From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 12 November 1786
To Thomas Johnson
Mount Vernon 12th Novr 1786.
Dr Sir,
On a supposition that you are now at Annapolis, the Petition of the Directors of the Potomac Company, is enclosed to your care. A Duplicate has been forwarded to the Assembly of this State. The fate of it I have not heard, but entertain no doubt of its favorable reception, as there are many auspicious proofs of liberality & justice already exhibited in the proceedings of it this Session.1
I hope the same spirit will mark the proceedings of yours.2 The want of energy in the fœderal government; the pulling of one State, & parts of States against another; and the commotions among the Eastern People, have sunk our national character much below par; & have brought our politics and credit to the brink of a precipice. A step or two more must plunge us into inextricable ruin. Liberality, justice & unanimity in these States, wch do not appear to have drank so deep of the cup of folly, may yet retrieve our affairs; but no time is to be lost in essaying the reparation of them.
I have written to no gentlemen in your Assembly respecting the Potomac business but yourself—the justice of the case & your management of it, will ensure success. With great regard & respect, I am Dr Sir &c.
G: Washington
LB, DLC:GW. 44.
2. The printed letter is misdated 15 Oct. 1784, and while much of the text is identical to the letter-book copy, there are sufficient differences in the remainder of this paragraph to quote the printed version taken from the ALS: “The want of energy in the Federal government—the pulling of one State & party of States against another & the commotion amongst the Eastern people have sunk our national character much below par; and has brought our politics and credit to the brink of a precipice; a step or two further must plunge us into a Sea of Troubles, perhaps anarchy and confusion. I trust that a proper sense of justice & unanimity in those States which have not drunk so deep of the cup of folly may yet retrieve our affairs. But no time is to be lost in essaying them.”