"
The other States had seceded from the former union--not in a body, but
separately, each for itself--and had formed a new association, leaving
these two States in the attitude of foreign though friendly powers.
There was no claim of any right to control their action, as if they had
been mere geographical or political divisions of one great consolidated
community or "nation." Their accession to the Union was desired, but
their freedom of choice in the matter was never questioned. And then it
is to be noted, on _their_ part, that, like the house of Judah, they
refrained from any attempt to force the seceding sisters to return.
As illustrative of the relations existing during this period between the
United States and Rhode Island, it may not be uninstructive to refer to
a letter sent by the government of the latter to the President and
Congress, and transmitted by the President to the Senate, with the
following note:
"United States, _September 26, 1789_.
"Gentlemen of the Senate: Having yesterday received a letter
written in this month by the Governor of Rhode Island, at the
request and in behalf of the General Assembly of that State,
addressed to the President, the Senate, and the House of
Representatives of the eleven United States of America in
Congress assembled, I take the earliest opportunity of laying a
copy of it before you."
(Signed) "GEORGE WASHINGTON.
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