From George Washington to James Lloyd, 10 September 1793
To James Lloyd
Philada Septr [10]1 1793.
Sir,
The spirit which breathes throughout the resolutions of the Inhabitants of Kent County in the State of Maryland, lately convened at Chester town, does honor to their character as citizens.2 ’Tis by such a spirit, seconding the endeavours of the Government, that we shall have the fairest prospect of preserving our peace. ’Tis by such a spirit that in any event we shall secure the internal tranquility of our Country—its respectability, and shall be enabled to encounter with firmness any attempt, hostile to its safety, its honor, or its welfare.
The expressions of confidence & attachment towards myself contained in the same resolutions, impress me with sensations analagous to their fervour & earnestness, and to the true esteem & regard which I always feel for the respectable Citizens from whom they come.
Go. Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
This letter was published in the Maryland Herald, and Eastern Shore Intelligencer (Easton), 17 Sept., and other Maryland newspapers.
1. The letter-book copy and newspaper publications give no exact date, but the preceding document in the letter book is dated 9 September. GW left Philadelphia on 10 Sept., which is also the date that the referenced resolutions were printed in a Philadelphia newspaper, so the letter presumably was written on 9 or 10 September.
2. The resolutions of the residents of Kent County, Md., dated 31 Aug., were enclosed with Lloyd’s letter to GW of 2 September.