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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ILLUSTRIOUS 
 
 t ' 
 
 Gen. GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 LATE PRESIDENT 
 OF THE 
 
 UNITED STATES of AMERICA, i^c. 
 Containing 
 
 A HISfORT OF fHE PRINCIPAL EVENfS OF HIS LIFJEy 
 
 jvifH Ex-rsAcrs from his journals, speeches 
 fo congress, and public addresses. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 A SKETCH CF RIS^ ^PRlKVSE^nTr ^ ' 
 
 BRATTLEBOROUGH : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM FESSENDEN. 
 
 1814. 
 
t-'3r^ 
 
 7 3i^ * 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 
 
 OF 
 
 -Gen. George JVaskiiigton, 
 
 LAfE PRESIDENT OF 'THE UNITED STAtESy ^C. iS'c. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON was born 
 February 22d, 17S2, in the Parifli of Wafh- 
 ington, in Weftmoreland County, in the 
 ftate of Virginia. His anceftors were poffef- 
 fed of property in England, near Cave, in 
 the eaft riding of Yorkihire, which they fold 
 and came over to America, in the year 1 657, 
 and purchafed lands in King George's Co. 
 Virginia. His father, Mr. Auguflus Wafti- 
 ington, was the fecond in defcent after their 
 emigration, and had a numerous offspring. 
 He was poifelfed of a large property, and of 
 diftinguiflied reputation. George was his 
 third fon, and the firil fruit of his fecond 
 marriage. He received his education un- 
 der the eye of his father, from a private tu- 
 tor, under whom he acquired a knowledge 
 
4 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 of the Latin language, fufEcient for the or- 
 dinary purpofes of life, his mother-tongue 
 grammatically, and the elements of mathe- 
 matics, which he, in his rifing years, care- 
 fully improved by practical experiments in 
 topographical and military plans. When 
 he was but ten years of age, his father died, 
 and at fifteen, he was entered a midfhipman 
 on board a Britifh ftiip of war then ftationed 
 on the coaft of Virginia. But after his bag- 
 gage had been packed up for embarkation, 
 the plan was abandoned in obedience to the 
 calls of maternal affection. For feveral years 
 after he quitted his tutor, the learning he 
 had acquired was much improved by a dif- 
 pofition to iludy, and he particularly appli- 
 ed himfelf to the practical parts of furvey- 
 ing, a knowledge of which was then, as it is 
 now, very important and neceflary to men 
 of landed property in every part of the A- 
 merican continent. His merits in this brancli 
 of knowledge, occafioned him being nomi- 
 nated Surveyor to a certain diftrict in Vir- 
 ginia, an appointment rather creditable than 
 lucrative ; but which afforded him advan- 
 tageous opportunities, particularly an ac- 
 
General George Wajhingion, 3 
 
 qii^intance with the country, the properties 
 of lands, and the fituations and directions of 
 creeks and rivers, and it enabled him to 
 make a choice of fome valuable tracts of 
 land for fubfequent purchafe. 
 
 After his father died, the charge of the 
 family devolved on his eldeft brother Law- 
 rence, a young man of mofi promising tal- 
 ents; who, at that time, was a captain un- 
 der Admiral Vernon, in the colonial troops, 
 employed in the expedition againft Cartha- 
 gena ; upon his return, having come into 
 the poffeffion of his patrimonial eftates, in 
 honor of his Admiral, from whom he had 
 received many civilities, he named his new 
 manfion MounUVernon. He was afterwards 
 made Adjutant General of the militia of Vir- 
 ginia, but did not long furvive, and on his 
 demife (notwithftanding there were heirs of 
 an elder branch, who poffefs a large fliare of 
 the patrimony) the eldeft fon by the fecond 
 marriage, inherited the part upon which 
 that feat now ftands, and a confiderable lan- 
 ded property attached to it. 
 
 At the death of his brother, the vacant of- 
 fice of Adjutant General was in confequence 
 A 2 
 
6 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 of the encreafed population, and extenfive 
 limits of the colony, divided into three dif- 
 tricts, and \hQ future Hero of America^ before 
 he was twenty years of age, began his mil- 
 itary career, by an appointment to the rank 
 of Major in that department. 
 
 In 1753, an event occurred, which called 
 his abilities into more adlive public notice. 
 The jealouiies of the French and Englifli 
 governments were at their height. En- 
 croachments were reported to have been 
 made by the former from their fettlements 
 in Canada, on the frontier territories of the 
 Britifli colonies, along the rivers Ohio and 
 de Boeuf.* Orders were received from 
 England, by the Governor and Council of 
 Virginia, to repel by force thefe encroach- 
 ments ; in confequence of which, Lieuten- 
 ant-Governor Dinwiddie difpatched young 
 Major Wafhington, with plenary powers to 
 afcertain the fads, treat with the Indians, 
 and to engage them to continue firm in 
 their attachment to England, and to warn 
 the French to defift from the inroads they 
 were making, in diredl violation of the trea- 
 
 » French Creek. 
 
General George Wajh'wgion. 7 
 
 ties then fubfifting between the two crowns. 
 This miflion he performed vvith lingular in- 
 duftry, intelligence and addrefs. 
 
 The appointment of Major Wafliington 
 was deemed a circumitance fomewhat extra- 
 ordinary at that period ; it was faid that a 
 youth unacquainted with the enlarged com- 
 merce of the world, unexperienced in polit- 
 ical concerns, appeared to be unfit to be em- 
 ployed to condu<fl a negociation, wherein 
 fubjecls of the greateft importance were in- 
 volved : It was very true that the fubjeds 
 were important, for they fliortly after be- 
 came the origin of a war between the two 
 nations, which raged for many years, and 
 extended throughout every part of the 
 globe, and which ended in the final expul- 
 fion of the French from the continent. 
 
 But thofe who had formed fuch fuperfi- 
 cial notions of the Major, were, in the end, 
 deceived by the fuccefs and abilities mani- 
 fefted through the whole tranfadion. This 
 having been the firft effort of that career 
 which has terminated with fo much fplen- 
 dor in hiftory, and honor and happinefs to 
 himfelf and his country j it will be pleaf- 
 
^ Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ing to perufe his journal, given in as a re* 
 port of his proceedings to governor Din- 
 widdle of Virginia, on that occafion ; it is 
 highly illuttrative of that activity and pen- 
 etration vi^hich have fignalifed his charac- 
 ter on a more extenfive theatre, at a fubfe- 
 quent period. 
 
 MA J, GEORGE WASHIJ\rGTOJV's JOURNAL, 
 
 Sent by the Hon. Robert Dinwiddie. Esq ; his 
 M'Jjestifs Lieutenant-Governor^ and Commander 
 hi Chief oj Virginia^ to the Commmidant of the 
 French forces on the Ohio, 
 
 W EBNESD AY y October 31, 1753. 
 I was commiffioned and appointed by the 
 Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Esq. governor, 
 &c. of Virginia, to vifit and deliver a letter 
 to the Commandant of the French forces 
 on the Ohio, and fet out on the intended 
 journey the fame day ; The next, I arrived 
 at Fredericksburg, and engaged Mr. Jacob 
 Vanbram to be my French interpreter; 
 and proceeded with him to Alexandria, 
 where we provided neceffaries. From 
 
General George Wajhingion, 
 
 thence we went to Winchefter, and got 
 baggage, horfes, &c. and from thence we 
 purfued the new road to Wills Creek, 
 where we arrived on the 1 4th of Novem- 
 ber. 
 
 Here I engaged Mr. Gift to pilot iis out, 
 and alfo hired four others as fervitors. 
 Barnay Corrin and John Mac. Quire, In- 
 dian traders, Henry Stewart and V7illiam 
 Jenkins ; and, in company with thofe per- 
 fons, left the inhabitants the next day. 
 
 The exceilive rains and vaft quantity of 
 fnow which had fallen, prevented our 
 reaching Mr. Frazier's, an Indian trader at 
 the mouth of Turtle Creek, on the Mon- 
 nongaheia river, till Thurfday the 22d. 
 We were informed here, that exprefs had 
 been fent a few days before to the traders 
 down the river, to acquaint them with the 
 French generals' death, and the return of 
 the major part of the French army into 
 winter quarters. The waters were quite 
 impaffable, without fwimnang our horfes ; 
 w^hich obliged us to get the loan of a canoe 
 fro n Frazier, and to fend Birnaby Currin, 
 and Henry Stewart, down the Mononga- 
 
10 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 hela with our baggage, to meet us at the 
 forks of the Ohio, about ten miles, there to 
 crofs the Allegany,* 
 
 As I got down before the canoe, I fpcnt 
 fome time in viewing the rivers, and the 
 land in the Fork, which I think extremely 
 well iituated for a Fort, as it has the abfo- 
 lute command of both rivers. The land at 
 the point is 20 or 25 feet above the com- 
 mon furface of the water ; and a confidera- 
 ble bottom of flat well-timbered land all a- 
 round ir, very convenient for building : 
 The rivers are each a quarter of a mile or 
 more acrofs, and run here very nigh at right 
 angles, Ahegany bearing N. E. and Monon* 
 gahela S. E. The former of thefe two is a 
 very rapid and fwift running water ; the 
 other deep and ftill, without any percepti- 
 ble fall. 
 
 About two miles from this, on the South 
 Eaft fide of the river, at the place where the 
 Ohio company intended to ere(fl a fort, 
 lives Shingifs, king of the Delawares : We 
 called upon him to invite him to council at 
 the Loggs Town. 
 
 » The Ohio and the Allegany are the same rivers, 
 
General George Wajhlngton. 11 
 
 As I had taken a good deal of notice yes- 
 terday of the fituation at the Forks, my cu- 
 tiofity led me to examine this more partic- 
 ularly, and I think it greatly inferior, ei- 
 ther for defence or advantage, efpecially the 
 latter : For, a fort at the Ford, would be e- 
 qually well fituated on the Ohio, and have 
 the entire command of the Monongahela ; 
 which runs up to our fettlements, and is 
 extremely well defigned for water carriage, 
 as it is of a deep, flill nature. Befides a fort 
 at the Fork might be built at much lefs ex- 
 penfe than at the other place. 
 
 Nature has well contrived this lower 
 place for w^ater defence ; but the hill where- 
 on it mull ftand, being about a quarter of a 
 mile in length, and then defcending gradu- 
 ally on the land fide, will render it difficult 
 and very expenfive, to make a fufficient for- 
 tification there. The whole flat upon the 
 hill mufl be taken in, the fide next the de- 
 fcent made extremely high, or elfe the hill 
 itfelf cut away : Otherwife, the enemy may 
 raife batteries within that diltance without 
 being expofed to a fingle ihot from the 
 fort. 
 
12 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 Shingifs attended us to the Loggs Town, 
 where we arrived between fun fetting and 
 dark, the 25th day after I left Williams- 
 burg. We travelled over fome extreme 
 good and bad land, to get to this place. 
 
