The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-07-20
GEORGE WASHINGTON.


joys to-day the fruit of his labor. Ameri-
cans should not only reverence the name Of
Washington, but adhere strictly to his nd
vice, and hundreds and thousands OF them
piH Who can read the following letters Of
Washington, giving his opinions in regard to
foreigners, and the policy ofappointing them
to office, without becoming convinced that
there is great necessity for the present Amer.
lean movement-.',at it is not premature?--
They are taken from Sparks publication Of
the Washington papers, and none will dare
deny their authenticity:
MoRRTsTowN, May 18th, l777.
To Richard Henry Lee:-Dear Sir-l take
the liberty to ask you what Congress expects
nm to do with the many foreigners they
have Mt different times promoted to the rank
of officers, and by their last resolve two TO
that of Colonel: These men have no attach
ment 10 the country, further than interest
binds them. Our officers think it extremely
hard, after they have toiled in the service
and have sustained many losses, to have
strangers put over them, whose merits, per.
haps are not equal to their own, but whose
| effrontery will take no denial. 1t is by the
zeal and activity of our own people that the
cause must be supported, and not by few
hungry adventures.
lam, &C., G. WASHINGTON.
[Vol w., p. 432.
MIDDLEBRooK, June ], l777.
To the Same:-You will before this can
reach YOU, have seen Monsieur Decodary;
what his real expectations were, do not
know, but fear if his appointment is equal
to what have been told is his expectation, it
will be attended with unhappy consequent
ccs, TO say nothing of the policy of entrust-
ing a department, on the execution of which
the salvation of the army depends, to n for
eigner who has no other tie to bind him to the
interests of the country than honor. would
beg leave to observe that BY putting MIR. D..
at the head of the artillery, you will lose n
very valuable officer in General Knox, who
is man of great military standing, sound
judgment, and clear conception, he will re-.
sign, &c.
am, &c, G. WASHINGTON.
[Vol. w., p. 440.
WHITE PLAINS, July oath, 1878.
To Gov Morros. Esq.-Dear Sir,-The
| design of this is to touch curiously upon n
subject Of very great Importance TO the well
being Of these States; much more so than
will appear ut first view. ] mean the ap-
pontmpnt Of so many foreigners to office of
high rank and trust in our service.
The lavish manner in which rank has hith-
erto been bestowed on these gentlemen will
certainly be productive of one or the other of
two evils-either to make us despicable in
the eyes of Europe, or become means Of
pouring them in upon US like torrent, and
adding to our present burden.
But 1t is neither the expense nor the troub-
les of them most dread; there is an evil
more extensive in its nature and fatal in its
consequences to be apprehended, ard that is
the driving our officers out of the service,
and throwing not only our own army, but
our military councils entirely into the hands
of foreigners.
Baron Steuben, now find, is also wanting
to line. This will be productive of much dis
content. In q word, although ] think the
Baron an excellent officer, do most devout.
ly wish that we had not single foreigner
among us, except Marquis de Lafayette, who
acts upon very different principles from those
which govern the rest Adicu; am most
sincerely yours. u. WASHINGTON.
Against the nsdious wiles of foreign in
fluence, (Lconjure you to believe me fellow
citizens,) the jealousy of free people ought
to be constantly awake. 1t in one of the
most banelu foes of Republican Govern.
ment. u. WASHINGTON.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9th, l794.
q, D.ae.Jo,y xf, Ia
United Siates.-Dear Sir My opinion with
respect to immigration is, that except of use
full mechanics and some particular description
of men and profession, there is no use of en-
enlargement. am, &c,
G.. WASHINGTON.
Mt. VERaoN, Jan. Goth, 1870.
To j. @. Adams, American Ministerial
Berlin-Sir: You know, my good sir, that
il is not the policy of this government to en-
ploy foreigners when it can wei! be avoided,
either in the civil or military walks.of life
There is n species of seli-importanee in all
foreign officers, that cannot be ratified with
out doing injustice to meritorious characters
among our own countrymen, who conceive,
and Justly, where there is no great prepon-
derance OF experience or merit, that they are
entitled to the offices in the gift OF their gov
ernment. | am, &C., G. WASHINGTON.
Vol. Xl., p 392.
SAME DATE TO A FOREIGNER APPLYING FOR
OFFICE.
Dear Sir: II does not accord with the pol
icy of this Government to bestow offices,
civil or military, upon foreigners, to the excu-
sion Of our own citizens.
Yours. &c, G. WASHINGTON.
The following are the opinions Of some OF
the other distinguished Presidents on foreign
influence:
a hope we may find some hope in future
Of shielding ourselves from foreign influence,
in whatever form it may be attempted. ]
wish there were an ocean OF hire between
this aud tho old world"
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
"Foreign influence is Grecian horse to
the Republic; we cannot be too careful TO
exclude its entrance" JAMES MADISON.
at is high time we should become little
more Americauized, and instead of feeding
the paupers and laborers Of England, feed
our own, or else, in short time, by our pres
ent policy, We shall become paupers our
selves" ANDREW JACKSON.
Here are also the opinions Of the late de-
parted Statesmen, Clay and Webster:
"I agree with the father of his country,
that We should guard with jealousy be-
coming u free people, our institutions, against
the ipsidious wiles of foreign influence"