M^ il9^* ?Mi»^ 'i r^^ ^^^ ^"-^S^.. 5 ^- /•>!)»• >' If DISCOURSE, ON THE DIGNITY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE HUMAN CHARACTER; ILLUSTRATED IN THE LIFE OF . (general ([George lEaftinston, LATE COMMANDER OF THE ARMIES, AND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. IN Commemoratton of THE AFFLICTIVE EVENT OF HIS DEATH. DELIVERED FEBRUARY 22, 1 80O, IN THE BENEVOLENT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN PROVIDENCE; And Publiftied by Requeft of that Society. BY ENOS HITCHCOCK, d. d. MEMBER OF THE SOCIETr OF THE CINCINNATI. —————11 " Know ye not that there is a Prince and a great Man fallen this day in Ifrael ?'* Dav id. ** Mofes died ; and the children of Ifrael wept for Mofcs thirty days." Deuteronomy. PROVIDENCE : Printed by JOHNCARTER, JUN, 1800. ^ ^' A DISCOURSE, &c, 2d Samuel, i. 19 and 27. Tub BiAUTy OF Israel is slain uron thy high places: HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN ! How ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN, AND THE WEAPONS OF V/ AK rSRISHED ! ± HE natal day of the Father op his Country has once more occurred; but it no longer brings with it the wonted joy and feftivi- ty of the feafon. The harps are hung upon the weeping willows; the cheerful fong converted into a folemn dirge. Death, by a fudden and awful ftroke, has deprived our nation of its beau- ty and glory, and the world of its greateft or- nament. Prompted by our own feelings, and a conviftion of duty, + we delayed not to lament the eventful crifis of human frailty, by fuitable tokens and expreflions of fenfibility and forrow. Our temples were Ihrouded in black, and our pulpits were vocal in his praife. Our nation ^his day afTembles, in obedience to the procla- t See note (A) in the Appendix. mation of his corn-patriot, our illuftrious Prefi- dent, to pay, in unifon. the laft public office of mournful refpe6l to the memory of the mail fhe delighted to honour. In Ifrael thirty days of inceffant mourning were folemnly pafTcd oh the death of Mofes, their lawgiver and leader; and we are told, that in Rome, badges of mourn- ing were worn J a whole year after the death of fome of their favourite chieftains. The event we have this day affembled to deplore is not merely a death — it is the departure of a Wash- ington ! The tear of afFeQion and gratitude fpontaneoufly flows. The involuntary figh heaves the patriot breaft, and pours the full tide of grief at the urn of its father and friend : and in fuch grief there is a luxury unknown to fordid minds. Patriotism mourns the lofs of her firft-born fon. Our country laments the lofs of fo much amiablenefs of difpofition and chara61er — of fo much mi^ht and valour, which gave ftrength and (lability to the ftatc. But let us not lofe in unavailing forrow the rational and moral im- provement to be derived from fo aflli^live a dif- penfaiion of Divine Providence. To this end I have placed David at the head of this difcourfc, bewailing the fall of Saul and Jonathan. ^ i>ee f.tfe (B) in ibi At>f>titil\. 7 It will not be neceffary to enquire into the conne6led narrative of tranfaclions which pro- duced the event he fo deeply laments, and in fuch pathetic language calls on the people to memorize. '* The beauty of Ifrael is flain ; how are the mighty fallen !'* and dwelling on the amiablenefs of the one, and the valour of the other, he exclaims again and again, " How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war periflied !*' The terms, " beauty'* and " mighty," may be confidcred as exprefling the native good- nefs of difpofition, and the amiable virtues of the life ; great natural energy of mind ; a genius ready at acquiring knowledge, and at difcerning the fitteft application of it; a fpirit bold, a6live and enterprizing; a mind capable of great and benevolent conceptions ; a charaQer formed by noble exertions and heroic deeds. To lament fallen greatnefs is but a natural expreflion of fympathy at beholding the fplendid ruins of hu- man nature in her mofl ennobled fons ; it is a di6iate of philanthropy, confidering the impor- tance of fuch characters to the happinefs of fociety. A FEW thoughts on the true dignity and ex- cellence of charadcr will lead us to a juft efti- mation of its great worth and importance, and to an improved view of the prefcnt occafion. 