 As foon as 1 came into the town, I went 
 
 to Monahatoocha (as the half-king was at 
 
 his hunting cabin on little Beaver- Creek, 
 
 about 15 miles off) and informed him by 
 
 John Davifon, my Indian interpreter, that 
 
 I was fent meffenger to the French general ; 
 
 and was ordered to call upon the Sachems 
 
 of the Six-Nations, to acquaint them with 
 
 it. I gave him a firing of wampum,* and a 
 
 twift of tobacco, and defired him to fend 
 
 for the half king ; which hepromifed to do 
 
 by a runner in the morning, and for other 
 
 Sachems. I invited him and the other 
 
 great men prefent, to my tent, where they 
 
 flayed about an hour and then returned. 
 
 According to the beft obfervations I 
 could make, Mr. GifF's new fettlement 
 (which we pafTed by) bears about W. N. W. 
 70 miles from Wills Creek, Shanapins, or 
 
 * A kind of Indian Money j also given as si present or 
 mark of fiiendshidi. 
 
General George Wajhington, IS 
 
 the Forks N. by W. or N. N. W. about 50 
 miles from that: and from thence to 
 Loggs-Town, the courfe is nearly weft a- 
 bout 18 or 20 miles : So that the whole dis- 
 tance, as we went and computed it, at leaft 
 135 or 140 miles from our back inhabit- 
 ants. 
 
 25th. Came to town 9 or 10 French- 
 men who had deferted from a company at 
 the Kaikaskas, which lies at the mouth of 
 this river. I got the following account 
 from them. They were fent from New- 
 Orleans with ]00 men, and 8 canoe loads 
 of proviiions to this place ; where they ex- 
 peded to have met the fame number of 
 men, from the fort^ on this lide of Lake E- 
 rie, to convey them and the ftores up, who 
 were not arrived when they run off. 
 
 I enquired into the iituation of the French 
 on the Miffiflippi, their number, and what 
 forts they had built. They informed me, 
 that there were four fmall forts between 
 New Orleans and the Black Iflands, garri- 
 foned with about 30 or 40 men, and a few 
 fmall pieces in each : That at New Orleans, 
 which is near the mouth of the Mifliffippi, 
 B 
 
i4 Biogmphical Memoirs of 
 
 there are 35 companies of 40 men each, 
 with a pretty ftrong fort mounting 8 car- 
 riage guns ; and at the Black lilands there 
 are federal companies ^ith a fort of 6 guns. 
 The Black Iflands are about ISO leagues a- 
 bove the mouth of the Ohio, which is about 
 350 above New- Orleans. They alfo ac- 
 quainted me that there was a fmall pallifa- 
 doedfort on the Ohio, at the mouth of the 
 Obaifti, about 60 leagues from the Miffiilip- 
 pi. The Obaifh* heads near the weft end 
 of Lake Erie, and affords the communica- 
 tion between the French on the Miffiflippi 
 and thofe on the Lakes. Thefe deferters 
 came up from the lower Shannoah-town 
 with one Brown, an Indian trader, and were 
 going to Philadelphia. 
 
 About 3 o'clock this evening the half- 
 king came to town, I went up and invited 
 him with Davidfon, privately, to my tent ; 
 and deiired him to relate fome of the par- 
 ticulars of his journey to the French com- 
 mandant, and reception there ; alfo to give 
 me an account of the ways and diftance. 
 He told me that the neareft and leveleft 
 
 # Or W abash, w linen by the French, Ouabach. 
 
General George Wajhington, 15 
 
 way was now impaflable, by reafon of many 
 large miry favannas ; that we muft be obli- 
 ged to go by Venango, and fliould not get 
 to the near fort under five or fix nights 
 fleep, and good travelling. When he went 
 to the fort, he faid he was received in a ve- 
 ry ftern manner by the late commander ; 
 who aiked him very abruptly, what he had 
 came about, and to declare his buiinefs : 
 which he faid he did in the following 
 fpeech : — 
 
 " Fathers, I am come to tell you your own 
 fpeeches ; what your own mouths have de- 
 clared. Fathers, you, in former days, fet 
 a filver bafon before us, wherein there was 
 a leg of a beaver,^ and defired all the na- 
 tions to come and eat of it ; to eat in peace 
 and plenty, arid not be churlifh to one anoth- 
 er : and that if any fuch perfon fliould be 
 found to be a difturber, 1 here lay down by 
 the edge of the difli a rod, which you muft 
 Icourge them with ; and if I, your father, 
 ftiould get foolifli in my old days, I defire 
 you may ufe it upon me as well as others. 
 
 " Now, fathers, it is you who are the 
 difturbers in this land, by coming and 
 
16 . Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 building your towns ; and taking it away- 
 unknown to us, and by force. 
 
 " Fathers, we kindled a fire a long time 
 ago at a place called Montreal, where we 
 defired you to flay, and not to come and 
 intrude upon our land. I now defire that 
 you may difpatch to that place ; for be it 
 known to you, fathers, that this is our 
 land, and not yours. 
 
 " Fathers, I defire you may hear me in 
 civilnefs : if not, we mufl handle that rod 
 which was laid down for the ufe of the ob- 
 ftreperous. If you had come in a peacea- 
 ble manner, like our brothers the Englifh, 
 we fhould not have been againfl your tra- 
 ding with us, as they do ^ But to come^ Path' 
 ers, and build houfes upon our land, and to 
 take it by force, is what zve cannot fubmit to. 
 
 " Fathers, both you and the Englifh are 
 white, we live in a country between ; there* 
 fore the land belongs neither to the one 
 nor the other : But the great Being above 
 allowed it to be a place of refidence for us ; 
 fo fathers I defire yuu to withdraw, as I 
 have done our brothers the Englifh : For I 
 will keep you at arm's length. I lay this 
 
General George Wajhington, 17 
 
 down as a trial for both, to fee which will 
 have the greateft regard to it, and that fide 
 we will ftand by, and make equal fliares 
 with us. Our brothers the Engiifli have 
 heard this, and I am come now to tell it to 
 you ; for I am not afraid to dicharge you off 
 this land." 
 
 This he faid was the fubftance of what 
 he fpoke to the general, who made this re- 
 ply : 
 
 *^Now, my child, I have heard your 
 fpeech : You fpoke firft, but it is my time 
 to fpeak now. Where is my wampum 
 that you took away, with the marks of 
 towns in it ? This wampum I do not know, 
 which you have difcharged me off the land 
 with : But you need not put yourfelf to 
 the trouble of fpeaking, for I will not hear 
 you. I am not afraid of flies or musqui- 
 toes, for Indians are fuch as thofe. I tell 
 you, down that river I will go, and build 
 upon it, according to my command. If 
 the river was blocked up, I have forces 
 fufEcient to burft it open, and tread under 
 my feet all that fland in oppifition, togeth- 
 er with their alliances ^ for my force is as 
 B 2 , 
 
IS Bkgraphical Memoirs of\ 
 
 the fand upon the fea fliure \ therefore^ 
 ^'here is your wampum, I fling it at you. 
 Child you talk foolifli ; you fay this land 
 belongs to you, but there is not the black 
 of my nail yours. I faw that land fooner 
 than you did, before the Shannoahs and 
 you were at war : Lead was the man who 
 went down and took pofleffion of that ri- 
 ver ; It is my land, and I will have it, let 
 who will ftand up for or fay againft it. I 
 will buy and fell with the Englifli (mock- 
 ^"g^yO If people will be ruled by me they 
 may exped kindnefs, but not elfe.*' 
 
 The half king told me he had inquired 
 of the general after the two Englifhmen 
 who were made prifoners, and received 
 this anfwer : 
 
 " Child, you think it a very great hard- 
 fliip that I made prifoners of thofe two 
 people at Venango. Do not concern your- 
 felf with it \ We took and carried them to 
 Canada, to get intelligence of what the En- 
 glifti were doing in Virginia/' 
 
 He informed me that they had built two 
 forts, one on Lake Erie, and another on 
 French Creek, near a fmall lake about fif- 
 
General George Wajhington. 19 
 
 teen miles afunder, and a large waggon- 
 road between : They are both after the 
 fame model, but different in fize j that on 
 the Lake the largeft. He gave me a plan 
 of them after his own drawing. 
 
 The Indians enquired very particular af. 
 ter their brothers in Carolina gaol. 
 
 They alfo afked what fort of a boy it was 
 who was taken from the South Branch j 
 for they were told by fome Indians, that a 
 party of French Indians had carried a white 
 boy by Kalkalka Town, towards the Lake. 
 . November 26, 1753. We met in coun- 
 cil at the Long Houfe, at about 9 o'clock, 
 where I fpoke to them as follows : — 
 
 " -Brothers, I have called you together in 
 council, by order of your brother, the gov- 
 ernor of Virginia, to acquaint you, that I 
 am fent, with all poffible difpatch, to vifit, 
 and deliver a letter to the French comman- 
 dant, of very great importance to your 
 brothers the Englifli ; and I dare fay to you 
 their friends and allies. 
 
 " I was defired, brothers, by your broth- 
 er, the governor, to call upon you, the fa- 
 chems of the nation, to inform you of it. 
 
20 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and to afk your advice and affiftance to pro- 
 ceed the neareft and beft road to the 
 French. You fee, brothers, I have gotten 
 thus far on my journey. 
 
 " His honor likewife defired me to apply 
 to you for fome of your young men, to 
 condud and provide provifions for us on 
 our way : and be a fafeguard againfl thofe 
 French Indians who have taken up the hat- 
 chet againft us. I have fpoke this particu- 
 larly to you, brothers, becaufe his honor, 
 our governor, treats you as good friends 
 and allies ; and holds you in great efteem. 
 To confirm what 1 have faid, I give this 
 firing of wampum." 
 
 After they had confidered for fome 
 time on the above difcourfe, the half king 
 got up and I'poke : 
 
 " Now my brother, in regard to what 
 my brother the governor had defired me, 
 I return you this anfwer. 
 
 " I rely upon you as a brother ought to 
 do, as you fay we are brothers and one 
 people. We ftiall put heart in hand, and 
 fpeak to our fathers the French concerning 
 the fpeech they made to me: and you 
 
General George Wajhingion. 21 
 
 may depend that we will endeavor to be 
 your guard, 
 
 " Brother, as you have afked my advice, 
 I hope you wiJl be ruled by it, and ftay till 
 I can provide a company to go with you. 
 The French fpeech belt is not here. I have 
 it to go for to my hunting cabin : likewife 
 the people whom I have ordered in are not 
 yet come, nor cannot till the third night 
 from this ; till which time, brother, I muft 
 hQg you to ftay. 
 
 " I intend to fend the guard of Mingoes, 
 Shannoahs and Delawares^ that our brothers 
 may fee the love and loyalty we bear 
 them" 
 
 As I had orders to make all poffible dis- 
 patch, and waiting here was very contrary 
 to my inclination, I thanked him in the 
 moft fuitable manner I could ; and told 
 him that my bufinefs required the greateft 
 expedition, and would not admit of delay. 
 He was not well pleafed that I fhould offer 
 to go before the time he had appointed, and 
 told me that he could not confent to our 
 going without a guard, for fear fome acci- 
 
-22 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 dent fhould befal us, and draw a reflexion 
 upon him. Befides, fays he, this is a mat- 
 ter of no fmall moment, and muft not be 
 entered into without due conlideration : 
 for now I intend to deliver up the French 
 fpeech belt, and make the Shannoahs and 
 Delawares do the fame. And accordingly 
 he gave orders to the king Shingifs, -who 
 was prefent, to attend on Wednelday night 
 with the wampum, and two men of their 
 nation to be in readinefs to fet out with us 
 the next morning. As I found it impofli- 
 ble to get off without affronting them in 
 *the moft egregious manner, I confented to 
 ilay. 
 
 I gave them back a ftring of wampum, 
 which I met with at Mr.Frazier's, and which 
 they fent with a fpeech to his honor the gov- 
 ernor, to inform him, that three nations of 
 French Indians,viz. Chippoways, Ottoways, 
 and Orundaks, had taken up the hatchet a- 
 gainft the Englifh ; and defired them to re- 
 peat it over again : but this they poftponed 
 doing till they met in full council with the 
 Shannoah and Delaware chiefs. 
 
 27th. Runners were difpatched very ear. 
 
General George Wajhington. 23 
 
 ly for the Shannoah chiefs. The half king 
 fet out himfelf to fetch the French fpeech 
 belt from his hunting cabin. 
 
 28th. He returned this evening, and came 
 with Monokatoocha,and two other Sachems 
 to my tent ; and begged (as they had com- 
 plied with liis honor the governor's requeft, 
 in providing men, &c.) to know on what 
 bufinefs we were going to the French ? — 
 This was a queftion I all along expected, and 
 had provided as fatisfad:ory anfwers to, as 
 I could, which allayed their curiofity a lit- 
 tle. 
 
 Monokatoocha informed me, that an In- 
 dian from Venango brought news, a few 
 days ago, that the French had called all the 
 Mingoes, Dlawares, &c. together at that 
 place ; and told them that they intended to 
 have been down the river this fall, but the 
 waters were growing cold, and the winter 
 advancing, which obliged them to go into 
 quarters ; but that they might affuredly ex- 
 pect them in the fpring, with a far greater 
 number ; and defired that they might be 
 quite paflive, and not to intermeddle, un- 
 lefs they had a mind to draw all their force 
 
24 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 upon them : for that they expeded to fight 
 the Englifli three years (as they fuppofed 
 there would be fome attempts made to ftop 
 them) in which time they fhould conquer : 
 and that if they ftiould prove equally ftrong, 
 they and the Englilh would join to cut them 
 all off, and divide the land between them : 
 that though they had loft their general, and 
 fome few of their foldiers, yet there were 
 men enough to reinforce them, and make 
 them mafters of the Ohio. 
 
 This fpeech, he faid, was delivered to 
 them by one captain Joncaire, their inter- 
 preter in chief, living at Venango, and a 
 man of note in the army. 
 
 2yth. The halfking and Monokatoocha 
 came very early and begged me to ftay one 
 day more ; for, notwithftanding they had 
 ufed all the diligence in their power, the 
 Shannoah chiefs had not brought the wam- 
 pum they had ordered, but would certain- 
 ly be in this night ; if not, they would de- 
 lay me no longer, but would fend it atter us 
 as foon as they arrived. When I found 
 them fo preiling in their requeft, and knew 
 that the returning of wampum was the a- 
 
General George Wajhington, 25 
 
 bolifliing of agreements, and giving this up, 
 was fhaking off all dependence upon the 
 French, I confented to flay, as I believed an 
 offence offered at this crifis, might be atten- 
 ded with greater ill confequence than an- 
 other day's delay. They aifo informed me 
 that Shingifs could not get in his men ; and 
 was prevented from coming himfelf by his 
 wife's ficknefs, (I believe, by fear of the 
 French) but that the wampum of that na- 
 tion was lodged with Kuflaloga, one of their 
 chiefs, at Venango. 
 In the evening late, they came again and 
 acquainted me that the Shannoah were not 
 yet arrived, but that it fhould not retard 
 the profecution of our journey. He deliv- 
 ered in my hearing, the fpeeches that were 
 to be made to the French by Jcfkakake, one 
 of their old chiefs, which was giving up the 
 belt the hte commandant had asked for, 
 and repeating near the fame fpeech he him- 
 felf had done before. 
 
 He alfo delivered a firing of wampum to 
 this chief who was fent by king Shingifs, to 
 be given to Kuflaloga, with orders to repair 
 
26 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 to the French, and deliver up the wam- 
 pum. 
 
 He likewife gave a very large ftring of 
 black and white wampum, which was to be 
 fent up immediately to the Six Nations, if 
 the French refufed to quit the land at this 
 warning ; which was the third time, and 
 was the right of this Jaifeakake to deliver. 
 
 30th. Laft night the great men affem- 
 bled at their council houfe, to confult fur- 
 ther about this journey, and who were to 
 go : the refult of which was, that only three 
 of their chiefs, with one of their beft hun- 
 ters, ftiould be our convoy. The reafon 
 they gave for not fending more, after what 
 had been propofed at council the 26th, wa& 
 that a greater number might give theFrench 
 fufpicions of fome bad deiign, and caufe 
 them to be treated rudely : but I rather 
 think they could not get their hunters in. 
 
 We fet out about 9 o'clock with the half 
 king, Jefkakake, White Thunder, and the 
 Hunter ; and travelled on^he road to Ve- 
 nango, where we arrived the 4th of Decem- 
 ber, without any thing remarkable happen- 
 ing, but a continued feries of bad weather> 
 
General George Wajhington, 27 
 
 This is an old Indian town, fituated at 
 the mouth of French-Creek on Ohio ; and 
 lies near N. about fixty miles from the 
 Loggs town, but more than feventy the 
 way we were obliged to go. 
 
 We found the French colors hoifted at a 
 houfe from which they had driven Mr. John 
 Frazier, an Englifli fubje^l. I immediately 
 repaired to it, to know where the comman- 
 der reiided. There were three officers, one 
 of whom, captain Joncaire, informed me 
 that he had the command of the Ohio 5 but 
 that there was a general-officer at the near 
 fort, where he advifed me to apply for an 
 anfwer. He invited us to fup with them ; 
 and treated us with the greateft complai- 
 fance. 
 
 The wine, as they dozed themfelves pret. 
 ty plentifully with it, foon banifhed the re- 
 ftraint which at firft appeared in their con- 
 verfation ; andgave a licenfe to their tongues 
 to reveal their fentiments more freely. 
 
 They told me, that it was their abfolute 
 ^Q^ign to take pofTeffion of the Ohio, and 
 by G** they would do it ; for that altho' 
 they were fenfible the Englifh could raife 
 
28 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 two men for their one ; yet they knew, 
 their motions were too flow and dilatory to 
 prevent any undertaking of theirs. They 
 pretend to have an undoubted right to the 
 river from a difcovery made by one La 
 Solle, fixty years ago ; and the rife of this 
 expedition is, to prevent our fettling on the 
 river or waters of it, as they had heard of 
 fome families moving out in order thereto. 
 From the beil intelligence I could get, there 
 have been 1500 men on this fide Onta- 
 rio Lake ; but upon the death of the gene- 
 ral, all were recalled to about fix or feven 
 hundred^ who were left to garrifon 4 forts, 
 one hundred and fifty or thereabouts in 
 each. The firll of them is on Fr. Creek, 
 near a fmall Lake, about fixty miles from 
 Venango, near N. N. W. The next lies on 
 Lake-Erie, where the greater part of their 
 ftores are kept, about fifteen miles from the 
 Other. From this it is one hundred and 
 20 miles to the carrying place, at the falls 
 of Lake Erie, where there is a fmall fort ; 
 which they lodge their goods at, in bring- 
 ing them from Montreal, the place whence 
 all their ftores come from. The next fort 
 
General George Wajhington. 29 
 
 lies about twenty miles from this, on Onta- 
 rio Lake. Between this fort and Montre- 
 al there are three others, the firft of which 
 is nearly oppofite to the Englifh Ft. of Ofvve- 
 go. From the fort on Lake Erie to Mon- 
 treal, is about fix hundred miles, which 
 they fay requires no more, if good weath- 
 er, than four weeks' voyage, if they go in 
 barks or large veffels, fo they may crofs the 
 lake ; but if they come in canoes it will re- 
 quire five or fix weeks, for they are obli- 
 ged to keep under the fliore. 
 
 5th. Rained exceflively all day, which 
 prevented our travelling. Captain Joncaire 
 fent for the half king, as he had but juft 
 heard that he came with me : he afFefted to 
 be much concerned that I did not make 
 free to bring them in before. I excufed it 
 in the beft mannerlwascapable,and toldhim, 
 I did not think their company agreeable, as 
 I had heard him iay a good deal in difpraife 
 of Indians in general. But another motive 
 prevented me from bringing them into his 
 company : I knew he was interpreter, and 
 a perfon of very great influence among the 
 
 Indians, and had lately ufed all poiSble 
 C 2 
 
so Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 means to draw them over to their intereft j 
 therefore I was delirous of giving no op- 
 portunity that could be avoided. 
 
 When they came in, there was great 
 pleafure expreffed at feeing them. He 
 wondered how they could come fo near 
 without coming to vifit him j made feveral 
 trifling prefents j and applied liquor fo faft, 
 that they were foon rendered incapable of 
 the bufmefs they came about, notwithftan- 
 ding the caution which was given. 
 
 6th. The half-king came to my tentj 
 
 quite fober, and infifted very much that I 
 
 fhould flay and hear what he had to fay to 
 
 the French. I fain would have prevented 
 
 his fpeaking any thing, till he came to the 
 
 commandant ; but could not prevail. He 
 
 told me, that at this place a council fire was 
 
 kindled, where all their bufinefs with thofe 
 
 people was to be tranfa^ted : and that the 
 
 management of the Indian affairs was left 
 
 folely to Mens. Joncaire. As I was defirous 
 
 of knowing the iffue of this, I agreed to 
 
 ftay : but fent our horfes a little way up 
 
 French Creek, to raft over and encamp: 
 
 which I knew would make it near night. 
 
General George Wajhington. 31 
 
 About ten o'clock they met in council. 
 The king fpoke much the fame as he had 
 before done to the general ; and offered the 
 French fpeech belt which had before been 
 demanded with the marks of four tcjwns 
 on it, which Mons. Joncaire refufed to re- 
 ceive ; but defired him to carry it to the 
 fort to the commander. 
 
 7th. Mons. La Force, commiffary of the 
 French ftores, and three other foldiers, 
 came over to accompany us up. We found 
 it extremely difficult to get the Indians off 
 to-day, as every flratagem had been ufed to 
 prevent their going up with me. I had lafl 
 night left John Davidfon (the Indian inter- 
 preter) whom I had brought with me from 
 town, and ftridly charged him not to be 
 out of their company, as I could not get 
 them over to my tent : for they had fome 
 bufinefs with Kuflaloga, chiefly to know 
 the reafon why he did not deliver up the' 
 French belt which he had in keeping : but 
 I was obliged to fend Mr Gifl over to-day 
 to fetch them 5 which he did with great 
 perfuafion. 
 
 At twelve o'clock we fet t for the fort, 
 
32 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and were prevented from arriving there 
 till the llth, by exceffive rains, fnows, and 
 bad travelling, through many mires and 
 fwamps. Thefe we were obliged to pals, to 
 avoid croffing the creek, which was impos- 
 fible either by fording or rafting, the water 
 was fo high and rapid. 
 
 We paffed over much good land fince we 
 left Venango, and through feveral extenfive 
 and very rich meadows ; one of which, I 
 believe, was nearly four miles in length, and 
 confiderably wide in fome places. 
 
 12th. I prepared early to wait on the 
 commander, and was received and conduc* 
 ted to him by the fecond officer in com- 
 mand. I acquainted him with my bufi- 
 nefs, and offered my commiffion and letter : 
 both of which he defired me to keep till the 
 arrival of Mons. Raparti, captain, at the 
 next fort, who was fent for, and expected 
 every hour. 
 
 This commander is a knight of the mili- 
 tary order of St. Lewis, and named Legar- 
 deur de St. Pierre. He is an elderly gen- 
 tleman, and has much the air of a foldier. 
 He was fent over to take die command, im- 
 
General George Wajhinpon, SS 
 
 mediately upon the death of the late gener- 
 al, and arrived here about feven days before 
 me. 
 
 At two o'clock the gentleman who was 
 fent for arrived, when I offered the letter 
 &c. again ; which they received, adjourned 
 into a private apartment for the captain to 
 tranflate, who underflood a little Englifh. 
 Atter he had done it, the commander defir- 
 ed I would walk in, and bring my inter- 
 preter to perufe and correct it \ which I 
 did. 
 
 13th. The chief officers retired, to hold a 
 council of war ; which gave me an oppor- 
 tunity of taking the dimeniions of the fort, 
 and making what obfervations I could. 
 
 It is fituated on the fouth or weft fork of 
 French Creek, near the water ; and is al- 
 moft fur rounded by the creek, and a fmall 
 branch of it which forms a kind of ifland. 
 Four houfes compofe the fides. The bas- 
 tions are made of piles driven into the 
 ground, ftanding more than twelve feet a- 
 bove it, and fharp at the top ; with port- 
 holes cut for cannon, and loop holes for 
 fmall arms to fire through. There are 
 
S4f Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 eight 6lb. pieces mounted in each baftlon ; 
 and one piece of four pounds before the 
 gate. In the baftions are a guard houfe, 
 chapel, do(5lor's lodging, and the comman- 
 der's private ftore j round which are laid 
 platforms for the cannon and men to ftand 
 on. There are feveral barracks without 
 the fort for the foldiers* dwelling ; covered, 
 fome with bark, and fome with boards, 
 made chiefly of logs. There are alfo fev- 
 eral other houfes, fuch as ftables, fmith's 
 fliops, &c. 
 
 I could get no certain account of the 
 number of men here ; but according to the 
 beft judgment I could form, there are an 
 hundred excludve of officers, of which 
 there are many. I alfo gave orders to the 
 people who were with me, to take an exad 
 account of the canoes which were hauled 
 up to convey their forces down in the 
 fpring. This they did, and told fifty of 
 birch bark, and one hundred and feventy 
 of pine J befides many others which were 
 blocked out, in readinefs to make. 
 
 14th. As the fnow increafed very faft, 
 and our horfes daily became weaker, I fent 
 
General George Wajhingfoju 35 
 
 them ofFunloaded, under the care of Barn- 
 aby Currin, and two others, to make all 
 convenient difpatch to Venango, and there 
 to wait our arrival, if there was a profped 
 of the river's freezing ; if not, then to con- 
 tinue down to Shannapin's town, at the 
 forks of the Ohio, and there to wait till we 
 came to crofs Allegany ; intending myfelf 
 to go down by water, as I had the offer of a 
 canoe or two. 
 
 As I found many plots concerted to re- 
 tard the Indians' bufinefs, and prevent their 
 returning with me ; I endeavored all that 
 lay in my power to fruftrate their fchemes 
 and hurry them on to execute their inten- 
 ded defign. They accordingly preffed for 
 admittance this evening, which at length 
 was granted them, privately, with the com- 
 mander and one or two other officers. The 
 half-king told me, that he offered wampum 
 to the commander, who evaded taking it, 
 and made many fair promifes of love and 
 friendfhip ; faid he wanted to live in peace, 
 and trade amicably with them, as a projf 
 of which he would fend fome goods imme- 
 diately down to the Loggs Town, for them* 
 
36 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 But I rather think the defign of that is to 
 bring away all our ftraggling traders they 
 meet with, as I privately underftood they 
 intended to carry an officer, &c. with them. 
 And what rather confirms this opinion, 
 I inquired of the commander, by what 
 authority h€ had made prifoners of feveral 
 of our Englifh fubjects. He told me that 
 the country belongmg to them, no Eng- 
 man had a right to trade upon thofe w^a- 
 ters ; and that he had orders to make ev- 
 ery one prifoner who attempted it on the 
 Ohio, or the waters of it. 
 
 I enquired of captain Riparti about the 
 boy who was carried by this place, as it was 
 done while the command devoU ed upon 
 him between the death of the late general 
 and the arrival of the prefent. He ac- 
 knowledged that a boy had been carried 
 paft ; and that the Indians had two or 
 three white men's fcalps, [\ was told by 
 fome of the Indians at Venango eight) but 
 pretended to have forgotten the name of the 
 place which the boy came from, and all 
 the particular fa(51:s, though he had ques- 
 tioned him for fome hours, as they were 
 
General George Wajhingion, 37 
 
 carrying him paft. I likewife inquired 
 what they had done with John Trotter and 
 James Mac Clocklin, two Pennfylvania tra- 
 ders, whom they had taken, with all their 
 goods. They told me they had been fent 
 to Canada, but were now returned home. 
 
 This evening I received an anfwer to his 
 honor the governor's letter, from the com- 
 mandant. 
 
 15th. The commandant ordered a plen- 
 tiful ftore of liquor, provifion, &c. to be 
 put on board our canoe ; and appeared to 
 be extremely complaifant, though he was 
 exerting every artifice which he could in- 
 vent to fet our Indians at variance with us, 
 to prevent their going until after our depar- 
 ture. Prefents, rewards, and every thing 
 which could be fuggefted by him or his offi- 
 cers. I cannot fay that ever in my life I 
 fuffered fo much anxiety as I did in this af- 
 fair : I faw that every ftratagem which the 
 mod fruitful brain could invent, was prac- 
 tifed, to win the half-king to their intereft ; 
 and that leaving him there was giving them 
 the opportunity they aimed at. I went to 
 the half-king and preffed him in the ftrong- 
 D 
 
38 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 eft terms to go : he told me the command- 
 ant would not difcharge him till the mor- 
 ning. I then went to the commandant, 
 and defired him to do their bulinefs ; and 
 complained of ill-treatment : For keeping 
 them, as they were part of my company, 
 was detaining me. This he promifed not 
 to do, but to forward my journey as much 
 as he could. He protefted he did not keep 
 them, but was ignorant of the caufe of their 
 ftay ; though I foon found it out — He had 
 promifed them a prefent of guns, &c. if 
 they would wait till the morning. As I 
 was very much prefTed by the Indians to 
 wait this day for them, I confented, on a 
 promife that nothing fhould hinder them 
 in the morning. 
 
 16th. The French were not flack in their 
 inventions to keep the Indians this day al- 
 fo ; But as they were obligated, according 
 to promife, to give the prefent, they then 
 endeavored to try the power of liquor; 
 which I doubt not would have prevailed at 
 any other time than this : but I urged and 
 infiiled with the king, fo clofely upon his 
 
General George Wajloington* 39 
 
 word, that he refrained, and fet off with us 
 as he had engaged. 
 
 We had a tedious and very fatiguing 
 paffage down the creek. Several times we 
 had like to have been ftaved againft the 
 rocks ; and many times were obliged all 
 hands to get out and remain in the water 
 half an hour or more, getting over the 
 flioals. At one place the ice had lodged 
 and made it impaffable by water ; there- 
 fore we were obliged to carry our canoe a- 
 crofs a neck of land, a quarter of a mile o- 
 ver. We did not reach Venango till the 
 22d, where we met with our horfes. 
 
 This creek is extremely crooked. I dare 
 fay the diftance between the fort and Ve- 
 nango cannot be lefs than 130 miles to fol- 
 low the meanders. 
 
 23d. When I got ready to fet off, I fent 
 for the half-king, to know whether he in- 
 tended to go with us or by water. He told 
 me that White Thunder had hurt him- 
 feif much, and was fick and unable to 
 walk ; therefore he was obliged to carry 
 him down in a canoe. As I found he in- 
 tended to ftay here a day or two, and knew 
 
40 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 that Monfieur Joncaire would employ every 
 fcheme to fet him againft the Englifli as he 
 had before done, I told him I hoped he 
 would be guarded againft his flattery, and 
 let no fine fpeeches influence him in their 
 favor. He defired I might not be concern- 
 ed, for he knew the French too well, for a- 
 ny thing to engage him in their behalf ; and 
 though he could not go down with us, he 
 yet would endeavor to meet at the forks 
 with Jofeph Campbell, to deliver a fpeech 
 for me to carry to his honor the Governor. 
 He told me he would order the young 
 Hunter to attend us, and get provifion, &c. 
 if wanted. 
 
 Our horfes were now fo weak and feeble, 
 and the baggage fo heavy (as we were obli- 
 ged to provide all the neceflaries which the 
 journey required^ that we doubted much 
 their performing it : Therefore myfelf and 
 others (except the drivers who were obliged 
 to ride) gave up our horfes for packs, to as- 
 fift along with the baggage. I put myfelf 
 in an Indian walking drefs, and continued 
 -with them three days, till I found there was 
 no probability of their getting home in any 
 
General George Wa/hington. 41 
 
 reafonable time. The horfes grew lefs able 
 to travel every day ; the cold encreafed ve- 
 ry faft ; and the roads were becoming much 
 worfe by a deep fnow, continually free- 
 zing ; Therefore as I was uneafy to get 
 ^ back, to make report of my proceedings to 
 his honor the governor, I determined to 
 profecute my journey the neareft way 
 through the woods, on foot. 
 
 Accordingly I left Mr. Vanbram in 
 charge of our baggage j with money and di- 
 redions to provide neceffaries from place to 
 place for themfelves and horfes, and to 
 make the moft convenient difpatch in trav- 
 elling. 
 
