OFFICERS URGED TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE FROM BOOKS

Remember, that actions, and not the commission, make the Officer. More is expected from him than the title.

Do not forget, that there ought to be a time appropriated, to attain knowledge, as well as to indulge in pleasure.

As we now have no opportunities to improve from example, let us read, for this desirable end.

1755.

MILITARY ACADEMY.

The establishment of an institution of this kind, upon a respectable and extensive basis, has ever been considered by me, as an object of primary importance to this country; and, while I was in the chair of Government, I omitted no proper opportunity of recommending it, in my public speeches and otherwise, to the attention of the legislature.

1799.

The institution of a Military Academy is recommended by cogent reasons. However pacific the general policy of a nation may be, it ought never to bẹ without an adequate stock of military knowledge, for emergencies. The first would impair the energy of its character, and both would hazard its safety, or expose

it to greater evils, when war could be avoided: besides, that war might often not depend upon its own choice.

In proportion as the observance of pacific measures might exempt a nation from the necessity of practising the rules of the military art, ought to be its care in preserving, and transmitting, by proper establishments, the knowledge of that art.

1796.

Whatever argument may be drawn from particular examples, superficially viewed, a thorough examination of the subject will evince, that the art of war is at once comprehensive and complicated, that it demands much previous study, and that the possession of it, in its most improved and perfect state, is always of great moment to the security of a nation.

This, therefore, ought to be a serious care of every government; and, for this purpose, an Academy, where a regular course of instruction is given, is an obvious expedient, which different nations have successfully employed.

1796.

THE ARTS AND SCIENCES, OF NATIONAL INTEREST.

The Arts and Sciences essential to the prosperity of the State, and to the ornament and happiness of

human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and of mankind.

1780.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

I shall, with zeal, embrace every opportunity of seconding their laudable views, and manifesting the exalted sense I have of the institution.

1781.

INFLUENCE OF LEARNING.

I am not a little flattered, by being considered, by the patrons of literature, as one of their number. Fully apprised of the influence which sound learning has on religion and manners, on government, liberty, and laws, I shall only lament my want of abilities to make it still more extensive.

1789.

IMPORTANCE OF LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND THE ARTS.

There is nothing which can better deserve your* patronage, than the promotion of Science and Litera

ture.

1790.

Nothing can give me more pleasure, than to patronize the essays of genius, and a laudable cultivation

* Congress.

of the arts and sciences, which had began to flourish in so eminent a degree, before the hand of oppression was stretched over our devoted country.

I shall esteem myself happy, if a poem which has employed the labor of years, will derive any advantage, or bear more weight in the world, by making its appearance under a dedication to me.

1778.

COMPREHENSIVE VIEWS OF COLLEGE EDUCATION.

I rely fully in your† strenuous endeavors for placing the system on such a basis, as will render it most beneficial to the State, and the republic of letters, as well as to the more extensive interests of humanity and religion.

KNOWLEDGE AMONG THE PEOPLE.

Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness. In one, in which the measures of government receive their impressions so immediately from the sense of the community as in ours, it is proportionably essential.

To the security of a free constitution it contributes,

* The Rev. Dr. Dwight's "Conquest of Canaan," dedicated to Washington, by permission.

He had accepted the Chancellorship of William and Mary Col lege, and addressed these words to the Trustees of the institution.

in various ways: by convincing those who are intrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of government is best answered, by the enlightened confidence of the people; and by teaching the people themselves, to know and to value their own rights, to discern and provide against the invasions of them, to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority, between burdens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience, and those resulting from the inevitable exigences of society, to discriminate the spirit of liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy and temperate vigilance against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the laws.

Whether this desirable object will be best promoted, by affording aids to Seminaries of Learning already established, by the institution of a National University, or by any other expedients, will be worthy of a place in the deliberations of the legislature.

1790.

PERIODICAL LITERATURE.

I entertain a high idea of the utility of periodical publications, insomuch that I could heartily desire copies of the Museum,* and magazines, as well as com

* The "American Museum," published by Matthew Carey, at Philadelphia, to disseminate political, agricultural, philosophical, and other valuable information, and to reposit public documents.