8 The power and influence which charaQers^ formed on the bafis of real worth and excel- lence, give the pofleffors over the community ; the virtue and order which their example flieds through fociety ; the defence and protedion which their exertions afford the ftate, render them pre-eminent bleflings to the world, and make them the jufl: objeQs of efteem and vene- ration while living, and of fincere regret, but of grateful memory, when the Supreme Ruler of the world fees fit to take them out of it. On the theatre of this world there is a field opened wide and extenfive for the exercife of genius, and the exertion of all the powers of man, either in the cabinet of national councils, or in the field of national defence ; in the advancement of fci- cncc and the arts, or in the improvements of civilized and fecular life ; befides the difcharge of the more private offices of friendfhip, and of domcftic obligation. As to the public and extenfive fervices ta which men, formed by nature to high elevation of charaQer, are called for the good of their country, we know, and the world knows, their great importance and ufefulnefs. Government, in the prefcnt flate of things, is neccffary to the exiflence of fociety ; and military flcill and prow- cfs, with " weapons of war,** are requifitc far 9 the eftablifliment of civil rights, and defence of civil order. How happy that country, whofe deftinics, requiring the wifdom of patriotic poli- cy, and the energy of the intrepid warrior, gives birth to the paragon in whoni both completely center! Highly as the circling fpheres blefs the natural world, by the regular operation of their eftablifhed laws, does the union of thefe qualities refleft their bleflings on the political fyftem. It conftitutes *• the beauty" of pur country, on ac- count of native excellence ; and '^ the mighty,*' on account of pre-eminence of character among the great. Civil inftitutions run parallel to the formation of fociety. Neither a fenfe of religion, nor a perception of moral obligation, has been found fufficiently powerful in any age, to preferve un difturbed peace at home; much lefs to check the encroaching fpirit of ambition or avarice from abroad. Hence arifes the neceffity of re- ftraints from civil law, to curb the licentious and unprincipled; and of military force for defence. Hence alfo the neceffity of great political and military talents, adapted to meet the exigencies of the times. Nor has Divine Providence been unmindful of this. But in every age it has raifed up thofe whofe abilities enabled them to be emi- nently ufcful in tjieir day. Mod opprefTed na- B lO tions have been favoured with fome patriotic de-^ liverer. In Ifrael a Mofes was laifcd u\. to de- liver, and a Jofliua to lead the people ; in Rome a Camillus; in Greece a Leonidas ; in Sweden a Guftavus ; and in England a Hampden, a RHTiel, a Sydney. Thefe were fuccefsful in prclerving and defending the (late. But vho of them, like a Washington, formed and eftablifhed an empire? The dignity of the human charaQer does not confift merely in the pofTefTion or exertion of great talents. It 'is not the adventitious circumftance of ci- vil diftinBion, military honours, or opulent conditions, that gives a title to it. There are in- ftances, not a few, of commanding genius, of vaft mental refource, and of great and brilliant deeds, all ftained with the mod peftiferous crimes : a heart black as midnight darknefs, with a head luminous as the midday fun. Deeds that would do honour to the greateft. and aftions that would difgrace the meanelt of men, fometimes conflitutc the mixed fhades of the fame chara8er. Can fuch an unhallowed mixture conftvtute dignity or ex- cellence of charafter ? Surely riot. We may ad- mire the hero, but we defpifc th<; man. True worth and greatnefs of chara6ler is formed by the union of the hg.id and heart a6l- 11 ingin concert; in upright principles, direQing the judgment and controuling the ftrong arm of poAvcr ; in the fear of God, ever guiding to a due regard to man. Atluated by thefe principles, the charader will not be ftained by the afpirings of unhallowed ambition; but will gather beauty and luftre from opportunities for great and bene- volent adions; and the more the motives of ac- tion are examined, the more clofely the charafter is fcanned, the fairer will they appear. The providence of God calls fome men to a6t in high ftations, and the circumftances ©f the public require ail their energies, either to form or adminifter government, or defend the ftatc, Thefe are like a city placed on a hill. The light of their example, or the blacknefs of their charac- ter, becomes confpicuous in proportion to their elevation; and every private ftation becomes a poft of honour, when honourably filled. The ef- feds of example are great in a private flation— more fo in the domeRic ftate. How important then the duty, and how great the bleffings reflea- ed on fociety, by the good and virtuous example of thofe who are rendered eminent by high fta- tions, and the atchievement of glorious deeds? Such fervices are peculiarly graced, and derive fupreme worth from that excellence of charaQer which perfumes the moft amiable, and adds luftre to the moft illuftrious. Not fo much could the 12 dew of Vcr7ien's fertile mount, defcending on "the elevated lawn,*'{ enrich the plains below; not fo much could the clear fhining after rain refrefh the tender grafs, as this moral excellence of character blefs the land, by extending it$ inflq- ciice from north to fouth. Wfi are here reminded of a circunidance that damps the ufual joys of this day. "The beauty of Ifrael is flain; how are the mighty fallen!" No chara61er fo good, no man fo great, but he mufl fall by the hand of death. Proftrate in the duft all human glory muft be laid. Defcended from the fame original llock, all mankind are defined to the fame end. The fentcnce of — '* Vujl to dujl " — is univerfal upon our. race. In this warfare there is no difcharge ; in the grave no dillinBion. In the rcpofitory of tlie dead we behold a mixed multitude, of all ages, conditions iind charaBers ; the aged and the young, the rich and the poor, the hero and the coward, the public magiflratc and the private citi- zen, the pious chriftian and the impious ofTcnder, who have promifcuoufly fallen before all-conquer- ing death. Such are the ravages death is con^ ftantly making upon our race ! , ^ Ste jyjtt (C) in ibc ^pf>€^ntous duties \vbichTuch a truft devolved up- on him. Obedient to his country's call, he eviii- ced the motives of his acceptance to be neither mercenary nor vain, by declining any compenfa- tion for perfonal fervices. Bidding adieu to his compatriots in the great council of the nation, he betakes himfelf to the field, \vhere his abilities are more needed. The refpeftful gratulations of all claffes* of people, as he paflfed the country; thejoy and exultation of the army on his arrival at Cambridge, in July, are •evincive of the inftinftive confidence which his name infpired. How well qualified he was to take the command of an undifciplined, unpro- vided army, to reduce them to order, and to withftand as large and well appointed an army as perhaps was ever fent out of Europe, command- ed by able and experienced officers, the event has proved. His unimpeached condu6l during an eight years war, attended with the moft trying circumftances, is an eulogium that can receive no addition, unlefs it be from the uniform and in- vincible attachment of the officers and foldicrs of his army to his pcrfon during that period. • See note [H) in the Apptndlx. Though not verfed in the art military, like bis foes, yet they vere foon taught to refpe^t his judgment and fear his power; and what was wanting in force, was fupplied by policy. His unwearied induftry, his uncommon method and cxa6lnefs, which gained him the refpeft and con- fidence of his own army, rendered him formida- ble to that of his enemies. His filent, but eafy manner of doing bufinefs ; his referve, void of all haughty fupercilioufnefs ) his quick difcern- ment of every charaftcr, and of every fubjcft that was prefented to him ; his firm and undevia- ting purpofe, executed with moderation ant* humanity, qualified him in the bed manner fo- the cqmmand of a republican army, How ofter the abqve qqalitips were ufefully difplayed du- ring the ftruggle for freedom, and how much the country is indebted for them, is beft knowr to thofe veterans to whom he often expreffed hi^ thanks for their eflential fervices, becaufe they had tjic nioft opportunity of obferving them. Besides the great and heroic a6lions that came to public view, thofe worthy fons whc followed their leader will recollect many of the innumerable virtues of the heart which tranfpi- red in the more private tranfaBions. They will tcflify to the kind, humane and aflfeBionate con- du^ l^e always obfcrved towards the army; Mi how careful to cherifli life, where an impofing policy did not abfolutely require the contrary. They will neverforget the deep impreffion which thefe qualities made on them; while the irrfjijli^ hie majefly of his prefence* quelled the riotous, and reduced the refraaory to order. His coun- try's caufe is now all his own. Never for a mo- ment did he flinch from danger, or attempt to (hield himfelf from being a confpicuous mark for his foes, though expofed to the ten thoufand invifible meffengers of death, from the favage am- bufli which routed one Britifh army on the Mo- nongahela, to the capture of another at York- town. Amidft all thefe, and from the afTaffin's dagger,t Divine Providence remarkably preferv- ed him, till its high purpofes were accomplifhed in him. On his arrival at Cambridge, he found that the zeal of the country, and not its ftrength in arms or amunition, held the city befieged. He applies immediately to organizing the army, and providing military ftores. Heaven fmiles.J He fucceeds in both. An anxious public ex- pea an affault upon Bofton, and grow impatient for the time. But to conquer by delay, and ex- pel by circumfcribing his enemies, is a more hu- mane, and a fafer policy. They leave their poll the enfuing March, to feek fomc more favoura- ble fpot forofFenfive operations. New-York is Jeleaed for the purpofe. Here again they meet * See note (I) in the Appendix + See note (K) in the Appendix. \ See note (L) in the Appendix, 2% a Wa5hingtom with his army. The place is not tenable. A fcene now opens that brings to the fevereft ted all the feelings of the man, and all the refoiirces of the general. Succefs is ge- nerally accounted wifdom, and the fplendor of chara8er is fought in the fuccefsful cnterprizes of the warrior. But perhaps we fliould find the moll fplendid rays of General Washixgto n*s glory beaming from beneath the dark and dread- ful clouds of defeat, misfortune and diftrefs ; at- tended by the (battered remains of a retreating army, and unfupported by an inefficient govern- ment. We know not which moft to admire, his caution or his intrepidity, his moderation or his firn-mefs, his penetration in judgment or his promptnefs in decifion, his patience in fuifcr- ing or his uncxtinguifhable zeal and perfcver- ancc in the caufe of freedom, through years of deep anxiety, and of unparelleled trials and difappointmcnts. The fubjc6l is now too complex to be ana- lyzed into particulars in a fingle difcourfe. Thofc of you who \vere then on the flage, re- member the deep fhades that ovcrfprcad the country; and thofe of you who accompanied him in his hair-breadth cfcapcs from Long-Ifland, York-Ifland and its environs, with the lofs of Fort-Wafhington and its garrifon, Fort-Lee and 23- its dependencies ; in his retreat through the Jer- fies, purfued like a hunted hare by a large and viftorious army, while his own was conftantly leflening by lofles in a6lion, by ficknefs, and ex- piration of cnliftments, and the country too far deprefled to fupport him. — Thofe can befl con- ceive the true dignity of his invincible foul. We are now to view him on the weflern margin of the Delaware, looking back with indignant eye to his purfuers, at reft in Trenton. The inhabitants of the country defponding, fay, ^' all is now loft/* But his heroic fpirit never defpairs. Opprefl'cd ^ith the weight of a finking empire, the attic fire of his breaft enkindles afrefh. He collefts his little hardy band, deftitute of every comfort ; the fame fire flics through the ranks. They re- folve to follow their leader to viftory or to death. In vain does the rolling torrent hurry on the mafty fheets of ice upon its turbulent bo- fom ; in vain the fleety tempeft from the frozen north, adding new horrors to the darknefs of De- cember's night, oppofe the well concerted plan. Ere the morning fun had enlightened our hori- zon, twelve hundred aftoniflicd Heftians yielded to his conquering arms. The main body of the enemy at Princeton, leaving about five hundred, move on with hafty march to retrieve the loft. The Delaware in his rear, a powerful army fraught with vindiaivc rage in front, imnofcd a 24 woeful dilemma. But he who could infpire tlie daring hardihood to refifl: the force of oppofing elements, knew how to evade their grafp, and ex- tricate his faithful adherents from the fatal ftroke. The fucceeding night, leaving deceptive fires to lull the enemy, a circuitous rout of feventeen miles prefented them in their rear at Princeton. A Mercer nobly dies in the conteft. A Wash- ington placed himfelf on middle ground be- tween the conflifting bodies, a mark for both. His example infpired a general ardour. They ru(h on, and another victory enfues. An inftant policy covers the handful of invincibles, who had performed fuch wonders, on the heights of Morriftown, marking their way thither with blood, for lack of flioes : and an army of eight thoufandmen are cooped up in New-Brunfw ick during the winter, by the (keleton of his own. • Again, committing themfelvcs to the bofont of the fwelling ocean, they attempt to elude the penetration of our Argus with his hundred eyes ; but in vain. Soon docs he meet them at the Mead of Elk. Nor does the unfortunate and to- tal rout of his army on the Brandy wine, the vexa- tious difappointment at Germantown, the lofs of Redbank and Mud-Ifland, after a moft gallant de- fence ; the didrefTing failure of fupplies of men^ provilions and cloaihing.nor the fadion railing its ^5 ferpcnt head in Congrefs to difplace him, nor the imbecility of their relblutions, fliake the firm purpofe of his energetic foul. With an army ex- haufted by fatigue, reduced by repeated adions, epidemic difeafe, and more dreadful fufferings, he huts them, in the month of December, in a foreft at Valley-Forge, about twenty miles from Philadelphia, whither the whole Britifh army had retired for more comfortable winter quarters. The diftreffes of the army at this cantonment* had well nigh funk his manly, his compafTiooate foul. We call a mantle over this diftreffing fcene, as too painful for refleftion. Sir Henry Clinton left Philadelphia on the June following; our hero purfued by a circuitous march of near one hundred and fifty miles, and overtook him on the burning plains of Monmouth. A fevere battle enfued, and his vi6lorious arms obliged him to fly and feek (belter in New-York. Such was the perilous ftate of the army, fo defici- ent in numbers and fupplics, and Congrefs per- ceiving that their refolutions did not contain en- ergy fufficientto draw them forth from the coun- try, that they entrufted their faithful General with the power of doing it himfelf. " Maturely con- (idering the crifis, and having perfc8: reliance in his wifdom, vigour and uprightnefs," they inveft- cd him with powers bordering on Diclatorfhipj * See note (M) In the Apfend'ix. D 26 on the 27th of December, 1776; and fimilar refo- lutions were paded the two following years. This high betruftment of power was never abuf- ed; but was ever ufed for the bed purpofes for \vhichit was given. Such was the confidence of his country in him ! Such his integrity in the ufe of it ! During the above gloomy period, when the boldeft heart needed fupport from fome quarter, it was opprefTed by the reiterated defeats in Ca- nada, with the lofs of Generals Montgomery and Thomas ; the deftruBion of a fleet on Lake Champlain ; the pofTeflion of Rhode-Ifland by the enemy ; the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and the -wanton devaftations of Vaughan, on the North- River. PrcfTed by the fortuitous concufTion of events on every fide, he fends General Gates to retrieve the northern department. He fuc- ceeds, and Burgoyne with his army furrenders. He projefts, with indefatig-ible attention, an at- tack on Stoney-Point, which, with Verplank's- Point, had yielded to the enemy : the deep laid plan fuccecds, and the garrifon laid down their arms. General Lincoln is Tent toprote61 Charlcf- ton, but furrenders to a beficging army vaft- ly fuperior to his own. He fends General Greene to retrieve the difaflcr at Cambdcn. who performs wonders in the South ; and at length goes himfclf for Virginia, leaving the remainder of his armv at White-Plains, with fo much ad- 27 drefs as to cover his intentions from the enemy. The capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army clofed the military operations, and peace enfued,. The time for difbanding the army arrived— and now arrived the mighty trial of patriotic vir- tue. Talk not of a Casfar ! He was brave, but would have enflaved his country. Say not that an Alexander conquered from Macedonia to Egypt ! He never conquered himfelf. He delug- ed countries in blood, but faved none; and wept becaufe his ambition was not yet fatiated with conqueft. — It is left for a Washington to give the nobleft example of virtue, of religionjt of greatnefs. He conquered for his country. He triumphed in their afFeftions, and at their feet he laid his hard-earned laurels. Like the illuftri- ous Roman, Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus, he " laid down, in peace, arms affumed for public *' defence." Nor were the energies of his talents lefs fit- ted to our fituation in peace, than to our exi- gencies in war: and this fingular adaptation of talents to circumftances, proved an eminent bleffing to the United States. The Hero and Deliverer of his country, hav- ing reftored to it that tranquility which he fo much loved himfelf, returns to enjoy it with a t See note (N) in the Appendix. 28 greater rclifh on his own domain. He is every where received with a tribute of applaufe ; eve- ry heart beats high with admiration, and every tongue is vocal in his praifc. The peaceful fliades of domeftic life were now doubly wel- come to him. In the cultivation of the earth, and various ufeful improvements, he made rap- id progrefs. Happy would he have been, if the calls of the public had fullered the remainder of his days to glide away in this repofe. But when the prefTure of common danger was at an end, the weaknefs of the federal government was more fully perceived. The rare phaenome- non of a political revolution is now to be ac- complifhed by deliberative affembly. The con- vention of the States for framing a new confti- tution of government, place their late Com- mander in Chief in the chair of (late. His known and tried patriotifm, and his eminent fervices to his country, gave weight to his opinion in their deliberations, and contributed in no fmall de- gree to the formation and adoption of the ad- mirable fyftem of federal government we now enjoy, and greatly