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 BIOGRAPHICfAL MEMOIRS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ILLUSTRIOUS 
 
 JL 
 
 ^ cFeneral (Peorge cpasftington, 
 
 VlaTE president of the unit ED STATES 0¥ 
 H AMERICA, 
 
 Jk ^ AND 
 
 \'€9mmander in Chief of their Armies, during the 
 
 \* 
 
 Revolutionary War. 
 
 Dedicated to the Youth of Artierica. 
 
 FORI. C©OKE & CO. BOOK'SELLERS, 41. HAVEN, 
 
 ^ :181©. 1C73 
 

i5)©©6O©0©©©e)a6©©0©©o©©©a©©©a©©©©» 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 General dPeorge aBaiijmgton. 
 
 IN the hlilory of Man, we contemplate, 
 with particular fatisfadion, thofe legiflators, 
 heroes, and philofophers, whofe "wifdoni, va- 
 lour, and virtue have contributed to the happi- 
 nefs of the human fpecies. We trace the lumin- 
 ous progress of thofe excellent beings with fecret 
 complacency ; our emulation is roufed, while 
 we behold them fteadily purfue the path of rec- 
 litude, in defiance of every obftiudion ; we re- 
 joice that we were of the fame fpecies, and thus;> 
 Self— love becomes the hand-maid of Virtue. 
 
 The authentic pages of Biography unite tlie 
 moft grateful amufement with inftrudion. — 
 Truth fupports the dignity of the Hii^nric Mufe 
 who will not admit of either fulfome p^tnegyric, 
 or invidious cenfure. She defcribes her hero 
 with genuine fimplicity — mentions his frailties, 
 his charaderiftic peculiarities, and his fhining 
 qualities. In {hort, fhe gives a faithful and 
 lively portraitof the man,inveftigatesthelaten*. 
 A2 
 
( 6 ) ] 
 
 motives of his a(5Hons, and celebrates thofe vir- ' 
 
 tues which have raifed him to an enviable pre- j 
 
 eminence above his cotemporaries. t| 
 
 V/e lympathize in the fuflFerings, and parti.. ^ 
 
 cipate xhe iriumphs of thofe illuftrious men wh» '^ 
 ftand 
 
 " Majeftic 'mid the monuments of Time ;" 
 
 and the approbation of exeellenc« in others, na- j 
 
 turally leads the mind toimitate the objeft of its i 
 
 .adoration. ^ 
 
 Among thofe patriots who have a claim to \ 
 
 our veneration, George Waftiington appears In \ 
 
 aconfpicuous placein thefirftrank, Theanceft- i 
 
 ors of this extraordinary man, in the year 1657» j 
 emigrated from England to Amer ica, and fettled 
 
 in the colony of Virginia ; here, by unremiting \ 
 
 induftry they became opulent and refpedable, \ 
 
 and gave their name to the parifh of Wafliing- J 
 
 ton, in Weftmoreland county.— George Wafli- \ 
 
 ington, the hero of the following hiftory, was i 
 
 the fruit of a fecond marriage, and was born in * 
 
 the fettlement of Chotank, in the above-mention- j 
 
 ed county, on the 1 1th of Febuary,(0,S.) 1732. ^ 
 
 The e -^tenfive fettlement of Chotank was ori- • 
 ginally purchafed by the Waftiington family ; \ 
 the extreme fertility of the foil induced thofe fet^ { 
 tiers to cultivate tobacco infeveral plantations; 
 for this purpofe they purchafed a number of ne- 
 gro l|ave§; and, confequently population was ; 
 
{ 7 ) 
 
 rapidly increafed. At the time our hero was 
 bom, all the planters throughout this extenfive 
 fettlement were his relations — hence, his youth- 
 ful years glided away in all the pleafing gaiety 
 of focial friendftiip. He received a private ed- 
 ucation, and was initiated in the elements of 
 Religion, Morality, and Science by a private 
 tutor ; and, from the tenor of his adions it is 
 manifeft, that uncommon pains were taken to 
 cherifti the beft propenfities of human nature in 
 his heart : 
 
 In the 10th year of his age, he had the misfor- 
 tune to lofe an excellent father, who dieiln 1742, 
 and the patrimonial eftate devolved to an elder 
 brother. — This yoi/hg gentleman had been an 
 officer, in the Colonial troops fent in the expedi- 
 tion againft Cartliagena. On his return he call- 
 ed the family manfion Mount Vernon, in honour 
 of the Britifh Admiral, and deftinedhis brother 
 George to ferve in the navy. 
 
 Accordingly, in his 1 5th year, our hero was 
 entered as a midfliipman, on board a Britifh fri- 
 gate, ftationed on thecoaft of Virginia. He pre- 
 pared to embark, with all the alacrity of youth ; 
 but his nautical career was (lopped by tlie in- 
 terpofition of maternal love. Ever obedient to 
 an affectionate mother, young Wafliington relin- 
 quifhed his defire of going to fea ; the energies 
 of his mind were to be exerted on a more ftabk 
 element. 
 
( 8 ) j 
 
 As his patrimonial eftate was by no means 1 
 ^onfiderable, his youth was employed in ufeful ^ 
 induftry ; and in the pradice of his profeffionas \ 
 a fiirveyor, he had an opportunity of acquiring ] 
 
 at information refpe^ing vacant lands, and of 1 
 iormlng thofe opinions concerning their future. 
 value, which, afterwards, greatly contributed to | 
 the increafeofhis piivate fortune, i 
 
 The firft proof that he gave of his propenfity ■ 
 to arrns was in the year 1751 » when the office i 
 of Adjutant-General of the Virginia militia be- 
 came vacant by the death of his brother, and :] 
 Mount Vernon, together with a large eftate, 1 
 came into his poffeffion. At this time, the ex-Hi 
 tenfive population of the colony made it expedi- ) 
 ent to form the militia corps into three divifions, i 
 and Wafliinton, in his 20th >,gai, was appoint- ■ 
 ed Major. He attended to his duty, as an olH- ; 
 cer, with exemplary propriety and vigilance — \ 
 was indefatigable in the dicipline of the troops * 
 —and generally beloved, both by his brother'] 
 officers and the private men, for bis mildncfs 
 and generofity. j 
 
 In the year 1753, the incroachments of th? ! 
 French upon the weftern boundaries of the Brit- \ 
 ifti Colonies excited a general alarm in Virgin- '^ 
 ra, infomuch that Govenor Dinwiddi deputed^ 
 Wafhington to afcertain the truth of thofe lu-'j 
 Riours : he was alfp empowered to enter into z^i 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 treaty with the Indians, and remonftrate witk 
 the French upon their proceedings. On his ar- 
 rival at the back fettlements, he found the Colo- 
 nifts in a very unpleafant fituation, from the de- 
 predations of the Indians, who were inccefT. 
 antly inftigated by the French to the commiffion 
 of new aggreffions. He foi^nd that the Fiench 
 themfelves had alfo committed feveral outrages 
 againft the defencelefs fettlers ; nay, that they 
 had proceeded fo far as to eftablifli pofts within 
 the boundaries of Virginia. Walhington ftrongly 
 remonftrated againft thofe a<5i:s of hoftility, and 
 warned the French to defift from the incurfions. 
 On his return, his report to the Govenor was 
 publiftied, and it evinced that he performed this 
 honourable miflion with great prudence. 
 
 The repeated inroads of the French and In- 
 dians on the frontiers of Virginia, made it ne- 
 cefTary to encreafe the military eftablifhment | 
 and early in the fpring of 1754, a new regiment 
 was raifed, of which ProfefFor Fry, of the college 
 was appointed Col. and Walhington lieutenant- 
 colonel. Mr. Fry died foon after the regiment 
 was embodied, and was fueceeded by our hero, 
 »vho paid unremitting attention to the difcipline 
 of this new corps. He eftablifhed magazines d£ 
 provifion and ammunition, and opened the roads 
 to the frontiers in order to pre-occupy an impoi- 
 |ant poft at the confluence of the Monongabels 
 
( w ) 
 
 and Alleghany rivers. His regiment was t» 
 •have been reinforced by a detachment from the 
 ibuthern colonies, and a corps of provincials from 
 North Carolina and Maryland ; but impelled by 
 the urgency of the occafion, he advanced without 
 the expeded fuccours in the month of May. The 
 troops proceeded by forced marches towards the 
 defile, and their commander difpatched two 
 fcouts to reconnoitre ; but though his rapid 
 march was facilitated by the fine weather, yet, 
 when he afcended the JLauril Hills, fifty miles 
 diftant from the place of deftination, he was met 
 Jjjy his fcouts who returned with intelligence, 
 ihat the enemy were in pofleffion of the poft, had 
 built a fort, and ftationed a large garrifon there. 
 Wafiiington now held a council of war with 
 the other officers, but while they were delibera- 
 ting a detachment of the French came in fight, 
 and obliged them to retreat to a favanna called 
 xhe .Gre<to Meadows. 
 
 The fortitude of Wafliington was put to a fe- 
 vere teft on this occafion, he retired with the 
 troops to an eminence in the favanna, and about 
 noon began to eredt a fmall fortification. He 
 called his temporary defence Fort Neceffity, and 
 encouraged the regiment both by his voice and 
 example, to raife a redoubt on which they plant- 
 ed two field pieces. They furrounded the camp 
 ^l»5rith an entrenchment in which tliey toiled vrlth 
 
C 11 ) 
 
 trni'emittmg exertions during the fubfequent 
 night. Thus fortified, they prepared to refift 
 the meditated attack of the enemy ; and about 
 funrife, on the following morning, were joined 
 by Capt. M* Kay, with a company of regulars. 
 The little atmy now amounted to about 400 
 men. On the approach of the advanced guard 
 of the French, the Americans fallied forth, at- 
 tacked and defeated them ; but the main body 
 of the enemy, amounting to 1500 men, com- 
 pelled them to retire to the intrenchments. — 
 The camp was now clofely invefted, and the 
 Americans fuifered feverely from the grape fhot 
 of the enemy, and the Indian riflemen. Wafli- 
 ington however, defended the works with fuch 
 flcill and bravery, that the befiegers were una- 
 ble to force the intrenchments. At length af- 
 ter a conflldt often hours, in which 150 of the 
 Americans v^^ere killed and wounded, they were 
 obliged to capitulate. They were permitted to 
 march out with the honours of war, and lay 
 down their arms in front of the French lines j 
 but they were afterwards plundered by the hol- 
 tile Indians, during their return to Virginia. 
 
 This defeat excited a ftrong emotion of for- 
 row in the brealts of their countrymen ; and 
 tho' feveral perfons cenfured the precipitance 
 of Walhington in this affair, yet the general 
 convi(ftion of his integrity prevented thofe mtir- 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 fnMT5 from doing him any iujury. Indeed his 
 conduct was liable to cenfure ; he ought to have 
 waited for the neceflary reinforcements, a junc- 
 tion with whom would probably have crowned his 
 enterprize with fuccefs. His inexperience and 
 the a6live ardor of a youthful mind, may afford 
 fotne palliation of his imprudence ; but his 
 rafhnefs in this inftance was fo different from 
 his fubfeqiient prudence, that probably this in- 
 aufnicious commencement of his military ca- 
 reer, was the origin of the circumfpeftlon and 
 vigilance v^fhich afterv/ards marked his condufl 
 in a fuccefsful defjnfive war. 
 
 Let us for d moment enquire into the caufe 
 ofthefe unprovoked hoftilities of the French 
 againli the Eritifh colonies. As France, for 
 many certturies had been the profefTed rivial of 
 England, Oie beheld the rapid profperity of 
 thefe colonies, and the^ confequent aggrandize- 
 ment of the mother country, with envious ap- 
 prehenfion. The French government had made 
 fettlements in North America, and divided thi^ 
 vad continent Into two provinces ; the northern 
 Was called Canada, arid the fouthern Louifiana. 
 But as the principal part of this territory was, 
 comparatively, barren and uncultivated, the 
 French formed the ambitious proje<5t of obtain- 
 ing pofTeffion of the Brltifh fettlements by force 
 For thi^urpofe they ere(5led a chain of fort§ 
 
{ 13 ) 
 
 which extended throughout ah immehre tratfl 
 of country. Thefe fortifications were garrifon- 
 ed by troops, well fupplied by military ftores j 
 but the circumjacent regions were totally unin- 
 habited, except by hunting parties of the wan- 
 dering Indians. 
 
 The French engaged thefe favages in their 
 intereft, by fupplying them with arms and am- 
 munition in exchange for rich furs. Thus they 
 obtained the alliance of a formidable and enter- 
 prizing race, who naturally hated the Britifli 
 colonics, whom they confidered as the original 
 Invaders of their country. 
 
 In the fummer of I75l<, the French having 
 built feveral forts within the boundaiiesof the 
 Britifh fettlements, an army of veterans was 
 f^iat from France to fupport thofe unjuftifiable 
 encroachments. We have already mentioned 
 their vidlory over the ti'oops comnianded by 
 WaOiington, and that they had ereded a fort 
 at an advantageous poft, which it had been his 
 determination to fecure. They named this for- 
 trefs Du Qiiefne, in which they ftationed at 
 ftrong garrifon well provided with military 
 ftores. Thofe hoftiie meafures on the part cf 
 France, excited the indignation of the Englifh 
 Government, and orders were ilTued to make 
 general reprifals in Europe and Arnerica. 
 
 In the year 1755, General Braddock wasfent 
 B 
 
'( 14 ) 
 
 to America, at the head of two veteran regi-- 
 ments from Ireland, to reduce the forts on the 
 Ohio. On his -arrival, he was joined by the in-^ 
 dependent and provincial corps of America : 
 but when the army was ready to march againft 
 the enemy, the want of waggons for the convey- 
 ance of (lores, had almoft proved an infur- 
 mountable obftacle to the expedition. In this 
 emergency a patriotic American ftepped for- 
 ward and removed the difficulty ; this was the 
 celebrated Benjamin Franklin, whofe extraoi - 
 dinary talents had already contributed to the 
 difFufion of knowledge and happiaefs. This 
 benign phjlofopher exerted his influence fo 
 efFeftaally with his countrymen, that in a Ihort 
 time he collecT:ed 150 waggons, which proved 
 an ample fupply for the army. 
 
 As in confequence of a military regulation, 
 "no officer who did not derive his commiffion 
 from -the King could command one who did," 
 Wafhington^ refigned ; but ftrongly attached 
 to a military life, and emulous to defend his 
 country with diftiiiguiflied zeal, he voluntarily 
 ferved under Gen, Braddockasanextra aid-de- 
 eamp. That General marchedagainft Fort Du- 
 Quefne ; but foon after he crofTed the river 
 Monongahela, the van divifion of his army was 
 attacked by an ambufcade of French and In* 
 di^nsy and totally defeated. The thicknefs of 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 tlie woods prevented both the European and 
 provincial troops from being able to defend 
 themlelves with effed: ; they could neither keep 
 their ranks, nor charg^e the enemy with the 
 bayonet, while the Indians who were expert at 
 bufh fighting, and were widely fcattered, fired 
 at them in all dirediions from behind th'e trees 
 where they were concealed from their foes, and 
 took a fatal aim. Wafliington had cautioned 
 Gen. Braddock in vain ; his ardent defire of 
 conqued made him deaf to the voice of pru- 
 dence ; he faw his error when too late, and 
 bravely perifhed in his endeavours to fave the 
 divifion from deftrudion. The gallant but un- 
 fortunate general had four horfes (hot from un- 
 der him before he was flain, and almoft every 
 officer whofe duty obliged him to be on horfe- 
 back, was either killed or wounded except 
 Wafliington. Amid the carnage, the prefence 
 of mind, and abilities of our hero, were confpi- 
 cuous ; he rallied the troops, and, at the head' 
 of a corps of grenadiers, covered the rear of the 
 divifion, and fecured their retreat over the ford 
 of Mdnongahela. 
 
 Anxious for the prefervation of the troops, 
 and unmindful of the fatigues he had under- 
 gone, during a fultry day, in which he had 
 f(jarcely a moment of reft, he haftened to con* 
 cert meafures with Colonel Dunbar^ .who com- 
 
( 16 ■) 
 
 manded the rear divifion, which had not been 
 engaged. Neither the wildernefs thro* which 
 he was obliged to pafs, the innumerable dangers 
 that fourrounded him in his progrefs, nor his 
 exhaufted ftate could prevent him from purfu- 
 ipg the line of his duty. He travelled during the 
 nl ght accompanied by two guides, and reached 
 the Britilh camp in fafety. Thus his* perfever- 
 ance and wifdom {aved the refidue of the troops. 
 Colonel Dunbar now alTumed the chief com- 
 mand ; and with confiderable difficulty effeded 
 a retreat, but was obliged to deflroyhis baggage 
 to prevept it from falling into the hands of the 
 enemy. Wafliington received the moft flatter- 
 ing marks of public approbation ; but his beft 
 reward was the confcioufnefs of his own inte-. 
 gritj. 
 
 Soon after this tranfadion, the regulation of 
 rank, which bad juftly been confidered as a 
 grievance by the colonial oflicers, was changed 
 in confequence of a fpirited remonflrance of 
 Wafliington ; and the Governor of Virginia re- 
 warded this brave officer with the command 
 of all the troops of that colony. The natural 
 energy of his mind was now called into a<5Hon j 
 and his thoughts were continually employed in 
 ibrming new plans for tke protedion cf the 
 frontiers. v ^ 
 
 We may forrn fome idea of his increafing 
 
{ 17 ) 
 
 popularity, and the high eftimatibn in which he 
 v/as held by his countrymen, from the follow- 
 ing curious predi<5tion. It v%-as publifhed in the 
 notes of a feimon preached by the Rev. Samuel 
 Davies, on the Hth of Auguft, 175.5, to Capt. 
 Overton's independent company of Volunteers, 
 raifed in Hanover county, Virginia. " As a re- 
 markable inftanceofpatriotifrti, I may point out 
 that heroic youch Colonel Wafhington, whom I 
 cannot but hope Providence has liitherto pre- 
 served in fo fignal a manner, for fome impor- 
 tant fervice to his rouniTy. ' What renders this 
 prophecy the more wormy of notice, is its hav- 
 ing been delivered twenty years .prior to the 
 commencement of the war, which terrliinated in 
 American Independence. 
 
 In the year 1758, Wadiington comn^anded 
 the van brigade of the army under Gen. Forbes, 
 and diftinguifhed himfelf by the capture of 
 Fort du Quefne. During this fuccefsful cam- 
 paign, he acquired a knowledge of tables His 
 frequent fkirmiflies with the French and In^. 
 dians, in the woody regions along the frontiers 
 taught hipi vigilance and circum.fpedion, and 
 roufed that fpiiit of enterprife, which is ever 
 ready to fei:ie the crifis th.it leads to vidory. 
 The troops under his command were gradually 
 inuredia that mofl difficult kind of warfare cal- 
 led b'atl?.- fighting, Yvhile the activity cf the 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 French and ferocity of the Indians were ovct- 
 ccme by his fuperior valour. After the ene- 
 my had been defeated in fcveral battles, and 
 compelled to retreat far beyond the Colonial 
 boundaries, General Forbes left a fufficient 
 garrifon in the different forts which he had cap- 
 tured along the banks of the Ohio, and returned 
 with the army into winter quarters. 
 
 In the courfe of this decifive campaign, 
 which reftored the tranquihty and fecurity of 
 the middle colonies, Wafhington had fuiFcred 
 many hardilrips which impaired his heahh. J-ie 
 was afflided with an inveterate pulmonary 
 complaint, and extremely debilitated, infomuch 
 that in the year of 1759, he refigned his com- 
 miflion and- retired to Mount Vernon. The 
 Virginia line exprefied their high fenfe of his 
 merit, by an affedionate addiefs on thisoccafi- 
 on ; and his anfwer w.'is marked with that mo» 
 defty and magnanimity which were the promi- 
 nent traits of his mind. 
 
 By a due attention to regimes, m the quiet 
 bowers of Mount- Vernon, he gradually reco- 
 veied from his indifpofition^ But, as during 
 the tedious peiiod of his conv.ileAence the 
 Britifh arms had been vidorlous, his country 
 had no more occafion for the exertfpn of his 
 military tiilents. In 1761, he married a^-oung 
 Vr'idov/, whcSj' maiden n^-.me w.ns I")*pdridge. 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 She was clefcended from a reputable family and 
 two of her brothei'*^ were ofBcers in tlie BritiCi 
 navy. This lady was the v^idow of Colonel 
 Cuftis," who ha'l left her Iple executrix to his 
 extenfive pofleflions, and guardian' to his two 
 children. The union of WaOiingtcn Avith this 
 accomplifhed v/onian was y.rodudive o{ their 
 mutual felicity ; and as he inceifantly purfued 
 agricultural improvements, his taite embellifh- 
 ed and enriched the fertile fields around Mount 
 Vernon. Meanwhile l";e was appointed a ma- 
 giftrate, a member of the affembly of the ft.ue 
 and a judge of the court. Thefe honourable 
 av'ccations kept the powers of his mind in a 
 ilate of adivity ; he attended to his civil duties 
 with exemplary propriety, and gave a convin- 
 cing proof, that the fmipiicity of the Farmer is 
 horriogeneal with the dignified views of the 
 Senator. 
 
 But the time approached, in which Wafiiing- 
 ton was to relinquifti thofe honoui able civil a- 
 vocations, and one of the m9ft remarkable 
 events recorded in hiftory obliged him to ad a 
 confpicuous part on the great theatre of the 
 world. The American Revolution originated 
 in the errors of a few Biitifh politicians, and 
 the joint exertions of a number of public fpirit- 
 ed men among the Colcnifts, .who incited their 
 ffouatry-:Ticn to refift pariraniffutary taxation. 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 In March 1Y64', a bill pafTed in die Brltifl* 
 Parliament, laying heavy duties on ail ai tides 
 imported into the Colonies from the French and 
 other iflands in the Weft-Indies, and ordering 
 thefe duties to be paid ip fpecie into the Exche- 
 quer of Great Britain. In the fame feflion, a-* 
 nother bill was formed, to reft rain the currency 
 of paper-money in the Colonies, 
 
 Thefe a<5ls excited the furprife and difplea- 
 fure of the North Americans. They fent warm 
 and energetic remonftrances to the Mother^ 
 country, and laid every argument before the 
 Miniftiy that ingenuity could fuggeft, but in 
 vain. As they had hitherto furnilbed their 
 contingent in men and money, by the authority 
 of their Repiefentatives in the Colonial Affem- 
 blies, they afferted, that, not being lepicfcnted 
 in the Brltifii Parliament, it could have no right 
 to tax them. — Finding, however, that all their 
 arguments were ineffedual to remove their 
 grievances, they {ormed affociations to prevent 
 the ufe of Britiih manufactures, till they (hould 
 obtain redrefs. 
 
 The animofity of the Colonifts, was farther 
 increafed, by the advice which they received, 
 that the Britifli Miuiflry had it in contempla- 
 tion to eftablifli fta^np-duiics in Ameiica, fimi- 
 Jar to thofe in Great Britain. 
 
 The General AiTembly of Virginia 'vns the 
 
I 21 ) 
 
 firft that openly and formally declared againft 
 the right of Britain to lay taxes on America. 
 Of this Aflembly Wafhington was a member ; 
 he moft zealoufly oppofed what he confidered 
 an encroachment on the liberties of his country- 
 men : and theexaniple of this legiflitive body 
 was followed by thofe of the other colonies. 
 
 In June, i 765, the AfTjmbly of Maffachu- 
 fetts, from the convidion of the expediency of 
 a Continental Concijrers, paffed a lefolution in 
 fovour* of that meafure, and fent circular let* 
 ters to the feveral Alfemblies requeft ing their 
 concurrence. Accordingly, a deputation from 
 10 of the Colonies met at New- York, and this 
 was the tirft Congrefs held in North America. 
 
 In confequence of a petition from this Con- 
 grefs to the King and both Houfes of Parlia- 
 ment, the ftamp a6t was repealed, to the uni- 
 verfil joy of the Colon! fts, and the general fa- 
 tisfa<aion of the Eaglifh, whofe manufa<5lares 
 had fufFeted a confiderable deprefllon, in con- 
 fequence of the American aifociations againfl 
 their importation. 
 
