October 24th
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“The revolution you have caused, & brought about, by your superior judgment, & adroitness, and the liberty you have fixt on the Continent of America, merits that veneration, I have long cherished for your exalted Character.”
From Major John Ellis*
Worcester 25 March 1783
Sir,
Your former acts of hospitality and kindnesses will ever make strong and flattering impressions on my mind.
You will but do me justice to believe I have never lost sight of you in the course of your dangers and difficulties—however widely we have acted in our sentiments & politicks—They make no alteration in my friendship.
The Political creed is out of the question with me.
The revolution you have caused, & brought about, by your superior judgment, & adroitness, and the liberty you have fixt on the Continent of America, merits that veneration, I have long cherished for your exalted Character—Mankind are lost in admiration; and posterity will become your harmonious panygyrists.
I am awkward in bestowing praise notwithstanding, it is so highly merited—and which inspires the pen of every Man—but be assured, Sir, I have now considered it one of the most pleasing, & proudest events of my life to say I know you, and that I am under a thousand Obligations to you.
I beg my respects to your family & Mr Calverts. I have the honor to be with all possible deferance, truth, & regard—
Sir;
Your obliged, & devoted [illegible]
J:Ellis Maj
“I always distinguished between a Cause and Individuals.”
Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh, New York
Library of Congress
To Major John Joiner Ellis
Hd. Quarters, in the State of New York, 10 July 1783
Sir,
You profess not to be a panegyrist while you are bestowing the most exalted praise; but compliments apart, I received your very polite Letter of the 25th. of Mar: with much pleasure. It recalled to my remembrance some of the pleasing occurrences of my past life and reminded me of the Acquaintances I had formed in it; for whom, tho’ seperated by time, distance, and political Sentiments I retain the same Friendship.
I was opposed to the policy of G.B., and became an enemy to her measures; but I always distinguished between a Cause and Individuals; and while the latter supported their opinions upon liberal and generous grounds, personally, I never could be an enemy to them.
I have only to request therefore, that you will suffer me to retain that place in your friendship of which you assure me I now hold. That you will accept my sincere thanks for the favorable Sentiments you have been pleased to express of me and will do me the justice to believe, that with great esteem and regard I have the honr to be Sir Yr Most Obt & Hble Ser.
G:o Washington
* “major of the Eighty-ninth Foot, British Army” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
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