University of Virginia Library

6958. PRINCIPLES, Avowal of.—

I know my own principles to be pure, and
therefore am not ashamed of them. On the
contrary, I wish them known, and therefore
willingly express them to every one. They
are the same I have acted on from the year
1775 to this day, and are the same, I am
sure, with those of the great body of the American
people. I only wish the real principles
of those who censure mine were also known.—
To Samuel Smith. Washington ed. iv, 254. Ford ed., vii, 277.
(M. 1798)