 But, the Parliament, by repealing this obnox- 
 ious ad, did not relinquilh the idea of their 
 right to tax the Colonies ; and the bill for lay- 
 ing a duty on tea, paper, painter s colours, and 
 glafs, was pafTed, and fent to America, in 1768. 
 This (i.^ occafioned new difcontents in th« Col- 
 
t 22 ) 
 
 vnmes, efpecially at Bofton ; and tho' Parlla' 
 STiCnt thought proper, in 1770, to take off thofe 
 duties, except 3cl. a pound on tea, yet even this 
 trifling impoft kept alive the jealoufy of the 
 Colonills, _wht) denied the fupremacy of the 
 Britifh-Legiflature. The troops quartered in 
 Bolton vras another caufe of offence to the in- 
 habitants, and, on all occafions, they marifefted 
 an inclination to quarrel with men whom they 
 ■confidered inimical to their liberties.. 
 
 The animofity of the people of that Colony, 
 againft their Governor, Hutchinfon, was in- 
 creafed by the difcovery that he had written 
 letters to people in power in England, which 
 /contained a mifreprefentation of the ftate of 
 public affairs, and reconcmended coercive mea- 
 fures, in order to fecure the f bedience of the 
 province. Thcfe letters fell into the hands of 
 Or. Franklin, agent of the province, who trans- 
 mitted them to Bofton. The Affembly paffed 
 a petition to his Majefty, by a large majority, 
 in which they declared their Governor and 
 Lieutenant-Governor enemies to the Colonies, 
 and prayed for their difmiffion from office. 
 This petition was not only rejected, but declared 
 to be groundlefs and fcandalous. 
 
 About this time, Dr. Franklin was difmiffed 
 from the office of Deputy Poftmafter-General 
 of America, which he held under the Crownc 
 
(, 23 ) 
 
 But It was not meriily by his triinfmiulon oUhe 
 letters abov^e menlloned that he had offended 
 the Britiflr Miniftry ; he-had written two pieces 
 in favour of America, which excited the public 
 attention on both fides ct the Atlantic The 
 one was entitled, " An Edid: from thi; King of 
 Pruffia for taxing the inhabitants of Grcac 
 Britain, as defcendants of emigrants {row. hi:* 
 dominions ;" and tlie other,, '' llules tor ujJii- 
 cing; a great Empire to a fmail c:vc.~' Thefe 
 e ilky s were both wr i tten w i th h I s p ecu i i . i r n m - 
 pllcity of ftyle, and abounded wiili the niort 
 poignant fatire. 
 
 The difputes between Great Britain and her 
 Colonies had now exiRed ,;hove ten years,, v.'iLii 
 »n»x.'ivals of tranquility. ■ The reiervatlon of Uk; 
 duty on tea, tlie ftationing a ftanding army in 
 MaiTachufetts, the continuance of a Board of 
 Commiffioners in Bofton, and the appointing the* 
 Governors and Judges of the pivvince, inde- 
 pendent of the people, v^'-ere the caufes cv that 
 irritation v/hich pervaded all ranks of the com- 
 munity. 
 
 In the year 1773) the American controv^-rtV 
 was recommenced, in confequence of tea btinj; 
 fent to tho Colonies by the Eaft India Company. 
 The Americans nov? perceived that the ta^ was 
 likely to be enforced, and v.'ere determined to 
 oppofe the rev^'nue fyftem of the Britiih Par* 
 
( 24 ) 
 
 llament. They confidered tbis attempt of the? 
 Eaft India Company as an indire(St mode of 
 taxation, and tock meafures to prevent the land- 
 ing of the eeas. One univeifal fpiritof oppofi- 
 tion animated the Colonifts from New Hamp 
 fhireto Georgia. The province of MafTachi 
 fetts diftinguifhed itfelf by the mod violent ar 
 decifive proceedings. Three ihips from En 
 land laden with tea, lay in the harbour of Be 
 ton ; and the townsmen refolved to deftroy / 
 rather than fuifer it to be landed. For this pilr- 
 pofe a number of mendifguifed like Indians Cii- 
 the ISth of Dec. 1773, entered the fhips ard 
 threw overboard 342 chefls of tea, being tl ^ 
 whole of their cargoes. 
 
 The Mini ft. y now refolved to enforce the 
 authority, and as Bofton had been the princip: 
 fcene of outrage, it was determined to punil 
 that town in an exemplary manner. On th 
 25th of March 1774^, an ad was paffed calle 
 the Bofton Port Bill, " to difcontinue the lane • 
 ing, and difcharging, lading, and ftiipping o" 
 goods, wares, and merchaiidizes at the town o. 
 Boftcn, or within the harbour." 
 
 The news of this bill was received by the 
 Boftonians with the moft extravagant tokens ol 
 lefcntment, and during the ferment their new 
 governor, Gen. Cage, arrived from England. 
 This gentleman had been appointed on account 
 
( 25 ) 
 
 of his being an officer of reputation, and a man 
 efteemed by the Americans, among whom he 
 had refided many years. The firft official ad 
 of his government was the removal of the as- 
 fembly to Salem, a town feventeen miles dift- 
 ant. 
 
 Virginia again took the lead in a public a- 
 vowal of its fentiments. The flrft day of June 
 had been appointed for the Bofton Port Aft to 
 take place, and on that day the General AfTem- 
 bly of Virginia enjoined a public fupplication 
 to heaven. The ftile of this injunftion was re- 
 markable ; the people were directed " to be- 
 feech the Dieiy to give them one heart and one 
 mind, firmly to oppofe every invafion of the 
 American Rights." The afTembly of Virginia 
 recommended alfo to the colonies, to appoint a 
 Congrefs of Delegates to deliberate on the criti- 
 cal ftate of .their affairs. 
 
 Meanwhile the Boftonians were not inadive. 
 They framed an agreement, which they called 
 a folemn League and Covenant, by which the 
 fubfcribers engaged in the moft religious man- 
 ner, " to difcontinue all commercial intercourfe 
 with Great Britain, after the expiration of the- 
 m.onth of Augufl, till the late obnoxious afls 
 were repealed, and the colony re-pofTeffed of 
 its charter." Refolutions of a fimilar nature 
 were entered into by the other provinces ; and 
 C 
 
( 26 ) 
 
 u-hen General Gage attempted to counteradl 
 the covenant b}^ a proclamation, the Americans 
 retorted, by infiding, that the law allowed fub- 
 jeds to afTociate in order to obtain redress of 
 their grievances. 
 
 in the month of Sept. 177^, the General 
 Congrefs of all the Colonies met at Philadelphia. 
 That body confided of fifty-onfe delegates, cho- 
 fen by the reprefeniatives of 6ach province. 
 
 The firft aft of the Continental Congress, 
 was their approbation of the condoft of the 
 Boftonians, and an exhortation to them to per- 
 fevere in their oppofitlon to government, till 
 the refiaration of their charter. — They avowed., 
 their allegiance to his IVLijefty, and drew up a- 
 petition, in v^^iiich they intreated him to grant 
 them peace, liberty, and fafety. After feveral 
 refolutions tending to promote unanimity in the 
 provinces, and after having refolved that an- 
 nother Congrefs fliould meet in Philadelphia on 
 the 1 Olh of May following, if their grievances 
 ihould not be redrefled, they recommended to 
 the people the fpeedy nomination of new dele-i 
 gates, and then feparated. 
 
 Meanwhile reinforcements of Britifli troops 
 arrived at Bofton, which increafed the general 
 difaifeaion to fuch a degree, that the people 
 were ready to rife at a moment's warning. The 
 Golonifts now began ierioufly to prepare for 
 
( 27 ) 
 
 war : embodied and trained their militia ; and 
 to render themfelves independant of foreigners 
 for the fupply of military ft ores, they eredled 
 mills and manufadories, for gunpov/der, both 
 in Philadelphia and Virginia. 
 
 Thefe hoftile preparations induced General 
 Gage to fortify the neck of land which joins the 
 town of Bofton to the continent. But tho' this 
 meafure of fecurity was juftifiable on the prin- 
 ciple of felf defence, the Americans remonftrat- 
 
 ed againft it with the greateft vehemence, • 
 
 Inftead of paying any attention to thefe invedli- 
 ves, the General feized the provincial aramuni- 
 jion and military ftores at Cambridge and 
 Charle^town. This &fl of hoftiiity excited the 
 popular rage to fuch a degree, that it was with 
 the utmoft difficulty the inhabitants of MafTa- 
 chufetts could be reftrained from marching to 
 Bofton to attack the troops. 
 
 It was now evident, that the enfuing fpring 
 would be the commencement of a war of which 
 even the moft refoiute dreaded the confequences. 
 The ulnicft diligence, hov/ever, was ufed by 
 the colonifts to be provided againft any attack 
 of the Britifh army. A lift of men able to 
 bear arms was made out in each province, and 
 the aflcmblies v.'ere animated with the moft live- 
 ly hopes on finding that two-thirds of the men 
 who had ferved in the former war, were alive, 
 and zealous in the caufp. 
 
( 28 ) 
 
 Waftiington was among the moft adive in 
 raifing troops. His well known intrepidity and 
 generofity obtained him a numerous corps of 
 volunteers ; he was appointed their commander, 
 and foon perfe<5led their difcipline. He had al- 
 fo been elected a delegate from Virginia to the 
 General Congrefs, and exerted all his influence 
 to encourage a decifive oppofition to Britifti tax- 
 ation. 
 
 S/" The awful moment now approached which 
 was to involve Great Britain and her colonies 
 in all the horrors of a civil war. In February, 
 1775 the Provincial Congrefs of Maffachufetts 
 metat Cambridge. Several military inftitutions 
 for the protedion of the province were enabled; 
 among the remarkable of which was the minute- 
 men. A number of the moft a6tive and expert 
 of the New England militia were felefled, who 
 were obliged to hold themfelves in readinefs to 
 obey the firft fummons of their officers ; and in- 
 deed their fubfequent vigilance and intrepidity, 
 fully entitled them to the above mentioned ap- 
 pellation. 
 
 We pafs over the battles of Lexington and 
 Bunker's-hill and come to the fubjeft of our pre- 
 fent memoir. Walhington v^i\o was a delegate 
 to Congrefs, from Virginia, was by their unani- 
 mous vote, appointed General in chief of all the 
 American forces. They alfo voted him as am- 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 pie a falary as was in their power to beftow.— 
 but he generoully declined all pecuniary emolu- 
 ments. — His reply to the Prefident of Congrefs, 
 on his nomit-ation to the fupreme command of 
 the army, was in the following words : 
 " Mr. President, 
 
 " Though I am truely fenfible of the high 
 honour done me in this appointment, yet I feel 
 great diftrefs from a confcioufnefs that my abil- 
 ities and military experience may not be equal 
 to the extenfive and important truft ; however 
 as the Congrefs defire it, I will enter upon the 
 momentous duty, and exert every power I pof- 
 fefs in their fervice, and for fupport of the^ glo- 
 rious caufe. I beg they will accept my moft 
 cordial thanks for this diftinguiflied teftimony of 
 their approbation, 
 
 " But left fome unlucky event fhould happen 
 unfavorable to my reputation. I beg it may be 
 remembered by every gentleman in the room, 
 that I this day declare, with the utmoft finceri- 
 ty, 1 do not think myfelf equal to the com- 
 mand I am honored with. 
 
 " As to my pay, I beg leave to alTure the 
 Congrefs, that, as no pecuniary confideration 
 could have tempted me to accept this arduous 
 employment, at the expence of my domeftic 
 peace and happinefs, I do not wifli to make 
 any profit from it. 1 will keep an exa»5i: ac- 
 C2 
 
( 3(5 ) 
 
 runt of my expences — thofe, T doubt not, they 
 will aiicharge, and this is all I defire." 
 
 Th!s Hieech is a proof of that difinterefted- 
 nefs and modefty which were tho-diftinguiftiing 
 charafteialics of Wafhington's miwd. In pri- 
 vate life he was hofpitable and friendly. — 
 Thcfe fociai virtues, together with his tried va- 
 Iru!, made him truly eftimable in the eyes of his 
 Gountryrnen. His ele<5lion to thefupieme com- 
 mand was attended by no competition — every 
 merr-ber of Congrefs were convinced of his in- 
 tegrity, and chofe him as the man bcft qualifi- 
 ed to raife their expectations and fix their confi- 
 dence. 
 
 The appointment of Waflilngton was attend- 
 ed with other promotions, namely, four major- 
 generals, one adjutant general, and eight bri- 
 gadier-generals. 
 
 On the day following, a fpccial commiffion 
 was prefented to Walhington by Congrefs. At 
 the fame time, they refolved unanimoufly in a 
 full meeting, " That they would maintain aiid 
 affift him, and adhere to him with their lives 
 and fortunes, in the caufe of American liber- 
 ty.'' In their inftrudions. they authorifed him 
 «' to order and difpofe of the army under his 
 command as might be moft advantageous for 
 obtaining the end for which it had been raifed, 
 niaking it his fpecial caie, in difcharge of th^ 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 great trufteommitted to him, that the liberties 
 of Ameiiui received no detriment." 
 
 Wadiington's diffidence on the acceptance 
 of his commiffion was extremely natural. His 
 comprehenfiVe mind anticipated the numerous 
 difficulties which mufl: attend his employment, 
 and he v/oi;ld gladly have preferred the plea- 
 fu)es of a rural life to all the " pride, pomp, 
 and circumftance of a glorious war.*' 
 
 His taking the command of the American 
 aimy was therefore a ft rong exertion of felf- 
 denial to an unambitious man, who enjoyed all 
 the real bleffi;igs of life in the bofom of inde- 
 pendence. Let us, for a moment, turn our at- 
 tention to his private affairs, and we will be- 
 hold him bleft with the rational pleafures of a 
 philofophical retiiement, with his table over- 
 fpread with plenty, and his pillow fmothed by 
 the hand of conjugal love. Could man defire 
 more ? — Was not this the fummit of human 
 happinefs ? But now, when the voice of his 
 country demands his aid, he takes the field, in 
 her defence, with fiUial attachment. 
 
 In the beginning of July, Wafliington fet 
 out for the camp at Cambridge, in order to af- 
 fume the command of the army. On his way 
 thither, he was treated with every demonltra- 
 tion of refpeft, efcorted by detachments of gen- 
 tlemen wljo had formed volunteer affociations, 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 and honored with public addrefles of congratu- 
 lation from the provincial Csngrefs of New- 
 York and Maffachufetts. 
 
 In anfwer to thefe addrefTes, Wafliington, 
 after declaring his high fenfe of the regard 
 fliewn him, added, " Be afTured, that every 
 exertion of my worthy colleagues and myfelf 
 will be extended to the re-eftablifhment of peace 
 and harmony between the mother-country and 
 thefe colonies. As to the fatal, but necelTary 
 operations of war, when we affumed the fol- 
 dier, we did^not lay afide the citizen ; and we 
 fhall moft fincerely rejoice Vv^ith you in the hap- 
 py hour, when the re-eftablifliment of Ameri- 
 can liberty, on the moft firm and folid founda- 
 tions, fhall enable us to return to our private 
 ilations, in the bofom of a free, peaceful, and 
 happy country." 
 
 On his arrival at the camp, he was received 
 with the joyful acclamations of the American 
 army. He found the Britifh troops entrench- 
 ed on Bunker*s-Hill, and defended by three 
 floating batteries in Myftic river, while the 
 Americans were entrenched on Winter-Hill, 
 Profpedt-Kill, and Roxbury, with a commu- 
 nication, by fmall pofts, over an extent of ten 
 miles. As the provincial foldiers had repaired 
 to the camp in their ordinary clothing, the 
 hunting fliirt was adopted for the fake of unU 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 formity. WafKIngton found a large body of 
 men, indifferently difciplined, and but badly 
 provided with arms and ammunition. Befides, 
 they had neither ingineers, tior fufficient tools 
 for the eredlion of fortifications. He alfo found 
 uncommon difficulties in the organization of 
 his army. Enterprifing leaders had diflin- 
 guifhed themfelves at the commencement of 
 hoftilities, and their followers, from attach- 
 ment, were not willing to be commanded by 
 officers who, the' appointed by Congrefs, were 
 ftrangers to them. To fubje<5t the licentiouf- 
 nefs of freemen to the control of military difci- 
 pline, was both an arduous and delicate tafk. 
 However, the genius of Wafliington triumph- 
 ed over all difficulties. In his letter to €on- 
 grefs, after he had reviewed the troops, he fays, 
 " I find here excellent materials for an army — 
 able body-men, of undoubted courage, and zea- 
 lous in the caufe. In the fame letter, he com- 
 plains of the want of ammunition, camp-equi- 
 page, and many other requifites of an army. 
 
 Wafhington, at the head of his troops, pub- 
 liflied a declaration, previoufly drawn up by 
 Congrefs, expreffive of their motives for taking 
 up arms. It was written in energetic language, 
 and contained the following remarkable palTk- 
 ges: 
 
 " Were it pofllble for men, who exercife their 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 reafon, to believe that the Divine Author of 
 ourexifliencc intended a part of the hunian race 
 to hold an abibhite property in, and unbounded 
 power over others, marked out by his infinite 
 poodnefs and wifdom as the objeds of a legal 
 domination, never rightfully refiftable, how- 
 ever fevere and oppreifive, the inhabitants of 
 ■ efe Colonies might, at ieaft, require from 
 : Parliament of Great Britian fome evidence, 
 that this dreadful authority over them has been 
 granted to that body. But a reverence for our 
 gfreat Creator, principles of humanity, and the 
 didates of common fenfe, muft convince all 
 thofe who refledl upon the fubje*^^, that govern- 
 ment was inftituted to promote the welfae of 
 mankind, and ought to be adminiftered for the 
 attainment of t'nat end. 
 
 *' The Ligislature of great Britain, however, 
 fti mill? ted by an inordiate paffion for power, not 
 only unjuftifiable. but which they know to be 
 peculiarly reprobated by the Coiiftitution of 
 that kingdom, and defpairing of fuccefs in any 
 mode of conteft where regard fiiouldbe had to 
 trur.i, law, or right, nave at length, defer ting 
 thofe attempted to etTe<5l their cruel and impoli- 
 tic purpofe of enflavng thefe Colonies by vio- 
 lence, and have thereby rendeied it nece-ffary 
 for us to clofe with their laft appeal from Rea- 
 fon to Arms. Yet, however blinded that ?''" 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 ifembly may be, by their intemperate rage fof 
 unlimited domination, fo to (light juftice and 
 the opinion of mankind, we efteem ourfelves 
 bound by obligations of refpedt to the reft of the 
 world, to make known the juftice of our caufe." 
 
 This bold and explicit manifefto was dated 
 at Philadelphia, the 6th of July, 1775, and 
 ibbfcribed by John Hancock, Prefident of Con- 
 grefs, and Charles Thomfon, Secretary, 
 
 A general fpirit of unanimity pervaded the 
 colonies at this momentous period. Men of all 
 ranks and ages were animated with-martial ar- 
 dour, even religious prejudices were overcome 
 by patriotic enthufiafm. Several young men of 
 Vhe Quaker perfuafion joined the military aflbci- 
 ations ; and the number of men in arms through- 
 out the colonies was very confiderable. 
 
 Notwithftanding tliefe warlike preparations, 
 the Americans unanimoufly protefted that they 
 took up arms only to obtain a redrefs of griev- 
 ances ; and that a feparation from the parent 
 ftate was an obje(5l: foreign to their willies. — • 
 The rancour, however, that accompanies a civ- 
 il war, was productive of mutual reproaches, 
 and the (lighteft proof often was keenly felt as 
 proceeding from thofe who were once friends. 
 
 An inftance of this nature happened at Bof- 
 ton, while Invefled by the provincial army, and 
 produced the memorable correfoondence be- 
 
■ ( 36 ) 
 
 tween the refpedive commanders. The 1 
 letter, written by General Wafliington to G( 
 eral Gage, exhibited a lively portrait of his cl 
 rader and piinciples as well as thofe of his col. 
 trymen, — It contained the following ftrikin^- 
 pafTages : 
 
 " Whether Britifh or American mercy, for- 
 titude and patience, are mofl: pre-eminent 
 whether our virtuous citizens, whom the har 
 of tyranny has forced into arms to defend their 
 property and freedom, or the marcenary and 
 lawlefs inHruments of domination, avarice, r ' 
 venge, beft deferve the appellation of rebel 
 and the punifliment of that cord, which yoi 
 afFe<fled clemency has foreborne to infii(f> ; wb^ 
 ther the authority under which I ad, is usuri 
 ed, or founded upon the principles of liberty 
 fuch confiderations are altogether foreign v 
 the fubje£t of cur correfpondence — I purpofely- 
 avoid all political difquifition ; ner (hall 1 avaiJ 
 myfelf of thofe advantages, which the facre. 
 caufe of my country, of liberty and human na 
 ture give me over you ; much lefs fiiall I ftoo] 
 to retort any inventive. 
 
 *' You nizedi Sir, to defpife all rank not de- 
 rived from the ftme fource with your own. 
 cannot conceive one moie honourable than tha 
 wliich flows from the uncorrup ted choice of ; 
 brave and free People, the pureft fource anc 
 
( 37 ) ■ 
 
 original fountain of all power. * Far from think- 
 ing it a plea for cruelty, a mind of true magna- 
 tilmlty, and enlarged ideas, would comprehend 
 and refped it." 
 
 This celebrated letter was by the Americans 
 reprefented as the moftperfed model of the ftyle 
 becoming the Commander in Chief, and the oc- 
 cafion to which it was adapted ; nay, it was 
 commended in different parts of Europe, and 
 even in England, as the moft proper anfwer he 
 could make. 
 
 In September, General Gage failed for Eng- 
 land ; and the command of the Britilh army 
 devolved on General Howe. 
 
 Meanwhile, the army under Walhington 
 continued the blockade of Bofton fo clofely, as 
 to prevent all intercourfe betvi-een that town and 
 country. The provincial force was formed in- 
 to threegranddivifions, of which General Ward 
 commanded the right wing, General Lee the 
 left, the centre was commanded by Wafhington. 
 The army was arranged by General Gates, by 
 wkofe exertions military difcipliae was gradual- 
 ly and fuccefsfully introduced : the officers and 
 privates v^^ere taught the neceffity of a due fubor- 
 dination, and became expert in the different 
 HiancKUvres that conftitute the regularity of an 
 army. 
 
 Qne infuperable obRacle to the prGvIucial 
 D 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 army's arriving at' perfe<5t difclpline was the 
 fliortnefs of the time for which the men had 
 been enlifted. It had been limited to fix months, 
 and no part of the troops were engaged longer 
 than the 1st of Jan, 1776. To prevent the En- 
 glifli General from taking advantage of this cir» 
 cumftance, Wafiiington was obliged occafion- 
 ally to call in the militia when the diibanded 
 rhen lefc the camp, in order that the works 
 Ihould be properly defended. 
 
 Ticonderoga had been taken by CoFonel Ar- 
 nold on the 10th of May. This important for- 
 trefs is fituated on a promontary, formed at the- 
 jun(5tion of Lake George and Lake Champlain 
 and confequently it is the key of communicatioc . 
 between New York and Canada. Arnold, flurti- 
 ed with fuccefs, wrote a letter to- Congrefs, in 
 which he offered to i educe the whole province 
 of Canada with 2000 men. From the imp«tu- 
 ofity of his dlfpolition, he advifed the adoption 
 cf an oitenfive war, but as Congiefs did not 
 wifh to widen the breach between Great Britain 
 and.the Colonies, and an aceominodation was 
 their wifh, they deferred the invafion of Cana- 
 da. 
 
 Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of that pro- 
 vince, planned a fcheme for the recovery q{ 
 'I'icoiidtTCga and Crown Point, another fort ta- 
 k^n bv th^ Americans. He had been invefted 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 with full powers to embody the Canadians, and 
 march them againft the enemy ; however they 
 were very unwilling to engage in the conteft, 
 but he hoped on the arrival of reinforcements, to 
 compel them to a<3. Meantime he had colled- 
 ed a numerous body of IndiaiiS ; his troops 
 though few, were well difciplined, and the Uni- 
 ted Colonies had reafon to dtead a man of his 
 intrepidity and abilities. 
 
