United States Congress (May 18, 1789) the U.S. Senate delivered the following address to President George Washington and Vice-President John Adams:
<We, the Senate of the United States, return you our sincere thanks for your excellent speech delivered to both Houses of Congress....
We are, with you, unavoidably led to acknowledge and adore the Great Arbiter of the universe, by whom empires rise and fall. A review of the many signal instances of divine interposition in favor of this country, claims our most pious gratitude; and permit us, sir, to observe, that, among the great events which have led to the formation and establishment of a Federal Government, we esteem your acceptance of the office of the President as one of the most propitious and important....
We commend you, sir, to the protection of Almighty God, earnestly beseeching him long to preserve a life so valuable and dear to the People of the United States, and that your administration may be prosperous to the nation and glorious to yourself.> 1789US016
On Monday, May 18, 1789, President George Washington replied to the U.S. Senate:
<I thank you for your address, in which the most affectionate sentiments are expressed....
I now feel myself inexpressibly happy in a belief that Heaven, which has done so much for our infant nation, will not withdraw its Providential influence before our political felicity shall have been completed, and in a conviction that the Senate will at times co-operate in every measure which may tend to promote the welfare of this confederated republic.
Thus supported by a firm trust in the Great Arbiter of the universe, aided by the collected wisdom of the Union, and imploring the divine benediction on our joint exertions in the service of our country, I readily engage with you in the arduous but pleasing task of attempting to make a nation happy.> 1789US017
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1789US016. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress. May 18, 1789, in an address delivered from the United States Senate to President George Washington and Vice-President John Adams. William Barclay Allen, ed., George Washington-A Collection (Indianapolis: Liberty Classics, Liberty Fund, Inc., 7440 N. Shadeland, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250, 1988; based almost entirely on materials reproduced from The Writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799/John Clement Fitzpatrick, editor), pp. 463-465. John Clement Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, from the Original Manuscript Sources 1749- 1799, 39 vols. (Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1931-1944).
1789US017. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress. May 18, 1789, Monday, in President George Washington's reply to the United States Senate. William Barclay Allen, ed., George Washington-A Collection (Indianapolis: Liberty Classics, Liberty Fund, Inc., 7440 N. Shadeland, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250, 1988; based almost entirely on materials reproduced from The Writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources, 1745-1799/John Clement Fitzpatrick, editor), p. 465. John Clement Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, from the Original Manuscript Sources 1749-1799, 39 vols. (Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1931-1944).