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Primary Sources from the Early Republic

Washington's Letter to Boston 1795

The original document from the George Washington Papers in which the letter to Boston Selectmen from Washington is written. The background is an enlarged and blurred image of the original document.
President George Washington's response letter to the Boston Selectmen from July 28, 1795. Source: Library of Congress.

 

Context: In response to their criticism of the Jay Treaty, George Washington wrote this letter to Boston's selectmen defending the treaty's ratification. This letter became Washington's template for responding to similar protests from other towns and groups.

To Boston Selectmen

United States. 28th July 1795.

Gentlemen,

In every act of my administration, I have sought the happiness of my fellow-citizens. My system for the attainment of this object has uniformly been, to overlook all personal, local and partial considerations: to contemplate the United States as one great whole: to confide, that sudden impressions, when erroneous, would yield to candid reflection: and to consult only the substantial and permanent interests of our country.

Nor have I departed from this line of conduct on the occasion which has produced the resolutions contained in your letter of the 13th instant.

Without a predilection for my own judgment, I have weighed with attention every argument which has at any time been brought into view. But the Constitution is the guide which I never can abandon. It has assigned to the President the power of making treaties, with the advice and consent of the Senate: It was doubtless supposed that these two branches of government would combine, without passion, and with the best means of information, those facts & principles, upon which the success of our foreign relations will always depend: that they ought not to substitute for their own conviction the opinions of others; or to seek truth thro’ any channel but that of a temperate and well informed investigation.

Under this persuasion, I have resolved on the manner of executing the duty now before me. To the high responsibility, attached to it, I freely submit; and you, gentlemen, are at liberty to make these sentiments known, as the grounds of my procedure. While I feel the most lively gratitude for the many instances of approbation from my country; I can no otherwise deserve it than by obeying the dictates of my conscience. With due respect I am—Gentlemen Your Obedient

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For more information about Washington's Letter to Boston in 1795, visit Founders Online.