 When. Congrefs were informed of these ex- 
 ertions in Canada, they thought it expedient to 
 make a vigorous attack upon that 4>rovince, in 
 orider to prevent the invafion of their north- 
 weilern frontier. In confequence of this detei- 
 ifiination, an army of 3000 men under the com- 
 mands of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, 
 were fent to effed the conqueft of Canada — 
 They proceeded tol^ake Champlain, and thence 
 by water to St. John's the £rft Britifli pod in 
 Canada. The Americans landed and befieged 
 the fortrefs, which was bravely defended by the 
 garrifon under Major Prefton. lUnefs obliged 
 General Schuyler to retire to Albany, and the. 
 fole command of the troops devolved on Mont- 
 gomery, who profecuted the fiege with fuch vi- 
 gotir, that in a few days he became mafter of 
 the place. After the redudion of St. John's, 
 Montgomery advanced to Montreal with his 
 tviclorious ar*ny. Om his approach ta that town. 
 
( 40 ) 
 
 the few Britifli forces which compofed the gar- 
 lifon, repaired for fafetv on board the Clipping, 
 in hopes of efcaping down the river, but they 
 were prevented by a body of continental troops 
 under the command of Colonel Eafton, who 
 was ftationed at the point of Sore! river. — Gen- 
 eral Prefcot with feveral officers, and 120 pri- 
 vates furrendered themfelves prifoners on terms 
 of capitulation ; and the American General, af- 
 ter leaving a garrifon in Montreal, advanced 
 with a rapid march towards the capital of Can- 
 ada. 
 
 While Montgomery was thus purfuing the 
 career of vidory, the province of Canada was 
 invaded in another quarter by an enemy nolefs 
 enterprifmg and intrepid than himfelf. A de- 
 tachment of 1000 men was fent by Gen. Wafh- 
 ington, from the American army at Cam- 
 bridge. Tiiis expedition was condu«Sed by Col- 
 onel Arnold, who led his troops by an unexplo- 
 'red route thro' the wilderncfs. The difficulties 
 encountered by this detachment during 31 days, 
 were almofi; infurmonntable. They proceeded 
 in boats by the river Kennebeck, and were obli- 
 ged to work upwards againft its impetuous cur- 
 rent. After fuifering various hardOiips, and 
 lofmg above l-3d of his men, by ftcknefs and de- 
 fertion, Colonel Arnold arrived at the inhabited 
 part of Canada, after a march of 6 weeks. 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 Tlie appearance of Colonel Arnold before 
 Quebec threw the inhabitants into the greateft 
 confternation ; but, as in his march it had*been 
 impofllble to» bring any cannon, he could only 
 feize the avenues that led to the city, in order to 
 cut off fupplies and provifions, and await the ar- 
 rival of the troops under Montgomery. 
 
 On the 5lh of December, 1775, Montgomery 
 arrived in fight of Quebec. He fummoned it in 
 due form, but the garrifon fired at his flag of 
 truce, and refufed to admit his meffage. As 
 the depth of >vinter approached, he was convin- 
 ced of the neceffity of either raifmg the fiege, or 
 taking the city by efcalade. 
 
 General Carletonmade fuch exertions as evin- 
 ced the moft determined refiftance, and his ex- 
 ample animated the courage of the garrifon. 
 Tlie town was remarkably Ilrong both by nature 
 and art, and the number of the befiegers was in- 
 confiderable ; befides the vigilance of the Gov-' 
 ernor vras fuch, that every part was guarded v/ith 
 the greateft circumfpe«5tion. 
 
 Montgomery, on the other hand, pofTeffed all 
 thofe romantic ideas of military glory which 
 prevailed in the days of chivalry ; and this love 
 of enterprize was cherifhed by an intrepidity 
 which made him overlook all perils ; he was 
 confcious that his troops would follow with alac- 
 rity v,'herever he fhould lead, and he determined 
 D2 
 
( *2 ) 
 
 to take the city by ftorm, orpeiifliin the attempt. 
 
 On the 31ft of December, 1775, he advanced 
 to the attack by break of day. In order to incite 
 emulation among the Provincial troops, there 
 were two attacks, one by the New-England-men 
 headed by Arnold, and the other by the New- 
 York-men, whom the General led in perfon. 
 
 The way thro' which Montgomery and his 
 paity had to pafs was narrow, and as he knew 
 the moft defjperate exertions of valour would be 
 required, he had fele<Sed a number of his moft 
 refolute men for this enterprize. He advanced 
 amid a. heavy fhower of fnow, and, having feized 
 the firft hairier, he rufhed forward at the head 
 of his party, and haftened to clofe in upon the 
 enemy. The fecond barrier, which led direflly 
 to the gates of the lower town, was defended by 
 a ftrong body of the garrifcn, who were pofted 
 there with feveral pieces of cannon ready load- 
 ed — Montgomery advanced, with a rapid move- 
 ment, and was received with a volley of mufk- 
 etry and grape-fliot, that, in an inftant, killed 
 and wou'nded almoft the whole of his party. He 
 fell himfelf, with his principal officers. The 
 troops were fo difconcerted by the lofs of their 
 General, that they retreated. In the mean time, 
 Colonel Arnold was engaged in a furious afTliult 
 on theoppofite fide of the town. He attacked 
 and carried ^ barrier defended with cannon, but 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 tliis fnccers was attended with a great lot's of 
 men, and he received a wound himfelf, which 
 made it necefTary to carry him o5' the field of 
 battle. The officers on whom the command 
 devolved continued the aiTauk, and took poilef- 
 fion of another barrier ; but, the befeiged, who 
 ROW perceived the inconfiderable nurtiber of 
 the affailants, fallied from a gate that opened 
 towards their rear, and attacked them in turn. 
 The Provincials were now hemmed in from all 
 poffibility of a retreat, and expofed to a tremen- 
 dous fire from the walls ; yet, in this dreadlul 
 fituation, they maintained the conteft 3 hours 
 before they furrendered. • 
 
 Tho' this expedition had failed in ti.e great 
 objed, yet it cftectually prevented any invafion 
 from that quarter, a circumftance that had been 
 apprehended by Congrefs. 
 
 Thefouthern provinces now became involved 
 in the conteft, efpecially Virginia, where thedlf- 
 putes of the governor. Lord Dunmore, with the 
 A/fembly, after repeated aggravations on both 
 fides, terminated in open hoftliities. He had 
 retired from WiHiamfourg to Nortoik, where he 
 was joined by aconfiderahle number of loyalifts , 
 but, aftei feveral fkirmiOies, be was obliged to^ 
 retire to the Ihipping that lay in the river adja- . 
 <:ent to the town. As it v^as now in the poifei- 
 fiojijof.the Americans, they net only refufed to 
 
( 44 ) 
 
 fiipply the people on board with provifions, but 
 annoyed them by a number of riflemen, v-ho 
 were placed in houfes near the fhips, and who 
 inhumanly aimed at, and killed feveral perfons 
 on board. Exafperated at their condu<5l-, Lord 
 Dunmore ordered a party to land under cover 
 of a man of war, and fee nre to the town. Thus 
 Noifolk was reduced to afnes, and the lofs was 
 eftimated at 300,0';0/. 
 
 Meantime, the Governors of the two Carolinas 
 were, expelled by the people, and obliged to take 
 refuge on board the Briiifh men of war. 
 
 Thus at the concluficn of the year 1775, th® 
 whole of the Britilh Colonies, except the town 
 of Boftcn were united againft the Mother-coun- 
 try. 
 
 The Bricifli troops at Boflon had endured a 
 tedious blockade with their charaderiftic' forti- 
 tude. All communication with the country 
 v^as prevented, and the garrifon fufFered many 
 inconveniences from the want of nece^arie*. 
 They felt the feverities of a winter cam.paign in 
 a rigorous climate, efpeciaily thofe who were fta- 
 tioned at Bunkcr's-Hill, where they lay cxpofed 
 to winds and fnows almofl intolerable to a Brit- 
 iih conRicution. 
 
 Tlie Provincials, in the m.ean time, Vere well 
 fupplied with necefLiries in their encampment 
 befere Bofton. Here Walhington prefided, and. 
 
{ 45 ) 
 
 by his prudent regulations, the troops had all the 
 comforts of good icnts, bedding, and frefli provis- 
 ions. 
 
 An intenfe frofl ufually begins throughout New 
 England about the latter end of December, when 
 the harbour of Boston, and all the rivers in the 
 environs of that town, are generally frozen to a 
 depth of ice siifFicient to bear a great weight. 
 Washington proposed to take possession net only 
 of the town, but also to take or destroy all tho 
 shipjoing in the harbour, and by this decisive en- 
 tei'piize, put a conchision to f.ll the hopes of Great 
 Britain in this quarter. His troops were eager 
 to distinguish themselves by this achievir.ent, 
 and, if requisite, a greater force could soon be 
 collected to second their efforts. This winter, 
 however, was unusually mild, and, by preventing 
 the operations of the Provincials, both they and 
 the garrison were obliged to remain inactive. 
 
 In the mean time, Mr. Penn, who had bro't o- 
 ver the last petition (Vom Congress, was examined 
 at tho bar of the House of Lords. This gentle- 
 man had been Governor cA Pennsylvania, he v»as 
 personally acquainted with most of the members 
 of Congress, and was qualified to give the most 
 authentic information respecting the temper and 
 inclinations of the Americans. It appeared from 
 his testimonies, that the charge of amiing at In- 
 dependence, which had been imputed to Con- 
 gress, was unfounded. They hat! been fairly e- 
 iected, were men of character and abilities, the 
 
. < 46 ) 
 
 Colonies had tlie highest confidence in their in- 
 iegrity, and were governed by theh- decisions. 
 
 From his account, it appeared that Pennsylva- 
 nia, alone, was able to raise (>0,GOO men, 20,000 
 of whom had already enrolled themselves to serve 
 withoutpay, and were armed and embodied before 
 his departure from the continent. Beside, they 
 had, in imitation of the Colony of Massachusetts, 
 instituted a corps of fiiinute-nien, anaounting to 
 50(!0. 
 
 After a tedious debate in both Houses of Parlia- 
 ment, the petitition of Congress was rejected, all 
 attempts to reconciliation were suspended, the 
 standard of defiance seemed now to be raised, and 
 both parties appeared determined to make the 
 iast appeal to arms. 
 
 When the news of this rejection of the Amer- 
 ican petition reached the camp before Bostonj the 
 troops expressed the greatest indignation. As 
 Georgia had joined the confederacy, the Ameri- 
 cans now changed their colours from a plain red 
 ground, to 1 3 stripes, alternately red and white, 
 to denote the number of the United Colonies. 
 
 Washington exerted his skill and activity, in 
 order to\ompel the British either to surrender or 
 evacuate Boston before any succours could arrive 
 from England. On the 2d of March, 1776, he * 
 opened a battery on the west side of the town, and 
 bombarded it. — This attack was supported by a 
 ^tremendous cannonade ; and, on the 5th, another 
 imtiery was opened on the eastern shore, '^l^he 
 
( *7 ). 
 
 garriibn sustained this dreadful bombardment: 
 with the greateft fortitude ; itlafted 14; days with- 
 out intermiilioH, when General Howe, finding 
 the place no longer tenable, refolved to embark 
 for Halifax. 
 
 The evacuation of Bofton was not interrupted 
 by the Provincials, left the Britilh troops Ihould 
 fet it on fire. 
 
 When the Araei-icans took poffeffion of Bof- 
 ton, they found a multitude of valuable articles 
 which were unavoidably left behind by the Brit- 
 illi army. The principal of thefe were artillery 
 and ammunition j — but the moft valuable booty 
 was a large quantity of woollens and linens, of 
 which. the Provincials ftood in the moft prrffing 
 need. - 
 
 Wafliington now direded his attention to the 
 fortifications of Bofton. He employed a num- 
 ber of foreign engineers to fuperintend thecon- 
 ftru(5tict) of new woiks, and fo eager were tl>e 
 people" in the profecution of this bufinefs, that 
 every effeftive man in, the town, without dif- 
 tinftion, devoted 2 days of the week to its com- 
 pletion. ^ 
 
 > As .Wafhington was uncertain of the defti- 
 aatlon of the Bi itrlli ffeet and army which had 
 left ^Bofton, and as New York lay expofed to 
 any fudden attack, he detached feveral of his 
 beft regiments, under General Lee, for the de- 
 fence O'f that ciry. 
 
( 48 ) 
 
 Mean while, a fmall fleet, under the command 
 of Sir Peter Parker, and a body of troops under 
 Generals Cornwallis, Clinton, and Vaughan, 
 failed for Charlefton> the capital of South-Caro- 
 lina. After a violent, but unfuccefsful attack 
 in which the fleet received confiderable damage 
 the expedition was abandoned. 
 
 On the -Uh of July, 1776, the Reprefentatives 
 oi the United States of America, in Congrefs 
 aifembled, formally renounced all connexion' 
 with Great Britain, and declared themfelves in- 
 dependent. They alfo publifhed a manifeflo, 
 itating a litl: of grievances, which, notwithftand- 
 ing their repeated petitions, remained unredref- 
 fed. For thefe reafons, they determined on a 
 iinal feparation from the Mother-country, and 
 to hold the people of Great Britain as the reft 
 of mankind, " enemies in war, in peace friends.*'' 
 This celebrated declaration, of Independencr 
 concluded as follows : 
 
 ** AVE, the Reprefentatives of the United 
 States of America, in general Congrefs affem- 
 b!ed, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
 world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in 
 the name, and by the authority of the good peo- 
 ple of the Colonies, folemnly publifii and de- 
 clare, that the United Colonies are, and of right 
 ought to be. Free, and Independent States, and 
 that they are abfolved from all allegiance to the 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 Bntifli Crown, and that all political connexion 
 between them and the State of Great Britain is 
 and ought to be^ totally difTolved ; and that, as 
 Free and Independent States, thev have full 
 power to make war, conclude peace, con trad 
 alliances, eftablifh commerce, and to do alio- 
 ther a6ls and things which Independent States 
 may of right do. And for the fupport of this 
 Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protec- 
 tion of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge 
 to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our 
 iacred honour." 
 
 This formal renunciation of allegiance to 
 Great Britain, was followed by the greateft pre- 
 parations for war throughout the United Strtt<=?, 
 Wafhlngton took every precaution for defen- 
 five operations, by erecting forts, and ftationing 
 troops at tlie moft vulnerable points- The na- 
 ture of the country was peculiaily favourable to 
 defence. New-England, efpecially, prefented 
 many natural barriers, confiRing of hilis and 
 mountJans, interfe(5led by rivers, and interfper- 
 fed with woods and precipices — feveral defiles, 
 /kirted by impenetrable forefts — while majes- 
 tic rivers, flowing with impetuous currents, 
 feemed to preclude the invader. 
 
 General Howe refolved to quit Halifax, and 
 proceed to New-York, where he intended to 
 •wait for the reinforcements from England. H« 
 E 
 
( 50 ) 
 
 failed about the middle of Jung, and at the en^ 
 of the month arrived at Sandy- Hook, a point of 
 land which (lands at the entrance of a large bo- 
 dy of water, formed by the confluence of feveral 
 rivers, and which is furrounded by New- York, 
 Staten, and Long-Ifland. 
 
 About the middle of July, Lord Howe arri- 
 ved with a fleet and army from England. He 
 fent a circular letter to the Governors who had 
 been difplaced by their refpeflive provinces, in 
 which he explained, that he was impowered, iuf, 
 conjunftion with his brother, to grant general^ 
 or particular pardons to all thofe who were wils*^ 
 ling to return to their allegiance to the King 
 of Great Britain. Congrefs ordered this letter 
 to be publifiied in all the news -papers, in order, 
 that the people of America might know the ■ 
 terms on which they were to ad:, viz. either;^^! 
 unconditional fubmiffion, or a bold and man- 
 ly refiftance to defpotic power ; and, that thofe 
 who relied on the juftice or moderation of the 
 Britifli Miniffry, might be fully convinced, that 
 they muft truft to their own valour for the pre- 
 fervation of their liberties. 
 
 Lord Howe next fent a letter to the Ameri- 
 can Commander in Chief, but, as it was dire«fl- 
 ed to *' George Wafhington, Esq." the GenV 
 ral rsfdfed to receive it, as not direfted to him 
 agreeably to his ftatlon His condutfl, on ^h'w- 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 occafion, received the unanimous appro batioa 
 of Congrefs. ., . 
 
 To obviate this difficulty, Adjutant- General 
 Paterfon was fent by General Howe with a let- 
 ter directed to ** George Wafliington, &c. &c. 
 &c.'' He was politely* received, and immediate- 
 ly admitted to the prefence of the American 
 General. The Adjutant exprefled much con- 
 cern on account of the difficulties that had arif^ 
 en from the fuperfcription of the former letter, 
 and hoped that the et ceteras would remove all 
 obftrudion to an intercourfe between the Com- 
 miffioneis and General Wafhington. To this 
 he replied, " that a letcer written to a perfon 
 invefted with a public charader fliould fpecify 
 it, otheiwife it could not be diftinguiflied from 
 / a letter on private bufmefs : Irue it was, the et 
 ceteras implied every thing, but it was no lefs 
 true, that they implied any thing." 
 
 Tlie moft intereiting part of the converfation 
 was that refpedling the power of the Commif- 
 lioners, whom the Adjutant faid, were ready 
 to exert themfelves to the utmoft to effed a re- 
 <:onciliation. The General replied, that it did 
 not appear that thefe powers confided in any 
 more than granting pardons ; but as America 
 I had committed no offence, ffie afked no forgive- 
 ^ nefs, and was only defending her unqueftionable 
 rights. 
 
( 52 ) 
 
 f'rom this conference, it was evident, that 
 nothing but a decided fuperiority in the field 
 could induce the Americans to relax the refo^ 
 lutions which they had taken with {b moch de- 
 liberation and folemnity. 
 
 The firmnefs of Congrefs had infpired the pro- 
 vincials wixh enthufiafm. That refolute body 
 had declared America independant in the rery 
 face of the Britifii fleet and army, while the firft 
 was cafting anchor in fight of New- York, and 
 the reinforcemants from England were making 
 the fecond Unding on Staten Ifland. 
 
 An attack upon Long-Ifland being determin- 
 ed on by the Britifh commanders, the fleet cov- 
 ered the defcent of the army, which effefted a 
 landing without any oppofition, on the 22d of 
 Auguft, 1776. General Putnam, with a large 
 body of troops, lay encamped and ftrongly for- 
 tified, on a northern peninfula on the oppofite 
 fliore with a range of hills between the armies, 
 the principal pafs of which was at a village call- 
 ed Flat Bufli. 
 
 Large detachments of the American army 
 occupied the hills and pafles. The right of the 
 Britifli army was commanded by General Clin- 
 ton, Lord Percy, and Lord Cornwallls ; the 
 centre, compofed of Heflians, under General 
 Heifter, was pofled at Flat Bufli ; and the left 
 under General Grant, was ftationed near the 
 Tea Ihore. 
 
( S3 ) 
 
 Eaily m the morning of the 27th, the ea* 
 -gagement was begun by the HefTians, and a 
 Jeavy fire of cannon and mufquetry was con- 
 tinued on both sides ibr sevcfal hours. One of 
 .the passes which lay at a distance, had been ne- 
 glected by the Americans, which ^ve an oppor- 
 tunity to the right division of the British army to 
 pass the hills, and attack them in the rear. 
 
 The Americans, when apprised of their dan* 
 ger, retreated towards their camp, but they were 
 intercepted, and driven back into the woods.— 
 Here they were met by the Hessians, and thus 
 exposed to the fire of two parties. No way of 
 escape now remained, but by forcing their way 
 >thro' the ranks of the enemy, and thus regaining 
 their camp. This numbers of them effected, 
 but by far the greater part were either killed or 
 taken prisoners. 
 
 Washington had crossedover from New-York 
 in the height of the engagement, but he came 
 too late to retrive the fortune of the day. He 
 had the mortification to see some of his best 
 troops killed or taken, without beinp; able to af- 
 ford them any assistance, but he used his utmost 
 exertions to save thos<e that remained by a well 
 conducted retreat. 
 
 The victory wascomplete: the Americans lost 
 upwards of 3000 men, including 2000 killed, and 
 i 000 taken prisoners, among whom were three 
 generals — On the side of the British the loss in 
 killed and wounded was only about 500. Among 
 E2 
 
( 51 ) 
 
 the provincials that fell, a regiment from Mary- 
 l^nd was particularly regretted. It consigted 
 wholly of young men of the best families in thiit 
 province. They beliaved with the most admira- 
 ble heroism : they were every one killed or 
 wounded, and thus perished in the bloom of 
 youth. 
 
 After this defeat, -Washington did not think it 
 expedient to risk another action against a numer- 
 ous army of veterans, well provided with artil- 
 lery, and elated with their recent victory. New- 
 York required to be strenghlened, and the emer- 
 gency did not admit of a moment's delay ; for 
 should the British fieet be able to station itself be- 
 tween tiie camp and that city, all v.'oukl be in- 
 evitably lost. 
 
 . In this extremjty, Washington exerted all his 
 characteristic \i2rilance and circumspection. In 
 the night of the 29th August, favoured by dark- 
 ])ess, and in the most pi ofouixl silence, he con- 
 veyed his troops on board the boats and landed 
 them on the opposite shave. He also carried off 
 as muG;h of their bag-gage, urilitary stores and ar- 
 tillery, as the time would permit. This retreat 
 was conducted with so much secrecy, that v;ith 
 the dawn, the British troops were surprised .to 
 see the rear guard of the American army in 
 the boats and beyond the reach of danger. 
 
 When Washington returned with the army to 
 ?Jew-York, he crdei-ed batteries to be erected on 
 evci-y 'spot vdiencc'they could annoy the ships of 
 
{ 55 ) 
 
 war, which were now stationed in that part cf the 
 river which faces th.e city. 
 
 Tiie H^en of war were continually engaged 
 with those batteries some of which they silenced, 
 and enabled the British troops to proceed up the 
 river, to a bay about three miles distant. Here 
 the troops landed under the cannon of the fieet, 
 and marched dn-ectly towards the city, on which 
 Washington retreated with his men to the north 
 of York-Island. On this occasion, he lost a great 
 part of his artillery and military stores, yet he 
 engaged the British troops wherever he could 
 make an advantageous stand. 
 
 Washington had been particularly careful to 
 fortify the pass called King's bridge, and had 
 chosen this position for his army v.ith tlie great- 
 est judgment. He could advance or retire at 
 pleasure, without any danger of being cut off in 
 case of a defeat. Though he was determined 
 not to risk a general engagement, yet in cider 
 to inure his troops to actual service, and at the 
 same time annoy the enemy, lie employed them 
 in continual skirmishes, in consecjuenceofwhich 
 they gradually becam.e expert soldiers. 
 
 It was now determined to force the Amei-icar^s 
 to' a greater distance, lest others of their eniis- 
 saries should engage in an' attempt to destroy 
 the city. — Accordingly, General Howe left " a 
 sufficient garrison at New York, an4 embarked 
 his army in flat bottoramed boats, by which they 
 were ccnvcyed tl:ro' the dangerous. passage call- 
 
( 56 ) 
 
 ed Hell-Gate and landed near the town of West 
 Chester, on the continent. — After having fresh 
 reinforcements, the Royal army made such 
 pioveraents as threatened to distress the Ame- 
 ricans, by cutting of their supplies of provisions 
 from Connecticut, and thus force them to an en? 
 gagement. ^ 
 
 Washington held a council of war with his 
 officers, in which it was resolved to quit their 
 present position and extend the army in a long- 
 but a well secured line. This the general accom- 
 plished, by keeping the Prunx, a river of consid- 
 erable depth, in fi-ont, between the two armies, 
 with the North river on his rear. 
 
 On the 28th of October, at break of day, the 
 British troops divided into two columns, advan- 
 ced towards the White Plains, an extent of high 
 ground, full of craggy hills and defiles. 
 
 The Americans maintained their ground in 
 front till noon, when they were attacked with 
 such vigour by the British army, that th.ey were 
 cpjupelled to retire to their intrenchraents. 
 
 During the night, Washington, ever intent 
 on the defence and preservation of his army, 
 ordered several additional works to be thrown up 
 in front of the lines, in consequence of which the 
 J^nglish general thought it imprudent to attack 
 him till the arj'ival of reinforcements, 
 
 On mature de]ii3e ration, however, Washing- 
 ton thought it adviseablc to retreat : his camp 
 Fas broken up on the 1st of November, and hp 
 
< 57 ) 
 
 retired, with his army, into a mountainous coun* 
 try, called the Township of New-castle. By 
 these judicious movements, he avoided a general 
 action. His system was, to harrass the enemy, 
 and habituate his men to danger, so that, when 
 the emergency required it, they might be able 
 to act witli energy. 
 
