Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox

Mount Vernon 26th. Decr.1786
My dear Sir;
Nothing but the pleasing hope of seeing you under this roof in the course of last month, and wch. I was disposed to extend even to the present moment, has kept me till this time from acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 23d of October. - Despairing now of that pleasure, I shall thank you for the above letter, and the subsequent one of the 17th. instt, which came to hand yesterday evening. -
Lamentable as the conduct of the Insurgents of Massachusetts is, I am exceedingly obliged to you for the advices respecting them; & pray you, most ardently, to continue the acct. of their proceedings; because I can depend upon them [inserted: from you] without having my mind bewildered with those [2] those vague & contradictory reports which are handed to us in Newspapers; and which please one hour, only to make the moments of the next more bitter. -
I feel, my dear Genl Knox, infinitely more than I can express to you, for the disorders which have arisen in these states. - Good God! who besides a tory could have foreseen, or a Briton predicted them! - were these people wiser than others, or did they judge of us from the corruption, and depravity of their own hearts? - The latter I am persuaded was the case, and that notwithstanding the boasted virtue of America, we are far gone in every thing ignoble & bad. - I do assure you, that even at this moment, when I reflect on the present posture of our affairs, it seems to me to be like the vision of a dream. - My mind does not know how to realize it, as a thing in actual existence, - so strange - so wonderful [3] wonderful does it appear to me! - In this, as in most other matter, we are too slow. - When this spirit first dawned, probably it migh [sic] easily have been checked; but it is scarcely within the reach of human ken, at this moment, to say when - where - or how it will end. - There are combustibles in every State, which a spark may set fire to. - In this State, a perfect calm prevails at present, and a prompt disposition to support, and give energy to the federal system is discovered, if the unlucky stirring of the disp[ute] respecting the navigation of the Mississipi does not become a leaven that will ferment & sour the mind of it.
The resolutions of the prest. session respecting a paper emission, - military certificates, - &ca - have stamped justice & liberality on the proceedings of the Assembly, [strikeout] By a late act, it seems very desirous of a General Convention to revise and amend the fœderal Constitution - apropos [4] apropos, what prevented the Eastern States from attending the September meeting at Annapolis?. - Of all the States in the Union it should have seemed to me, that a measure of this sort (distracted as they were with internal commotions, and experiencing the want of energy in government) would have been most pleasing to them. - What are the prevailing sentiments of the one now proposed to be held at Philadelphia in May next? & how will it be attended? You are at the fountain of intelligence, and where the wisdom of the Nation, it is to be presumed, has concentered; consequently better able (as I have had abundant experience of your intelligence, confidence, & candour) to solve these questions. - The Maryland Assembly has been violently agitated by the question for a paper emission. - It has been carried in the House of Delegates, but what has, or will be done with the Bill in the Senate [5] Senate I have not yet heard. - The partisans in favor of the measure in the lower House, threaten, it is said, a secession if it is rejected by that Branch of the Legislature. Thus are we advancing. -
In regretting, which I have often done with the deepest sorrow, the death of our much lamented frd. General Greene, I have accompanied it of late with a quaere, whether he would not have prefered such an exit to the scenes which it more than probable many of his compatriots may live to bemoan. -
In both your letters you intimate, that the men of reflection, principle & property in New England feeling the inefficacy of their present government, are contemplating a change; but you are not explicit with respect to the nature of it. - It has been supposed that, the Constitution of the State of Massachusetts was amongst the most energetic in the Union [6] Union - may not these disorders then be ascribed to an endulgent exercise of the powers of Administration? - If your laws authorized, and your powers were adequate to the suppression of these tumults, in the first appearances of them, delay & temporizing expedients were, in my opinion improper, - these are rarely well applied, & the same causes would produce similar effects in any form of government, if the powers of it are not enforced. - I ask this question for information, I know nothing of the facts
That G. B will be an unconcerned Spectator of the present insurrections (if they continue) is not to be expected. - That she is at this moment sowing the Seeds of jealousy & discontent among the various tribes of Indians [inserted: on our frontier] admits of no doubt, in my mind. - And that she will improve every opportunity to foment the spirit of turbulence within the bowels of the United States, with a view of [7] of distracting our governments, & promoting divisions, is, with me, not less certain. - Her first Manœuvres will, no doubt, be covert, and may remain so till the period shall arrive when a decided line of conduct may avail her. - Charges of violating the treaty, & other pretexts will not then be wanting to colour overt acts, tending to effect the grtr. objects of which she has long been in labour. - A Man is now at the head of their American Affairs well calculated to conduct measures of this kind, & more than probably was selected for the purpose. - We ought not therefore to sleep nor to slumber. - Vigilence in watching, & vigour in acting, is, in my opinion, become indispensably necessary. - If the powers are inadequate [strikeout] amend or alter them, but do not let us sink into the lowest state of humiliation & contempt, & become a by word in all the earth - I think with you [8] you that the Spring will unfold important & distressing Scenes, unless much wisdom & [strikeout] good [strikeout] management is displayed in the interim. - Adieu - be assured no man has a higher esteem & regard for you than I have - none more sincerely your friend, and
More Affectly [inserted: Yr.] Hble Serv.
Go: Washington
PS
Mrs. Washington joins me in every good wish for you & Mrs. Knox, [a]nd in congratulatory Compts. on the late addition to your family. Will you be so obliging as to give the enclosed a safe conveyance - I have recd. one or two very obliging letters from Genl Tupper whilst he was in the Western Country and wish to thank him for them - but know not in what part of Massachusetts he lives

Majr. Genl. Knox