George Washington: “It may be probably necessary to the more successful conduct of our affairs on the coast of Barbary that one consul…”

I have finally determined to accept the commission of Commander in Chief of the armies of the United States.

It is with peculiar satisfaction I can say, that prompted by a high sense of duty in my attendance on public worship, I have been gratified by the liberal and interesting discourses delivered in your Churches.

An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.

Satisfied, therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavored to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause.