“We are either a united people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all matters of general concern act as a Nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.”

Letter to James Madison, 30 November 1785 https://books.google.com/books?id=64MTAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA25
1780s

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George Washington 186
first President of the United States 1732–1799

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