George Washington: “The health of a democracy depends on the active participation of its citizens.”

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.

I can not express how greatly affected I am at this new proof of public confidence.

Believe me, sir, no one can more cordially approve of the wise and prudent measures of your Administration.

I must not conceal from you my earnest wish that the choice had fallen upon a man less declined in years and better qualified to encounter the usual vicissitudes of war.