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Washington's famous Circular Letter in which he tenders his resignation as Commander-in-Chief...
Washington's famous Circular Letter in which he tenders his resignation as Commander-in-Chief...
Item # 701320
July 29, 1783
THE MASSACHUETTS GAZETTE or the GENERAL ADVERTISER, Springfield, July 29, 1783
* General George Washington
* Circular letter re. U.S. Army
* Revolutionary War ending
The entire front page, all of page 2, and a portion of page 3 are taken up with one of the more noteworthy letters from General Washington during the war.
It is headed: "A Circular letter from His Excellency General WASHINGTON, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States of America". Then a prefacing note: "Occasioned by his determination to resign his command (the glorious object for which he engaged in the service of his Country being obtained) dated June the 18th, 1783."
There is then a bit of editorial commentary including: "Which, were it possible, ought to be printed in letters of Gold & kept close to the heart of every American...has exerted himself in the late glorious & successful content between this country and the despotic and tyrannic power of Great Britain."
This famous letter begins: "The great object for which I had the honour to hold an appointment in the service of my country being accomplished, I am now preparing to resign it into the hands of Congress and return to that domestic retirement which, it is well known, I left with the greatest reluctance...".
It closes with a fervent prayer: "...I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline that hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field; and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion; without an humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation." Signed in type: G. WASHINGTON.
There is then a bit of editorial commentary including: "Which, were it possible, ought to be printed in letters of Gold & kept close to the heart of every American...has exerted himself in the late glorious & successful content between this country and the despotic and tyrannic power of Great Britain."
This famous letter begins: "The great object for which I had the honour to hold an appointment in the service of my country being accomplished, I am now preparing to resign it into the hands of Congress and return to that domestic retirement which, it is well known, I left with the greatest reluctance...".
It closes with a fervent prayer: "...I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline that hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field; and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion; without an humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation." Signed in type: G. WASHINGTON.
Great to have this letter consuming the entire front page.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, archival strengthening at the spine.
AI notes: On June 18, 1783, General George Washington issued a Circular Letter to the governors of the states, addressing the critical issues facing the Continental Army and the fledgling United States following the Revolutionary War. In this letter, Washington emphasized the urgent need for states to honor their commitments to the army, including the payment of back wages and pensions owed to soldiers, while urging a smooth and orderly disbandment of the forces. He stressed that the nation’s stability depended on a cooperative relationship between state governments and the military, highlighting the importance of civic virtue, public trust, and adherence to the principles fought for during the war. Washington also used the letter to reinforce the necessity of unity among the states under the Articles of Confederation, cautioning that the sacrifices of the army would be meaningless if the new nation descended into disorder or disunity. The Circular Letter reflects Washington’s foresight and leadership, laying the groundwork for a culture of civilian control over the military and responsibility to the republic, principles that would become central to American governance.
Four pages, never-trimmed margins, archival strengthening at the spine.
AI notes: On June 18, 1783, General George Washington issued a Circular Letter to the governors of the states, addressing the critical issues facing the Continental Army and the fledgling United States following the Revolutionary War. In this letter, Washington emphasized the urgent need for states to honor their commitments to the army, including the payment of back wages and pensions owed to soldiers, while urging a smooth and orderly disbandment of the forces. He stressed that the nation’s stability depended on a cooperative relationship between state governments and the military, highlighting the importance of civic virtue, public trust, and adherence to the principles fought for during the war. Washington also used the letter to reinforce the necessity of unity among the states under the Articles of Confederation, cautioning that the sacrifices of the army would be meaningless if the new nation descended into disorder or disunity. The Circular Letter reflects Washington’s foresight and leadership, laying the groundwork for a culture of civilian control over the military and responsibility to the republic, principles that would become central to American governance.
Category: Revolutionary War
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