MARCH 27th
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“Unfortunate indeed have we been in the death of eight of our children, requiring the exercise of our whole stock of Philosophy and Religion.”
Photo: Carol Highsmith. Library of Congress
From Henry Knox
Boston, 15 January 1797
My dear sir
Possessing as I do a thousand evidences of your friendship, I am persuaded that you will readily beleive me, when I say that my silence of late, has been the effect of my unwillingness to intrude, lest I should for a moment prevent the consideration and different views, you give to the important subjects incessantly before you.
Although the same cause continues to prevent my interruption, yet I am apprehensive sometimes, that you may think me unmindful of your kindnesses, especially after the receipt of yr affectionate letter by Mr Bingham, the last summer. The loss of two lovely children on which, you condoled in that letter, has been recently revived and encreased by the death of our son of seven years of age, bearing your name. His health has always been delicate, having been born prematurely. We flattered ourselves that his constitution would mend with his years, but we have been disappointed. Unfortunate indeed have we been in the death of eight of our children, requiring the exercise of our whole stock of Philosophy and Religion. We find ourselves afflicted by an irresistible but invissible power to whom we must submit. But the conflict is almost too great for the inconsolable Mother who will go mourning to her grave.
Artist: Charles Peale. NGA
We have lately come from St Georges* to pass the Winter in this Town. Indeed this is our general plan. We may however as we grow older find it inconvenient. We are distant about two hundred miles by land, which we may easily ride in six days the snow being on the ground, or with wheels with a little improvement of a small portion of the road. The taverns on the route are as good as on any other two hundred miles on the continent.
I am beginning to experience the good effects of my residence on my lands. I may truly say that the estate is more than double in its value since I determined to make it my home. The only inconvenience we experience is the want of Society. This will probably lessen dayly. Our communication by Water to this Town is constant and cheap. We can obtain the transportation of any article from this Town to St Georges, cheaper than the same can be called from any store to the Vessel. This egotism would require an apology to any other person than yourself.
For your own sake I rejoice at the near approach of your retirement. In it, I pray God that you may enjoy all the felicity of which the human condition is susceptible. The consciousness of having acted well, would under any circumstances, have elevated your soul above the peltings of storms raised by Malice and envy—But in addition to this consciousness, the consecration of your retirement, by the unlimited gratitude of your Country, must present in the decline of your life the most perfect reward
* “Montpelier” on the St. Georges River In the Province of Maine (then part of Massachusetts)
“[It] is not for man to scan the wisdom of Providence. The best he can do, is to submit to its decrees. Reason, religion and Philosophy, teaches us to do this, but ‘tis time alone that can ameliorate the pangs of humanity, and soften its woes.”
Adobe Firefly
To Henry Knox
Philadelphia, 2 March 1797
My dear Sir,
Amongst the last Acts of my political life, and before I go hence into retirement*, profound, will be the acknowledgment of your kind and affectionate letter from Boston, dated the 15th. of January.
From the friendship I have always borne you, and from the interest I have ever taken in whatever relates to your prosperity and happiness, I participated in the sorrows which I know you must have felt for your late heavy losses. But is not for man to scan the wisdom of Providence. The best he can do, is to submit to its decrees. Reason, religion and Philosophy, teaches us to do this, but ‘tis time alone that can ameliorate the pangs of humanity, and soften its woes.
To the wearied traveller who sees a resting place, and is bending his body to lean thereon, I now compare myself; but to be suffered to do this in peace, is I perceive too much, to be endured by some. To misrepresent my motives; to reprobate my politics; and to weaken the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are objects which cannot be relinquished by those who, will be satisfied with nothing short of a change in our political System. The consolation however, which results from conscious rectitude, and the approving voice of my Country, unequivocally expressed by its Representatives, deprives their sting of its poison, and places in the same point of view both the weakness, and malignity of their efforts.
Although the prospect of retirement is most grateful to my soul, and I have not a wish to mix again in the great world, or to partake in its politics, yet, I am not without my regrets at parting with (perhaps never more to meet) the few intimates whom I love, among these, be assured you are one.
Annals of Philadelphia, 1830
The account given by Mr. Bingham and others, of your agreeable Situation and prospects at St. George’s, gave me infinite pleasure; and no one wishes more sincerely than I do, that they may increase with your years. The remainder of my life (which in the course of nature cannot be long) will be occupied in rural amusements, and though I shall seclude myself as much as possible from the noisy and bustling crowd, none more than myself, would be regaled by the company of those I esteem, at Mount Vernon: more than 20 Miles from which, after I arrive there, it is not likely I ever shall be.
As early in next week as I can make arrangements for it, I shall commence my journey for Mount Vernon. To morrow, at dinner, I shall, as a servant of the public, take my leave of the President Elect, of the foreign characters, heads of Departments, &ca. And the day following, with pleasure, I shall witness the inauguration of my Successor to the Chair of government.
On the subject of Politics I shall say nothing; you will have an opportunity of seeing and conversing with many of the Legislators; from whom, so far as it relates to the proceedings of their own body, they can give you the details. The Gazettes will furnish the rest.
Mrs. Washington unites with me in every good wish for you, Mrs. Knox and family, and with unfeigned truth, I am yours always, and affectionately.**
G:o Washington
* from the presidency and public life
** Henry Knox, by bringing artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, was instrumental in the victory at the Siege of Boston, and became an esteemed general during the Revolutionary War; he also served as Secretary of War under Washington’s presidential administration. The two men would have a falling out in 1798 during the Quasi-War with France over Alexander Hamilton being chosen as second in command; Knox mistook Washington’s selection as a personal slight, although it was Washington’s declared policy through a multitude of correspondence never to allow personal feelings to interfere with public business, such as military or cabinet appointments. Thomas Jefferson wrote of Washington: “his integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision.” —Quote Source: FO14
Knox wrote after being informed of Washington’s choice: “Conscious myself of entertaining for you a sincere, active, and invariable friendship, I easily believed it was reciprocal.” Washington replied in part: “Your letter of the 29th Ulto has filled my mind with disquietude, and perplexity in the extreme; but I will say nothing in reply, intentionally, that shall give you a moments pain.”
