Text of George Washington's letter

AP ^ | February 21, 2006 | Gen. Washington

[Pharmboy]

George Washington's address to the Continental Congress resigning his commission in the Continental Army, Feb. 23, 1783:

Mr. President,

The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country.

Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable Nation, I resign with satisfaction the Appointment I accepted with diffidence - A diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

[Pharmboy]

The General was the only man to ever walk away from power not once--but twice (the first time here at Annapolis in 1783 and the second time in 1797 when he left after the second term as president).

Happy Birthday General, and thanks for everything you gave us.

[Pharmboy]

The Washington Family Coat of Arms

RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list (FreepMail me if you want to be placed on or off this list)

[Pharmboy]

The Washington Family Coat of Arms

RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list (FreepMail me if you want to be placed on or off this list)

[Pharmboy]

Yikes--apologies for the double ping...

[RAY]

What a man! The right man for the time - we are all fortunate for his being.

[Pharmboy]

Indeed. This country was built upon the character of General Washington.

[MotleyGirl70]

Bump for tomorrow.

[SunkenCiv]

"First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country."

[KevinDavis]

If it wasn't for George Washington, there would be no Lincoln, no Reagan, no MLK, and heck no GWB. I think that GW would be pleased that we are the superpower on this planet despite the problems that we have..

[ProtectOurFreedom]

...confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

How stirring! What majestic sentiments. And what humility after all the trials he had been through with the Continental army and militias.

[thefactor]

ping for later read.

[Pharmboy]

And if any of you get close enough to Annapolis, MD, you can stand in the room that The General delivered his sword and letter to the congress.

[confederacy of dunces]

Wonderful. General Washington was a truly amazing man.

I remember (in the olden days when we celebrated Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday rather than the generic and unsatisfying President's day) that my Mom would always bake a cherry pie in honor of the day.

Happy Birthday, President Washington.

[Pharmboy]

Birthday bump for The General! And keep those cherry pies coming...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commanding the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those Who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.

[Pharmboy]

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commanding the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those Who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.

General Washington was a church-going man his whole adult life, and, in fact, was instrumental in the formation of Pohick Church in Lorton, VA, although before that was built he attended Christ Church in Alexandria.

Aside from his church attendance, he was clearly a man who believed in God or "Divine Providence" that watched out for good people. Indeed, he felt as if the Hand of Divine Providence had the Founding of America set for him, and that's why he believed that through all the tough battles he'd been through (from the French and Indian War through the Revolution) he'd never gotten so much as a scratch.