George Washington: “I send herewith a copy of the treaty of friendship, limits, and navigation, concluded on the 27th of October last…”

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 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.

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

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.