Indians induced influence INGTON Island Legislature letter liberty Lord Lord Cornwallis Lord Loudoun manner measures ment military militia mind Minister Mount Vernon nation necessary neral New-Jersey New-York North river occasion officers opinion orders party passed patriotism peace Philadelphia present President provisions publick reason received Red Bank regiment rendered resolution respect retirement retreat secure sentiments Sir Henry Clinton situation soldiers spirit superiour thing thousand tion treaty troops United Virginia wish York Island
Beliebte Passagen
Seite 131 - ... alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them. Taking care always to keep ourselves, by...
Seite 123 - These considerations speak a persuasive language to every reflecting and virtuous mind and exhibit the continuance of the Union as a primary object of patriotic desire. Is there a doubt whether a common government can embrace so large a sphere? Let experience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal. We are authorized to hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency of governments for the respective subdivisions will afford a happy issue to the...
Seite 119 - ... the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete by .so careful a preservation and so prudent a 'use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it.
Seite 126 - Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. THIS spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed ; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
Seite 119 - ... agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead; amidst appearances sometimes dubious; vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging; in situations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by which they were effected.
Seite 132 - ... running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations: but, if I may \ even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit ; to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue; to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by which they have been dictated.
Seite 132 - How far, in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.
Seite 118 - ... previous to the last election had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence impelled me to abandon the idea. I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety...
Seite 118 - ... every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.
Seite 134 - Relying on its kindness in this, as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it which is so natural to a man who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations...