President George Washington’s Official Handwritten Message to the Senate on His Reelection, Hoping His Second Term Will Lead to “the happiness of our country”

He writes if his reelection “promises the smallest addition to the happiness of our country, as it is my duty so shall it be my study to realize the expectation”

 

He hopes his second term agenda, among it American neutrality, which proclamation he references directly, will “prove fortunate to the United States.”

 

We are aware of only one other address to Adams and the Senate having reached the market, which we carried

 

This is the original, with the copy now in the Library of Congress

The presidential election was held in the United States from November 2 to December 5, 1792. Incumbent President George Washington was elected to a second term by a unanimous vote in the electoral college, while John Adams was reelected as vice president. Washington was essentially unopposed, but Adams faced a competitive re-election. Inauguration day was March 4, 1793, and Washington was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States in the Senate Chamber of Congress Hall in Philadelphia, delivering the shortest inaugural address on record, at just 135 words. On December 3, 1793, at the opening of the new session of Congress, Washington delivered his Fifth Annual Address (his State of the Union address) in Philadelphia, where he spoke to Congress about the importance of peace through strength and urged the expansion of the legal code and the courts’ jurisdiction.

On December 9th, Vice President John Adams, in his capacity as president of the Senate, transmitted a message to Washington to thank him on behalf of the Senate for delivering the speech at the opening session of Congress, congratulating him on his reelection as president, and expressing the broad approval of his position on neutrality. Adams praised Washington, wrote that the Senate was happy with his reelection, and was grateful to his patriotism: ‘Your reelection to the Chief Magistracy of the United States gives us sincere pleasure. We consider it as an event every way propitious to the happiness of our country, and your compliance with the call as a fresh instance of the patriotism which has so repeatedly led you to sacrifice private inclination to the public good. In the unanimity which a second time marks this important national act we trace with particular satisfaction, besides the distinguished tribute paid to the virtues and abilities which it recognizes, another proof of that just discernment and constancy of sentiments and views which have hitherto characterized the citizens of the United States.”

Adams continued by relating the happiness of the Senate with Washington’s policy of neutrality in the wars in Europe that broke out after the French Revolution. “As the European powers with whom the United States have the most extensive relations were involved in war, in which we had taken no part, it seemed necessary that the disposition of the nation for peace should be promulgated to the world, as well for the purpose of admonishing our citizens of the consequences of a contraband trade and of acts hostile to any of the belligerent parties as to obtain by a declaration of the existing legal state of things an easier admission of our right to the immunities of our situation. We therefore contemplate with pleasure the proclamation by you issued, and give it our hearty approbation. We deem it a measure well timed and wise, manifesting a watchful solicitude for the welfare of the nation and calculated to promote it.”

Washington responded the next day with a remarkable Message to the Senate, filled with patriotism, affirming his steadfast devotion to his nation, his enduring commitment to the welfare of the United States, and his hope that his administration would make a positive difference to the American people.

Historic and unique Autograph Message Signed as president, Philadelphia, December 10, 1793, to John Adams and the United States Senate, acknowledging its message upon his reelection, expressing his views on that subject, expressing his commitment to fulfilling his role and expectations, and his hope that he will benefit the American people. He also refers to the Senate’s approbation of his neutrality proclamation. “The pleasure, expressed by the Senate, on my reelection to the station which I fill, commands my sincere and warmest acknowledgments. If this be an event which promises the smallest addition to the happiness of our country, as it is my duty so shall it be my study to realize the expectation.

“The decided approbation, which the proclamation now receives from your house, by completing the proof that this measure is considered, as manifesting a vigilant attention to the welfare of the United States, brings with it a peculiar gratification to my mind. The other important subjects, which have been communicated to you, will, I am confident, receive a due discussion; and the result will, I trust, prove fortunate to the United States.”

This message of Washington, really a written speech, to the Senate is an extraordinary rarity, if not unique. We have seen Washington messages to the Senate nominating people for approval, but have never before seen one where Washington expresses his patriotism, his hopes that his service will benefit the American people, his dedication to that service, and that his administration will bring happiness to the nation. A search of public sale records fails to turn up anything like this. We are pleased to bring this incredible Washington message to the public.

This historic letter was formerly in the Karpeles Manuscript Library.