 When General Howe found that all his at- 
 temps to bring the enemy to an action were inef- 
 fectual, he turned his attention to the reduce 
 tion of Forts Washington and Lee. A division 
 of his army advanced to King's Bridge, from 
 which the Americans withdrew into Fort Washr 
 ington, which was immediately invested. This 
 fort was situated on the western side of Nevv^ 
 York island, in the vicinity of the city, and near-' 
 ly opposite to Fort Lee, wiiich had been lately 
 erected on the other side of the water, in the 
 province of Jersey. Its chief strength was ii) its 
 situation, it was defended by 3000 men, well 
 supplied with artillery. On the 1 6th of Novem- 
 ber, this fort was attacked by the British ar'yijy, 
 in four divisions, and, after a resistance of some 
 hours, the garrison was overpowered, and obli- 
 ged to surrender themselves prisoners of war. 
 
 In order to obtain the full command of the 
 North-River, it was also necessary to reduce 
 Fort Lee. For this purpor»e, Lord Cornwallis 
 .crossed the river, landed on the Jersey shore, 
 and marched with all possible expedition to sur- 
 prize the garrison. Being appiizedofhis approach 
 
( 58 ) 
 
 they evacuated the fort, leaving all their artillery 
 and warlike stores to^ the . enemy. Thus both 
 the Jerseys were laid open to the incursions of 
 the British troops. They penetrated so far, that 
 their winter-quarters extended from New-Bruns- 
 "wick to, the river Delaware: and so great was 
 the consternation of the Americans, that, had 
 the British army found a sufficient number of 
 boats "to ferry them over the Delaware, it is high- 
 ly probhble that Philadelphia would have fallen 
 into their hands. 
 
 Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton undertook an 
 expedition to Rhode-island, and became master 
 of that province, without the loss of a man. The 
 affairs of the Americans also wore an inauspicious 
 aspect on their northern frontiers, where Gene- 
 ral Arnold was defeated by General Carieton, and 
 compelled to retire from Crown-Point to Ticon- 
 deroga. 
 
 The American army was now almost disband- 
 ed. As the time for which the soldiers had en- 
 listed was only a twelve-month, at the expiration 
 pf that period, having fulfilled their agreement, 
 they returned home, in consequence of which, 
 General Washington found his army decreased 
 from 30,000 to 3,000 men. To assist the Com- 
 mander in Chief as much as possible, General ' 
 Lee had collected a body of forces in the North, 
 but, on his way Southward, having imprudently- 
 lodged at some distance from the troops, he was 
 made prisoner by a party of British light dragoons, 
 )^'ho brought him to NeW'York. 
 
( 59. ) 
 
 The capture of GFcneral-Lee was a heavy ios^ 
 to the Americans. His profesbional knowledge 
 was great both in the theory and practice of 
 tactics ; he was full of activity, fertile in expe- 
 dients, and of a most intrepid arid enterprising 
 disposition. 
 
 Congress now exerted themselves to jetrieve 
 tlieir josses, and to recruit their army, 'They 
 were furnished with a just plea for alterirtg their 
 mode of enlisting men : they ordered a ne\y 
 army to be levied, of which the soldier should 
 be bound to serve 3 years, or during the continu- 
 ance of the war. The most liberal encourage- 
 ment was to be given to recruits. — Twenty dol- 
 lars was allowed to every soldier, as bounty^ be- 
 sides an allotment of lands, at the end of the war,. 
 to all that served, and to the families of those 
 who should lose their lives in the service of their 
 country. 
 
 All the provinces exerted themselves in thir, 
 season of universal danger, and hastened to send 
 whatever reinforcements could be raised to their 
 army that lay in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 
 '•,. Exclusive of the dread of being exposed to a 
 victorious enemy, the Americans were particu- 
 larly apprehensive of the Hessians, and other 
 Germans, who had, on every occasion, commit- 
 ted the most barbarous outrages. Those fero- 
 cious mercenaries appropriated every thing they 
 could lay their hands upon, and plundered a peo- 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 pie who not only detested but despised them fo? 
 their meanness and rapacity. 
 
 As the British troops lay cantoned on the bank 
 of the Delaware, and only waited till the frost 
 would enable them to cross it, the Americans 
 thought it advisable to remove their Congress to 
 Baltimore, in Maryland. Meanwhile, GeneraV 
 Washington continued to watch over the safety 
 €f his country ; his mind Was continually Occupi- 
 ed with new plans for the protection of his belov- 
 ed America; and he beheld, with filial solicitude, 
 the dangers that threatened her liberties. 
 
 The British army now occupied a chain of 
 towns and villages throughout the heart of the 
 Jerseys, and had extended their quarters to the 
 banks of the Delaware. General Washington- 
 resolved to make some attempts on those divi- 
 sions of the enemy that lay nearest Philadelphia, 
 and, if possible, relieve it from the danger to 
 which it was exposed. 
 
 A corps of Hessians lay at Trenton, another 
 at Bordenton, some miles lower down, and a 
 third at Burlington. These towns were on thd 
 opposite bank of the Delaware, and the last with- 
 in 20 miles of Philadelphia. The Hessians, 
 from a confidence in their military superiority, 
 became inattentive to the motions of the Ame- 
 ricans, and were wholly engaged with those li- 
 centious outrages that had rendered them odi- 
 ous to all the inhabitants. 
 
 Washington prepared to surprize the enemy 
 in their Quarte4's. Accordingly, he form^ hi» 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 army into three divisions— the first was to crostj 
 tlie Delaware at Trenton ferry — the second be- 
 low Bordenton — and the third he commanded 
 in- person, accompanied by Generals Sullivan 
 and Greene. This division consisted of 3000 of 
 the best men in the American service, with a 
 train of 20 field pieces. On the 25th of Decem- 
 ber, Washington marched at the head of his di- 
 vision, io a ferry some miles above Trenton, 
 with an intention to pass it at midnight, which 
 v.ould enuble him to arrive at Trenton with the 
 dawn. 
 
 " It is impossible to contemplate the progress 
 of this little army of patriots without emotion. 
 As they march in solemn silence, without one 
 friendly ray to guide their footsteps, what must 
 1^6 their sensations ? On the success of their en- 
 terprize depends the freedom and happiness of 
 innumerable millions yet unborn — on its failure, 
 awaits every evil that can appal the heart. Th» 
 virtuous matron — the innocent child — the chaste 
 virgin, all depend for protection on this heroic 
 band. As they proceed, their bosoms throb 
 with anxiety, while all the ardomof the soldier 
 arises to overcome apprehension ; neither the ri- 
 gour ef a winter's r.ight, nor the certainty of pe- 
 rifs tliey must face can deter them from their 
 purpose. Their leatlcr, who, like an eagle dri- 
 ven from her nest, still hovers about its young, 
 what are his thoughts ! — his noble heart forbo- 
 dcs success, he iniicipates victorv ; and, while 
 F 
 
( 62 ) 
 
 he feels the glow of heroism, his fortitude is 
 prepared to brave even defeat- itself. 
 ^ In coQsequenGe of the delay occasioned by the 
 tlifficulty in breaking the ice, it was four o'clock 
 in the morning before Washington could land 
 his troops, with their artillery on the Jersey 
 shore. He then formed his men into Ivm grand 
 divisions-^ 'One of which he ordered to proceed 
 by the lower road, and he led the other by the 
 upper road to Trenton. Though it was now 
 eight o'clock, the enemy did not discover the 
 approach of the Americans till they were attack- 
 ed by Washington's division:, and in three minu- 
 tes afterwards -the lower part of the to\vn was 
 assailed by the other detachment. Colonel Ral- 
 le, who commanded the Hessians, made every 
 effort that could be expected from a brave vet- 
 eran ; but he was mortally wounded, his troops 
 ^vere completely surrounded, and to the number 
 of 1000 rncn laid down their arms. 
 
 This victory may be considered a<? one of the 
 most fortunate events that befel the Americans 
 during the war. Religious individuals attribut- 
 ed this success to the interposition of Divine Pro- 
 vidence, that had suffered America to be redu- 
 ced to the extreme of distress, in ©rder to teach 
 them not to place their reliance on their own 
 strength, but to look to an Omnipotent Power 
 tor protection. 
 
 Washington repassed the Delaware, and his 
 icturn to Philadelphia with such a considcrablf 
 
( 63 ) 
 
 number of prisoners, was both pleasing and un- 
 expected. To surprize a body of veterans, and 
 defeat them in their own quarters, was an at-, 
 chievment that excited the liveliest emotions of 
 admiration in the breasts of the Americans. 
 They were now emulous to second the efforts 
 ©fa General who had so nobly effected their de- 
 fence ; men of energy and influence were dis- 
 patched in all directions to rouze the militia, and 
 about 1500 of the American troops, whose en- 
 gagement was nearly expired, agreed to serve 
 six weeks longer for a gratuity often dollars to 
 each. - 
 
 When the Hessian prisoners were secured, 
 Washington again crossed the Delaware, and 
 took possession of Trenton. Several detach- 
 ments of the British assembled at Princeton, 
 where they were joined by the ariny from Bruns- 
 wick, commanded by Lord' Cornwallis. This 
 general now marched to Trenton, and attacked 
 the Americans on the I'd of January, 1777, at 4- 
 o'clock in the afternoon. The vanguard of the 
 Americans was compelled to retreat, but the 
 pursuing enemy waschecked by some fieldpieces 
 which were posted on the opposite bank of San- 
 pink Creek. Thus t\Vo armies, on which the 
 success or failure of the American Revolution 
 depended, were crov/ded into the village of Tren- 
 ton, and only separated by a creek in many places 
 fordttble. The Bruish army discontinued their 
 operations, and lay en their" amis ini readiness to 
 
( 61 ) 
 
 make another attack next morning. — Mean- 
 while Washington ordered the baggage to be si- 
 lently removed, and having left fires and patroles 
 in his eandp to deceive the enemy, he led his 
 army during the obscurity of the night, and by 
 a circuitious route reached Princeton. 
 
 Washington had held a council of war with 
 his officers, in which this movement had been 
 ; determined on, as the most likely way to pre- 
 s&rve the city of Philadelphia from being cap- 
 tured by the British army. He reached Prince- 
 ton early in the morning, and would have sur- 
 rounded three regiments of British Infantry that 
 were stationed there, had not a detachment that 
 was marching to Trenton descried his troops, 
 and dispatched couriers to alarm their fellow 
 Sioldiers. 
 
 On their approach to Princeton, the centre of 
 the Americans was charged by a party of the 
 British troops, and compelled to retreat. In this 
 emergency, Washington rode forward ; he plac- 
 ed himself between his flying troops and the 
 enemy. The Americans encouraged by his 
 exhortations and example, rallied and attacked 
 the British in turn ; and tho' Washington was 
 for some moments between two fires, he provi- 
 dentially escaped without a wound. During this 
 contest, the British troops displayed the most 
 invincible valour. One of the three regiments 
 commanded by Colonel Mawhood, undismayed 
 hy the superiority of the Americaiis in point of 
 
( 65 ) 
 
 numbers charged them with their bayonets, forc- 
 ed their way through their ranks^ and marched 
 forward to Maidenhead ; the other two regi- 
 ments retired in excellent order, and retreated 
 to Brunswick. 
 
 The British General was so much disconcerted 
 at these unexpected manoeuvres of Washingtort,. 
 that he evacuated Trenton, and retired with his 
 whole force to Brunswick ! 
 
 Thus, in the space of a month, all that part of 
 the Jerseys which lies between Brunswick and 
 Delaware, was over-run by the British troops, 
 and recovered by the Americans. Washington 
 stationed troops in all the important places which 
 he had regained, and the campaign of \776 clos- 
 ed with few advantages to the British army, ex- 
 cept the acquisition of New-York. 
 
 During these hostile operations, both armies 
 had suffered great hardships. Many of the Ame- 
 rican soldiers were destitute cf shoes, and their 
 naked feet were often wounded by the inequali- 
 ties of the frozen ground, insomuch that their 
 footsteps were marked with blood. Tiieir Cloth- 
 ing was too slight for the rigorous season ; there 
 was scarcely a tent in the whole army^ yet so 
 enthusiastically were they attached to their gen- 
 eral that they underwent those hardships with- 
 out repining. Wasbingt^cn merited this gene- 
 rous confidence ; his benignity to his troops, the 
 cheerfulness with which he participated their in- 
 r.onvenicncesand dangers, and the heroism which 
 F 2 
 
{ 66 ) 
 
 he displayed in the heat of action, commanded 
 their veneration; In the actions at Trenfon and 
 Princeton, he united the stratagem of Hannibal 
 with the intrepidity of Caesar ; v/hile his success 
 animated the hopes, and roused the energies of 
 the friends of American Independence. 
 
 Tho' vested with extraordinary powers to raise 
 troops, he found it very difficult to keep those 
 he had together. A few were influenced, by 
 the persuasions of their officers, to remain and 
 deiend the comnnon cause, but the major part of 
 the army were induced to serve by their attach- 
 ment to their general. Indeed, the high estima- 
 tion in v;hicii he was held by his country-men, 
 vras ol the greatest efficacy on many occasions, 
 and r-cw it absolutely prevented the troops from 
 disbardini , themselves. 
 
 The 'eci aits supplied by the several provinces 
 fell short of the imended number ; yet 'vhile the 
 Bi.'ish troops were detained at N. York, Washr 
 ington received numerous reinlprcements. He 
 now moved from his winter encampment at Mor- 
 ristown, to the high lands about Middle-Brook, in 
 the vicinity of Brunswick. In this strong position 
 he thiew up works along the front of his lines, 
 but his principal advantage was the difficulty to 
 approach his camp, the ground being so judicious- 
 ly occupied as to expose an enemy to every kind 
 of danger in an attack. On the one side he co- 
 vered the Jerseys, and on the other he observed 
 the motions oi the British army at Brunswick 
 ©f whiclii he commanded a full prospect. 
 
( 67 ) 
 
 Many stratagems were employed by the Brit^ 
 ish General to draw Washington from his strong 
 situation, but without effect, so that it was found 
 necessary to make an attempt on Philadelphia 
 by sea. 
 
 On the 23d of July, the British fleet sailed from 
 Sandy Hook, with 36 battalions of British and 
 Hessian infantry, a regiment of light dragoons, 
 and a corps of American Loyalists on board, Af-. 
 ter a tedious navigation, they v/ent lap the river 
 Elk as far as was practicable. Here the army 
 landed, without opposition, on the 35th of August. 
 Part of the troops were left to guard the stores, 
 -while General Howe proceeded, with the main 
 body, to the head of the Elk. 
 
 When W^ashington received information that 
 the British fleet had sailed up the Chesapeake, 
 he marched with all possible expedition to the 
 defence of Philadelphia. His army, amounting 
 to 12,000 men, passed thro' that city to meet the 
 British forces, whicii consisted of 15 000. He 
 encamped on the Brandy wine Creek, about mid- 
 way from the Eik to Philadelphia, and sent de- 
 tach in ents to harass the British army on their 
 march. 
 
 On the approach of the enemy, Washington 
 retired to the side of the Creek next Philadelphia, 
 with a determination to dispute the passage. On 
 the 1 Ith of September, the royal army advanced 
 to the attack at day -break, and after a well con- 
 tested battle, which lasted till night the Amevi- 
 
( 68 ) 
 
 eans were defeated with the loss of 1000 killed 
 and wounded, besides 500 taken prisoners. On . 
 the side of the conqiiercrs, the loss did not exceed 
 509. The victory was so complete, that dark- 
 ness alone prevented the pursuit and consequent 
 destruction or capture of the whole provincial 
 army. The greatest valour had been displayed 
 by the officers and soldiers on both sides. A- 
 mong the American troops who distinguished 
 themselves most, were the Virginians, who, from 
 their affection for Washington^ had on all occa- 
 sions evinced the greatest intrepidity and enthu- 
 siasm. 
 
 Immediately after the battle the Americans 
 retired to Chester, whence Washington wrote an 
 account of hisdefeatto the presidesit of Congress. 
 His letter is dated 12 o'clock at night, and is per- 
 haps the most faithful picture ever given, of the 
 reflections of a great mind amid disaster and dif- 
 ficulty. His troops tho' defeated were not dis- 
 pirited, and they considered their misfortune 
 rather as the consequtnce of superior skill on the 
 side of their enemies, than as proceeding from 
 any defect of valour on theirs. 
 
 Congress, which had returned from Baltimore 
 to Philadelphia, were now obliged to retire a sec- 
 ond time. They went first to Lancaster, and af- 
 terwards to York-Town. 
 
 General Howe, at the head of the vanguard of 
 his army entered Philadelphia in triumph on the 
 26th of September, and the main body of th« 
 
( 69 ) 
 
 British army encamped in the vicinity of t^e ci- 
 ty. The American army was posted at Skippach 
 Creek sixteen miles distant. When Washington 
 received the intelligence that the British army 
 was divided, he resolved to surprise the camp of 
 the principal division at German Town — Accor- 
 dingly, on the 3d of October, in the evening, he 
 marclied in great silence, and about 3 o'clock iii 
 the morning he reached the British camp, and 
 immediately made the requisite dispositions for 
 an attack. The patrojes discovered his approach, 
 and the troops were called to arms. 
 
 The Americans assailed the camp with the 
 greatest intrepidity, but they were received with 
 such bravery, that, after a very hot action, they 
 we^-e repulsed, and compelled to retreat with 
 considerable loss. 
 
 When the news that Philadelphia was in pos- 
 session of the royal army reached the northern 
 colonies, they sent a reinforcement of 4000 of 
 their best men to Washington. On their arriv- 
 al, he advanced within 14 miles of the city, and 
 fixed himself in a strong encampment at White 
 Marsh. The British general marched out of 
 PhiladelpWa in the beginning of December, to 
 afford Washington an opportunity of coming to 
 a general engagement, but he was determined 
 to act merely on the defensive. Finding that he 
 could not provoke the enemy to engage. Gen- 
 eral Howe returned to the city on the 8th of 
 December, and his army went into winter quar- 
 ters. 
 
( 70 ) 
 
 Washington now removed his camp to Val- 
 ley Forge on the banks of the SchiiylkUl, about 
 15 miles from Philadelphia. In this strong po- 
 sition he could observe every motion of the 
 British army. Huts \^ere erected, in order to 
 protect his army from the rigour of winter. 
 The willingness with which the troops consented 
 to undergo the various hardships of so uncom- 
 fortable a situation, was a proof of the warmth of 
 their sttachment to their General, and their de-. 
 termination to defend their country. 
 
 While the British army were thus successful 
 in the middle colonies, more important and de- 
 risive events happened in the northern provinces. 
 General Burgoyne was sent at the herfd of a vet- 
 eran army, to make a vigorous campaign upon 
 the lakes and in the adjoining provinces. He 
 first took posses'sion of Ticonderoga, then cros- 
 sed Lake George, and encamped on the banks 
 of the Hudson near Saratoga. Here his pro- 
 gress was checked by the Americans under Gen- 
 eral Gates : and after two severe actions, he was 
 forced to surrender on the 1 7th of October, 1777. 
 This event diffused an universal joy throughout 
 the United Slates. The European nations, 
 and France ia particular, who from prejudice or 
 envy, had so long been desirous of the downfall 
 of Bridsh grandeur, received this news with 
 oix'n exultaiion. Indeed, several individuals in 
 Fiance had exerted themselves in favour of the 
 Americans. A nmnber of brave and experien- 
 
( 71 ) 
 
 Ced officers of the Irish brigade volunteered in- 
 the cause of the British Colonies, against their 
 parent State ; and even some of the young no- 
 bility of France were emulous to distinguish 
 themselves on this occasion. The most conspi- 
 cuous of these, were the Marqilis de la Fay- 
 ette ; Roche du Fermoy, wfio served in the ar- 
 my that acted against General Burgoyne : De 
 Coudray, a French officer of rank ; and Baron 
 St. Ovary* 
 
 By the assistance of these auxiliaries, the 
 Americans daily improved in discipline, and the 
 successful close of the campaign on the frontiei-s, 
 cheered them with the most pleasing expecta- 
 tions respecting the issue of the war. 
 
 On the: 6th of Februaiy , 1 778, a treaty of al- 
 liance between France and America was signed 
 by the contracting parties. Washington appoint- 
 ed a day for the whole army to celebrate this 
 event, and it was observed with the greatest 
 military pomp. 
 
 In May, General Howe took his departure for 
 Knglaiad, and the chief command of the British 
 army devolved on Sir Henry Clinton. 
 
 The English commissioners, appointed by 
 the British Ministry to attempt a reconciliation 
 with the Colonies, arrived at New-York in the 
 beginning of June, but before they could re- 
 ceive an answer from Congress, General Clin- 
 ton evacuated Philadelphia, after the British 
 army had kept possession of it for niae months. 
 
( 72 ) 
 
 TUis event took place on the 18th of June, and 
 it was considered by the Americans as the har- 
 binger of their Independance. They asserted, 
 that the strength of Britian was broken on the 
 American continent, and that the army retreat- 
 ed towards the sea, to be in readiness to em- 
 bark, if the exigencies of Britain required its 
 assistance. 
 
 The British army marched out of Philadel- 
 phia at 3 o clock in the morning, and crossed 
 the Delaware before noon, with all its baggage. 
 
 Washington had been apprised of this move- 
 ment, and dispatched expresses into the Jerseys 
 to collect troops. He passed xhe Delaware with 
 the main body of his army, and was hourly join- 
 ed by reinforcements of regular troops and mi- 
 litia.. 
 
 GeneraJ Clinton retreated across the country 
 towards Sandy Hook, whence a passage to New- 
 York might be easily efiected. In the mean 
 time, Washington pursued the British army 
 be sent the Marquis d^ V-K Fayette with a detach- 
 ment of chosen troops to harass the rear of the 
 enemy ; General Lee, wno liad been lately ex- 
 changed, foIioY»ed witb a xiivision to support him, 
 and Washington himself moved with the main 
 body to sustain the whoie. 
 
 On the 27th of June, the British army en- 
 campeci in a strong position at Monmouth, near 
 »eeho1d ; and on the morning of the 28th the 
 van division of the i Americans under General 
 
( ) 
 
 Lee, commenced the attack by a severe cannon- 
 ade ;biit Sir Henry Clinton, had made such ju- 
 dicious arrangements of his troops, that the ene- 
 my were unable tO make any impression on his 
 fear. 
 
 The British grenadiers and light infantry en- 
 gaged the Americans with such vigour, that 
 their first line, commanded by General Lee, 
 'Cvas completdy broken ; their second line was 
 also defeated ; they both rallied however, and 
 posted themselves with a morass in their front; 
 They were again charged by the British troops, 
 and were with di^culty preserved from a totaf 
 defeat by the junction of their main body under 
 Washington. 
 
 In this action th^ bravery and discipline of 
 the British troops were coniipicQous. They had 
 forced an enemy superior in number from two' 
 strong positions, and had endured excessive fa- 
 tigue both from the intense heat of the day and 
 unremitting toil. Th« loss of the royal army 
 Avas about 500 men, and that of the Americans 
 Was considerable. 
 
 General Lee, who commanded the van divi- 
 sion of the American arhiy in the action at Mon- 
 mouth, Was, in consequence of his misconduct, 
 put under arrest, tried by a Court-martial i' and 
 sentenced to a temporary suspension from his 
 command. 
 
 Washingtbn, after the retreat of the British 
 army, marched to White Plains near Kine's 
 G 
 
Bridge, "Where he encamped. He remained in 
 this position till the latter end of autumn, when 
 he retired to Middle-Brook, in Jersey. Hers 
 his army erected huts, similar to those they had 
 made at Valley-Forge, and went into wintei'- 
 quarters. 
 
 In May, 1779, General Clinton sent a divi- 
 sion of the British army to take Stoncy-Point, a 
 strong fort on the western side of the North- 
 River. This expedition was successful, as the dis- 
 tance at which Washington lay with his army 
 prevented him from giving any assistance to the 
 garrison. The British General fortified Stoney- 
 Point in the strongest manner, and encamped at 
 Philipsburb, hulf way between that fortress and 
 New-York, to be in readiness to compel Wash- 
 ington to an engagement, if he should leave his 
 station in Jersey. 
 