 I took my neceffary papers ; pulled off 
 my clothes ; and tied myfelf up in a match 
 coat. — Then with gun in hand, and pack at 
 my back, in which were my papers, and 
 provifions, I fet out with Mr. Gift, fitted in 
 the fame manner, on Wednefday the 26th. 
 The day following, juft after we had paffed 
 a place called Murdering Town, (where we 
 intended to quit the path, and fteer acrofe 
 the country for Shannapin* town) we feU 
 D 2 
 
42 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 in with a party of French Indians, who had 
 laid in wait for us. One of them fired at 
 Mr. Gift or me, not 15 fteps off, but fortu- 
 nately miffed. We took this fellow into cus- 
 tody, and kept him until about five o'clock 
 at night : Then let him go, and walked all 
 the remainder of the night without making 
 any ftop ; that we might get the ftart fo far, 
 as to be out of the reach of their purfuit 
 the next day, fince we were well affured 
 they would follow our track as foon as it 
 was light. The next day we continued 
 travelling till quite dark, and got to the ri- 
 ver about two miles above Shannapins. We 
 expelled to have found the river frozen, 
 but it was not, only about 50 yards from 
 each fhore : the ice I fuppofe had broken 
 above, for it was driving in vaft quanti- 
 ties. 
 
 There was no way for getting over but 
 on a raft ; which we fet about with one 
 poor hatchet, and finifhed it juft after fun- 
 fetting. This was a whole day's work ; 
 We next got it launched, and went on 
 board of it \ Then fet off. But before we 
 
General George Wojhmglon. 43 
 
 were halfway over, we werejamiDedin the 
 ice, in fuch a manner that we expeded 
 every monaent our raft to fink and our- 
 felves to perifh. I put out my fetting- 
 pole to flop the raft, that the ice might 
 pafs by ; when the rapidity of the fb earn 
 threw it with fo much violence againft the 
 pole, that it jirked me out into ten feet wa- 
 ter : But I fortunately faved myfelf by 
 catching hold of one of the raft logs. Not- 
 withflanding all our efforts, we could not 
 get to either fhore ; but were obliged, as 
 we were near an ifland, to quit our raft and 
 make to it. 
 
 The cold was fo extremely fevere, that 
 Mr. Gifi had all his fingers, and fome of 
 his toes frozen ; and the water (hut up fo 
 hard, that we found no difficulty in getting 
 off the ifland on the ice, in the morning; and 
 went to Mr. Frazier's. We met here with 
 twenty warriors who were going to the 
 fouthward to war : But coming to a place 
 upon the head of the great Kanhaway, 
 where they found feveral people killed and 
 fcalped (all but one woman with very 
 light hair) they turned about and ran 
 
44 Biographical Memoirs of . 
 
 back for fear the inhabitants fliould rife and 
 take them as the authors of the murder. 
 They report that the bodies were lying a- 
 bout the houfe and fome of them much 
 torn and eaten by the hogs : By the marks 
 which were left, they fay they were French 
 Indians of the Ottoway nation, &c. who 
 did it. 
 
 As we intended to take horfes here, and 
 it required fome time to find them, I went 
 about three miles to the mouth of the 
 Yaughyaughgane to vifit Queen AUiquippa, 
 who had expreffed great concern that we 
 paffed her in going to the fort. I made her 
 a prefent of a match coat and a bottle of 
 rum, which latter was thought much the 
 beft prefent of the two. 
 
 Tuefday the firft day of January, we left 
 Mr. Frazier's houfe, and arrived at Mr. 
 Gift's at Monongahela the 2d, where I 
 bought a horfe, faddle, &c. The 6th we 
 met 17 horfes loaded with materials and 
 ftores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio, 
 and the fame day fome families going out 
 to fettle : This day we arrived at Wills- 
 Creek, after as fatiguing a journey as it is 
 
General George Wajhington, 45 
 
 poffible to conceive, rendered fo by exceffive 
 bad weather^ From the firft day of De- 
 cember to the 15th, there was but one day 
 in which it did not rain or fnow inceffantly ; 
 and throughout the whole journey we met 
 with nothing but one continued feries of 
 cold wet weather, which occafioned very 
 uncomfortable lodgings; efpecially after 
 we had quitted our tent, which was fome 
 icreen from the inclemency of it. 
 
 On the 1 Ith I got to Belvoir : where I 
 flopped one day to take neceffary reft ; and 
 then fet out, and arrived at Williamsburg 
 the 1 6th ; when I waited on his honor the 
 governor with the letter I had brought 
 from the French commandant ; and to 
 give an account of the fuccefs of my pro- 
 ceedings. This I beg leave to do by offer- 
 ing the foregoing narrative, as it contains 
 the moft remarkable occurrences which 
 happened in my journey. 
 
 I hope what has been faid will be fuffi- 
 cient to make your honor fatisfied with 
 my condud ; for that was my aim in un- 
 dertaking the journey, and chief ftudy 
 throughout the profecution of it. 
 
46 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 With the hope of doing it, I, with infi- 
 nite pleafure fubfcribe myfelf. 
 Your honor's moft obedient, 
 
 and very humble fervant, 
 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 ON his return from this perilous embas- 
 fy, with MoTis. de St. Pierre's anfwer, and 
 his good fuccefs in the Indian negociations, 
 major Wafhington was complimented with 
 the thanks and approbation of his country. 
 His journal does great credit to his indus- 
 try, attention, and judgment ; ard it has 
 fince proved of infinite fervice to those who 
 have been doom.ed to traverfe the fame in- 
 hofpitable trads. 
 
 Gov. Dinwiddle's letter to the French 
 commandant and M. de St. Pierre's anfwer 
 have been publifhed in feveral periodical 
 Works, both in America and Britain. The 
 governor's letter fiated, that he had heard 
 with furprife and concern, that the French 
 were ere6ling fortreffes and making fettle- 
 ments on the lands upon the river Ohio, 
 which are the property of the crown of 
 Great Britain ; in confequence of which. 
 
General George Wajhington. 47 
 
 he IS induced in the name of the king, to 
 fend the bearer, G, Wafhington, Efq ; one 
 of the adjutants general of the forces of Vir- 
 ginia, to complain of the encroachments 
 made in violation of the treaties fubfifting 
 between the two crowns, requefting by 
 whofe authority he had marched from Ca- 
 nada with an armed force to invade the Bri- 
 tifh territories, and that the French forces 
 depart peaceably, without prcfecuting a 
 purpofe lo interrupting to the public har- 
 mony which his majefty is fo defirous to 
 continue and cultivate with the moft Chris- 
 tian King. Alfo, that major Waftiington 
 might be entertained with the politenefs due 
 to his rank. The French commandant's 
 anfwer only ftated, that he would tranfmit 
 the governor's letter to Canada, to his gen- 
 eral the marquis du Quefhe, by whofe an- 
 fwer he would be guided ; that he was up- 
 on French ground, by the orders of his gen- 
 eral, confequently that he could not obey 
 the fummons of the governor ; and that 
 he had made it his particular care to receive 
 Mr, Wafhington with the diftindion fuit- 
 able to his dignity. 
 
48 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 In ] 754, the defigns of the French beco- 
 ming more manifeft, and their movements 
 more daring, orders were iffued by admin- 
 iftration for the colonies to arm ard u- 
 nite in one confederacy. The affembly of 
 Virginia took the lead, by voting a fum of 
 money for the public fervice, and railing a 
 regiment for the protection of the frontiers 
 of the colony. Of this corps, Mr. Fry, one 
 of the profeffors of the college, was appoint- 
 ed colonel, and major Walhington received 
 the commiffion of lieutenant-colonel. But 
 colonel Fry died without ever having join- 
 ed ; and of courfe left his regiment to the 
 fecond in command. He began his march 
 on the fecond of April, from Alexandria, 
 having under his command one hundred 
 and fifty men. His orders were to march 
 towards the Ohio, there to affitt capt. Trent 
 to build forts, and defend the poffeffions of 
 his majefty againil the attempts and hoftili- 
 ties of the French. During his march he 
 was joined by a fmall detachment under 
 the command of capt. Stephens, and when 
 he had proceeded as far as Wills- Creek, he 
 received intelligence that capt. Trent had 
 
General George WqfhingUn, 49 
 
 been obliged to furrender the fort which 
 he had ereded between the Ohio and 
 French Creek, to a body of about eight 
 hundred French, commanded by capt. Con- 
 trecoeur ; whereupon, colonel Wafhington, 
 deeming it impracticable to march towards 
 the fort without fufficient force, thought it 
 moll: prudent to proceed to open roads fo 
 as to pre-occupy the advantageous poft at 
 the confluence of the Allegany and Monon- 
 gahela rivers, which in his preceding jour- 
 nal he recommends for that purpofe. He 
 was to have been joined by a detachment 
 of independent regulars from the fouthern 
 colonies, together with fome companies of 
 provincials from North Carolina and Ma- 
 ryland. But perceiving the neceffity of ex- 
 pedition, and without waiting for their ar- 
 rival, he commenced his march ; but, not- 
 withftanding his precipitated advance, the 
 French had already taken poffeffion and e- 
 reded a fortification, which they named 
 fort Du Quefne^ in honor of the marquis du 
 Quefne, the French governor of Canada. 
 
 Colonel Wafhington accordingly procee- 
 ded on his march from Wills-Creek \ brave- 
 E 
 
30 . Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ly encountering all the obftacles and difE- 
 culties of an impervious wildernefs, croiTing 
 mires, favannas, and rivers. His men 
 vi^ere fometimes forced to ford risers fo 
 deep as to take them up to the arm pits ; 
 when he had proceeded as far as Turkey- 
 foot, he received information that a party 
 of French, commanded by M. de Jumon- 
 ville, were concealed within a fhort diftance 
 of his camp: whereupon he fecured hi» 
 waggons and put himfelf in the beft means 
 of defence he was capable of, until he had 
 learned the ftrength of the enemy, and the 
 place where they were. 
 
