Seth Kaller, Inc.

This remarkable collection of President Washington’s speeches and letters is notable for including his inaugural address and all of his annual messages to Congress (State of the Union addresses), as well as the response of Congress to each. It also includes letters from religious groups, state legislatures, municipal organizations, and a variety of other societies to the President and his response. Finally, it includes Washington’s Circular Letter to the Governors of the Several States, (June 18, 1783) (pp. 263-175), and his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War (Nov. 2, 1783) (275-282). Together, they provide a remarkable view of the relationship of diverse groups of Americans to their first president.

“It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”

[GEORGE WASHINGTON]. A Collection of the Speeches of the President of the United States to Both Houses of Congress, At the Opening of every Session, with Their Answers. Also, the Addresses to the President, with His Answers, From the Time of His Election: With An Appendix, Containing The Circular Letter of General Washington to the Governors of the several States, and his Farewell Orders, to the Armies of America, and the Answer, 1st ed. Boston: Manning and Loring, 1796. 282 pp + terminal bookseller’s ad, 4¼ x 7 in.

Inventory #26441.99       Price: $18,000

This volume includes addresses from and responses to more than fifty representatives or groups, including state governors and legislators, mayors and town councils, Masonic lodges, tradesmen, and colleges (the University of Pennsylvania, Washington College, Dartmouth College, Harvard University and others). It contains 13 addresses with religious denominations, together with Washington’s responses, Including the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston, and Richmond.

A historical subscriber list appears at the front, with Revolutionary War names of note, including Samuel Adams, General Henry Knox, and a large group of Harvard University tutors and students.

On August 1, 1796, Boston bookseller Solomon Cotton Jr. sent a copy of this volume to President Washington, inscribed: “In confidence of your indulgence towards whatever is conducive to the public good, you are now addressed by a young man, with all that respect and veneration, due to your revered character; who intreats your acceptance of the Volume accompanying this letter.” Washington added his signature to the title page and kept it in his library. Ten years after publishing this book, Cotton was found dead in the harbor at Baltimore with a handkerchief tied tightly around his neck and another containing a large stone tied to it.

Contents and Excerpts

The Hebrew Congregation in Newportaddressed the President on Aug. 18, 1790 (227-230), welcoming him to Newport. Washington responded with his views of religious liberty in the new nation:

“It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.... May the children of the stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

The Hebrew congregations of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston and Richmondsent a joint congratulatory letter to Washington, Dec. 13, 1790, (231-233)

“The wonders which the Lord of Hosts hath worked in the days of our forefathers, have taught us to observe the greatness of his wisdom and his might, throughout the events of the late glorious revolution; and while we humble ourselves at his footstool in thanksgiving and praise for the blessing of his deliverance, we acknowledge you the Leader of the American Armies, as his chosen and beloved servant. But not to your sword alone is our present happiness to be ascribed: that, indeed, opened the way to the reign of freedom; but never was it perfectly secure, till your hand gave birth to the Federal Constitution; and you renounced the joys of retirement, to seal by your administration in peace what you had achieved in war.” In response to the good wishes expressed in this address, Washington reciprocated: “The liberality of sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.... May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me, rest upon your Congregations.”

German Reformed Congregations(June 6, 1789), (119-121)

“I return you my thanks for the manifestation of your firm purpose to support in your persons a government founded in justice and equity, and for the promise that it will be your constant study to impress the minds of the People entrusted to your care with a due sense of the necessity of uniting reverence to such a government and obedience to its laws with the duties and exercises of Religion.... I shall earnestly desire the continuation of an interest in your intercessions at the Throne of Grace.” Reports on coinage, the Treasury, Independence Day, Georgia’s Constitution.

German Lutheran Congregation of Philadelphia(ca. May 9-12, 1789), (121-123)

            “partaking with you in the pleasing anticipation of the blessings of a wise and efficient government; I flatter myself that opportunities will not be wanting for me to shew my disposition to encourage the domestic and public virtues of Industry, Œconomy, Patriotism, Philanthropy, and that Righteousness which exalteth a Nation”

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church(ca. June 5, 1789), (129-132)

            “While all men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of their consciences; it is rationally to be expected from them in return, that they will be emulous of evincing the sincerity of their profession by the innocence of their lives, and the beneficence of their actions”

Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church(caMay 29, 1789), (133-134)

