George Wa****ngton On American National Character

"[T]he first transactions of a nation, like those of an individual upon his

first entrance into life make the deepest impression, and are to form the 
leading traits in its character."

-- George Wa****ngton (letter to John Armstrong, 25 April 1788)

Reference: A Sacred Union of Citizens, Spalding and Garrity (10);
original The Writings of George Wa****ngton from the Original
Manuscript S