 Having received from the Indians the ne- 
 ceflary information, on the night of the 
 27th May, he fet out with his men (except 
 about forty, which was left to guard his 
 ammunition, &c.) and a party of Indians, 
 which the half king fent to his affiftance, 
 under a heavy rain, and a night dark as 
 pitch, they travelled along a path fcarcely 
 wide enough for one man : they were 
 fometimes fifteen or twenty minutes out of 
 the path before they could come to it again, 
 and fo dark, that they would often ftrike 
 
General George WaJhi?igton. 51 
 
 one againft another ; all night they contin- 
 ued their route, and in the morning about 
 fun. rife, formed themfelves for an engage- 
 ment, marching one after another in the 
 Indian manner, and the enemy did not dis- 
 cover them until they were clofe upon 
 them, when colonel Wafhington's compa- 
 ny fired, and was fupported by Mr- Wa- 
 ger's ; thefe two companies received the 
 whole fire of the French, which lafted a 
 quarter of an hour before the enemy was 
 routed out. M. de Jumonville and nine oth- 
 ers were killed, one wounded, and twenty- 
 one made prifoners. Among the prifoners 
 was the celebrated woodsman, Mons. de la 
 Force, commiflary of the French {lores, 
 and two other officers. Only one of the 
 whole party efcaped. A Canadian, named 
 Moncean, made fuch a report of the action 
 as to imprefs upon the minds of the French, 
 a belief, that Colonel Wafhington's condud 
 was highly treacherous and diihonorable. 
 The French account of this engagement is 
 contained in a letter from M. de Contre- 
 coeur to the marquis du Quefne, dated fort 
 du Quesne, May 23, 1754. It ftates that 
 
52 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 M. de Jumonville fet out with a fmall efcort, 
 charged with a written fummons, in form 
 of a letter, diredledto the firft Englifh ofE- 
 cer he fhould meet on the lands claimed by 
 the French king, fummoning him to with- 
 draw his troops in peace from faid territo- 
 ry, otherwife that they would repel force 
 to force, defiring the Engliili officer fliould 
 return his anfwer by M. de Jumonville, and 
 to treat that officer with that diflindion and 
 refpect which he deferved, that the deputy 
 fet out, and next morning found himfelf 
 furrouiided by a number of Englilh and In- 
 dians, that the Englifh quickly fired two 
 voUies, which killed fome ibldiers, that M. 
 Jumonville made a fign that he had a letter 
 from his commander, whereupon the fire 
 ceafed, and the Englifh furrounded the 
 French officer, in order to hear it, that he 
 was reading the fummons a fecond time, 
 when he was killed by a mufket Ihot in the 
 head, that had it not been for the Indians, 
 who rufhed in between the French and En- 
 glifh, the former would have been all afTas- 
 fmated, and that the Indians did not fire up. 
 on the French. This report was made the 
 
General George Wajhingion, 5S 
 
 moft of by the French, who impreffed it 
 upon the minds of the furrounding Indians, 
 as a moft fhocking and bafe murder perpe- 
 trated by the exprefs corr.mand of Colonel 
 Wafhington. But the following extrad 
 from Colonel Wafhington's Journal of his 
 proceeding's given in to Governor Dinwid- 
 die, places the tranfadions in quite a diflPer- 
 ent point of view, he ftates, viz. " We 
 were advanced pretty near to them as we 
 thought, when they difcovered us ; where- 
 upon I ordered my company to fire, mine 
 was fupported by Mr. Wager's, and my 
 company and his, received the whole fire 
 of the French during the greateft part of 
 the adion, which only lafted a quarter of 
 an hour, before the enemy was routed, 
 
 « We killed M. de Jumonville the com- 
 mander of that party, as alfo nine others ; 
 we wounded one, and made twenty-one 
 prifoners, among whom were M. de la 
 Force, M. Dronillon, and two Cadets. The 
 Indians fcalped the dead, and took away 
 moft part of their fire arms, after which 
 we marched on with the prifoners and 
 guard, to the Indian camp, where again I 
 E 2 
 
54 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 held a council with the half- king ; and 
 there informed him, that the governor was 
 defirous to fee him, and was waiting for 
 him at Winchefter ; he anfwered, that he 
 could not go juft then, as his people were 
 in too imminent danger from the French, 
 whom they had fallen upon ; that he muft 
 fend a mefienger, to all the allied nations, 
 in order to invite them to take up the 
 hatchet. He fent a young Delaware In- 
 dian to the Delaware Nation, and gave him 
 alfo a French fcalp to carry to them. This 
 young man defired to have a part of the 
 prefents which were allotted for them, but 
 that the remaining part might be kept for 
 another opportunity : He faid he would go 
 to his own family, and to feveral others, 
 and would wait on them at Mr. Gift's 
 where he defired men and horfes fliould be 
 fent i'eady to bring them up to our camp. 
 After this I marched on with our prifon- 
 ers : They informed me that they had 
 been fent with a fummons to order me to 
 depart. A plaufible pretence to difcover 
 our camp, and to obtain the knowledge of 
 our force and fituation ! It was fo clear 
 
General George Wajhingion. 55 
 
 that they were come to reconnoitre what 
 we were, that I admired their affurance, 
 %vheR they told me they were come as an 
 Embaffy ; for their inftru<5lions mentioned 
 that they fliould get what knowledge they 
 could of the roads, rivers, and of all the 
 country as far as the Potomack : and in- 
 ftead of coming as an ambaffador, publicly, 
 and in a^ open manner, they came fecretly, 
 and fought after the moft hidden retreats, 
 more like deferters than ambaffadors ; in 
 fuch retreats they encamped, and remain- 
 ed hid whole days together, and that, no 
 no more than five miles from us ; from 
 thence they fent fpies to reconnoitre our 
 camp ; after this was done, they went 
 back two miles, from whence they fent 
 the two melTengers fpoken of in the in- 
 ftrudion, to acquaint M. de Contrecceuer 
 of the place we were at, and of our difpo- 
 lition, that he might fend his detachments 
 to inforce the fummons as foon as it fhould 
 be given, 
 
 " Befides, an ambaffador has princely at- 
 tendants J whereas this was only a fimple 
 petty French officer j an ambaffador has no 
 
56 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 need of fpies, his character being always 
 facred : And feeing their intentions was fo 
 good, why did they tarry two days, at five 
 miles diftance from us, without acquainting 
 me with the fummons, or, at leaft, with 
 fomething that related to the embaffy ? 
 That alone would be fufEcient to raife the 
 greateft fufpicions : we ought to do them 
 the juftice to fay, that, as they wanted to 
 hide themfelves, they could not pick out a 
 better place than they had done, 
 
 " The fummons was fo infolent, and fa- 
 vored the gafconade fo much, that if it had 
 been brought openly by two men, it would 
 have been an immediate indulgence to have 
 fuffered them to return. 
 
 " h was the opinion of the half king in 
 this cafe, that their intentions were evil, 
 and that it was a pure pretence ; that they 
 never intended to come to us but as ene- 
 mies ; and if we had been fuch fools as to 
 let them go, they would never help us any 
 more to take other Frenchmen. 
 
 " They fay they called to us as foon as 
 they had difcovered us, which is an abfo- 
 lute falfehoodj for, I was then marching at 
 
General George Wajhington. 57 
 
 the head of the company going towards 
 them, and can pofitively affirm, that when 
 they firft favv us, they ran to their arms, 
 without calling ; as I muft have heard them, 
 
 had they fo done." 
 
 From the French prifoners, colonel Wafli- 
 ington had intelligence, that the French 
 forces on the Ohio confided of upwards of 
 one thoufand regulars, and fome hundreds 
 of Indians. Upon this intelligence, and con- 
 lidering his little army which was fome- 
 what reduced, and entirely infufficient to 
 ad ofFenfive againft the French and Indians, 
 he fell back to a place known by the appeU 
 lation of the Great Meadows^ for the fake of 
 forage and fup plies. Here he built a tem- 
 porary ftockade, merely to cover his flores ; 
 it was from its fate called Fort Necejftty, 
 Col. Wafhington was too fenfible of the ad- 
 vantages of Fort du Quefne, to abandon the 
 idea of taking it. Ever fmce he left Wills- 
 Creek, he had been indefatigable in his ex- 
 ertions to form the regiment, open rv>ads, 
 and gain the Indians over to the fide of the 
 Englifli, as aifo to watch the operations of 
 the French, and gaio a knowledge of the 
 
58 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 «*' 
 
 forts, iituation, and force, even as far as 
 
 the lakes. He had wrote to the governors 
 of Pennfylvania and Maryland, requefting 
 their aid in the augmentation of his army. 
 He remained at Fort Neceflity for the arri- 
 val of fome expeded fuccor from New- 
 York and Pennfylvania, unmolefted, until 
 Xuly following, when his fmall force, even 
 after it was joined by capt. M'Kay's regu- 
 lars did not amount to four hundred effec- 
 tives, was attacked by an army of French 
 and Indians, computed to have been fixteen 
 hundred flrong, under the command of the 
 sieur de Villiers, the brother of M. de 
 Jumonville. The chief intention of this 
 campaign, the French officer acknowledged, 
 was to revenge the affailination of his bro- 
 ther, and to hinder any eftablifhments on 
 the lands claimed by the king of France. 
 
 The Virginians fuflained the attack of 
 the enemy's v/hole force for feveral hours, 
 and laid two hundred of them dead on the 
 field, when the French commander, dif- 
 couraged by fuch determined refolution, 
 propofed the lefs dangerous method of dis- 
 lodging his enemy by a parley, which end- 
 
General George Wajhington. 59 
 
 ed in a capitulation. It was ftipulated that 
 colonel Wafhington fliould march away 
 with all the honors of war, and be allowed 
 to carry off all his military (lores, effeds 
 and baggage. This capitulation was viola- 
 ted from the ungovernable dispofition of 
 the Indians, whom the French commander 
 could not reftrain from plundering the pro- 
 vincials on the outfet of their march, and 
 from making a confiderable flaughter of 
 men, cattle and horfes. After this disafler 
 the remains of the Virginia regiment retur- 
 ned to Alexandria to be recruited and fur- 
 Tiilhed with neceffary fupplies : during this 
 period, the French redoubled their adivity 
 and diligence on the Ohio, and in other 
 .places, and Virginia who determined to 
 fend out a larger force, in the fpring fol- 
 lowing, erected the forts Cumberland and 
 London, and formed a camp at Wills- 
 Creek, in order to annoy the enemy on 
 the Ohio. In thefe feveral fervices (par- 
 ticularly in the conftrudion of forts) colonel 
 Wafhington was principally employed. 
 
 In 1755, the Britifh government fent to 
 this country, general Braddock, who was 
 
€0 biographical Memoirs of 
 
 appointed to the command of all the troops 
 and forces which were, or that fliould be 
 raifed in, or fent to North America ; he 
 landed at Williamfburg, Virginia, in Feb- 
 ruary, with two veteran regiments from 
 Ireland, but fent his men up the Potomac 
 to Alexandria, there to encamp until he 
 was joined with the independent and pro* 
 vincial corps of America ; with this army 
 he was to penetrate through the country to 
 fort du Quefne (now fort Pitt) by the 
 route of Wiils-Creek to repel the French 
 from the confines of the Britifli fettlements, 
 and as no perfon was better acpuainted with 
 the frontier country than Colonel Wafli* 
 ington, and no one in the colony enjoyed 
 fo well eftabliflied a military character, he 
 was judged to be highly ferviceable to Gen. 
 Braddock, but from a royal arrangement of 
 rank, by which, " no officer who did not 
 derive his commiffion immediately from 
 the king could command one who did." 
 Colonel Wafliington relinquiftied his regi- 
 ment, and went as an extra aid-de camp in- 
 to the family of General Braddock. In 
 this capacity, at the battle of Monongahela, 
 
General George Wajhingion, 61 
 
 on the 9th of July, 1755, he attended that 
 general, whofe life was gallantly facrificed 
 in attempting to extricate his troops from 
 the fatal ambufcade into which his over* 
 weaning confidence had conduced them, 
 Braddock had feveral horfes (hot under 
 him, before he fell himfelf j and there was 
 not an officer, whofe duty obliged him to 
 be on horfeback that day, excepting colonel 
 Wafhington, who was not either killed or 
 wounded. This circumftance enabled him 
 to display greater abilities in covering the 
 retreat and faving the wreck of the army, 
 than he could otherwife have done. As 
 foon as he had fecured their palTage over 
 the ford of Monongahela, and found they 
 were not purfued, he hafted to concert mea- 
 fures for their further fecurity with Col. 
 Dunbar, who had remained with the fecond 
 divifion and heavy baggage at . fome dift- 
 ance in the rear. To efFed; this he travelled 
 W^ith two guides, all night, through an al- 
 moft impervious wildernefs, notwithftand- 
 ing the fatigues he had undergone in the 
 day, and although he had fo imperfedly re- 
 covered from ficknefs, that he was obliged 
 
 F 
 
62 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 m the morning to be fupported with cufli- 
 ions on his horfe. The public accounts in 
 Britain and America were not parfmioni* 
 %tis of applaufe for the effential fervice he 
 had rendered on fo trying an occaiion. 
 
