1From George Washington to Richard Conway, 31 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Nothing could have contributed more essentially to encrease the satisfaction I experience on my return from a successful War, to the tranquillity of domestic life, than your affectionate Congratulations. To find that neither time nor absence have interrupted or diminished the harmony of our happy neighbourhood, and that the circumstances are most favorable to the growth & prosperity of your...
2Washington’s Account, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Drs. The United States in acct with G: Washington Cr. 1783 Dollars ab/ 1783 Dollars ab/ th th Decr 13 To Balle of Acct given in this day £ 217.
3From George Washington to Robert Adam, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
With a pleasing sensibility I received your favor of the 26th, and beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks for the favorable sentiments with which it abounds. I shall always feel pleasure when it may be in my power to render service to Lodge No. 39, and in every act of brotherly kindness to the Members of it; being with great truth Your affecte Brother and Obedt Servant ViAlL .
4From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
After as prosperous a journey as could be expected at this season of the year, I arrived at my seat the day before Christmas, having previously divested myself of my official character—I am now a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, where I should be happy to see you if your public business would ever permit and where, in the meantime, I shall fondly cherish the remembrance of all...
5From George Washington to United States Congress, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with...
6From George Washington to William Paca, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I shall ever cherish a pleasing remembrance, of the welcome reception I have experienced from your Excellency and the Council, on my return to this City, after the happy and honorable termination of the War. The flattering sentiments you entertain of my exertions in defence of our Country, and the favorable point of light in which you place my Character, too strongly demonstrate your...
7From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have taken frequent opportunities, both in public & private, of acknowledging your great zeal, attention & abilities in performing the duties of your Office; yet I wish to make use of this last moment of my public life, to signifie in the strongest terms my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense of the obligations the public is under to you, for your faithful &...
8From George Washington to J. Foy Chase, 22 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Permit me, Gentlemen, to offer to you my sincere thanks for you r Congratulations on the happy events, of Peace and the Establishment of our Independence. If my Conduct throughout the War has merited the confidence of my fellow Citizens—and has been instrumental in obtaing for my Country the blessings of Peace and Freedom—I owe it to that Supreme being who guides the hearts of all—who has so...
9From George Washington to Daniel Carroll, 22 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself particularly happy in receiving the approbation of the Genl Assembly of Maryland, for those services which my Country had a right to demand, and which it was my duty to render in defence of it. Having happily attained the object for which we had drawn the Sword, I felicitated myself on my approaching return to private life, and I must acknowledge I anticipated an unusual degree...
10From George Washington to Thomas Mifflin, 21 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
In my last dispatch to your Excellency, I had the honor to inform Congress that the American Troops had taken possession of the City of New York, and had delivered it to the Government of the State; and that the British Troops had retired to Staten and Long Islands. I had also the honor to inclose to you Sir Guy Carleton’s last letter, informing me of his intention to take his final departure...