Summary

Paine's 1796 Letter to George Washington is at the same time a critique of Washington's particular administration and the evolving American republicanism. Paine begins his public letter by writing that "There was a time when the fame of America, moral and political, stood fair and high in the world" (691). He writes that this time has passed, however, and America has regressed to policies reminiscent of European aristocracies. Paine argues that America of the 1790s has too many monopolies and is too little tied to its Constitution. Although blame lies in many places and with many people, Paine believes that it is most the fault of Washington and his administration. Like European monarchs, Washington is too concerned with his own power and reputation and is therefore unable make policies and govern America in a just and liberal way. By the time of his letter, Paine believes, "The injury Mr. Washington's Administration has done to the character as well as to the commerce of American is too great to be repaired by him" (715). And although Paine believes America can triumph over the mistakes of the man, he writes that "The injury Mr. Washington's Administration has done to the character as well as to the commerce of America is too great to be repaired by him" (715).