 In order to counteract these operations, Wash- 
 ington advanced towards the British army. He 
 took a strong position at West-Point, on the banks 
 of the North-River, and farmed a design to re- 
 cover Stoney-Point by surprise. He sent Gener- 
 al Wayne, one of the most intrepid offieers in 
 his army, to conduct this enterprise. Wayne, 
 at the head of a detachment of chosen men, arri- 
 ved in the evening of the 1 5th of July withia 
 sight of Stoney-Point. He formed his men into 
 ^ft'o columns with orders to use the bayonetonly. 
 The right column v/as commanded by himself 
 in person, the left by major Stewart, a bold and 
 active officer. At midnight, the two columns 
 
( 75 ) 
 
 marched to the attack, from the opposite sides 
 of the works, whtch were surrounded with a m6- 
 rass and two rows of abbatis, well provided with 
 artillery. The Americans were opposed by a 
 tremenduous fire of musketry and grape shot, 
 but they pressed forward with the bayonet, and 
 both columns met in the centre of the works, 
 where the garrison, amounting to 500 men, were 
 obliged to surrender prisoners of war. 
 
 When the British General received the intelli- 
 gence of the surprise of Stony Point, he march- 
 ed with his army to retake it, and as Washing- 
 ton did not consider the possession of that fortress 
 of sufficient importance to risk a general action, 
 he demolished the works, and carried off the 
 artillery . 
 
 Towards the end of the year 1 779, General 
 Clinton sailed from New-York, with a considerr 
 able body of troops to attack Charleston in 
 South-Carolina, where General Lincoln comman- 
 ded. After a close siege of 6 weeks tlie town 
 was surrendered to the British General, and the 
 whole American garrison made prisoners. In 
 August 1780, Lord Cornwalhs defeated the A- 
 mericans, under General Gates, at Camden in 
 South Carolina, and he after\\\irds marched thro* 
 the Southern States without opposition. 
 
 During the fummer of 1780, the Britifii 
 troops made frequent incurfions from New- York 
 into the Jerfeys, and an unfuccefsful attempt 
 was made by General Knyphaufen with 7000 
 
( 76 ) 
 
 ^en to furprife the advanced pofts of Wafting- 
 ton's ai^my. So great ""vere the neceflitles of the 
 American ajiny, that Wafliington was oblige^ 
 to call on the magiftrates of the adjacent coun- 
 ties for fpecified quantities of provifions ; nay, 
 he was fomelimes coir.pelkd to fend detach- 
 meius of his troops to lake neceiTarics at the 
 poii:t of the bi^yonet from the citizens. This 
 fcarcity was principally owing to the deprecia- 
 tion of the paper currency, which difcouraged 
 the farmers. from leiling their provifions to the 
 army. The fiiuatioii of Waftiington was peculi- 
 arlv embarraffing-the aimy looked to him for 
 neceffaries, and i!~.e people for the protcdllon 
 of theii property; His. prudence fuiinountGd 
 thefe fJlMcuUies, and Congrefs fent a Commit- 
 tee of their own bodv to his camp, to concert 
 meafures for the payment and fupply of the 
 troops. As the attempt of the Britifli army 
 againft Waihington had made no impreflioij 
 of any conTequence, the Am.ericans began to 
 recover from the alarm which the lofs of 
 Chaileftown had excited. Warm exhoitations 
 were made to the people by Congfefs, in which 
 they were callec- upon by every motive that 
 could animate them to 'a61 with fpirit and promp- 
 tit'ide ag;^!!''^: Great Britain. 
 
 In the mean time. Sir Henry Clinton return- 
 ed with his vidorious army from Charlefton ; 
 
( 77 ) 
 
 and General Arnold who had been entrufted witk 
 the command of a very confiderable divifion 
 of the American army at Weft-Point, agreed to 
 'deliver up that important poft to the Britifh 
 General, AsWalhington had fet outfor Hart- 
 ford to hold a conference with Count de Roch- 
 amheau, the n^gociation between Sir Henry 
 Clinton and Arnold was carried on with greater 
 facility during his abfence. The agent employ- 
 ed by the Britifh General was Major Andre, a 
 young officer of uncommon merit. To favour 
 the neceiTary communications, the Vulture 
 (loop of war had been previoufly ftationed in the 
 North-River, and a boat was fent at night from 
 the (hore to fetch Major Andre — When he had 
 Teceived fuch inftru^ions as related to his bu- 
 fmefs, he fet out on his return, but was inter- 
 cepted and all his papers fiezed. Arnold ef- 
 caped on/ board the Vulture, but Major Andre 
 was brought before aboard of General Officers, 
 by whom he was c®nfidered as a fpy, and fen- 
 tenced to death. The officers who figned thq 
 condemnation of Andre, and even Washington 
 himfelf, teftified the fmcereft grief at the ne- 
 ceffity they declared themfelves under of com- 
 plying with the rigorous laws eftabliftied in fuch 
 cafes. 
 
 At the clofe of the year 1 780, the American 
 army felt the rigour of the feafon with peculiar 
 G 2 
 
( 78 ) 
 
 clrcumftances of aggravation by want of pay, 
 clothing, &c. The troops had been enlifted for 
 3 years, which were now expired, and incenfed 
 at fo long a continuance of hardftiips, an infur- 
 reclion broke out in the Pennfylvania line, which 
 was followed by that of New-Jeifey. The 
 complaints of thefe foldiers being well founded, 
 were redrefsed, and a general amnefty clofed 
 the bufmefs. That part of the American army 
 which was under the command of Wafhington 
 did not efcape the contagion of revolt. He 
 prudently remained in his quarters, where his 
 prefence, and the refpedl and affection for his 
 perfon, tho' it did not prevent murmurs, kept 
 his men within bounds, -and prevented a muti- 
 ny. 
 
 The campaign of 1781, was opened with 
 great vigour by the Britifti army in Carolina. 
 After feveral '{kirmilhes with various fuccefs, 
 the two armies under Lord Cornwallis and Ge- 
 neral Greene, met at Guilford, on the 15th of 
 March 1781, and after a well contefted adion, 
 the Britilh remained matters of the field. 
 Lord Cornwallis afterwards marched into Vir- 
 ginia, where notwithftanding the advantages he 
 gained over the Americans, his fituation be- 
 came very critical. Sir Henry Clinton was 
 prevented from fending him reinforcement, as 
 lie was apprehenfive that Wailiington intended 
 
( 79 ) 
 
 to attack New-York. The American Com. 
 mander in chief employed great fineffe to de- 
 ceive the Britifli general, and by a variety of 
 judicious manoeuvres, kept him in continual 
 alarm. — In the mean time. Lord Cornvvallis 
 took pofTeffion of York Town, in Virginia, and 
 he was followed by the Marquis de la Fayette 
 who had been difpatched by Wafhington with 
 2000 light infantry to watch the motions of the 
 Britifh army^ 
 
 On the 30th of Auguft, Count de GrafTe 
 anchored in Chefapeake Bay, with 24? (hips of 
 the line. He landed troops to co-operate with 
 Wafhington, who had moved with the mainbo* 
 dy of his army to the fouthward, and when he 
 heard of the arrival of the French fleet in the 
 Chefapeake, he proceeded by forced marches to 
 the head of the Elk, which he croffed and pro- 
 ceeded to York Town. 
 
 Wafliington now inverted York Town, with 
 an army of 1 5,000 Americans, and 9000 French. 
 He had feleded his beft troops for thi^ impor- 
 tant occafion, and the French were chofen out 
 of the braveft corps in France. 
 
 The French and American batteries mount- 
 ed with 50 pieces of cannon, were opened a- 
 gainft York Town on the night of the 6th of 
 Odober, and an inceffant fire was kept up till 
 the 14th, when two detachments of the befieg- 
 
( so ) 
 
 ^rs attacked and ftormed two redoubts in front 
 of the Britifh works. The befieged were now 
 fo reduced by ficknefs, and the accidents of war 
 that they amounted only to 5,600 efFedive men. 
 Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton feleded 7000 of 
 his bell troops, which he embarked at New- 
 York, on board the Britifti fleet, with a deter- 
 Ruination to fuccour the army under Lord Corn- 
 •wallis J but the garrifon at York Town having 
 peifevered to the utmoft extremity, and no 
 profpecft of relief appearing, a negociation was 
 ppened with Walhington, and the troops and 
 feamen were obliged to furrender themfelves 
 prifoners of war. Thus terminated the decl- 
 iive campaign of 1780, which realifed Ameri- 
 can Independence. 
 
 Soon after the capture of Lord Cornwallis, 
 the Britifli aimament appeared off the Chefa- 
 peake, in the latter end of October, but to their 
 moitification, they were appiifed that the army 
 under Lord Cornwallis had furrendered. 
 
 Wafhington felt all the honeft exultation of 
 a patriot at this event. The orders publiihed 
 in his camp, on the 20th of October, were 
 ftrongly expreffive of his satisfadion. He con- 
 gratulated the officers and foldiers of the com- 
 bined armies on their fuccefs, and iliued a gen- 
 eral pardon to all perlbns in the ContineiHal 
 ^irmy vvho were under arrefl, '* that every heart 
 
( 81 ) 
 
 ]^ight partake of the general joy." Nor diq 
 be omit what he knew would be peculiarly 
 acceptable to the religious turn of many of his 
 countrymen. His orders conUuded with a par- 
 ticular injun<5lion, ** That a thanksgiving fer- 
 vice fhould be perfoimedv' at which it was 
 folemnly recommended to the troops to affift 
 with that ferioufnefs and fenfibility of heart, 
 which ihe furprifyig inter pcfition of Providence 
 in their fnyour fo juftly claimed. 
 
 Wafiiington Was Cclicitous that the prifon- 
 ers (>£ war Ihould be well treated. By his or- 
 ders, they weie dillributed in the provinces of 
 Virginia, Maryland, and Pennfylyania, and their 
 allowarxe was the fame as that of the Ameri- 
 can arniy. 
 
 Congrefs voted an addrefs of thanks to Waih- 
 ington, CouHt Rcchambeau, Count de Graife, 
 and all the officers and foldiers of the combine4 
 armies, for the fervices they had performed;; 
 They alfo refolved, '^ That, in remembrance 
 of the furrender of -the Britilh army, a marble 
 column fhould be ere<3:ed at York Town, Vir- 
 ginia, adorned with emblems of the alliance be- 
 tween France and the United States of Arrerl- 
 ca, and infcribed with a fuccinft account of the 
 memorable event it was intended tacommemo- 
 rate." 
 sWafhington now returned with the principal 
 
( 82 
 
 part of his army to the vicinity of New- York, 
 where, as he was unable to reduce that city, he 
 went into winter quarters. The only appear- 
 ances of an exifting war were fome fkirmifh- 
 es and predatory excurfions. 
 
 On the 5th of May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton 
 arrived at New- York, being appointed to com- 
 mand the BritiQi army in America. Immedi- 
 ately on his arrival, he acquainted Wafliington 
 and Congrefs, that negociations for a peace had 
 commenced at Paris. Meanwhile, the Britifli 
 troops evacuated all their pofts in South Caro- 
 lina and Georgia, an^ retired to the main army 
 at New York. 
 
 Preliminary articles of peace were figned at 
 Paris on the 50th of November, 1782, by Mr. 
 Fitzherbert and Mr. Ofwald, on the part of 
 Great Britain, and, by Dr. Franklin, Mr, Adams 
 Mr. Jay, and Mr. Lawrens, on the part of the 
 United States. By this treaty his Majefty ac- 
 knowledged the Thirteen United Colonies to 
 be " free, fovereign and independent States." 
 
 As military operations were now entirely 
 fufpended j it was no longer neceflary to keep 
 the American army embodied. The States, 
 however, were unable to pay them the arrears 
 due for their ineftimable fervices, and thofe men 
 who had fpent the prime of their days in de- 
 fence of their country, were now to be difmiff- 
 ed without a reward. 
 
( 83 ) 
 
 An attempt was made by anonymous papers 
 to incite the officers and foldiers to revolt. 
 Waftiington, who was then in the camp, faw 
 the danger, and exerted his influence to pre- 
 vent it. At a meeting of the general and field 
 officers, with one officer from each company, 
 the commander in Chief addreffed them in a 
 pathetic fpeech, in which he conjured them, 
 "as they valued their honour, as they refpeft- 
 ed the rights of humanity, and as they regard- 
 ed the military and national charader of Ame- 
 rica, to exprefs their utmoft deteftation of the 
 man who was attempting to open the flood- 
 gates of civil difcord, and deluge their rifmg 
 empire with blood. Waftiington then retired. 
 The officers, foftened by the eloquence of their 
 beloved commander, entered into a refolution, 
 by which they declared, " that no circumftance 
 of diftrefs or danger (hould induce a condu(ft 
 that might tend to fully the reputation and 
 glory they had acquired j that the army contin- 
 ued to have an unihakcn confidence in the jus- 
 tice of Congrefs and their Country, and that 
 they viewed with abhorrence, and rejefted with 
 difdain, the infamous propofitions in the late a- 
 nonyniousaddiefs to the officers of tlie army." 
 The fortitude and patriotifm of Wafilington 
 were in no inftance of more e^ential fervice t© 
 America, thaa on this mementOBs occafion. 
 
i u ) 
 
 iaftead of making the difcontent of the arrn_y 
 •nftrume.Rtal to his own ambition, and ufurp-^ 
 ing the goverment, this^agnaninious patriot 
 foothed the paffions 9)i hisfoldiers, and preferved 
 inviolate the liberties of his country. , 
 
 Towards the clofe of the year 1783, Congrefs 
 HTued ,a proclatnation, in which the armies of 
 the United States were applauded for their 
 "long eminent and faithful fervices,'* Con- 
 grefs then declared it to be their pleafure, "that 
 flich part of their Federal armies as ftood en- 
 gaged to serve during the war, fhould, from 
 and after the 3d day of November next, be abfo- 
 lutely difcharged from the faid fervice." 
 
 Wafhington's " Farewell orders to the ar- 
 mies of the United States," dated Rocky-Hill, 
 near Princeton, 2d Nov. 1783, is a pathetic 
 exhortation, in which the disintereftednefs oj^ 
 the Patriot is blended with the wifdom of the 
 Philofopher.— it contains the following intereff- 
 i'ng and impreffi've paflUges. 
 
 " It only remains for the commander in 
 Chief to addrefs himfelf once more, and for the 
 laft time, to the armies of the United States, 
 and to bid them an a^ectionate — a long fare- 
 well. 
 
 " It is univerfally acknowledged, that the en- 
 larged ptofpect of happinefs opened by the ef- 
 tabiiftimentof our Independance, almoll exceed 
 
( 85 ) 
 
 the power of defcription ; anjd fliall not the 
 brave men who have contributed fo efTentially to 
 this ineftimable acqutfition, retiring victorious 
 from the field of' war to the field of agriculture, 
 participate *in all the bleffings which have been 
 obtained ? — In fuch a Republic, who will ex- 
 clude them from the rights of citizens, and the 
 fruits of their labours ? — To thofe hardy fold:» 
 ers who are actuated by the fpirit of adventure* 
 the filheries will afford an ample and profitable 
 employment ; and the fertile regions of the 
 Weft will yield a moft happy aiTylum to thole 
 who, fond of domeftic enjoyment, are feeking 
 for i^crfonal. independence. 
 
 *' The commander in Chief conceives little 
 is now wanting to enable the foldiers to change 
 the military character into that of the Citizen ^ 
 but that fteady and decent tenour of behaviour 
 which has generally diftinguiihed not only the 
 army" under his, immediate command, but the 
 different detachments and feparate armies, thro' 
 the courfe of the war^ — from their good (enCe 
 and pudence, he anticipates the happied con- 
 fequences ; — and, while he congratulates them 
 on the glorious occafion which renders their fer- 
 vioes in the field no longer neceffary, he wiflies 
 to exp^refs the ftrong obligation he feels himfelf 
 under, for the afiiftance he has received from 
 every clafs, and in every iEl^ance. To the Va- 
 H 
 
( 86 ) 
 
 rlous branches of the army, the General taket 
 this laft and folema opportunity of profefling 
 his inviolable attachment and friendfliip — He 
 wifhes more than bare prcfeffions were in his 
 powei — that he was really able to be ufeful to 
 them in future life. And being now to con- 
 clude thefe his laft public orders, to take his ul- 
 timate leave, in a (hort time, of the military 
 character, and to bid a final adieu to the ar- 
 mies he hasfo long had the honour to command, 
 he can only again offer, in their behalf, his re- 
 commendations to their grateful Country, and 
 his prayers to the God of Armies, May am- 
 ple juftice be done them here, and may the 
 choiceft of Heaven's favours both here and here- 
 after attend thofe who, under the Divine auf- 
 pices, have fecured innumerable bleffings for 
 others !— With thefe wifhes, and this benedic- 
 tion, the Commander in chief is about to re- 
 tire from fervice. The curtain of feparation 
 will foon be drawn, and the military fcene, to 
 him, will be clofed for ever." 
 
 To this addrefs, the army that remained at 
 Weft Point, on the banks of the Hudfon, fent 
 a moft refpedfuland afFe(Sionate anfwf r. After 
 returning thanks to their General, for his exer- 
 tions in their favour, they exprefs their feeling© 
 in the follov.ing bold and figurative language : 
 
 " P.egardlefs of prefect fufterings, we look- 
 
( 8T ) 
 
 ed forward to the end of our toils and dangers, 
 to brighter fcenes in profpe£l. There we be- 
 held the genius of our Country dignified, by our 
 Sovereigty and Independance, fupported by 
 Juftice, and adorned with every liberal Virtue. 
 There we f^w patient Hufbandry fearlefs ex- 
 tend her cultivated field, and animated Com- 
 merce fpread her fails to every wind. There 
 we beheld fair Science lift her head, with all the 
 Arts attending in her train. There, bleft with 
 Freedom, we faw the human Mind expand, and 
 tlirowing afide the reftraints i^hich confined it 
 to the narrow bounds of country! it embraced 
 the world. Thofe animating profpeds are now 
 changing to realities, and actively to have con- 
 tributed to their production, is our pride, our 
 glory." 
 
 New- York was evacuated by the Britifli troops 
 about 3 weeks after the difchargd" of the Amer- 
 ican army. Meanwhile, Walhington, having 
 finiQied the great work of the Revolution, and 
 founded a Republic, he vvKhed to retire from the 
 eye of obfervation, to the peaceful rural fhades 
 ofhis patrimonial inheritance. Accordingly, 
 he took leave ofhis officers in the moft folemn 
 manner. Having been previoufly aflembled 
 for that purpofe, Washington joined them, and 
 calling for a glafs of wine addrefled them in the 
 following words : " With a heart full of love 
 
( 88 ) 
 
 and gratitude, I now take leave of you : — I 
 moft devoutly wifb, that your latter days may 
 be profperous and happy, as your former ones 
 have been glorious and honourable." The 
 officers were deeply affefted : they came up to 
 him fucceffively, and he took an affectionate 
 leave of each. Ke then left the room, and paf- 
 fed betw^een the ranks of a corps of light Infan- 
 try, thkt lined his way to the fide of the North 
 River. — The officers followed him in a folemn 
 filent train ; their eyes were fuffui'ed with tears. 
 They felt a flrong emotion of regret at parting 
 with a hero who had participated their dan- 
 gers, and fo often led them to glory. When 
 Wafhington entered the barge, he turned to- 
 wards his fellow-foldiers, with a countenance 
 expreffive of his feelings, and waved his hat as 
 a laft adieu. 
 
 He proceeded to Annapolis, to refign his 
 commiffion to Congrefs, and was accompanied 
 by his nephew. Major George Wafhington, 
 and Colonel Humphreys, his aid-de-camp. — 
 His progrefs was marked by public rejvoicings ; 
 triumphal arches were eredled at the entrance of 
 every town and village through whieh he paf- 
 fed. A number of beautiful young virgins, ro- 
 bed in white, met him with fongs of gratula- 
 tion — they ftrewed laurel before the benign hero, 
 fvjjp moved flowly on a white charger. The 
 
( 89 ) 
 
 name of Waftiington excited an univerfal emo- 
 tion. Women and children thronged the doors 
 and windows* eager to behold the Deliverer of 
 their Country — bands of mufic filled the air 
 with fprightiy melody, while the men^ who had 
 fought under the banners of Liberty hailed 
 their General with acclamations, Wafhington 
 received this tribute? of public p^rjititude with his 
 chara(5teriilic benignity. '.vLiie his bafcm partici- 
 pated the general happinefs. 
 
 On his arrival at Annapolis, he informed 
 Congrefs of his intended refignation ; — they te- 
 iblved it fliould be in a public audience, and on 
 the day appointed, numbers of diftinguifhed 
 perfons attended, to behold the inteiefting 
 Icene. General WaHiington addreffed the Fre- 
 fident in the following words. 
 Mr. Prefident, 
 
 " The great events on which my refignation 
 depended, having at length taken place, i have 
 now the honour of offering my fmcere congratu- 
 lations to Congrcfs, andof prefenting myfelf be- 
 fore them to fuiTender into their hands the trull 
 committed to me, and to claim the indulgence 
 of retiring from the fervice of my country. 
 
 *' Happy in the confirmation of our Indepen- 
 dence and Sovereignty, and pleafed with the op- 
 portunity afforded the United States of becom- 
 ing * refpedable nation, I refign with facisfac- 
 H 2 
 
( M ) 
 
 >Ion, theappointment I accepted with diffidence i 
 a diffidence in my abilities to accemplife fo ar- 
 duous a taik, which however, wasfuperceded by 
 a confidence in the reditude of our caufe, the 
 fupport of the Supreme Power of the Union, and 
 the patronage of Heaven. 
 
 " The fuccefsful termination of the war has 
 verified the moft fanguine expeftations, and mj 
 gratitude for the interpolition of Providence, 
 and the afliltance I have received from my 
 countrj-men, increafes with every review of the 
 momentous conteft. 
 
 ** While I repeat mj obligations to the army 
 in general, I fliould do injuftiee to my own feel- 
 ing, not to acknowledge, in this place, the pe- 
 culiar fetvices and 4i^tiugui{hed merits cf the 
 perfons who had been attached to my perfon 
 during the war ; Jt was impoflSble the choice 
 of confidential ofiicers to com pofe my family 
 fhould havp been mo^e fqrtuoate j permit me. 
 Sir, to reccommpnd,. in particular, thcfe who 
 have continued in the fervice to the prclent mo- 
 ment, as worthy of tl^e fevouraWe notice and 
 patronage of Congrefs. 
 
 "I confider it as my indifpenfible duty to 
 clofe this la ft folemn ad of my ofHcial life, by 
 recommending the intcreftsof ourdeareft coun- 
 try to the protedion of Almighty God, aiid 
 thofe who have the fuperintcndence of them lo 
 |li§ holy keeping. 
 
( 91 ) 
 
 " Having now finiflied the work affigned mtp 
 I refill e from the great theatre ofadtion, an4 
 biddiog an afie(5tionate farewell to this aogui| 
 body, onder whofe orders I have long a6led> 1 
 here offer my commiffion, and take my leave of 
 all siie employments of public life," 
 
 To this the Preiident returned the fodlowing 
 asiif^er : 
 
 **The United States in Congrefs aiTemWed, 
 receive with emotions too affedling for utterancet 
 tlse folemn reiignation of the authorities binder 
 wlskh yoQ h^ve led their troops \^th fuccefs* 
 t&imgh a peiilons and doubtful war. 
 
 «* Cabled upon hy your Country to defend its 
 iav^e4 rights, you had accepted the facied 
 dMurge before it had forined alliances^ and 
 whSi^ it was without friends or a government to 
 luppo'it her* 
 
 "You have co5idu(5ted t?^e great miHtafry con- 
 tell ^th wifdom and fortitude, invsir iably re- 
 garding the lights of the civil power through 
 all diiailers and changes. You have by the 
 love and con^ence of your fellow-citisens, en- 
 aMed thcno to difplay their martial genius and 
 trasmit theJr fame to pofteiity.— ^Having de* 
 ^uded the ftandard of liberty in this new 
 wcaid, having taught a lellbn uiefql to thoie who 
 jnffiififc, aad io thofe who fcei oppie^on, you re. 
 p^ iicaji^th^ gte^t th^atti^ of a^oa wi^ tl«» 
 
( 92 ) 
 
 blefflngs of our ftUow citizens ; but the glory of 
 your virtues will not terminate with ycur mili- 
 tary command — it will continue to animate 
 rcmoteft ages,*' 
 
 Wafhington now haftened to Mount Vernon, 
 where he was welcomed by his afftdionate con- 
 fort, neighbors and domeftics, with every de- 
 nionftration of joy ; and divefting himfelf of the 
 military robe, he once more aflumed the plain 
 garb of the farmer. 
 
