October 15th
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ON THIS DAY IN 1789
EMBARKS ON NEW ENGLAND TOUR
“I should desire to visit your Metropolis without any parade, or extraordinary ceremony.”
Powell Coach, 1870s (Duplicate of Washington’s Coach)
Library of Congress
To John Hancock (Governor)
Brookfield, 22 October 1789
Sir,
A few miles west of this village I met the express, who delivered me your Excellency’s letter of yesterday. I have been so fortunate as to proceed thus far, without any accident to delay my journey; should nothing occur to prevent me, I shall be at Weston to-morrow night, and I purpose taking dinner so early at Watertown on Saturday, as to reach Cambridge by half past two Oclock. Thence I presume we shall arrive within an hour at Boston.*
I am highly sensible of the honor intended me: But could my wish prevail I should desire to visit your Metropolis without any parade, or extraordinary ceremony.** From a wish to avoid giving trouble to private families, I determined, on leaving New York, to decline the honor of any invitation to quarters which I might receive while on my journey; and with a view to observe this rule, I had requested a Gentleman to engage lodgings for me during my stay at Boston. I beg your Excellency to be persuaded of the grateful sense which I entertain of the honor you intended to confer on me, and I desire to assure you of the respectful regard with which I am Your obliged and obedient Servant.
G:o Washington
THE DIARIES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
1789
NOVEMBER
Sunday, 8th. It being contrary to law and disagreeable to the People of this State (Connecticut) to travel on the Sabbath day—and my horses, after passing through such intolerable roads, wanting rest, I stayed at Perkins’ tavern (which, by the bye, is not a good one,) all day—and a meeting-house being within few rods of the door, I attended morning and evening service, and heard very lame discourses from a Mr. Pond.***
* Washington had embarked on a New England tour, reaching as far as Kittery, Maine; he would tour the south in 1791. In a 16 January 1791 letter to Edward Rutledge, Washington wrote: “It was among my first determinations when I entered upon the duties of my present station to visit every part of the United States in the course of my administration of the government, provided my health and other circumstances would admit of it.”
** It was Washington’s practice to decline these types of receptions when possible.
*** Reverend Enoch Pond — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
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