            “It shall still be my endeavor to manifest, by overt acts … my desires to contribute whatever may be in my power towards the preservation of the civil and religious liberties of the American People.” Includes the first law passed by Congress under the Constitution:“An ACT to regulate the Time and Manner of administering certain Oaths,”which states the oath officials must take: “I, A B, do solemnly swear, or affirm [as the case may be] that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”

Washington to the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church,Aug. 19, 1789, (141-146)

“It affords edifying prospects indeed, to see Christians of different denominations dwell together in more charity, and conduct themselves in respect to each other with a more Christian-like spirit than ever they have done in any former age, or in any other nation. I receive with the greater satisfaction your congratulations on the establishment of the new constitution of government, because I believe its mild, yet efficient, operations will tend to remove every remaining apprehension of those with whose opinions it may not entirely coincide.…” 

Washington to the Religious Society of Quakers, Oct. 1789,(150-153)

 “We have reason to rejoice in the prospect that the national government which by the favour of divine Providence was formed by the common councils, and peaceably established with the common consent of the people, will prove a blessing to every denomination of them; to render it such my best endeavors shall not be wanting. Government being among other purposes instituted to protect the persons and consciences of men from oppression, it certainly is the duty of rulers not only to abstain from it themselves, but according to their stations to prevent it in others.”

Washington to the First Presbytery of the Eastward (Mass. & N.H.), Oct. 1789, (156-159)

“The tribute of thanksgiving, which you offer to the gracious Father of Lights, for his inspiration of our public councils with wisdom and firmness to complete the national Constitution, is worthy of men, who, devoted to the pious purposes of religion, desire their accomplishment by such means as advance the temporal happiness of their fellow men. And here, I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation respecting religion from the Magna Charta of our country.”

Washington to Synod of Reformed Dutch Church in North America, Oct. 1789, (159-162)

“You, Gentlemen, act the part of pious Christians and good citizens, by your prayers and exertions to preserve that harmony and good will among men, which must be the basis of every political establishment; and I readily join with you, that ‘while just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surest support.’”

Congregational Ministers of New Haven, Oct. 17, 1789, (174-176)

“If it shall please the Great Disposer of events to listen to the pious supplication, which you have preferred in my behalf, I trust that the remainder of my days will evince the gratitude of a heart devoted to the advancement of those objects, which receive the approbation of Heaven, and promote the happiness of our fellow men.”

Washington to the Roman Catholics in America,(March, 1790), (200-203)

            “The prospect of national prosperity now before us is truly animating, and ought to excite the exertions of all good men to establish and secure the happiness of their Country, in the permanent duration of its Freedom and Independence. America, under the smiles of a Divine Providence—the protection of a good Government—and the cultivation of manners, morals and piety, cannot fail of attaining an uncommon degree of eminence, in literature, commerce, agriculture, improvements at home and respectability abroad.”

Washington to the Convention of the Universal Church,Aug. 1790, (217-219)

“It gives me the most sensible pleasure to find, that, in our nation, however different are the sentiments of the citizens on religious doctrines, they generally concur in one thing: for their political professions and practices are almost universally friendly to the order and happiness of our civil institutions.”

Additional Excerpts

Washington’s Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789 (14-17)

“the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, as deeply, perhaps, as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

Washington’s First Annual (State of the Union) Address,Jan. 8, 1790 (23-26)

“I embrace with great satisfaction the opportunity which now presents itself, of congratulating you on the present favorable prospects of our public affairs. The recent accession of the important state of North-Carolina to the Constitution of the United States (of which official information has been received) the rising credit and respectability of our country, the general and increasing good-will towards the government of the union, and the concord, peace and plenty, with which we are blessed, are circumstances auspicious, in an eminent degree to our national prosperity…Among the many interesting objects, which will engage your attention, that of providing for the common defence will merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. A free people ought not only to be armed but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite: And their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories, as tend to render them independent on others, for essential, particularly for military supplies....”

Washington’s Fifth Annual (State of the Union) Address, Dec. 3, 1793 (62-67)

“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war....”

Washington’s Sixth Annual (State of the Union) Address, Nov. 19, 1794 (72-80)

“with the deepest regret do I announce to you, that during your recess, some of the citizens of the United States have been found capable of insurrection.... to yield to the treasonable fury of so small a portion of the United States would be to violate the fundamental principle of our Constitution, which enjoins that the will of the majority shall prevail.”

Also includes a second address by Moses Seixas in his other role as Master of the King David’s Lodge of the Masons in Newport, and Washington’s response. (226-227)