Her Name Is America

Washington's Warning

September 20, 1796

The President's House

Philadelphia, United States

Morning sunlight streamed through my bedroom window. The tree outside my window was flush with green leaves, dancing in the balmy warmth of late summer in Pennsylvania. Its shade cooled the cobblestone path outside as well as the red brick walls of the house.

The weather perfectly matched my mood upon receiving France's letter that morning. He wrote mostly of Versailles and the political happenings in Europe, though he had included a question or two about me in a postscript. I was all too eager to pen my reply.

Dearest France,

My heart swells with happiness at your letter. Please know, dear friend, that I think of you daily and such thoughts sustain me through troubled times. (Though my troubles are small while yours are so great.) I am now and will eternally be grateful for your...

My eyes strayed across my desk as I tried to think of the best wording. My gaze landed on yesterday's copy of The Pennsylvania Gazette, which sported the headline, "The Address of Gen. Washington To the People of America." It was a painful reminder of the President's widely unpopular decision not to seek a third term in office. I leaned forward and reread the address—certain parts stuck out more on paper than they had in his private oration last week.

"History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government."

"Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter."

"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop."

"'Here, let us stop,'" I repeated, quietly.

My eyes fell as these words sank deeply into my mind. Having fought against them in the French and Indian War, Washington felt no brotherly bond with the French as Jefferson, Franklin, and so many others did. He was skeptical at best—he saw them as a fair-weather ally who could just as soon become a formidable foe should it serve their interests. His fear of foreign influence was shared by many Americans the country over.

I swallowed.

My freshly dipped pen hovered over a new piece of paper. Washington's advice echoed in my mind as I started writing. The words came to me with strange ease.

France,

Thank you for your letter. I am pleased to hear that you are beginning to feel like yourself again. Congratulations on making such rapid progress on so many political fronts. Commander Bonaparte sounds like an excellent general.

I would like to provide an update on the topic we discussed in our last meeting. In spite of what the newspapers print in London, the Union of these United States is strong. Congress has passed a law that will provide clarity on our trade policy with the French Republic, including the five-percent tariff on all foreign goods irrespective of origin...