 Agiicuiture was his favourite purfuit-^His 
 eftate at Mount Vernon particularly engaged his 
 attention, and was produ<5tive of large quantities 
 of wheat, Indian corn, potatoes, and flax, befides 
 flocks of fheep and herds of cattle. — His'life 
 was regulated by temperance j he rofe early, and 
 after fpending the day in a variety of rural pur- 
 fuits, he retired to reft about nine o'clock. This 
 was his invariable rule, except when vifitors re- 
 quired his polite attention. His table was fpiead 
 with the moft wholefome viands and pure wines, 
 but he commonly dined on a fmgle difh, which 
 with a few glalfes of wine, formed his repaft. 
 He liberally patronized an academy at Alex- 
 andria, encouraged the interior navigation of 
 the Potoraack ; he was the benefactor of the 
 poor, and, in (hort, like the fun to vegetation, 
 his cheering influence and exr*m pie promoted the 
 happinefs of fociety where he refided. 
 
( 93 ) 
 
 In thefe peaceful fcenes, Wafhington epjoyed 
 the rational delights of rural life from the year 
 1783, till the fummer of 1787, when he was cho- 
 fen Prefident of the Convention, which met at 
 Philadelphia, and framed the prefent Conftitu- 
 tion of the United States, The Federal Union 
 after eleven years experience, had been found 
 inadequate to the purpofes of government. The 
 fundamental diftindtion between the Articles of 
 Confederation, and the new Conftltution, lies in 
 this ; the former afted only on States, the latter 
 on individuals ;— the former could neither raife 
 men or money by its own authority, butlay at the 
 difcretion of 13 different Legislatures, and, with- 
 out their unanimous concurrence, was unable to 
 provide for the public fafety, or for thtf payment 
 of the national debt. By the new Conftitution, 
 one Legiflative, Executive, and Judical power 
 pervades the whole Union." After a full con- 
 fideration, and thorough diicuffion of its princi- 
 ples, it was ratified by 1 1 of the 13 ftates, and 
 North Carolina and Rhode Ifland have fince 
 given their concurrence. 
 
 The new Conftititution being thus adopted, 
 Wafhington was cliofen Prefident in April, 1789, 
 by the unanimous vote of his countrymen. 
 When he received intelligence of his election, he 
 fet out from Mount Vernon for New-York. He 
 was efcortedby the militia and gentlemen of the 
 
( 5i ) 
 
 firit ch»rax*Ver from State to State, and numer* 
 ous addrefTtis of Congratulation were piefented 
 to him by the inhabitants of the towns through 
 which^he palfed. On his approach to Philadel- 
 phia, he was met by above 2©,000 citizens, who 
 conduced him to the city, where an elegant en* 
 tertainment was prepared for him. 
 
 His progrefs from Philadelphia to New. York 
 is thus difcribed by an elegant writer, and pre- 
 fents an animated pictUTe of public gratitude. 
 " When Mr. Waftiington croiTed the Delaware 
 and landed on the Jerfey fhore, he was faluted 
 with 3 cheers by the inhabitants of the vicinity. 
 When he came to the brow of the hill on his 
 way toTrenton,a triumphalarch was eredled on 
 the bridge, by the dire(5tion of the ladies of the 
 place. The crown of the arch was highly or- 
 namented with imperial laurels and flowers, and 
 on it was difplayed, in large figures, " Decem- 
 ber 26th, 1776.'' On the fweep of the arch, was 
 this infcription, " The Defender of the Mothers 
 will alfo prote<5t theirDaughters." On the north 
 fide were ranged a number of young girls dreff- 
 ed in white, with garlands of flowers on their 
 jieads, and bafkets of flowers on their arms — in 
 the fecond row flood the young ladies, and be- 
 hind them the married ladies of the town. The 
 mftant he pafled the arch, the young girls be- 
 gan to ftng the following ode ; 
 
( 95 ) 
 
 <♦ Welcome, mfghty Chief, once more, 
 ♦♦ Welcome to this grateful shore :— 
 " Now no mercenary foe 
 " Aims, again, the fatal blow— 
 *^ Aims at thee the fatal blow. 
 *' Virgins fair and matrons grave, 
 '* These thy conq'ring arm did save, 
 *^ Build for thee triumphant bowers ; 
 *' Strew ye fair, his way with flowers, 
 <' Strew your Hero's way with flowers." 
 ♦* As they fung the laft lines, they ftrewed 
 their flowers on the road before their beloved 
 Deliverer. — His fituation on this occafion, con- 
 trafted v^ith what he had, in December 1 776, 
 felt on tlie fame fpot, v/hen the affairs of Amer- 
 ica were at tlie loweft ebb of deprefSon, filled! 
 him with fenfatrons that cannot be defcribed^ 
 He was rowed acrofs the bay from Elizabeth- 
 Town to New-York, in an elegant barge, by 1 ^ 
 pilots. All the vefiels in the harbour hoifted 
 their Bags. On his landing, univerfal joy di£u- 
 fed itfelf thro' every order of the people, and 
 he was received and cSngratulated by the Gov- 
 ernor of the State and officers of the Corpora- 
 tion. In- the evening, the houlies of the inhabi- 
 tants were brilliantly illunrinated. 
 
 On the 3()th of April he was raangurated 
 Prefidentof the United States, and took the oath 
 enjoined by the confl.itution, in the following 
 ■words, "I GC folemnly fwear, that I will failh- 
 
( 96 ) 
 
 ^fiilly execute the office of Prefident of the TJnf- 
 ted States, and will, to the beft of my ability 
 protedt and defend the Conftitution of the Uni- 
 ted States." An univerfal and folemn filence 
 prevailed among the fpeftators during this part 
 of the ceremony. The Chancellor then pro- 
 claimed him Prefident of the United States, and 
 was anfwered by the difcharge of cannon, and 
 the acclamations of 20,000 citizens. 
 
 Soon after his appointment to the Chief Ma- 
 giftracy, he vifited the Eaftern States, with a 
 view to promote agriculture, and explore the 
 means of natior>al ipiprovement. The French 
 Revolution, which has excited the attention of 
 mankind, proved a fevere teft to the prudence 
 of Wafhington. Tho' he fecretly difapproved 
 of the violent meafares of the French Republic, 
 yet he f aw that it was neceffary for America to 
 preferve a mutual good underftanding witli that 
 nation. 
 
 Wafhington was twice elected Prefident, and 
 during his 8 years adminiftration, he perform- 
 ed the duties of his arduous office with all the 
 zeal of an honeft patriot. — After having fpent 
 45 years of his life in the fervice of his country, 
 he, in September, 1796, announced his deter- 
 mination to retire in an addrefs, expreffive of 
 his gratitude and afFe(5lion. 
 
 Wafhington oace more retired to his favour- 
 
( 97 ) 
 
 jte feat, with the hope of devoting' the rematu- 
 der of his days to the calm duties of domeftie 
 life. From March, 1797, to July 1798, he en- 
 joyed the pleafures arifing from the pra<5lice of 
 virtue. The aggiefSons of France now alarm- 
 ed Mr. Adams's adminii^ratioa, and that 
 they might be prepared to refift open hoftilit)'', 
 they found it expedient to embody their army. 
 Convinced of the abilities and integrity of th^rt 
 venerable man, whofe valour had been inftru- 
 mental to the emancipation of his country, Con- 
 grefb appointed Wafhington Commander in 
 Chief of' the armies. He accepted the appoint- 
 ment, and his letter to the Frefident on that oc- 
 eafion, is marked with that perfpicuity which 
 drftiriguifiies all his writings. 
 
 But tlie moment now approached in whiclr 
 this llluftrioiis chara«5ter v/as to be removed to 
 another ilate of exiftence. On the ISth of De-: 
 cember, 1799, he rode out to one of his planta- 
 tions, and the day being rainy he caught cold, 
 which brought on an in^ammatory fore throat. 
 This difeafe became alarming on Friday nighty 
 and when his- phyfician ariived on Saturday- 
 morning, medical aid was inefficacious. A few 
 minutes before he expired, he enquired, " Doc- 
 ter, how long am I to remain in this fituation ?" 
 The phyfician replied, *' Not long Sir.*' 
 
 A gentleman, who was prefent at Mouot 
 I 
 
(98 ) 
 
 Vernon, has furniflied us with the follov/ing 
 particulars relative to the death of General 
 WaOiington :— 
 
 ♦* The General, a little befoi-e his death, had 
 begun ieveral improvements on his farm. At- 
 tending to fome of thefe, he probably caught 
 his death. He had in contemplation a gravel 
 walk on the banks of the Potomack ; betweeii 
 thii walk and the river there was to be a fiOi 
 pond. Some trees were to be cUt down, and 
 others preferved. On Friday the day before he 
 died, he fpent fome time by the fide of the ri-^ 
 ver marking the former. There came a fall of 
 fnow, which did not deter him from his piirftlit, 
 but he continued till his neck and hair wer^ 
 quite covered with fnow» He fpent the even- 
 ing with Iviis. Wafhington, reading the news- 
 papersj which came by the mail that etening ; 
 he went to bed as ufual about 9 o' clock, waked 
 tip \h the night, and found himfelf extremely 
 Unwell, but would not allow Mrs. Wafhington 
 to get lip, or the fervants to be waked. In the 
 morning, finding himfelf very ill, Dr. Craik of 
 Alexandria, was fent for. Soon after his arri- 
 val, two confulting phyficians were called in^ 
 but all would not avail. On. Saturday he died. 
 He faid to Col. Lear a little before his deaths 
 ** bury me decently, and not till two days after 
 my deceafe."— To Dr. Craik he faid. " I die a 
 
( 99 ) 
 
 very hard death, but I am not afraid to die.**-*-. 
 Before he breathed his laft, he laid himfclf on 
 his back, placed his hands before him, and do- 
 fed his own mouth and eyes." 
 
 Philadelphia, J)ec. 19. 
 
 On Saturday the 14th inft, died at his feat 
 in Virginia, General George Wafhington, Com- 
 mander in Chief of the Armies, and late Prefi- 
 dent of the Congrefs, of the United States of 
 America^— mature in years, covered with glory, 
 and rich in the affections of a free people, and 
 ^he admiration of the whole civilized world* 
 
 When men of common character are fwept 
 from the theatre of life, they die without the 
 tribute of public concern, as they had lived with- 
 out a claim to public efteem — But when Per* 
 fonages of great and exalted worth, are fum- 
 moned from this fublunary fcene, their death 
 calls forth a burft of general regret, and invigo- 
 rates the flame of public gratitude-^In obedi- 
 ence therefore to the voice of their Country, the 
 Poet, the Orator, and the Hiftoiian, will com- 
 bine tp do juftice to the chara<fter of this illuftri- 
 ous Patriot : whilft the ingenious labours of 
 the Sculptor, the Statuary, and the Painter, 
 will unite in perpetuating the virtues of The 
 Mak of the Age. 
 
 Mourn, Columbia, mourn !-r-rThy Father 
 gnd Pr®te<?^or is no more I — Ivjourn I^eader, of 
 
'( i<50 ) 
 
 whatever kindred, tongue or clime thou be, thy 
 Friend, the Friend of Man and of Liberty, is 
 gone ! The Hero, the Sage, the Patriot, this 
 glorious emanation of the Diety, is carried back 
 to the bofoni ofhisGod ! — The recording An- 
 gel has enregifterediiis virtuous deeds in Hea- 
 ven, and the name of WASHINGTON will 
 live for ever ! 
 
 Alexandria, Z)^<r. 20. 
 
 On Wednefday laft the mortal part of Wafli- 
 ington the Great — the Father of his Country, 
 and the Friend of Man — was configned to the 
 filent tomb with folemn honours and funeral 
 pomp. 
 
 A multitude of people, from many miles rounds 
 affembled at Mount Vernon, the choice abode, 
 and lad earthly refidence of its illuftrious Cheif. 
 There were the groves, the fpacious avenues, the 
 beautiful fcenery, the noble manfron^ — but alas J 
 ■its auguft inhabitant was gone \ — his body in- 
 deed, was there, but his foul was fled ! 
 
 In the long and lofty porcico, where ©ft the 
 Hero walked in all his virtuous gloiy, now lay 
 the fhrouded corpse. — The countenance, ftill 
 xrom^fed and ferene, feemed to exprefs the 
 dignity of that fpirit which fo lately aduated 
 the lifelefs form — There, tbofe who paid the 
 laft fad honours to the Benefadtor of his Coua- 
 trjs took a laft— a fad faieweU, 
 
( 101 ) 
 
 Near the head of the coffin, were infcrihed the 
 words Surge ad Judicium ; about the middle, 
 Gloria Deo ; and, on the filver plate, General 
 George WaJJiington departed this Life 1 4/^ Dec* 
 JLtat 6§, 
 
 Between 5 and 4 o'clock, the found of artil- 
 lery from a veifel in the river firing minute 
 guns, armifed all our forrowful feehngs — the 
 body was moved, and a band cf mufic with 
 mournful melody, melted the foul into all the 
 tendernefs of woe. — The procelfion marched 
 in the following order : 
 Cavalry, Infantry, & Guird with arms reverfed; 
 
 Clergy ; Mufic ; 
 
 TJie general's horfe, with his faddle, holfters, 
 
 and piftois ; 
 Col. Simms, C o 7 ^ol- Gilpin, 
 
 RanJay, } ^ ^ Marftelle-, 
 
 Payne, L ^ J Little ; 
 
 Mourners ; 
 Masonic Brethren ; 
 And Citizens. 
 When th$ proceffion arrived at the bottora 
 of the ly.wn on the banks of the PotcmaCk, where 
 the family vault is placed, the Cavalry halted, 
 and the Infantry marched towards the mount 
 and formed in lines ; The Clergy, the Mafonic 
 Brethren, and the Citizens, defcended to the 
 vauh, wher 
 peifornSed. 
 
 12 
 
( 102 ) 
 
 Three general dllcharges by the artillery* 
 tjavalry, and infantry, paid the laft tribute of re- 
 fpec^ to the entombed Commander in Chief of 
 the American Armies. 
 
 The Sun was now fetting — Alas, the Sen ot 
 Glory was fet — No, the name of Washington 
 will live for ever I 
 
 From Vernon's Mount behold the Hero rife, 
 Refplendent Forms attend him thro* the Ikies ! 
 The Ihades of war-worn Veterans round him throng 
 And lead enwrap'd their honour'd Chief along. 
 A laurel wreatji the immortal Warren; bears. 
 An arch triumphal iVlERCER's hand prepares ; 
 Young Lawrence, erftth' avenging boit of war, 
 "With port majeftic, guides the glittering car ; 
 Montgomery's godlike form direds the way, 
 And Green unfolds the gates of endlefs day; 
 "Whilft Angels, " trumpet tongu'd," proclaim thro'^ 
 air, 
 * Pue Honours for The first of men prepare!*' 
 
 PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS. 
 
 House of representatives. 
 
 Thuhsday, Z)^r. 19, 1799. 
 
 Mr Marftiall addreffed the Chair as follows : 
 
 «* Mr. Speaker — The melancholy event which 
 
 was yefterday announced with doubt, has been 
 
 rendered but too certain. Our Waftiington is 
 
 no more !— The hero, the fage, and the patriot 
 
 of America — the man on whom in times of 
 
 danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes 
 
 were placed, lives now, only in his owji great 
 
( 103 ) 
 
 a<?lions, and in the hearts of an afFedionate and 
 an nfHided people. 
 
 *' If, Sir, it had even not been ufual, openly 
 to teftify refpedt for the memory of thofe whom 
 Heaven had felecSted as its inftruments for dif- 
 penfmg good to men, yet, fuch has been the 
 uncommon worth, and fuch the extraordinary 
 incidents, which have marked the life of him, 
 whofe lofs we all deplore, that the whole Ame- 
 rican nation, impelled by the fame feelings, 
 would call with one voice, for a public manifes- 
 tation of that forrowj which is fo deep and fo 
 univerfal. 
 
 *f More than any other individual, and as 
 much as to one individual was pofilble, has he 
 contributed to found this our wide fpreading 
 Empire, and to give to the Weftern World its 
 independence and freedom. 
 
 ** Having efFe<5ted the great obje<St, for which 
 he was placed at the head of our armies, we' 
 have feen him converting the fword into the 
 plough (hare, and voluntarily finking the Sol- 
 dier into the Citizen. 
 
 ** When the debility of our Federal fyftem 
 had become manifeft, and the bonds, which con- 
 nedled the parts of this vaft continent, were 
 dilfolving, we have feen him the Chief of thofe 
 t^atriots who formed for usa Conftitution, which 
 by preferving the Union, will, I truft, fubftan- 
 
( 104 ) 
 
 date and perpetuate thofe bleflings, whicii our 
 Revolution had promifed to beftow. 
 
 " In obedience to the general voic^ of his 
 Country, calling on him to prefide over a Great 
 People, we have feen him once more quit the 
 retirement he loved, and in a feafon raore^tem- 
 peftuous than war itfelf, with calm and wife de- 
 termination, purfue the true interefts of the 
 Nation, and contribute, more than any other 
 could contribute, to the eftablifhment of that 
 fyftem of policy, which will, 1 truft, yet pre- 
 ferve our peace, our honour, and our indepen- 
 dence. 
 
 " Having been twice unanimoufly chofen the 
 Cheif Magiftrateof a Free People, we fee him, 
 at a time when his re-ele6lion with univerfal 
 fuffrage could not be doubted, affording t© the 
 v^orld a rare inftance of moderation, by with- 
 drawing from his high ftation to the peaceful 
 walks of private life. 
 
 " However the public confidence may change 
 
 and the public affeiftions fluduate with refpeift 
 
 to others, yet, with refpe^fl to him, they have 
 
 ■in war and in peace, in public and in private 
 
 ,life, been as fteady as his own firm mind, and 
 
 as conftant us his own exalted vktues. 
 
 " Let us, then, Mr. Speaker, pay the laft tri- 
 bute of afre<Slon and refped to our departed 
 Friend— Let the Grand Council of the Nation 
 
{ 105 ) 
 
 4Ifplay t^ofe fentiments which the Nation feels 
 — For this purpofe I hold in my hand fome Re- 
 folutions, which I take the liberty of offering to 
 the Houfe," 
 
 Mr. Marfhall having handed his Refolutions 
 to the Clerk, they were lead, and unanimoufly 
 agieed to, as follows, viz. 
 
 Refolved, That this Houfe will wait on the 
 Prefident of the United States, in condolence 
 of this mournful event. 
 
 Refolved. That the Speaker's chair be fliroud- 
 ed with black, and that rhe members and Offi- 
 cers of the Houfe wear black during the Ssf- 
 fion. 
 
 Refolved, That a Committee, in conjuncftion 
 with one from the Senate, be appointed to con- 
 fider on the mofl fuitable manner of paying 
 honour to the memory of the Man, firfl in war, 
 firft in peace, and firfl in the hearts of his 
 Countrymen. 
 
 Monday, Dec. 2S. 
 
 Mr, Marfhall made a report from the joint 
 Committe appointed to confider a fuitable 
 mode of commemorating the death of General 
 Wafhington. 
 
 He reported the following Refolutions : 
 
 Refolved by the Senate and Houfe of Repre- 
 fentatives of the United States of America, in 
 Congrefs afTembled, That a marble monumeitf 
 
.( 1C6 ) 
 
 be ere^ed by th? United States at the Capitol 
 of th^ City of Wkfhlngton, and that the fami- 
 ly of General Wafliington be requefted to per- 
 mit his body to be depofited under it ; and that 
 the monument be fo defigned as to commemo- 
 rate the great events of his military and politi- 
 cal life. 
 
 And be it further refolved, That there be a 
 funeral procefiion from Congrefs Hall, to the 
 German Lutheran Church, in memory of Qen, 
 George WaOiington, on Thurfday the 26th inft, 
 and that an oration be prepared at the requeft 
 of Congrefs, to be delivered before both Houfes 
 that day ; and that the Prefident of the Senate, 
 9ind Speaker of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, 
 be defired to requeft one o{ the Members of 
 Congrefs to deliver the fame. 
 
 And be it further refolved, That it be recom- 
 mended to the people of the United States, to 
 wear crape on their left arm as mourning, for 
 thirty days. 
 
 And be it further refolved. That the Prefident 
 of the United States be requefted to dired a 
 copy cf thefe Refolutions to be tranfmitted to 
 Mrs. Wafhington, afluring her of the profound 
 Tefpe<fl Congrefs will ever bear to her perfon 
 ^nd chara<5ler, of their condolence on the lace 
 Siffeding difpenfation of Providence, and in- 
 treating her aiftnt to the interment of the r«St 
 
( i07 ) 
 
 tiiains of General Wafhlngton in the mannef 
 iexpre/ted in the firft refolution. 
 
 And be it further refolved, that the Prefi- 
 dent of the iJnited States be requefted to iifue 
 his proclamation, notifying to the People thro'- 
 out the United States the recommendation 
 contained in the third resolution. 
 
 Thefe Reiblutions paffed both Houfes una- 
 nimoufly. 
 
 Same day, the Senate fent the following let- 
 ter of condolence to the prefident of the United 
 States, by a committee of its members : 
 To the^ Prefident of the United States. 
 
 THE Senate of the United States refpedtful- 
 iy take leave, Sir, to eiprefs to you the deep re- 
 gret for the lofs their country fuilairis in the 
 death of Genetal George Wafhington. 
 
 This event, fo diftreffing to all our fellow citi- 
 iehs mud be peculiarly heavy to you, who haves 
 long been afibciated with him in deeds of Patri- 
 otifm. Permit us. Sir, to mingle oUr tears with 
 yous-^on this occafion it is manly to weepc 
 To lofe fuch a nian, at fuch a crifis, is no com- 
 mon calamity to aie world — our Country 
 mourns her father. The Almighty Difpofer 
 of human events has taken from us our greateft 
 Benefa<5torand Ornament — It becomes us tofub- 
 aiit with reverence to Him, who " maketfe 
 datkaef» his pavillion.'* 
 
C 108 ) 
 
 With patriotic pride, we review the life of our 
 Washington, and compare him with thofe of 
 other countries, who have been pre-eminent in 
 fame. Ancient and modern names are demin- 
 iihed before him. Greatnefs and Guilt have too 
 often been allied ; but hi? fame is whiter than it 
 is brilliant. The deftioyers of nations ftood a- 
 bafhed at the majefty of his virtue. — It repro- 
 ved the intemperance of their ambition, and dar- 
 kened the fplendour of victory. The fcene is 
 clofed, and we are no longer anxious left n6if. 
 fortune ihould fully his.glory ; he has travelled- 
 on to the end of his journey^ and carried with 
 him an increafmg weight of honour ; he has de- 
 pofited it fafely, v.-here Misfortune cannot tar- 
 nifli it — Where Malice cannot blaft it. Favour- 
 ed of Heaven, he departed without exhibiting 
 the weaknefs of humanity j magnanimous in 
 death, the darknefs of the grave could not obfcure' 
 his biightnefs. 
 
 Such was the_Mali whom we deplore. — 
 
 Thanks to God, his glory is confummated- — 
 Washington yet lives on earth in his fpotiefs 
 exanipie — his fpirlt is in Heaven ! 
 
 Let his countrymen conlecrate the memory 
 ©f the heroic General — the patriotic Statesman 
 — and the virtuous Sage ; — let them teach 
 their children never to forget, that the fruits of 
 his .labouriJ and his example are their inhere- 
 tance. 
 
( 109 ) 
 
 The PR.EsiDENt*s AnsweiS.. 
 Gentlemen of the Senate, 
 
 I RECEIVE, with the moft repeAful and affec- 
 tomatefentiments,inthis inipreffive Addrefs,the 
 obliging expreffions of yotir regret for the lofs 
 our country has fuftained, in the death of her 
 moft efteenned, beloved, and admired Citizen. 
 
