Lewis Nicola, a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, wrote a letter to George Washington describing the dire condition of the troops. They had endured many hardships and hadn't been paid as they had hoped. He and other military men were proposing a scheme to General Washington and this was Washington's response:
Sir:
With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the Sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured Sir, no occurrence in the course of the War, has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the Army as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence, and reprehend with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary.
I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my Country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable; at the same time in justice to my own feelings I must add, that no Man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the Army than I do, and as far as my powers and influence, in a constitutional way extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your Country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature. With esteem I am. George Washington
What do you think that letter proposed to elicit such a strong negative response from General Washington?
They wanted him to play a role in making himself
King
King George the first.
I am in awe of his response.
I love how he told them they should have known him better,
and that he was true to the principles he held dear.
He didn't choose glory, or power, or fame....
he choose the right way.
And he is revered
Here's to being true to yourself
and for having the courage to choose the right way!
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!
Sir:
With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the Sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured Sir, no occurrence in the course of the War, has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the Army as you have expressed, and I must view with abhorrence, and reprehend with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary.
I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my Country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable; at the same time in justice to my own feelings I must add, that no Man possesses a more sincere wish to see ample justice done to the Army than I do, and as far as my powers and influence, in a constitutional way extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to effect it, should there be any occasion. Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your Country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself, or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature. With esteem I am. George Washington
What do you think that letter proposed to elicit such a strong negative response from General Washington?
They wanted him to play a role in making himself
King
King George the first.
I am in awe of his response.
I love how he told them they should have known him better,
and that he was true to the principles he held dear.
He didn't choose glory, or power, or fame....
he choose the right way.
And he is revered
Here's to being true to yourself
and for having the courage to choose the right way!
HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY!
3 comments:
Wow! That was a powerful letter indeed. I only pray that our leaders today would be as courageous as George Washington.
April - I just love reading your posts. Thanks again... for sharing such a great insight!
april, i am so glad you shared this with our class today, wow, powerful, what as amazing leader he was. thanks again for today, you did an excellent job, what a wonderful friend you are!! i love you tons.
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