promoted the tranquility and the energy of its operation. Twice called by the unanimous voice of his country to adminillcr the government he had been fo cffcntial an agent in cftablifliing, he fuf- jaincd the high ftation of Prrfidcnt of the United States^ with unbounded applaufe, during eight years. The confcioufnefs of his own integrity, like a brazen helmet, warded off the Ihafts of envy ; and he remained ftedfaft in purfuit of an enlightened and pacific policy,* amidft the furgcs of difcontented faftion and foreign influence, like a huge rock in the ocean, unmoved by the dafhing of its raging billows. Having ferved the public forty-five years, and nature claiming repofe, he exprelTes his earneft wifh to retire from public life, in an addrefs, which ought to form the political creed of every fon and daughter of the land. Americans ! how venerable this Le- giflator, Leader and Commander appears, in this valediQory addrefs, can be perceived only by reading it again and again. But his repefe is not long to remain undifturb- ed. The will of his country is his own will; her exigencies impofe an obligation upon him, which he cannot refill. He obeys her call, un- der the threatening profpeBs of war from abroad, and greatly accepts the appointment of Lieuten- ant-General of the forces to be raifed for fuch emergencies. Happily, no fuch event has arriv- ed. But the morning lowrs, and rapidly brings on the important period that is to terminate his glorious career — Ah me ! Washington is no more ! On the 14th of December laft, he met * See note (0) in tht Affendlx, 30 death with the fame fortitude that had marked his life, in the fixty-eighth year of his age. MY RESPECTED FRIENDS OF THE CINCINNATI, To tbefe imperfeft lineaments of the charafter of the illuftrious man who led you to viQory, to glory and freedom, your knowledge can add many more. Often have you braved the dan- gers of the field, and the hard (hips of the camp, in obedience to his command. Your obedience was always cheerful, becaufe impofed by duty and aflfe^ion. Your dangers and fufFerings were always ameliorated by the example of your Gen- eral voluntarily fharing them with you. You, Gentlemen, have a double fharc in the common tffliQion occafioncd by his death. He was your beloved Co7nmander in Chief. He was your vene^ rated Prefi dent -General The befl evidence of your profound refpe6l for his memory, and your beft improvement of this mournful occafion, will be to prcferve in your minds his amiable and ex- cellent virtues as a model for condu£i in peace, as you did his example of fortitude in war. May your life, like his, be virtuous ; and may its end, like liiSjbe triumphant and happy. MY LITTLE CHIU)REN, AND YOUNG FRIENDS, Thoug}! you may never liavc feen the perfon of our beloved Washington, yet you have often heard his name, and of the good he has iL done ; and you arc now enjoying the fruit of his labours, in the opportunity you enjoy for in- flruftion.* He was once young, as you now arc ; and when young he was diligent in learning, and amiable in conduft; and when old he reap- ed the fruits of fober youth. He was beloved by all; he was virtuous; he was happy. We ven- erate his memory now he is gone, becaufe he was as good as he was great. Let his name be ever dear to you, and never fpeak, never think of him but with gratitude, refpe6l and afFeftion. MY FRIENDS AND AFFLICTED FELLGW-CITIZENS, This day has brought with it frefh teftimonies of our lofs— a nation in tears ! It opens new fources of grief, by prcfenting the millions of his fons affembled around the hearfc, to take the laft look of their parent, to pay one more tribute of refpeQ, to drop another tear of gratitude and af- fedion for their departed Washington. While we deplore an event thathas deprived our country of its grcateft ornament, and of its beft " weapon of war," let us offer up our molt unfeigned thanks to the Supreme Difpofer of all events, for the continuance of fo diftinguifhed a bleffing to us for fo long a time; and that he would be pleafed to afford divine confolation and fupport to his mourning relift. While we rc- * See n$te (P) in ti/e AtperJix. il count his virtues, let us profit by them ; and as we fee the higheft and the lowcft, the wifcft and the weakeft of our race, falling with equal fa- cility before the fell ravagcr of mankind, let ug pafs our time ufefuUy and profitably, that we may leave the favour of a good example behind, and that the morn of eternal day may beam un- clouded upon us. APPENDIX. fAj Page 5. " We delayed not to lament the eventful crlfis.'