 Not long after this time, the regulation 
 of rank, which had been fo injurious to 
 the colonial oiBcers, was changed to their 
 fatisfadion, in confequence of the difcon- 
 tent of the officers, and the remonflrance 
 of colonel Wafhington. The fupreme 
 power of Virginia, impreflfed with a due 
 fenfe of his merits, gave him, in a new and 
 extenfive commiffion, the command of all 
 the troops raifed and to be raifed in that 
 colony. 
 
 It would not comport with the intended 
 brevity of this (ketch, to mention in detail 
 the plans he fuggefted or the fyftem he pur- 
 fued for defending the frontiers, until the 
 year 1758, when he commanded the vaa 
 brigade of general Forbe's army in the cap- 
 ture of Fort du Quesne. A fimilar reafon 
 will preclude the recital of the perfonal ha- 
 zards and achievements which happened in 
 the courfe of his fervice. The tranquillity 
 
General George Wajhington. 63 
 
 on the frontiers of the middle colonies ha- 
 ving been reftored by the fuccefs of this 
 campaign, and the health of colonel Wafh* 
 ington having become extremely debilita* 
 ted by an inveterate pulmonary complaint, 
 in 1759 he refigned his military ap- 
 pointment. Authentic documents are not 
 wanting to fhew the tender regret which 
 the Virginia line expreffed at parting with 
 their commander, and the affedionate re- 
 gard which he entertainea for them. 
 
 Shortly after colonel Wafhington's refig- 
 nation, his health was gradually reeftablifli- 
 ed and he married Mrs, Cuftis,* an amiable 
 young widow, faid to have poffeffed a for- 
 tune of twenty thoufand pounds fterling 
 (about 88,900 dollars) in her own right, 
 befides her dower in one of the principal 
 eftates in Virginia. With this lady colonel 
 Waftiington fettled as a planter and farmer 
 on his eftate in Fairfax cnuntv, Virginia. 
 
 After fome years he gave up planting to- 
 bacco, and went altogether into the farming 
 bufinefs. He has railed feven thoufand 
 
 * Gen. and Mrs. Washington wsrf both born in the same 
 year. 
 
64 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 buftiels of wheat, and ten thoufand of In- 
 dian corn in one year. Although he had 
 confined his own cultivation to this domes- 
 *' tic tracl of about nine thoufand acres, yet 
 he poiTefTed excellent lands, in large quan- 
 tities, in feveral other counties. His judg. 
 ment in the quality of foils, his command 
 of money to avail himfelf of purchafes, and 
 his occafional employment in early life as 
 furveyor, gave him opportunities of ma- 
 king advantageous locations ; many of 
 which are much improved. 
 
 After he left the army, until the year 
 1 774, he tlins cultivated the arts of peace. 
 He was conflantly a member of aflembly, a 
 magiftrate of his county, and a judge of 
 court. At this period he v/as appointed by 
 the alTembly of Virginia, in conformity of 
 the univerfal wifli of the people, to be one 
 of their four delegates at the firft general 
 Congrefs of delegates from all the provin-^ 
 ces which met at Philadelphia on the 26th 
 of Oci:ober, 1774, and confifted of fifty-one 
 members. It was with no fmall reluctance 
 that he engaged again in the adive fcenes of 
 life J and we fuicerely believe that no mo* 
 
General George Wajhington. 65 
 
 lives but fuch as fpring from the moft dis- 
 interefted patriotifm, could have prevailed 
 upon him to relinquifh the mofl refined 
 domeflic pleafure, which it was ever m his 
 
 ' power to command, and the great delight 
 he took in farming and the improvement 
 of his eftate. 
 
 He was alfo appointed delegate to the 
 Congrefs which afl'embled in 1775, in which 
 it was at length determined, after every 
 flep towards an accommodation had failed, 
 and every petition from America had been 
 rejeded, to repel by force the invafion from 
 Great'Britain, the eyes of the whole conti- 
 nent were immediately turned upon Mr. 
 Wafliington. With one common voice he 
 was called forth to the defence of his coun- 
 try ; and it is, perhaps, his peculiar glory 
 that tliere was not a fingle inhabitant of 
 
 ^ thefe dates, except himfelf, who did not ap. 
 prove the choice, and place the firmeft con- 
 fidence in his integrity and abilities. 
 
 He arrived at Cambridge in New-Eng- 
 land in July, 1775, and there took the su- 
 preme command of the Army of the United 
 Colonies. Previous to this period, hoftili- 
 F 2 
 
68 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ties had adlually commenced. On the l9th 
 of April, 1775, blood was firft flied at the 
 battle of Concord i on the 16th of June 
 following, the memorable battle of Breed's- 
 hill, commonly called Bunker's-hill was 
 fought. 
 
 General Wafhington was received at the 
 camp with heart felt exultation, which fu- 
 perior merit alone can infpire, after having, 
 in his progrefs through the feveral ftates, 
 received every mark of afFedion and es- 
 teem, which they conceived were due to 
 the man, whom the whole continent look- 
 ed up to for fafety and freedom. 
 
 The following addrefs was prefented to 
 him on his accepting the fupreme com- 
 mand of the army, by the provincial Con- 
 grefs of New- York, viz. 
 
 ADDRESS, 
 
 Presented to his excellency General Washington 
 by the provincial Congress of New-Tor k. 
 
 May it please ^our Excellency, 
 At a time when the moft loyal of his ma- 
 
 jefty's fubjefts, from a regard to the laws 
 
General George Wajhington. 67 
 
 and conftitution, by which he fits on the 
 throne, feel themfelves reduced to the un- 
 happy neceflity of taking up arms, to de- 
 fend their dearefl rights and privileges — 
 while we deplore the calamities of this di- 
 vided empire, we rejoice in the appoint- 
 ment of a gentleman, from whofe abiUties 
 and virtue we are taught to expect both 
 fecurity and peace. 
 
 Confiidng in you, fir, and in the wor- 
 thy generals immediately under your com- 
 mand, we have the moft flattering hopes of 
 fuccefs in the glorious ftruggle for Ameri- 
 can liberty, and the fuUeft ailurances, that, 
 whenever this important conteft {hall be de- 
 cided, by that fondefl wifli of each Amer- 
 ican foul, an accommodation with our mo- 
 ther country, you will cheerfully refign the 
 important depofit committed into your 
 hands, and reaflume the charadler of our 
 worthieft citizen. 
 By order, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Presidents 
 NeW'Iorky June 26, 1775. 
 
68 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 GENERAL WASHIjYGTON'S ANSWER, 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 At the fame time that with you I deplore 
 the unhappy neceffity of fuch an appoint- 
 ment, as that with which I am honored, 
 cannot but feel fentiments of the higheft 
 gratitude, for this affecting inflance of dis- 
 tinction and regard. 
 
 May your warmeft wiflies be realized in 
 the fuccefs of America, at this important 
 and interefling period ; and be alTured 
 that every exertion of my worthy col- 
 leagues and myfelf, will be equally extend- 
 ed to the re-ellablifhment of peace and 
 harmony, between the mother country and 
 thefe colonies j as to the fatal but neceflary 
 operations of war, when w^e affumed the 
 foldiei, we did not lay afide the citizen ; 
 and we fhall moft fincerely rejoice with you 
 in that happy hour, when the eftablifliment 
 of American liberty, on the moft firm and 
 folid foundations, fliall enable us to return 
 to our private ftations, in the bofom of a 
 free, peaceful and happy country. 
 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
General George Wajhington. 69 
 
 His conduct as a general and comman- 
 der in chief is well known. He under- 
 went many hardihips, dangers and diiEcul- 
 ties and conducted his military operations 
 with much Ikill and ability. 
 
 It would not comport with the intended 
 brevity of the prefent memoirs, for us to 
 particularize all his tranfactions in the 
 courfe of the revolutionary war, the impres- 
 fion which they made, is yet frefli in the 
 mind of every citizen. 
 
 But it is hoped pofterity will be taught 
 in what manner he transformed an undis- 
 ciplined body of peafantry into a regular 
 army of foldiers. Commentaries on his 
 campaign would undoubtedly be highly in- 
 terefting and inilrudive to future genera- 
 tions. The conduct of his iirit campaign, 
 in March, ]770, in compelling the Britifti 
 troops to abandon Bofton, by a bloodlefs 
 victory, will merit a minute narration. But 
 a volume would fcarcely contain the morti- 
 fication he experienced, and the hazards to 
 which he was expofed in the years 3 776 
 and 1777, in contending againft the prow- 
 efs of Britain, with an inadequate force. 
 
70 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 Her armies were far fuperior to his in 
 number, well organized and difciplined, in- 
 ured to a camp life, commanded by offi- 
 cers well experienced in military tacticks, 
 and aided by powerful fleets, while his was 
 compofed of raw and undifciplined peafants, 
 *' jufl dragged from the tender fcenes of 
 domeftic life — unaccuflomed to the din of 
 arms — totally unacquainted with every 
 kind of military Ikill," — unufed to the fub- 
 ordination fo eflentially requilite in an ar- 
 my, and often in want of arms, ammuni- 
 tion, clothes, and even food, often expofed 
 to the inclemency of the weather, in the 
 moft rigorous feafon, without tents or e- 
 ven a blanket, and difcouraged by the want 
 of regular pay. Thefe circumftances fully 
 account for the unfuccefsful iiTue of his firft 
 campaigns. 
 
 The battle of Long-Ifland was fought in 
 Auguil 1776 : His army was driven from 
 their poft by the Britiih ; above two thou- 
 fand Americans fell on the field, and about 
 half that number were taken prifoners. 
 Fort Wafhington on York Ifland, furren- 
 dered foon after, with two thoufand prif- 
 
General George Wajh'ngton. 71 
 
 oners : defertion and ficknefs added to his 
 misfortunes. His army, at the time Lord 
 Howe landed on Long Ifland, amounted to 
 twenty. five thoufand n en was now redu- 
 ced to one eighth part of that number. 
 
 The approach of winter happily checked 
 the progrefs of the enemy. General Wafh- 
 ington's perfeverance and intrepidity, im- 
 proved this circumftance into important 
 advantages. At Trenton, on the morning 
 of the 26th December, he furprifed a body 
 of the enemy's troops, who, finding them- 
 felves furrounded, without further refift- 
 ance agreed to lay down their arms. — 
 Twenty.five officers, and nearly one thous- 
 and foldiers were made prifoners ; while 
 the American army had only four or five 
 men wounded. 
 
