June 24th
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“Although I shall not live to see but a small portion of the happy effects, which I am confident this system will produce for my Country; yet the precious idea of its prosperity will not only be a consolation amidst the encreasing infirmities of nature and the growing love of retirement, but it will tend to sooth the mind in the inevitable hour of seperation from terrestrial objects.”
Nathaniel Gorham, 1786
Artist: Charles Peale. National Park Service
To Nathaniel Gorham
Mount Vernon, 21 July 1788
Sir,
I received your congratulatory letter of the 5th. instant by the last Mail. It gives me reciprocal satisfaction to find that the adoption of the Constitution by Virginia has difused so general a Joy through the other States. The good disposition manifested by the Citizens of your Commonwealth excites also a flattering and consolatory reflection in all who wish well to the Federal interest and the glory of the American Nation. Much happiness may rationally be anticipated from the encreasing prevalence of industry and frugality, invigorated and encouraged by the operation of a free yet efficient general Government.
Although I am passing rapidly into the Vale of Years, where the genial warmth of youth that fires its votary with a generous enthusiasm becomes extinct and where the cheerlessness* of the prospect often infects the animal spirits with a similar contagion; yet I trust there are few who rejoice more fervently in the expectation that the beams of prosperity will break in upon a Country, which has ever engaged my most disinterested wishes and fondest hopes. And although I shall not live to see but a small portion of the happy effects, which I am confident this system will produce for my Country; yet the precious idea of its prosperity will not only be a consolation amidst the encreasing infirmities of nature and the growing love of retirement, but it will tend to sooth the mind in the inevitable hour of seperation from terrestrial objects.
With earnest prayers that you and all the worthy Patriots of America may long enjoy uninterrupted felicity under the New Government, I have the honor to subscribe myself with due regard & esteem Sir, Yr Most Obedt and Most Hble Servt
G:o Washington
THE DIARIES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
1788
JULY
Thursday, 24th. Thermometer at 70 in the Morning, 71 at Noon, and 74 at Night. A very high No. Et. Wind all Night, which, this morning, being accompanied with Rain, became a hurricane, driving the Miniature Ship Federalist from her Moorings, and sinking her, blowing down Some trees in the groves and about the houses, loosning the Roots, and forcing many others to yield, and dismantling most, in a greater or lesser degree of their Bows and doing other and great mischief to the grain, grass, etca., and not a little to my Mill race. In a word it was violent and severe—more so than has happened for many years. About Noon the Wind suddenly shifted from No. Et. To So. Wt. and blew the remaining part of the day as violently from that quarter. The tide about this time rose near or quite 4 feet higher than it was ever known to do, driving Boats, &ca. into fields where no tide had ever been heard of before, and must, it is apprehended, have done infinite damage on their Wharves at Alexandria, Norfolk, Baltimore, &ca.
At home all day.
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