While it lacks the punch of the excerpted quote, the full text of George Washington’s charge to the Northern Expeditionary Force on September 14, 1775 was as follows:
Camp at Cambridge, September 14, 1775.
Sir: You are intrusted with a Command of the utmost Consequence sequence to the Interest and Liberties of America. Upon your Conduct and Courage and that of the Officers and Soldiers detached on this Expedition, not only the Success of the present Enterprize, and your own Honour, but the Safety and Welfare of the Whole Continent may depend. I charge you, therefore, and the Officers and Soldiers, under your Command, as you value your own Safety and Honour and the Favour and Esteem of your Country, that you consider yourselves, as marching, not through an Enemy’s Country; but that of our Friends and Brethren, for such the Inhabitants of Canada, and the Indian Nations have approved themselves in this unhappy Contest between Great Britain and America. That you check by every Motive of Duty and Fear of Punishment, every Attempt to plunder or insult any of the Inhabitants of Canada. Should any American Soldier be so base and infamous as to injure any Canadian or Indian, in his Person or Property, I do most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exemplary Punishment as the Enormity of the Crime may require. Should it extend to Death itself it will not be disproportional to its Guilt at such a Time and in such a Cause: But I hope and trust, that the brave Men who have voluntarily engaged in this Expedition, will be governed by far different Views. that Order, Discipline and Regularity of Behaviour will be as conspicuous, as their Courage and Valour. I also give it in Charge to you to avoid all Disrespect to or Contempt of the Religion of the Country and its Ceremonies. Prudence, Policy, and a true Christian Spirit, will lead us to look with Compassion upon their Errors without insulting them. While we are contending for our own Liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the Rights of Conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the Judge of the Hearts of Men, and to him only in this Case, they are answerable. Upon the whole, Sir, I beg you to inculcate upon the Officers and Soldiers, the Necessity of preserving the strictest Order during their March through Canada; to represent to them the Shame, Disgrace and Ruin to themselves and Country, if they should by their Conduct, turn the Hearts of our Brethren in Canada against us. And on the other Hand, the Honours and Rewards which await them, if by their Prudence and good Behaviour, they conciliate the Affections of the Canadians and Indians, to the great Interests of America, and convert those favorable Dispositions they have shewn into a lasting Union and Affection. Thus wishing you and the Officers and Soldiers under your Command, all Honour, Safety and Success, I remain Sir, etc.
I’ve been looking for the full text and found it a few hours ago in a 2007 post at the Daily Kos and it appears on several other sites, all secondary sources, unfortunately. As the Kos writer pointed out in an interesting analysis, Washington’s spirit and intent is clear. He’d have abhorred what the CIA and our leaders did in our name. As do I.
I also found another apropos Washington quote. When asked how British prisoners should be treated, he said: “Treat them with humanity, and let them have no reason to Complain of our Copying the brutal example of the British Army in their treatment of our unfortunate brethren.”
Apparently Washington’s wisdom and compassion were too old-fashioned for the Bush administration.
Well at least George Washington could spell properly 🙄 😛 😀
Can’t say much for his paragraphing, however.
A different George Dubya altogether PT
Like night and day.
Kinda makes you appreciate Oath Keepers a little more.
I had to go read a bit on what Oath Keepers believe. I don’t agree with all of it but am not going to open that can of worms.
George Washington? Who’s that? I thought Ronald Reagan founded this government…
Heh. Yes, one certainly gets that impression sometimes.
Reagan?The most over-rated useless President of the United States of America and to think he’s been glorified. kind of makes you worry about the mentality of those who worsipped him. He should have stuck to being a “B” grade movie :star: instead of becomng a third rate POTUS,
A lot of people on Facebook were making comments about Palpatine’s, er Cheney’s rancid comments about torture, saying he needed a rectal feeding. My response was, “With all the b.s. that comes out of his mouth, how would you know which end to use?”
Jon Stewart summed it up pretty well the other night after showing some of Cheney’s responses on Sunday’s Meet the Press. He said he finally realized he was grateful to W. for one thing — for not dying while he was in office. Just the thought of a Pres. Cheney is going to give me nightmares tonight.
I hope you don’t mind a comment from a Brit. Your forefathers founded great principles and a profound Constitution that is the envy of the world. The problem is getting people to live up to such ideals, wherever they come from. We shall endeavor to persevere. 🙂
I don’t mind at all. Welcome!
Most of us appreciate what we have here and try to live up to the ideals in our Constitution. Maybe that’s why it’s so sickening to find that some of our own have deliberately violated those ideals. Not only America’s ideals but the ideals of the entire free world. That they did it our name only makes it worse. I am ashamed. But I shall persevere.
Were not all happy with the behaviour of our government over here. No need for shame, we are all victims. 🙂
Thanks for that. 🙂