* ON the 23d of December, the affli£ting news of General W a s h i n c t o n 's death reached this town. The author of the foregoing difcourle would have deemed himlelf deficient in duty and in patriotifm, in omitting the car- lieft opportunity to pay his fmall tribute of refpcdl to the memory of fo much worth ; which he attempted, in an appropriate difcourfe, on the following fab- bath ; i. copy of which was rec^ucRed for the prefs ; but the publication was omitted on account of the appointment of the ili of February for commem- orating that event through the United States. The pulpit, the communion- table and the orcheftre, Ihrouded with black ; the cyprefs bows and feltoons over the chancel and the Venetian window, and around the columns and the urns, and the emblematical mourning piece in front of the defk, fhcwed the prompt feelings of the congregation on the occalion. fBJ Pagt 6. " In Rome, badges of mourning." It is related, that on the death of C r nci n'Natus, the ladies of Rome ■wore the cyprefs twelve months ; and alfo for Brutus the younger. fCj Page 12, " The elevated lawn." At the bottom of the elevated lawn, on the banks of the Potomack, is placed the family vault, where the mortal remains of our great Washing- ton were depofited. fDJ Page I 5. " He never lofl: the refpe£l of the fon." Hearing of the dangerous illnefs of his mother, in the fpring of eighty-fevcrt, he immediately tepaired to her, and left her not till fhe expired. His allidu- ous and reJpedful attentions, which were the refult of fentiment and habit, were fpoken of much to his honour. He came from her interment to Phila- delphia, to the convention for forming the prefent conftitution, where the Author faw the lines of forrow that deeply marked his countenance. f^J Page 16, ** The able negociator." About the age of 21, he was fent by the governor of Virginia to treat witJi the Six Nations and other weftern Indians, at the diftance 0/400 miles, in the dead of winter, through a pathlefs wildernefs, inhabited only by favagcs ; and to remonftrate to the French commander on the Ohio againft their encroach- ments. This enterprize he performed on foot, with his provifion on his back. For the judicious and able management of th'S bufincfs, he received the approba- tion and thanks of his employers ; and two years afterwards, he performed that great military exploit of reicuing the fhattered remains of General Brad- dock's army from the horrid jaws of a favage ambulc;idc, of the danger of which he had notified that unfortunate General. Though a very confpicuoui mark for the favage markfmcn, he orily received a ball through his coat. (^Fj Page :6. "Strong proofs of his piety." Though his inviting the Rev. Mr. Davis to perform rdlgitiuj ftrvice, and deliver a difaourfc to the body of men he had the command of as major, at 11 the age of aboutsz, on a very importiot etpedition, was no ccrUin evidence of piety in itfelfk yet all his other coodu^, both in the public and private walka of life, corrcfponding thereto, affords a ftrong proof of it ; and that gentleman, who permitted the above difcourfe to be publilhed, has the following remarkable potr, dirtated, no doubt, by the remarkable military talents he had already dif- covercd :---" This young nun," meaning Major Waihinctok, " will one day be the fiviour of his country." fG) Page i-^, " Called Mount-Vernon." Thii high an«i commaading ground, fituated a few miles below Alexandria^ •n the Potomack, is called Mount-Vernon, in honour of Admiral Vcinon. The area of this beautiful mount is about aoo feet above the furf;ice of that richly flowing river ; and furnilhing a lawn of about five acres in front, and about the lame quantity in the xti,x of his buildings, falls off abruptly on both thafe quarters. fH) Pa^t 19. "The rcfpeaful gratulations of." As though infpired by one foul, all hailed him welcome on the way ; public entertainments were made to receive him at every ftage ; and the Maffachu. fetts Convention, then fitting at Watertown, fent a large deputation of rcfpeft- able ch.^ra^ters to Springfield, to receive and efcort him to Cambridge, where he was received with incxpreffible joy, and where he foon gave anew face to things. fl) Page 21. "The irrcfiftiblo majcfly of his prcfcncc." Among many other inftances of the commanding inf\fience of his prefeftcc, and energy of his reproofs, a very noticeable one wac at Profpeft-Hill, where a body of riflemen became mutinous. Thcfe men had then lately arrived frora his own country, which probably increafcd his indignation at their bafe conduct. 