Aug 19, 1777
We should never despair; our situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again.
George Washington
The Public Record
George Washington was an American political leader, military general, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797. He is often referred to as the 'Father of His Country.' Washington played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and was instrumental in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. His leadership set many precedents for the federal government and the presidency, including the tradition of a two-term limit for presidents.
founders.archives.gov
Jul 31, 1777
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
Jul 27, 1777
The scheme, my Lord, which I have under consideration is one of such importance that I should not choose to confide it to paper, especially as the chances are very great of its falling into improper hands.
Dec 25, 1776
The reflection upon my situation, and that of this army, produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.
Aug 26, 1776
The hour is fast approaching, on which the honor and success of this army and the safety of our bleeding country depend. Remember officers and soldiers that you are free men, fighting for the blessings of liberty.
Jul 1, 1776
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
Posterity may have cause to regret if from any motive intervals of tranquillity are left unimproved for accelerating this valuable end.
I will only add that it will afford me a heart-felt satisfaction to concur in such further measures as will ascertain to our country the prospect of a speedy extinguishment of the debt.
In pursuing this course, however, I can not forget what is due to the character of our Government and nation, or to a full and entire confidence in the good sense, patriotism, self-respect, and fortitude of my country-men.
Besides that, it should be repugnant to the vital principles of our Government virtually to exclude from public trusts talents and virtue unless accompanied by wealth.
If private wealth is to supply the defect of public retribution, it will greatly contract the sphere within which the selection of character for office is to be made, and will proportionally diminish the probability of a choice of men able…
However pacific the general policy of a nation may be, it ought never to be without an adequate stock of military knowledge for emergencies.
In a republic what species of knowledge can be equally important and what duty more pressing on its legislature than to patronize a plan for communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?
The more homogenous our citizens can be made in these particulars the greater will be our prospect of permanent union; and a primary object of such a national institution should be the education of our youth in the science of government.
Amongst the motives to such an institution, the assimilation of the principles, opinions, and manners of our country-men by the common education of a portion of our youth from every quarter well deserves attention.
The assembly to which I address myself is too enlightened not to be fully sensible how much a flourishing state of the arts and sciences contributes to national prosperity and reputation.
If the necessary article should in this mode cost more in time of peace, will not the security and independence thence arising form an ample compensation?
Ought our country to remain in such cases dependent on foreign supply, precarious because liable to be interrupted?
These considerations invite the United States to look to the means, and to set about the gradual creation of a navy.
This may even prevent the necessity of going to war by discouraging belligerent powers from committing such violations of the rights of the neutral party as may, first or last, leave no other option.
To secure respect to a neutral flag requires a naval force organized and ready to vindicate it from insult or aggression.
Politicians like George Washington
