WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799), President . Circular letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Maj. Gen. William Smallwood (1732-1792) of Maryland, Rocky Hill, New Jersey, 24 October 1783. 2 pages, 4to, text in the hand of aide Benjamin Walker, in a double-sided hinged giltwood frame . "IT IS NECESSARY I SHOULD KNOW IN WHICH OF THE STATES THE SOCIETY IS ESTABLISHED" WASHINGTON -- ABOUT TO EMBROIL HIMSELF IN CONTROVERSY -- PRODS A CONTINENTAL ARMY OFFICER FOR INFORMATION NEEDED TO PLAN THE FIRST SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI CONVENTION. "At the original institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, major General Heath, who then presided, was desired to transmit a copy of the Institution with the proceedings thereon, to the Senior Officer in each of the Southern States, to request them to communicate the same to the officers under their command, and take such measures as might appear necessary for expediting the establishment of the Society in their respective States....At a subsequent meeting of the Society, it was deemed expedient to appoint a President General pro: tem:, and the honor of the choice falling on me, it becomes a part of my duty to name the place for the general meeting in May next, and in order to make it as central as possible, for the general convenience, it is necessary I should know in which of the States the Society is established. I must therefore request, that you would be pleased to inform me, as soon as possible, whether the establishment has taken place in your State and what measures have been taken to effect it." The Society of Cincinnati, formed in May 1783, was "instituted by the Officers of the American Army, at the period of its Dissolution" in order to "commemorate the great Event which gave independence to North America," and to inculcate "the Duty of laying down in Peace arms assumed for public defence." Open to all former officers of the Continental Army and its foreign allies, it was founded with Washington's approval. But when word began to spread of its hereditary membership and the inclusion of foreigners, many began to protest, including Thomas Jefferson who starkly warned Washington to break away from it. The Society smacked of aristocracy and militarism, Jefferson warned, adding "I have not found but one who is not opposed to the institution" (Myers, Liberty Without Anarchy , 56-57). Washington heeded the advice and by the time the Society's convention gathered in Philadelphia in May 1784, he wanted to persuade the members to disband. They opposed this, and thought Washington's own resignation might cause diplomatic offense to France. But the members did agree to the general's insistence on changing the charter. Hereditary rights were rejected, and the governing charter was rewritten to "strike out every word or clause which has a political tendency" (Myers, 59). Published in Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick, 27:207-208.
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799), President . Circular letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Maj. Gen. William Smallwood (1732-1792) of Maryland, Rocky Hill, New Jersey, 24 October 1783. 2 pages, 4to, text in the hand of aide Benjamin Walker, in a double-sided hinged giltwood frame . "IT IS NECESSARY I SHOULD KNOW IN WHICH OF THE STATES THE SOCIETY IS ESTABLISHED" WASHINGTON -- ABOUT TO EMBROIL HIMSELF IN CONTROVERSY -- PRODS A CONTINENTAL ARMY OFFICER FOR INFORMATION NEEDED TO PLAN THE FIRST SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI CONVENTION. "At the original institution of the Society of the Cincinnati, major General Heath, who then presided, was desired to transmit a copy of the Institution with the proceedings thereon, to the Senior Officer in each of the Southern States, to request them to communicate the same to the officers under their command, and take such measures as might appear necessary for expediting the establishment of the Society in their respective States....At a subsequent meeting of the Society, it was deemed expedient to appoint a President General pro: tem:, and the honor of the choice falling on me, it becomes a part of my duty to name the place for the general meeting in May next, and in order to make it as central as possible, for the general convenience, it is necessary I should know in which of the States the Society is established. I must therefore request, that you would be pleased to inform me, as soon as possible, whether the establishment has taken place in your State and what measures have been taken to effect it." The Society of Cincinnati, formed in May 1783, was "instituted by the Officers of the American Army, at the period of its Dissolution" in order to "commemorate the great Event which gave independence to North America," and to inculcate "the Duty of laying down in Peace arms assumed for public defence." Open to all former officers of the Continental Army and its foreign allies, it was founded with Washington's approval. But when word began to spread of its hereditary membership and the inclusion of foreigners, many began to protest, including Thomas Jefferson who starkly warned Washington to break away from it. The Society smacked of aristocracy and militarism, Jefferson warned, adding "I have not found but one who is not opposed to the institution" (Myers, Liberty Without Anarchy , 56-57). Washington heeded the advice and by the time the Society's convention gathered in Philadelphia in May 1784, he wanted to persuade the members to disband. They opposed this, and thought Washington's own resignation might cause diplomatic offense to France. But the members did agree to the general's insistence on changing the charter. Hereditary rights were rejected, and the governing charter was rewritten to "strike out every word or clause which has a political tendency" (Myers, 59). Published in Writings , ed. Fitzpatrick, 27:207-208.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
