天下為公

During the American Revolutionary War, Lewis Nicola, a brigadier general in the American army, wrote a letter to the commander in chief, George Washington, on behalf of the army officers. He suggested to Washington that he become the"king of the United States."

From his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, Washington responded at once:"Be assured, Sir, no occurrence in the course of the War has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the Army as you have expressed.... Let me conjure you then, if you have any regard for your Country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your Mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like Nature." And thus, the hero of the war refused to be king.

美國獨立戰爭期間，美軍准將劉易斯．尼古拉代表各軍官致函總司令喬治．華盛頓，提議華盛頓做「美國國王」。

華盛頓當時在紐約的紐堡總部。他馬上回信說：「先生說軍中有大函所述想法，這無疑是戰爭爆發以來，最令我痛心的事……假如先生對國家還有一點敬愛，對自己和後代還有一點關懷，對我還有一點尊重，那麼，切勿再抱這樣的思想，也切勿再表達自己或他人的這種意見。」美國獨立戰爭的英雄，就這樣拒絕了王位。

【附注】舊式英文，名詞常用大寫，即使那名詞不是人名或地名。華盛頓回信中的 Sir、 War、 Army、 Country、 Mind、 Nature等字，今天一般會用小寫。

（古德明）