 In the multitude of my thoughts and recol- 
 le^ions on this melancholy event, you will per- 
 mit me to fay, that I have feen him in the days 
 of adverficy, in fome of the fcenes of his deepeft 
 diftrefs, and moft trying perplexities ; I have al- 
 fo attended him in his higheft elevation, and 
 moft profperoiis felicity, with uniform admira- 
 tion of his wifdom, moderation, and conftancy. 
 
 Am(3ng all our original afTociates In that me- 
 morable League of the continent in l??^, which 
 flrft expreffed thefovereign will of a Free Nation 
 in America, he was the only one remaining in 
 the General Government. Altho', with a con- ' 
 ftitution more enfeebled than his, at an age 
 when he thought it neceflary to prepare for re- 
 tirement, 1 feel myfelf alone — bereaved of my 
 laft brother ; yet I derive a ftrong confolation 
 from the unanimous difpofition which appears 
 in all ages and claffes, to mingle their forrows 
 with mine on this common calamity to the 
 world. 
 
 The life of our Washington cannst fuffer 
 K 
 
( 110 ) 
 
 by a comparisoH with those of other countnes, 
 who have been most celebrated and exalted by 
 Fame. The attributes and decorations of Rqy- 
 alty could only have served to eclipse the majes- 
 ty of those virtues which made him, from being 
 a modest Citizen, a more resplendant luminary. 
 Misfortune, had he lived, could hereafter have 
 sullied his glory only with those superficial 
 minds, who, believing " that characters, ^nd ac- 
 tions are marked by success alone,'* rarely de- 
 serve to enjoy it. Malice could never blast his 
 hoDour, and Envy made him a singular excep- 
 tion to her universal rule — For himself, he had 
 lived enough to Life and Glory — For his fellow- 
 citizens, if their prayers could have been answer- 
 ed, he would have been immortal — For me, his 
 departure is at a most unfortunate moment. 
 Trusting, however, in the wise and righteous" 
 dominion of Providence over the passions of men, 
 and the results of their councils and actions, as 
 well as over their lives, nothiiig iiemains for me- 
 but humbje resignation. 
 
 His example is now complete, and it will teach 
 wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and 
 men, not only in the present age, but in future 
 generations, as long as our history shall be read= 
 — If a Tragen found a Pliny, a Marcus Aurelius^ 
 can never want biographers, eulogists, or.histo* 
 rians. JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 On monday the Sth of January, the President 
 sent the following letters to Congress :— 
 
( ill ) 
 
 Gsntlemen of the Senate^ and 
 Gentleinen of the House of Refiresentatives, 
 
 In compliance with the request in one of thfe 
 Resolwtions of Congress of the 2 1 st of December 
 last, I transmitted a copy of those Resolutions, by 
 my secretary, Mr. Shaw, to Mrs. Washington, 
 assuring her of the profound respect Congress 
 will ever bear to her person and character — ^of 
 their condolence in the late afflicting dipensa- 
 tion of Providence, and entreatino; her assent to 
 the interrnentofthe remains of General George 
 Washington hi the manner expressed in the 
 first Resolution. As the sentiments of that vir- 
 tuous Jady, not less beloved by this nation, than 
 she is at present greatly afflicted, can never be so 
 well expressed as in her own words, I transmit 
 to Congress her original letter. 
 
 It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to 
 make any comments upon it — But there can be 
 no doubt, that the Nation at large, as well as all 
 the branches of the Government, will be highly 
 gratified by any arrangement which may dimin- 
 ish the sacrifice she makes of her individual 
 feelings. JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 Mrs. Washinton's Answer. 
 Sir, Mount Vernon, 31st Dec. 1799. 
 
 While I feel, with keenest anguish, the latfe 
 dispensations of Divine Providence, I cannot be 
 insensible to the mournful tribute of respect and 
 veneration w4iich is paid to the memory of my 
 dear deceased husband ; and, as his best services 
 and most anxious wishes were alwavs devoted to 
 
( lie ) 
 
 the welfare and happiness of his country, to know 
 that they were truly appreciated, and gratefully 
 remembered, affords no inconsiderable consola- 
 tion. 
 
 Taught by the great example which I have 
 so long had before me, never to oppose my pri- 
 vate wishes to the public will, I must consent to 
 the request made by Congress, which you have 
 had the goodness to transmit to me. And, in 
 doing this, I need not, I cannot say, what a sacri= 
 fice of individual feeling I make to a sense of 
 public duty. 
 
 With grateful acknowledgements, and un- 
 feigned thanks, for the personal respect and evi- 
 dences of condolence expressed by Congress and 
 Yourself, I remain very respectfully. 
 
 MARTHA WASHINGTON. 
 
 THE 
 
 FAREW^ELL ADDRESS 
 
 OF 
 
 George Washington. 
 
 Friends and Fello'iv-Citizens^ 
 
 THE period for a new election of a citizen, 
 to administer the execuUve government of the 
 United States, being not far distant, and the 
 time actually arrived, when your thoughts must 
 be employed in designating the person who is to 
 bp clothed with that important trust, it appears' 
 
( 113 ) 
 
 to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a 
 more distinct expression of the public voice, that 
 I should now appribie yovi of the resolution 1 have 
 formed, to decline being- considered among the 
 Tiumber of those out of whom a choice is to be 
 imade. ' I beg you, at the same time, to do me 
 the justice to be assured, that this resolution has 
 not been taken, without a ^strict regard to all the 
 considerations appertaining to the relation which 
 binds a dutiful citizen to his country ; and that, 
 in withdrawing lAe tender of ser\ ice which silence 
 in my situation might imply, I am influtncedby 
 no diminution of zeal for your future interest ; 
 no deficicincy of grcvteiui respect, tor your past 
 kindness ; but am supported by afuii convicuon 
 that thestep is pompcitible with boi h. 
 
 The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto 
 in the office to which your suffrages h ive iwice 
 called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inh 
 clination to the opinion of duty, ahd to u deft ; ence 
 for what appeared to be your desire. 1 coii;Uuit" 
 ly hoped, that it would have been much Ccii-jier 
 in my power, consistent with motives which 1 was 
 not at liberty to disregard, to return to thai re- 
 tirement from which I had been reluctantly 
 drawn. The strength of my inclination to do 
 this, previous to the last election, had even led 
 to the preparation cf.au address to declare it to 
 you ; but mature reflection on the then perplex- 
 ed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign 
 nations, and the unanimous advice of persons 
 K 2 
 
( 114 ) 
 
 entitled to my confidence, impelled me to aban- 
 don the idea. 
 
 I rejoice that the state of your concerns, ex- 
 ternal as weM as internal, no longer renders the 
 pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sen- 
 timent of duty, or propriety ; and am pursuaded, 
 whatever partiality may be retained for my ser- 
 vices, that in the present circumstances of our 
 country,you willnot disapprove my determination 
 to retire. 
 
 The impressions with which I first undertook 
 the arduous trust, were explained on the proper 
 occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will 
 only say, that I have with good intentions, con- 
 tributed towards the organization and administra- 
 tion <;f the government, the best exertions of 
 which a very fallible judgment was capable. 
 Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority 
 of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, 
 perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has 
 strenghtened the motives to diffidence of my- 
 self; and, every day the increasing weight of 
 years admonisnes me more and more that the 
 shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it 
 vnW be welcome. Satisfied that if any circum- 
 stances have given peculiar value to my services, 
 they were temjx)rary, I have the consolation to 
 believe, that while choice and prudence invite 
 me to quit the political scene, patriotism does 
 not forbid it. 
 
 In looking forward to the moment, which is 
 intended to terminate the career of my public 
 
( 115 ) 
 
 life, my feelings do not permit me to s\ispend 
 the deep acknowledgement of that <lebt of grati- 
 tude M'hich I owe to my beloved country, for 
 the many honors it has conferred upon me ; still 
 more for the stedfast confidence with which it. 
 has supported me ; and for the opportunities I 
 have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviola- 
 ble attachment, by services faithful and perseve- 
 ring, tho in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If 
 benefits hare resulted to our country from these 
 services, let it always be remembered to your 
 praise and as an instructive example in our an- 
 nals, that under circumstances in which the pas- 
 sions, agitated in every direction, were liable to 
 mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubi- 
 ous — vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging 
 — in situations in which not unfrequently want of 
 success has countenanced the spirit of criticism 
 — the constancy of your support was the essen- 
 tial prop of the efforts, and a ^larantee of the 
 plans by which they were effected. 
 
 Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall 
 carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incite- 
 ment to unceasing vows that Heaven may con- 
 tinue to youthe choicest tokens of its beneficence 
 —that your union and brotherly affection may be 
 perpetual — that the free constitution which is 
 the work of your hand.-, may be sacredly 
 maintained — that its administration in every de- 
 partment may be stamped with wisdpm and vir* 
 tue — that, in fine, the happiness of the people of 
 these States under the auspices of liberty, may 
 
( 116 ) ■. 
 
 be noade complete, l)y so careAil a preservatioii 
 
 and so prudent a pse of this blessint^, as wiU ac- 
 iquire lo them the glpry of recommending- it to 
 t;;Iie appiiiUbe, the -effection and the adoption of 
 every nadon ^vhjch is }et a stranger to it. ' 
 
 Here perhaps I ought to stop. " But a solici- 
 tude for your welfare, which cannot end but with 
 my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural 
 to that solicitude,urge me on cji occasion like the 
 present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, 
 and to ret ommer.d to your frequent review, some 
 sentiments, whicharetbe result of much reflec- 
 tion, of no inconsiderable observation, and which 
 appear to me all important to tlie permanency of 
 your felicity as a People. These will be offered, 
 to you with the more freedom, as you can only 
 see in them the disinterested warnings of a par- 
 ting friend, who can possibly have no personal 
 inotives to bias his council. IS'or can I forget as 
 an encouragem^jt to it, your indulgent reception 
 of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar 
 occasion. Interwoven as is the love of liberty 
 with every ligament of your hearts, no. recom- 
 mendation of mine is necessary to fortify or con- 
 firm the attachment. 
 
 The unity of government which constitutes you 
 one people is also now dear to you. It is justly 
 so ; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your 
 real independence, tlie support of your tranquili- 
 ty ar home, your peace abroad ; cf your safety ; 
 of your profperity ; of that very liberty which you fo 
 ^ighly prize. But as ic is eafy to forefee, that fromdif- 
 
{ 117 ) 
 
 fcrcnt caufcs and from different quarters, much pains wiii 
 be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your 
 minds the convidlion of this truth ; as this is the point ih 
 your political fortrcfs againft which the batteries of inter- 
 nal and external enemies will be moft conftantly and aA- 
 ively (though often covertly and infidio-ufly) dire<fted, it 
 is of infinite moment, that you ftiould properly cftimate 
 the immenfe value of your national Union, to your colU^- 
 ive and individual happinefs ; that you fhould cherilh a 
 tordial, habitual and immoveable attachment to it ; accuf- 
 toming yourfelves to think and fpeak of it as the palladium 
 of your political safety and prosperity ; watching 
 for its preservation with jealous anxiety ; dis- 
 countenancing whatever may suggest even a sus- 
 picion that it can in any event be abandoned ; and 
 indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of 
 every attempt to alienate any portion of our coun- 
 try from the rest ; or to enfeelSle the sacred ties 
 which now link together the various parts. 
 
 For this you have every inducement of smypa- 
 thy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice, of 
 a common country, that country has a right to 
 concentrate your affections. The name o^jUmeri- 
 cariy which belongs to you in your national capaci- 
 ty, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism* 
 more than any appellation derived from local 
 discriminations. With slight shades of difference 
 you have the same religion, manners, habits and 
 political principles. You have in a common 
 cause fought and triumphed together ; the inde- 
 pendence and liberty you possess are the work of 
 joint councils, and joint efforts, of common dan- 
 gel'S, sufferings an4 successes. But these con- 
 
( 118 ) 
 
 siderations, however powerfully they address 
 themselves to your sensibility, are greatly out- 
 weighed by those which apply more immediate- 
 ly to your interest — Here every portion of our 
 country finds the most commanding motives for 
 carefully guarding and preserving the Union of 
 the whole. 
 
 The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with 
 the South,protected by the equal laws of common 
 government, finds in the productions of the latter 
 great additional resources of maritime and com- 
 mercial enterprize and precious materials of man- 
 ufacturing industry. The South, in the same 
 intercourse, benefiting by the agency of the 
 North, sees its agriculture grow and its com- 
 merce expand. Turning partly into its own 
 channels the seamen of the North, it finds 
 its particular navigation invigorated ; and while 
 it contributes, in different, ways, to nourish 
 and increase the general mass of the national 
 navigation, it looks forward to the protection 
 of a maritime strength,to which itself is unequally 
 adapted. The East, In a like intercourse with 
 the West, already finds, and in the progressive 
 improvements of interior communications,by land 
 and water,wiil more and more find a valu?ble vent 
 for the commodities which it brings from abroad or 
 manufactures at home. The West derives from* 
 the East supplies requisite to its growth and com- 
 fort — and what is perhaps of still greater conse- 
 quence, it must of necessity owe the secure 
 
( H9 ) 
 
 enjoyment of indispensable outlets for its owJi 
 productions to the weight, influence, and the 
 future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of 
 the Union, directed l)y an indissoluble communi- 
 ty of interest as one nation. Any other tenure 
 by which the West can hold this essential advan- 
 tage, whether derived from its own separate 
 strength, or from an apostate and unnatural con- 
 nection with any foreign power, muftbe intrinfi- 
 cally precarious. 
 
 While then eveiy part of out country thus 
 feels an immediate and paiticular intereft in 
 Union, all the parties combined cannot fail to 
 find in the united mafs of means and efforts 
 greater ftrength, greater refources, proportiona- 
 bly greater fecuiity from external danger, alefs 
 frequent interruption of their peace by foreign 
 nations ; and. what is of ineftimable value f 
 they muft derive from Union an exemption from 
 thofe broils and wars bet ween themfelves, which 
 so frequently afHict neighboring countries, hot 
 tied together by the fame government j which 
 their own rivalftirps alone would be fufficient ta 
 produce, but which oppofite foreign alliances^ 
 attachments and intrigues would ftimulate and 
 embitter. — H«nc6 likewife they will avoid the 
 neceffity of thofe overgrown military eftablifh- 
 mcats, which under any form of government, are 
 maufpicious to liberty, and which are to be re- 
 garded as particularly hoftile to Republican Li- 
 
( 120 ) 
 
 Ijerty ; in this fenfe it is, that your Union ought 
 to be Gonfidered as a main prop of your liberty, 
 and that the love of the one ought to endear to 
 you the preservation of the other. 
 
 Thefe confiderations fpeak a peifuafive lan- 
 guage to every reflating and virtuous mind, 
 and exhibit the coiatinuence of the Union as a 
 primary object of patriotic defire. Is there a 
 doubt, whether a common government can em- 
 brace fo large a fphere ? Let ej^perience folve it. 
 To liften to mere fpeculation in fuch a cafe were 
 criminal. ' We areauthorifed to hope that a pros- 
 per organization of the whole, with auxiliary 
 agency of goverments for the refpe^ive fubdivi- 
 fions, will afford a happy iflue to the experi- 
 ment, 'Tis well worth a fair and full experi- 
 ment. With fuch powerfiTl and obvious motives 
 to Union, affeding all parts of our country, 
 while experience (hall not have demonftrated its 
 imj?racticability, there will always be reafon to 
 diftruft the patriotifm of thofe, who in any quar- 
 ter may endeavour to weaken its bands. 
 
 In contemplating the caufe whichmay difturb' 
 our Union, it occurs asamatter of ferious concern 
 that any ground (hould have been fumifhed for 
 charesterising parties hy geographical d\^c\\w\i\^' 
 
 lions—- Tzor/Aernand southern dtlantic ^Ti6.^iVestem 
 
 -r-whence designing men may endeavoui' to e» 
 che a belief that there is a real dificrenee of locaJ 
 
( 121 ) " 
 
 interests and views. One of the expedients of 
 party to acquire influence, within particular dis- 
 tricts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims 
 of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves 
 too much against the jealousies and heart bur- 
 nings which spring from these misrepresenta- 
 tions ; they tend to render alien to each other 
 those who ought to be bound together by frater- 
 nal affection. The inhabitants of our w^estern 
 country have lately had a useful lesson on this 
 head : they have seen, in the negociution by the 
 Executive, and in the unanimous ratification Ijy 
 the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the 
 universal satisfaction at that event throughout the 
 United States, a decisive proof how unfounded 
 were the suspicions propagated among them of 
 a policy in the General Government and in the 
 Atlantic States, unfriendly to their interests in 
 regard to the Misshipfii : they have been witnesses 
 to the formation of two treaties, that with Great • 
 Britain and that with Spain, which secure to 
 them every thing they could desire, in respect 
 to our foreign relations, towards confirming their 
 prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely 
 for the preservation of these advantages on the 
 Union by which they Avere procured ? Will 
 they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if 
 such there are, who would sever them from 
 their brethren, and connect them with aliens ? 
 
 To the efficacy and permanency of your Uni 
 G>n, a govennnent for the whole is indispenK;ibic 
 L 
 
( 122 ) 
 
 -*-No alliances, however sti ict,between the parts, 
 can be an adequate substitute : they must inevi- 
 tably experience the infractions and interruptions 
 which all alliances in all times have experienced. 
 Sensible of this momentous truth, you have im- 
 proved upon your first essay, by, the adoption of 
 a constitution of government better calculated 
 than your former, for an intimate Union, andfoi' 
 the efficacious management of your common 
 concerns. This government, the offspring of 
 our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, adop- 
 ted upon full invest^igation and mature delibera- 
 tion, completely free in its principles, in the 
 distribution of its powers, uniting security with 
 energy, and containing within itself a provision 
 for its own amendment, has a just claim to your 
 confidence and your support. Respect for its 
 authority, compliance with its laws, acquies- 
 cence ia its measures, are duties enjoined by 
 the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. The 
 feasis of. our political systems is the right of the 
 people to make and alter their Constitutions of 
 Government— run, the constitution which at any 
 time exists till changed by an explicit and authen- 
 tic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligato- 
 ry upon all. 1 he very idea of the power and 
 the right of the people to establish government 
 presupposes the duty of eieTf individual to obey 
 the established government. 
 
 All obstructions to the execution jof the Laws, 
 all combinations and associations, under whatever 
 plausible, character, with the real design to di- 
 
( 123 ) 
 
 rect, control, counteract, or awe the regular 
 deliberation and action of the constituted author- 
 ities, are destructive of this fundamental prin- 
 ciple, and of fatal tendency. They serve to or- 
 ganize faction, to give it an artificial and extraor- 
 dinary force — to put in -the place of the delega- 
 ted- will of the nation, the will of a party, often 
 a small but artful and enterprising minority of 
 the community ; and, according to the alternate 
 triumphs of different parties to make the public 
 administration the mirror of the ill-concerted 
 and. incongruous projects of factions, rather 
 than the organ jf consistent and wholesome plans 
 digested by common councils, and modified by 
 mutual interests. However combinations or 
 associations of the above description may now 
 and then answer popular ends,, they are likely in 
 the course of time and things to become potent 
 engines, by which cunning, ambitious and un- 
 principled men will be enabled to subvert the 
 power of the people, and to usurp to themselves 
 the reins of government ; destroying afterwards 
 the very engines which have lifted them to un- 
 ust dominion. 
 
 Towards the preservation of your government 
 and the permanency of your present happy 
 state, -it is requisite, n^t only that you speedily 
 discountenance irregular oppositions to its ac- 
 knowledged authority, but also that you resist 
 with care *he spirit of innovation upon itsprin- 
 ciples however specious the pretexts. • One 
 jnethod of assault may be to effect in the fornis 
 
( 124. ) 
 
 of the constitution alterations v/bich will impair 
 the energy of the system and thus to undermine 
 what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the 
 changes to which you niay be invited, remem- 
 ber that time and habit are at least as necessary 
 .ftp fix the true character of governments, as of 
 other human institutions-^that experience is the 
 surest standard, by which to test the real tenden- 
 cy of the existing constitution of a country — thit 
 facility in changes upon the credit or mere hy- 
 pothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change 
 from the endless variety of hypothesis and opin- 
 ion : and remember, especially, that for the effi- 
 cient mana^ment of your common interests, in 
 a country so extensive as ours, a government of 
 as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect 
 secirrity of liberty, is indispensable. Liberty it- 
 seif will fmd in such a government, with powers 
 pwperly eiistributed and adjusted, its surest guar- 
 dian. It is, indeed, little else than a name 
 where the government is too feeble to withstand 
 the enterprises of faction, to confine each mem- 
 ber of the society within the hmits prescribed 
 by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and 
 tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and 
 property. 
 
 I have already intimated to you, the danger of 
 parties in the state, with particular reference to 
 the founding of them on geographical discrim- 
 inations. Let me now take a more comprehen- 
 sive vievY, ^nd warn you in the most solemn man- 
 
( 125 ) 
 
 ner against the baneful effects of the spirit tsf 
 party, generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is 
 inseparable froni our nature, having its root ia 
 the strongest passions of the human mind. — It 
 exists under different shapes in all governments, 
 more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed ; but 
 in those of the popular form, it is seen in its 
 greatest r.inkness, and is truly their worst ene- 
 my. The alternate domination of one faction 
 over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, 
 natural to party dis-.-^ntion, which, in different 
 ages and Countries, iIaS perpetrated the most 
 horrid enormities, is itielf fi-ightful desooti^m. — - 
 But this leads at length to a more formal and per* 
 manent despotism. — The disorders and miseries, 
 Avhich result, gradually incline the minds of men 
 to seek security and repose in the absolute pow- 
 er of an individual ; and sooner or later the chief 
 of some prevailing faction, more able or m.ore 
 fortunate than his competitors, turns this dispo- 
 sition to the purposes of his own elevation, on 
 the ruins of public Liberty. 
 
 Without looking forward to an extremity of 
 this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be 
 entirely out of sight) the comnion and continual 
 mischiefs of the spi-it of party are sufficient to 
 make it the interest and duty of a v/ise people 
 to discourage and restrain it. It serves always 
 to distract the public councils and enfeeble the 
 public administration. It agitates the communi- 
 \ with iil-foundsd jealousies and false alarms ; 
 L 2 
 
( 126 ) 
 
 kindles tlie animosiiy of ere part agcsinst anoth- 
 er, foi-nents cccasiciially riot and insuiTectiGn. 
 It opens the doer to foreign infiiience ard ccrivjp- 
 lion, which find a facilitated access to the govern- 
 ment itself through the channels cf party pasr- 
 sions. Thus the policy ar.d the will of cne coun- 
 try are subjected to the policy and wiJl of anoth- 
 er. 
 
 There is an opinion that parties in fiee-ccun- 
 tries are useful checks upon the arnrJrJstration 
 of the government, and seive to keep alive the 
 spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is 
 probably true ; and in governments of a monar- 
 chical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, 
 if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But 
 in those of a popular character, in goveirments 
 purely elective, it is a spirit not to ke encouraged. 
 From their natural tendency, it is certain there 
 will always be enough of that spirit lor every 
 salutary purpose. And there being ccnsti.nt 
 danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force 
 of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. 
 A fire not to be quenched ; it demands a uniforru 
 vigilance to prevent its bursting into a fiiar.e, lest, 
 insiead of warminp;, it should consume. 
 
 It is important likewise, that the habits of thinl<- 
 ing in a free country, should insjjire caution, in 
 those entrusted with its administration, to confine 
 themselves within their respective constitutional 
 spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers 
 ofone department to encroach upon another. 
 
( 127 ) 
 
 The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate 
 the powers of all the departments in one, and 
 create, whatever the form of government, a real 
 despotism. A just estimate of that love of pow- 
 er, and proneness to abuse it, which predomi- 
 nates in the huiyan heart is sufficient to satisfy 
 us of the truth of this position The necessity 
 of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political 
 power, by dividing and distributing it into differ- 
 ent depositories, and consuauing each the guar- 
 ''ian of public weai against invasions by the oth- 
 ers, has been evinced by experiments ancient 
 and modern ; some of them in ©ur coiuitry and 
 under our own eyes. To preserve them must 
 be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the 
 opinion of the people, the distribution or mod- 
 ification of the constitutional powers be in any 
 particular wrong, let it1)e corrected by an amend- 
 ment in the waj- which the constitution desig- 
 nates. But let there be no change by usurpation ; 
 for tho' this, in one instance, may be the instru- 
 ment of good, it is the customary weapon by 
 which frcG governments are destroyed. The 
 precedent must always greatly overbalance in 
 permanent evil any partial or transient benefit 
 which the use can at any time yield. 
 
 Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to 
 political prosperity, religion and moiidiry are in- 
 dispensable sup}X)rts, In vain \ M^Idthat man 
 
 claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor 
 to subvert these great pillars of hvman happiness, 
 
( 128 ) 
 
 these firmest props of the duties of men and citi- 
 zens. — The mere politician, eqiiaiiy with the pi- 
 ous man, ought to respect and to cheii^h them, 
 A volume could not trace ail their coiu-icctions 
 ^vith private and public felicity. Let it sinipiy be 
 asked, where is the security, for property, for 
 reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obli- 
 gation Desert the oaths, Avhich are the instru- 
 mewts of investigation in courts of j^'sdce ; and let 
 us with caution indulge the supposition, that 
 morality can be maintained \^ithcut religion. 
 Whatever may be cohceded to the influence of 
 refined education on minds of pecuii::ir structure ; 
 reason and experience both forbid us to expect 
 that national morality can prevail in exclusion of 
 religious principle. *Tis substantially true, that 
 virtue or morajity is a necessary spring of popular 
 government. The rule indeed erJ. end^j v/ith more 
 or less force to every species of free government. 
 Who that is a sinceie fiiend to it can look with 
 idifference upon the attempts to shake the founda- 
 tion of the fabrick ? 
 
 Promote then, as an object of primary import- 
 ance, institutions, for ihe general diffusion of 
 knowledge. — In pjpoportion as the structure of a 
 government gives force to a public opinion, it is 
 essential tb^t public cpinion should be enlighten- 
 ed. As a very important source of strength and 
 security, clierish public credit, one method of 
 preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible ; 
 avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating 
 peace ; but rememberingalso that timely disbur- 
 
( 129 ) 
 
 B&mcnts to prepare for danger, frequently pre- 
 vent mucli greater disbursements to repel it ; a- 
 voiding likewise the acculamations of debt, not 
 only by shunning occasions of expense, but by 
 vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge 
 the debts which unavoiding wars may have occa- 
 sioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity 
 the burden which*we ourselves ought to bear. — 
 The execution of these maxims belongs to your 
 representatives, but it is necessary that public o- 
 pinion should co-operate. To facilitate to them 
 the performance of their duty, it is essential that 
 you should practically bear in mind, that towards 
 the payment ofdebts there must be revenue : to 
 have revenue there must be taxes : that no taxes 
 can be devised which are not more or less inson- 
 venient and unpleasant ; that the intrinsic em- 
 barassment inseparable from the selection of the 
 proper object (which ^s always a choice of diffi- 
 culties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid 
 construclTon of the conduct of the government in 
 making it, and for a fpirit of acquiescence in the 
 measures for obtaining revenue which the public 
 exigences may at any time dictate. 
 
 Observe good faith and juctice towards all 
 naions ; cultivate peace and harmony with all ; 
 religion and morality enjoin this conduct ; and 
 can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin 
 it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, 
 at no distant period, a great nation, to give to 
 mankind the niragnanimous and too novel exam- 
 fb '^^ ■ ' ' ^='^^^- ■ ■ "• i 
 
 f George WashiDgtou wrote the foilowicg letter soin 
 af'er the Coni,timtion was toade, and addresaed it to 
 
 I tte "GtLeral Commiftes of the United Btpt'.afc 
 * Cburcte-- inVjrgu.iiaf' 
 
 Oenti-emen : If I co'>i.ld«2L»r ""****" *■"'""'' *^-^ 
 sl'ghtest apjjieljC-n&ioD tb.jit thft OorisHlfitioa iraui«a 
 by the Convtritjoii here I >jad the honor to pj-eVi'e 
 ttiif^bt p-iPS'b-y endaiiger the rdigioun rights of any 
 ecc'esiafticat ecciety, certahjjy I would mvir have 
 fJnad my (.ignaivreto it ; and n I could not conceive 
 tba* the Geaerbl Goverrme*nt might even be eo a,i- 
 noDifrteretl as to reccer the liberty of conecieace ia- 
 ef cure, I bf g you Tvi)l be persuaded that uooaa wo\iid 
 he Kore zealous tcan roy^elf to esxablish eflfrctuil 
 bfiniers sgsiEet the horrors of spiritual tjirajiny and 
 every fptci's of rcliginua pfr.ecu'i'-n. For you 
 (.'onhtleps rfmerobfr I hive often expytssed my sea- 
 liTetts that fpy man condueti-?^ himself »,d a good 
 Vpinzfn, ard heij-sr accountable tj God aloae for his 
 Vtligious rpii'.iots, ought to be protected in worsbip- 
 ■;£: the Deity according to the dictates of hia own 
 V)U6ci«nce. 
 
( 130 ) 
 
 pie of a people always guided by an exalted 
 justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that 
 in the course of time and things, the fruits of 
 such a plan would richly repay any temporary 
 advantages which might be lost by a steaayad" 
 lierence to it ? Can it be, that Providence has not 
 connected the permanent felicity of a nation witjj 
 its virtue ? The experiment, at least, is recom-"* 
 mended by every sentiment which ennobles huf 
 man nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossibly by 
 its vices? '; 
 
 In the execution of such a plan, nothing is 
 more essential than that permanent inveterate 
 antipathies against particular nations, and passim 
 onate attachments forotheis should be excluded, 
 and that in place of them just and amicable feel* 
 ings towards all should be cultivated. The 
 nation, which indulges towards another an hab^ 
 itual iiatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some 
 degree a slave. !t is a slave to its animosity or 
 to its affection, either of which is sufficient to 
 lead it astray from its duty and its interest. An^ 
 tipathy in one nation against another disposs 
 each more readily to ofier insult and injury, to 
 lay hold of slight cau-ses of umbrage, and to be 
 haughty and intractable, when accidental or tri- 
 flingoccasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent 
 collisions, obstinate envenomed and bloody con-^ 
 tests. The nation prompted by ill will and resentr. 
 ment, sometimes impels to war the government, 
 contrary to the be§t calculations of policy. The 
 government sometimes participates \y\ the nation-? 
 
 / 
 
( 1^1 ) 
 
 al propensity, and adopts through passion what rea-- 
 son would reject; at other limes, it makes the 
 animosity of the nation subservient to projects of 
 hostility instigated by pride, ambition and other 
 sinister and pernicious motives. The peace of- 
 ten, sometimes perhaps the liberty of nations has 
 been the victim. 
 
 So likewise a passionate attachment of one na- 
 tion for another produces a variety of evils,- 
 
 Sympathy for the favourite nation, facilitating the 
 iliusion of an imaginary common interest, in ca- 
 ses where no real common interest exists, and 
 infusing into one the enmities of the other, be- 
 trays the former into a participation in the quar- 
 rels and wars of the latter, without adequate in- 
 ducement or justification. It leads also to con- 
 cessions to the favourite nation of privileges 
 denied to others which is apt doubly to injure the 
 nation making the concessions ; by unnecessarily 
 parting with what ought to have been retained ; 
 and by exciting jealousy, ill will, and a disposi*- 
 tlon to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal 
 privileges are withheld ; Audit gives to ambi- 
 tious: corrupted, or deluded citizens (\vho devote 
 themselves to the favorite ni\tion) facility to be- 
 tray, or sacriiice the interests of their country, 
 without odium, sometimes even with popularity ; 
 gilding with the appearance of a virtuous sense of 
 obligation, a commendable deference for public 
 opinion, or a laudible zeal for public good, the 
 base or foolish compliances of ambilioh, currup- 
 tion or infatuation. 
 
( 132 ) 
 
 As avenues to foreign influence in innumera- 
 ble ways, such attachments are particularly alarm' 
 ing to the truly enlightened and independent pat- 
 riot. How many opportunities do they afford to 
 tamper with domestic factions, to practice the 
 arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to 
 influence or awe the public councils ! Such an 
 attachment of small or weak, towards a great 
 and powerful nation, dooms the former to he the 
 satellite of'the latter. Against the insiduous 
 wiles of foreign influence, (1 conjure you to be- 
 lieve me, fellow citizens) the jealousy of a frcw. 
 people ought to be cokstantly awake; since his- 
 tory and experience prove that foreign infii:ence 
 is one of the most baneful foes of republican 
 government. But that jealousy, to be usefL 
 must be impartial : else it becomes the'instru- 
 ment of the very influence to be avoided, instead 
 of a defence against it. — Excessive partiality for 
 one foreign nation, and excessive dislike of an- 
 other, cause those whom they actuate, to see 
 danger only on one side and serve to veil and 
 even second the arts of influence on the other. 
 Heal patriots, who may resist the intrigues of 
 the favorite, are liable to become suspected and- 
 odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the ap- 
 plause and confidence c^'the people, to surren- 
 der their interests. The great rule of conduct 
 for us, in rei^ard to foreign nations, is, in exten- 
 ding our commercial relations, to have with them 
 as little POLITICAL connection as possible. So 
 far as we i^iave already formed engagements, let 
 
( 133 J 
 
 iem be fufilled with perfect good faith Ilers 
 
 t us stop. 
 
 Europe has a set of primary interests, which 
 o us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence 
 -he must be engaged in frequent controversies,- 
 Xtic causes of which are essentially foreign to 
 our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be 
 unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial 
 ties, in tke ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, 
 or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her 
 ^'iendships, er enmities. Our detached and 
 ol'stant situation invites and enables us to pursile 
 a different course. If we remain one people^ 
 ^atider an efficient government, the period is not 
 hv oif, when we may defy linaterial injury from 
 External annoyance ; when we may take such an 
 attitude as will cause the neutrality, we may at 
 any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously res- 
 pected ; when belligerent nations, under the im- 
 possibility of making acquisitions upon us, will 
 not lightly hazard the giving us provocation ; 
 when we may choose peace or war, as our inter- 
 est, guided by justice, shall counsel. 
 
 Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a 
 situation ? Why quit our own to stand upon for- 
 eign ground ? Why, by interweaving our desti- 
 ny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our 
 peace and prosperity in the toils of European 
 ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or capiice ? 
 *Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent 
 alliances, with any portion of the foreign world ; 
 M 
 
( i3i ) 
 
 oo far, I mean a^ we are now at liberty to do it ; 
 for let me not be understood as capable of pat- 
 ronising infidelity to existing engagements. I 
 hold the maxim lio less applicable to public than 
 to private affairs, tbat hbnesty is always the best 
 polJQ)'. I repeat it, therefore, let those engage- 
 ments be observed in their genuine sense. But^ 
 in my opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be 
 imwise, to extend them. Taking care always to 
 keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a 
 respectable defensive posture, we may safely 
 trust to temporary alliances fol' extraordinary 
 emergencies. 
 
 Harmony, liberal intercourfe with all nations, 
 are lecommended by policy, humanity, and 
 intereft. But even our commercial policy fhoulcl 
 hold an eqilal and impartial hand i neither feek- 
 ing nor granting exclufive favors or preferen- 
 ces ; confulting the natural courfe of things 5 
 diffufing and diverfif^'ing by gentle means the 
 fir earns of commerce, but forcing nothing ; 
 eftablilhing, with powers fa difpofed, in order 
 to give trade a ftable courfe, to define the rights 
 of our merchants, and to enable the government 
 to fupport them, conventional rules of inter- 
 courfe, the bed that prefent cifcumftances and 
 mutual opinion will permit, btit temporary, and 
 liable to be from time to time abandoned or va- 
 tied, as experience and circumftances fliall dic- 
 tate ; conftantly keeping in view, that 'tis folly 
 in one nation to look for difmterefted favors from' 
 
f 135 ) 
 
 another ; that it mufl; pay with a portion of iti, 
 jncJ^pendence for whatever it may accept uftder 
 that character ; that hy fuch acceptance, it may- 
 place itfelf in the condition of having given 
 equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of be- 
 ing reproached with ingratitude for not giving 
 more. There can be i;o greater error than to 
 expect, or calculate upon real favors from na- 
 tion to nation. 'Tis an illusion which experi- 
 ence muft cure, which a juft pride ought to 
 difcard. 
 
 In offering to you, my countrymen, these coun- 
 sels of an old affectionate friend, I dare'^not 
 hope they will make the strong and lasting ira^ 
 pression I could wish : that they will controui the 
 usual current of the passions, or prevent oui» na- 
 tion from running the course which has hitherto 
 Tnarked the destiny of nations : But, if I may even 
 flatter myself, that they may be productive of 
 some partitil beneRt, sonie occasional good ; that 
 they may nov/ and then recur to moderate the fury 
 of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of 
 foreign intrigues, and guard against the impos- 
 tures of pretended patriotism ; this hope will be a 
 fi.Ul recompence for the sonpitude for your wel- 
 fare, by which they have been dictated. How far 
 in the discharge of my official duties, I hav,. been 
 guided by the principles which have been delin- 
 eated, the pubHc records and other evidences of 
 my conduct must witness to you and to the; 
 ir^prld. To myself, the assurance of my p\y^ 
 
( is$ ) 
 
 conscience is, that I have at least believod myself 
 to be guided by thefn. 
 
 In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, 
 my proclamation of the '2 2d of April, 1793, is the 
 index to my^kn. Sanctioned by your approving 
 voice and by that of your representatives in both 
 houses of congress, the spirit of that measure has 
 continually governed me ; uninfluenced by any at- 
 tempt to deter or divert me from it. After delibe- 
 rate examination, with the aid of the best lights I- 
 could obtain, I was well satisfied that our countryj 
 ■under all the circumstances of the case, had a 
 right to take, and was bound in du^ and interest, 
 to take a neutral position. Having taken it, I de^ 
 termined, as far as should depend upon me, to 
 maintain it, with moderation, perseverance and 
 firmness. 
 
 The consideration which respects the right to 
 ;hold the conduct, it is not necessary on this occa^ 
 sion to detail. I will only observe, that accord- 
 ing to my understanding of the matter, that right, 
 so far from being denied by any of the belligerent 
 powers, has been virtually admitted by all. The 
 duty of holding a neutral conduct may be infers 
 red, without any thing more, from the obligations 
 which justice and humanity impose upon every 
 natiouyin cases in which it is free to act, to main- 
 tain ir^'iolate the relations of peace and amity to^ 
 wards other nations. The inducements of inter- 
 .est for observing that conduct will best be refer- 
 ^d tp ypi^r own reflections and experience. With, 
 
( 137 ) 
 
 me, a predominant motive has been to endeavor 
 to gain time to our country to settle and mature 
 its yet recent institutions, and to progress with- 
 out interruption, to that degree of strength and 
 consistency, which is necessary to give it, human- 
 ly speaking, the command of its own fortunes. 
 
 Tho* in reviewing the, incidents of my adminis- 
 tration, I am unconscious of intentional error : I 
 am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to 
 think it propable that I may have committed ma- 
 ny errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently 
 beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the 
 evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry 
 with me the hope that my country will never 
 cease to view them with indulgence ; and that 
 after forty-five years of ray life dedicated to its 
 service, with an upright zeal, the faults of incom- 
 petent abilities -will be consigned to oblivion, as 
 niyself must soon be to the mansions of rest. 
 Relying on its kindness m this as in the other 
 things, and actuated by that fervent love towards 
 it, which is so natural to a man, who views in it 
 the native soil of himself and his progenitors for 
 several generations ; I anticipate with pleasing 
 expectation that retreat, in which I promise my- 
 self to realize, without alloy the sweet enjoyment 
 of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, 
 the benign influence of good laws under a free 
 government — the ever favourite object of my 
 heart, and the happy reward, as Itrust, of ourmu- 
 tual cares, labors and dimgers. 
 M 2 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
( 138 ) 
 
 y^R JV'IIJAM WJLLACE's BOJi;.. 
 
 PhUaddhhia^ 4 th Jan, ] 7 9 2. 
 _'n Friday last was presented to the President 
 :he United Stales, Geort,'e Washington; a iiox 
 _k:^-antly movinted with silver, and made of the . 
 Celebrated oak tree that sheUercd the patriotic 
 Sir William Wai.lack of Scotland, after th( 
 unfortunate battle of Falkirk about the year 1300 
 This very curious and characteristical present ih;. 
 from the Earl of Buchan. by the hancl of .\h- 
 Archibald Robertson, a Scotch gentletnan, anl 
 a portrait painter, who arrived in America some 
 •months ago. The Bp-x was presented to Lord 
 Buchan by the Goldsmiths Company of J:^din-- 
 bu- j-Hi ; from whom his Lordship'reqviested, and 
 obtained leave, to ?.Tiakp it over to the Man whom 
 he deemed more deserving of it than himself, 
 and George Washington wo.-? t/)e man. 
 
 We fu.niitr learn, that, Lord Buchan, fcas* 
 requested of the President, that, on the event of 
 Ills decease he will consign the Box to that Mtini 
 in this Cou7/^ry, who shall appear, in hisjuc 
 ment, to merit it best, upon the same conside 
 tions that induced him to send it to America. 
 
 Upon the Box, which is curiously wrought, 
 is a silver plate with the folloV\'Jng inscriptitjn : 
 ?' Presented by the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh lo D'l 
 vid Srekt^art Erskine^ Earl of Buchan,, with 
 Freedom of their Corporation^ by their Deacch 
 jLD, 1791." 
 
( 139 ) 
 
 Copy of c^e Letter from LordBucHAN to GcR. 
 Washington, accompanying the Box, 
 
 Dryburgh Jbbey^June 28, 17t)l. 
 " Sir, 
 " I had the honour to receive your Excellen- 
 cy's letter relating to the advertisement of Dr. 
 Anderson's periodical publication in the Gazette 
 of the Uuited States ; which attention to my 
 recommendation I feel very sensibly, and return 
 you my grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 " In the '2 1st No. of that literary Miscellany, 
 1 inserted a monitory paper respecting America, 
 which I flatter myself, may, if attended to on 
 the other side of the Atlantic, be productive of 
 good consequences. 
 
 " To use your own emphatic words, " May 
 that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe 
 — who presides i\\ the Councik of Nations — and 
 whose providential aid can supply every human 
 defect, consecrate to the Liberties and ilappiness 
 of the American people, a government iiistitu- 
 ted by themselves for public and private security, 
 upon the basis of Law and ^qual administration 
 of Justice, preserving tp every individual as much 
 civil and political freedom as is consistent with 
 the safety of the Nation."— And may he be 
 pleased to continue your life and strength as long 
 as you can be in any way useful to your Country i 
 " I have entrusted this sheet inclosed in a Box, 
 made of the Oak that sheltered our Great Sir 
 William Wallace, after the battle of Falkirk, to. 
 
( 1*0 ) 
 
 Mr. Robertson, of Aberdeen, a Paii.'Tcr, wit4i 
 the hope of his having the honour of delivering 
 it into your iiand ; recommending him as an 
 able Artist, seeking for fortune and fame in the 
 New World. This box was presented to meby 
 the Gt>ldsmith*s Company at Edinburgh, of 
 whom, feelinpjmy own unworthiness, to receive 
 this magnificently significant present, I request- 
 ed and obtained leave to make it over to the man 
 in the world to whom Ithought it most justly due. 
 Into your hands I commit it, requesting of you 
 to pass it, on the event of your decease, to the 
 Man in your own country who shall appear to 
 your judgement to merit it best, upon the same 
 considerations that have induced me to send it t» 
 your Excellency. 
 
 " I am. Sir, with the highest esteem, 
 
 Your Excellency's most obedient, 
 
 And obliged humble servant, 
 
 BUCHAN. 
 " P. S.-~I beg your Excellency will have the 
 goodness to send me your PortiJiit, that I may 
 place it among those I most honour, and I would 
 wish it from the pencil of Mr. Robertson. I beg 
 leave to recommend him to your countenance, 
 as he has been mentioned to me favourably by 
 my worthy friend, Professor Ogilvie, of King's 
 College, Aberdeen.'* 
 
( 1" ) 
 
 Gen. Washingnon's Answer. 
 
 Philadelphia, \H May, I79f. 
 My Lord, 
 
 " I (hould have had the honor of acknowledg- 
 lag fooner that receipt of your letter of the 28th 
 of June laft, had I not concluded to defer doing 
 it till I could announce to you the tranfmiflion 
 of my portrait, which hasjuft been finifhed by 
 Mr. Robertfon (of New- York) who has alfo un- 
 dertaken to forward it. The manner of the exe- 
 cution of it does no difcredit, I am told, to 
 the artift, of whofe fkill favourable mention 
 has been made to me. i was further induced 
 to entruft the execution of it to Mr. Rjbertfon, 
 from his having informed me that he had drawn 
 others for your Lordlhip, and knew the fuse 
 which beft fuited your coUedion. 
 
 " I accept with fenfibility and with fatisfac- 
 •tion, the iigniiicant prefent of the box which ac- 
 companied your Lordfhips letter. 
 
 ** In yielding the tribute due from every lo- 
 ver of mankind to the patriotic and heroic virtues 
 of which it is commemorative, I estimate, as I 
 ought, the additional value which it deri^'es from 
 the hand that sent it, and my obligations for the 
 sentiments that induced the. transfer. 
 
 " I will, however, ask that you will exempt 
 me from the compliance with the request relating 
 tp its eventual destmation. 
 
( 1*2 ) 
 
 f Jn an attempt to execute your wish in this 
 partiicular, I should feel embarrasment from a 
 just comparison of relative pretentations, and fear" 
 to risk injustice by so marj^ed a preference. 
 
 ^/ With sentiments of the truest esteem ancj 
 consideration, I remain your Lordship' jj 
 most obedient servant, 
 EarlofBiichan. ' ' G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 ExTRACTyro7;z Cen. Washington's Will. 
 
 Item— 'To Xh^ Earl ofBuchanI re-commit 
 ^' the Box rnade of the Oak that sheltered the 
 brave Sir William Wallace after thebattle of Fal- 
 kirk,* presented to me by his Lordship in terms 
 too 'flattering for me to repeat, with a request 
 " to pass u on the evpnt of my decease, to the man 
 iiT my country who appeared to merit it best, up- 
 oti the same conditions that have induced him to 
 send it to me.— Whether easy or not, to select 
 the ^/Ian v/ho might comport with his Lordship's 
 opinion in this respect, is not for me to say : but 
 conceiving that no disposition of this valuaWe cu- 
 riosity can be more eligible than^he re-commit- 
 ment of it to' liis own cabinet, agreeably to the 
 O'iginal design of the Goldsmiths' Company of 
 Edingb'.u'gh, who presented it to him, and, at 
 his request- consented that it should be transfer- 
 red to me— I do give and bequeath the same to 
 his Lordship ; and incase of his decease to his 
 heir, v.'ith my grateful thanks for the distinguish- 
 ed honour of presenting it to me, and more es- 
 pecially for the favourable sentiments with which 
 >?f^ accompanied it. 
 
( i^3 5 
 
 CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON 
 
 (By a Scotch Traveller.) 
 In no one thing has the world been so much 
 deceived, as in the article of what is commonly 
 tailed Great Men. Most of them, upon a near- 
 er, and closer inspection, have been found to be 
 either great hypocrites, or great robbers ! — Not 
 so the man whose character is now attempted to 
 be delineated.— -Whether iin public or in private, 
 he was still the same ; and in that humble, but 
 useful and honourable employment, a Farmer, 
 he pointed the way to Fortune, as, in his public 
 capachies, he had pointed the way to Fame ; e- 
 minently proving, in his own person, the differ- 
 ence between system of method and oeconenly, 
 and a course of idleness and dissipation. 
 
 By his regular and economical conduct, Mr. 
 Washington became one of the extensive and 
 opulent Farmers on the continent. He had a- 
 bout '10,000 acres of land attached to his seat of 
 Mount Vernon^ where he combined theory with 
 practice, and. by successive improvements, ren- 
 dered his grounds highly productive. Inclu- 
 ding his household servants, and those who work- 
 ed upon the farm, he daily maintained about one 
 thousand persons, all of whom moved and acted 
 aiccording to the rules of a strict, but beriificerit 
 system. Like a well-regulated clock, the whole 
 machine moved in perfect time and order — The 
 effects were, that he was completely indepen- 
 dant, and tlied possessed of a great property. — 
 It does not appear that Mr. Washington's educa- 
 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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