[Note:Chairman of the meeting of the inhabitants of Caroline County, Va. ]

   Mount Vernon, September 23, 1793.

    Sir: The resolutions of the Inhabitants of the County of Caroline, transmittted to me by you, were received with peculiar pleasure; because no Citizen of the U. States can have a more sincere desire, than I have, to see all attempts at subverting or violating the Constitution or Laws of the Land, frustrated; and it gives me much satisfaction, to be assured of the firm support of my fellow Citizens in preserving the peace and safety of our Country.

    The expressions of gratitude and affection, by the Citizens of Caroline, towards the French Nation, for their generous aid and assistance extended to us in a time of need are truly laudable, and must meet the approbation of every grateful mind.

    I beg you, Sir, to assure the Citizens of Caroline, of my fixed attachment to the free principles of our Government, and of the confidence I have in the virtue and good sense of my fellow Citizens, which I trust will always counteract any measures which might tend to weaken their affection to these principles, or to alienate them from the republican Government they have established for themselves, and under which they have hither to enjoyed unequalled prosperity and happiness.

    The marks of respect and affection for my person, manifested in the resolutions, demand and receive my unfeigned acknowledgments and gratitude, which I request you to communicate to the Citizens of Caroline, and to assure them of my unremitted endeavours to advance their welfare as far as my powers and abilities extend.⁴¹

[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers. ]