1 If rode into the midit of them, and by the energy of his addrefi quelled and re« duccd them to order. fKJ Page 21. " And from the affaflin's dagger." Among many other dangers out af which he was remarkably delivered, z timely difcovery was made in New-York, in 1776, of a deftgn formed agamft hit life, by corrupting one of his own guard. fLj Page ai. " Heaven fmilcs." Bv throwing into our hinds the ammunition and military (lores fent to fupply the eurmv, which wc fo much needed at that time, and were not in our power to command. fMj Page 35. " ThcdKlrclTcs of the army at this canton- mcnt, had well nigh funk." General W ^ < h 1 k c t o n look this pofiiion in a forcft, at Valley- Forge, about the 14th ot IVccmber, 1777, the fnow being about halflc^ deep, with very few axes to build thrir huts with. This cantonment General How i called, by way nf ridicule, " the Indian-Town." It was fufficicnt, however, to keep him qui- et within hi"; j^wn lines, in Philadelphia, though the army was in an extreme ftatc of fuffrring, for want of provifion and doathing. So great were their dif- trelTcs, that Gfneral Washi KCTON' perhapt never felt deeper anxiety than on their account. Being on a vifit at head-quarters, he enquired with great folicitndc bow the fcldiery fared, and how they fupported their fufftringi ; and when told« 35 "' with patience and fortitude, " he exclaimed, the tears ftarting from Lis eyes, " zuiat tuil/ not thefe irat'e men en Jure for the good of their country /" (N) Page 27. " Example of virtue, of religion." In proof of this, many things might be adduced. The frugality and econo- my of a table fupplied by the public ; the order, fobrietyand moderation everob- ferved at it, are evincive of virtuous habits, and of the influence of his prefence in reftraining profanity, intemperance and licentioufnefs ; for thefe never pol- luted the focial repaft, nor offended the chafteft car. His religious example (hone in uniformly acknowledging an overruling Providence, afcribjng all his iucceffes to that, and in calling on the army " to affemble at their refpedlivc parades, to offer up their unfeigned thanks to Almighty God, for the fuccefj he had granted them ;" befidcs his attendance at public worlhip on the fabbath, whenever the ftate of the army permitted, with great apparent devotion. To the above may be added, his frequently calling on the officers and foldicrs, in gene- ral orders, to avoid vice and profanity. Of the many inftancesof this, the tw*. iollowing are offered : Extract from General Orders, Msy 2d, 1778. "While we are performing the duty of good citizens and foldiers, we ought BOt to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the diftinguifhed char- adtcrofa patriot, it fhould be our highcll glory to add the more diftinguifhed charadler of a chrifiian. ' ' Extract from General Orders, fuly igtb, 1779. ♦• Many and pointed orders have been iflfued againft that unmeaning and abomi- nable cuftom of fwearing ; notwithflanding which, with much regret, the Gen- eral obferves it prevails, if poffible, more than ever ; his feelings are continual- ly wounded by the oaths and imprecations of the foldiers, whenever he is ia hearing of them. The name of that Being, from whofe bountiful goodnefs we arc permitted to exift, and enjoy the comforts of life, is conftantly imprecated and profaned, in a manner as wanton as it is fhocking. For the fake, therefore, of religion, decency and order, the General hopes and trulls that officers of every rank will ufe their influence and authority to check a vice which is as unprofita- ble as it iswickei and fhameful." He was a flranger to religious prejudices, not from an indifference toreligio^ itfelf, but from a convidion of the benevolent defigns of that fcheme of religion, which taught him to live and aft as a chrifiian, poffefling the feelings of a man, and not of a party. He was educated in the outward profeflTion of the E pi fcopal Church ; but his candour towards all religious denominations was manifellcd on all occafions. His anfwer to the addrefs wf the Jews at Newport, will remain a lafting monument of this "And it is the glory of the United States, that, with the flar of empire, fixed therein is the brighter fun of univerfal toleration." (0) Page 29. " An enlightened and pacific policy." Thz Prefident of the United States rofe with fuperior grace when he noblv flood forth the indepf^ndent affjjrtor of their independence, and took a neutral pofition among the nations at wat. Convinced that juftice and humanity requir- ed it, no apprehcnfioa of pcrfonal facritice could fhake his fixed purpolc. (Pj Page 31. *' The opportunity you enjoy for inftruftion." To any one who was prcfcnt, and favv the ipterefting and affcdling exhibition of 180 young mafters and miffcs, with appropriate drefl"es, emblematical of inno- cence and of mourning, no apology is necefTary for this addrefs. Nor will it ap- pear improper to any who confidcr the importance of the rifing generation ; or the advantages th:y ?njoy from the freedom of their country, through its dcccafcd patron. r & ^•^ ^.^K. ^ ULA ^J .'^ J y!X 'Ay* ;H .-. f*. ^ i!^*