Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-07-03
4 Scrap of History.

1t is not, we believe, generally
known, that General Washiugton's
devotion to republican principles,
was tried by the most direct test that
could lie applied, a proposition from
high army officers to place him on
throne. Col. Nicola was the usual
medium employed by the officers and
soldiers to convey to their Command
er in chief their complaints. their
troubles aud their desires. In May,
1IS3. this officer addressed letter
to him, complaining Of the condition
of the army and the country. and
the unsatisfactory prospect Of i'm
provement and relief through the
action of Congress, and expressing
the opinion that republican form
Of government was insecure and un
reliable, and that the English form
was more stable and preferable on
other accounts. This celebrated let
ter ended thus:
1t will, l believe, be uncontro-
verted, that the same abilities which
have led us through difficulties ap-
parently insurmountable to human
power, to victory and glory; those
qualities which have merited and OBJ
tained the universal esteem and ven
Grafton of an army; would be most
likely to conduct and direct us in
the smoother walks of peace. Some
people have so connected the idea of
tyranny and monarchy, as to find it
very difficult to separate them. 1t
may, therefore, be requisite to give
the head of such constitution as l
propose, some title apparently more
moderate; but, if all other things
were once adjusted, l believe strong
argument might be produced for adj
mitting the title OF King, which l
conceive would be attended with
some national advantage. The fol-
lowing was Washington's reply
probably, in view of the conduct of
other distinguished men in the
worlds history, the most to be ad-
mired of all utterances:
Sir: With mixture of great sur
pris and astonishment, I have read
with attention the sentiments you
have submitted to my perusal. Be
assured, sir, no occurrence in the
course of this war has given me more
painful sensations than your infor-
nation of there being such ideas ex-
listing in the army as you have ex-
pressed, and which / must view
with adherence and reprehend with
severity. For the present, the COM
munication of them will rest in my
own bosom, unless some further agi-
tation Of the matter shall make dis
closure necessary. l am much at a
loss to conceive what part of my con-
duct should have given encourage
ment to an address which to me
seems big with the greatest mischiefs
that can befall my country. If I am
not deceived IN the knowledge of my
self, you could not have found per-
son to whom your schemes are
more di agreeable. At the same
time. in justice to my own feelings,
l must add, that no man possesses IL
more serious wish to see ample JUS
tice done to the army, than l do;
and as far as my power 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 conjule
you. then, if you have any regard for
your country, concern for yourself
or posterity, or respect for me, to
Danish these thoughts from your
mind, and never communicate, as
from yourself or any one else, a
sentiment of the like nature.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.