George Washington

On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered
his first State of the Union address to a joint session
of Congress at City Hall in New York City. GW and his
successor, John Adams, would continue the tradition of
personally appearing to deliver the annual message. However, the practice of an in-person State of the Union
speech was discontinued with Thomas Jefferson and not
renewed until the presidency of Woodrow Wilson.

Below are several relevant passages from GW’s initial annual
address to Congress:

“I embrace with great satisfaction the opportunity which
now presents itself of congratulating you on the present
favorable prospects of our public affairs.”

“Among the many interesting objects which will engage your
attention that of providing for the common defense will
merit particular regard.”

“Various considerations also render it expedient that the terms
on which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of citizens
should be speedily ascertained by a uniform rule of naturalization.”

“Nor am I less persuaded that you will agree with me in
opinion that there is nothing which can better deserve
your patronage than the promotion of science and literature.”

“Uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures of the
United States is an object of great importance, and will,
I am persuaded, be duly attended to.”

“Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public
happiness…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 well worthy of a
place in the deliberations of the Legislature.”

Source: Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Volume 1,
compiled by James D. Richardson.

Posted by: Dr. Samuel B. Hoff, Delaware State University