 On the third of January following, at 
 Princeton, he made another fuccefsful at- 
 tempt, where he took three hundred prifon- 
 ers. Thefe enterprifes cheered the drooping 
 fpirits of his men, and again added reputa- 
 tion to the American arms. He after- 
 wards retired to Morriftown, and remained 
 during the winter, with an inferior force. 
 
72 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 but with fuperior Ikill, checking the enemy 
 from any further encroachments in that 
 part of the country. We ihall not enter 
 into a minute defcription of the various bat- 
 tles and fkirmifties, in which he was perfon- 
 ally engaged during the cs^mpaign of 1777. 
 At the battle of Brandywine, he made a 
 gallant refiflance, but was at laft forced to 
 quit his ground with the lofs of about 
 twelve hundred men killed, wounded, or 
 taken prifoners. At German town he was 
 repulfed with the lofs of fix hundred killed 
 or wounded, and about four hundred pris- 
 oners. He afterwards retired to winter 
 quarters at Valley Forge. His army was 
 at this time in a moft miferable condition, 
 marching without {lockings or fhoes, over 
 the frozen ground, their feet were fo gafh- 
 ed, that their fleps were marked with 
 blood : Some hundreds of them were with- 
 out blankets ; and in this condition they 
 were in the middle of winter, to lit down 
 in a forefl, and build huts for a fhelter. The 
 deflitute fituation of the American army 
 at all times, was certainly a means of pro- 
 craftinating the war j oftentimes it was up- 
 
General George Wajhington. 73 
 
 on the eve of diffolution, even mutinies 
 had been the confequence, whilft want of 
 fuccefs, prevented many of the foldiers 
 from continuing longer than their fhort 
 period of enliftment, and caufed frequent 
 defertion. Indeed nothing but the good 
 delHny and confummate prudence of the 
 commander in chief, prevented want of 
 fuccefs from producing want of confid- 
 ence on the part of the public ; for want of 
 fuccefs is apt to lead to the adoption of per- 
 nicious councils, through the levity of the 
 people or the ambition of their demagogues* 
 In the three fucceeding years, the germ of 
 difcipline unfolded ; and the refources of 
 America having been called into co-opera- 
 tion with the land and naval armies of 
 France, produced the glorious conclufion 
 of the campaign in 1781. On the nine- 
 teenth of Od:ober that year, the army un- 
 der the command of General Wafhington, 
 forced that of the enemy, then under the 
 command of Lord Cornwallis, to make a 
 final furrender ; his land forces were made 
 prifoners of war to Congrefs ; and the na- 
 val force was given up to France, From 
 G 
 
iAf Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 this time the gloom began to difappeai 
 from our political horizon, and the affairs 
 of the union proceeded in a meliorating 
 train, until peace was moft ably negociated 
 by our ambaffadors in Europe, in 178S, by 
 which thirteen of the American colonies 
 were eftabliflied as fovereign and indepen- 
 dent ftates. 
 
 General Wafliington having never been 
 in Europe, he could not poiBbly have feen 
 much military fervice when the armies of 
 Britain were fent to fubdue America : yet 
 ftill, for a variety of reafons, he was by 
 much the moft proper man on this conti- 
 nent, and probably any where elfe, to be 
 placed at the head of an American Army. 
 The very high eftimation he ftood in for 
 integrity and honor, his engaging in the 
 caufe of his country from fentiment and a 
 convi<^ion of her wrongs, his moderation 
 in politics, his extenfive property, and his 
 approved abilities as a commander, were 
 motives which neceffarily obliged the choice 
 of America to fall upon him. 
 
 That nature had given him extraordina- 
 ry military talents, wiU hardly be con- 
 
General George Wajhington. 15 
 
 troverted by his moft bitter enemies; 
 and having been early actuated with a 
 warm paffi;m to ferve his country in the 
 military line, he has greatly improved 
 them by unwearied induftry, and a clofe 
 application to the bed writers upon tadics, 
 and by a more than common method and 
 exacflnefs ; and, in reality, when it comes 
 to be confidered, that at firit he only head- 
 ed a body of men entirely unacquainted 
 with military difcipline or operations, fome- 
 what ungovernable in temper, and who at 
 beft could only be fliled an alert and good 
 militia, adingunder very fliort enliftments, 
 unclothed, unaccoutred, and at all times 
 very ill lupplied with ammunition and ar- 
 tillery ; and that with fuch an army he 
 withftood the ravages and progrefs of near- 
 ly forty thoufand veteran troops, plentiful- 
 ly provided with every neceflkry article, 
 commanded by the braveft officers of Eu- 
 rope 5 and fupported by a very powerful 
 navy, which effeftualiy prevented all move- 
 ments by water ; when, we fay, all this 
 comes to be impartially confidered, we 
 think we may venture to pronounce, that 
 
^6 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 General Wafhington will be regarded by 
 mankind as one of the greateft military or- 
 naments of the prefent age, and his name 
 will command the veneration of the lateft 
 pofterity. 
 
 No perfon but thofe who had an oppor- 
 tunity of viewing the continental army, 
 can form any adequate idea of its imperfed 
 ftate when General Waihington firft affum- 
 ed the command, nor was it without the 
 moft unwearied application and perfever- 
 ance, which few men but him, could have 
 undergone, that he was able to eftablifh 
 that difcipline which ultimately aided his 
 fuccefs. From the period he firft affumed 
 the command, until the final diflblution of 
 the army, his care and anxiety for them 
 continued. The army he confidered his 
 family ; and after the embarraffments of 
 the day, after the toils and fatigues of a 
 battle, we find him ftealing a portion of 
 time allotted for reft, devifing means the 
 moft falutary, for their amelioration, at all 
 times characterized with that economy and 
 frugality which the national refources re=^ 
 «juired. 
 
General George Wajhington. 7Y 
 
 The following extra<Els from his official 
 letters to Congrefs on this fubjed are wor- 
 thy of perufal : they do ample juftice to 
 liis feehngs, and muft make a laiting im- 
 preffion in the hearts of his fellow foldiers, 
 viz. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from General Washington, to the 
 honorable Congress, dated Cambridge, September 
 21,1775. 
 
 " It gives me great pain to be obliged to 
 folicit the attention of the honorable Con- 
 grefs to the ftate of this army, in terms 
 which imply the flighteft apprehenfion of 
 being negledted. But my fituation is inex- 
 preffibly diftreffing, to fee the winter faft 
 approaching upon a naked army ; the time 
 of their fervice wdthin a few weeks of ex- 
 piring \ and no provifion yet made for 
 fuch important events. Added to thefe 
 the military cheft is totally exhaufted, the 
 pay-mafter has not a fingle dollar in hand : 
 the commiffary-general afl'ures me he has 
 drained his credit, for the fubfiftence of the 
 army, to the utmoft. The quarter-mafter- 
 general is precifely in the fame fituation 5 
 
 and the greateft part of tbe troops are in a 
 G 2 
 
7S Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ftate not far from mutiny, upon the deduc- 
 tion from their ftated allowance. I know 
 not to whom I am to impute this failure ; 
 but I am of opinion, if the evil is not imme- 
 diately remedied, and move punctually ob- 
 ferved in future, the army muft abfolutely 
 break up. I hoped I had fo fully expres- 
 sed myfelf on this fubjecl, (both by letter, 
 and to thofe members of the Congrefs, who 
 honored the camp with a vifit) that no dis- 
 appointments could poffibly happen. I 
 therefore hourly expedted advice from the 
 pay- matter that he had received a frefh fup- 
 ply, in addition to the hundred and feventy 
 two thoufand dollars delivered him in Au- 
 guft : and thought myfelf warranted to as- 
 sure the public creditors that in a few days 
 they fliould be fatisfied. But the delay has 
 brought matters to fuch a crifis, as admits 
 of no further uncertain expeftation. I 
 have therefore fent off this exprefs, with 
 orders to make all poflible dispatch. It is 
 niy moft earned requeft that he may be re- 
 turned with all poffible expedition, unlefs 
 the honorable Congrefs have already for- 
 
General George Wajhingion. 79 
 
 warded what is fo indifpenfibly neceffa- 
 ry.*' I have the honor to be, &c. 
 
 Camp. G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON', 
 TO THE I'RfiSIDENT OF Ct^NGRESS. 
 
 « NeW'7ork^ July 25, 1776. 
 
 " SIR, 
 
 " DISAGREEABLE as it is to me, and 
 unpleaiing as it may be to Congrefs, to mul- 
 tiply officers, I find myfelf under the una- 
 voidable neceflity of alking an increafe of 
 my aids-de-camp. The augmentation of 
 my command ; the increafe of my corref- 
 pondence : the orders to give ; the inftruc- 
 tions to draw ; cut out more bufinefs than I 
 am able to execute in time with propriety. 
 The bufinefs of fo many different depart- 
 ments centering with me, and by me to be 
 handed on to Congrefs for their informa- 
 tion ; added to the intercourfe I am of3li- 
 ged to keep up with the adjacent States ; 
 and incidental occurrences ; all of which 
 require confidential and not hack writers 
 to execute , renders it impoflible, in the 
 
80 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 prefent ftate of things, for my family to 
 difcharge the feveral duties expeded of me 
 with that precilion and difpatch that I could 
 wifh. What will it be then, when we 
 come into a more active fcene, and I am 
 called from twenty different places perhaps 
 at the fame inftant ? 
 
 *' Congrefs will do me the juftice to be- 
 lieve (I hope) that it is not my inclination or 
 wifh to run the continent to any unneceffa- 
 ry expenfe ; and thofe who better know 
 me will not fufped that Ihew and parade 
 can have any influence on my mind in this 
 inllance. A convi(?lion of the neceflity of 
 it, for the regular difcharge of the truft re- 
 pofed in me, is the governing motive for 
 the application : and, as fuch, i$ fubmitted 
 to Congrefs by. 
 Sir, 
 
 Your moft obedient, &c. 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 Extract of a Letter /torn General Washington^ to the 
 Prrsident of Congress. 
 
 NewTork, September 2, 1776- 
 Sir 
 " AS my intelligence of late has been 
 
General George Wajhington, 81 
 
 rather unfavorable, and would be received 
 with anxiety and concern ; peculiarly hap- 
 py Ihouid I efteem myfelf, were it in n^y 
 power at this time, to tranfmit fuch infor- 
 mation to Congrefs as would be more plea- 
 fing and agreeable to their wifhes ; but, un- 
 fortunately for me ; unfortunately for 
 them ; it is not. 
 
 " Our fituarion is truly diflreffing. The 
 check our detachment fuftained on the 
 twenty-feventh ultimo, has difpirited too 
 great a proportion of our troops, and filled 
 their minds with apprehenfion and defpair. 
 the militia, inftead of calling forth their ut- 
 moft efforts to brave and manly oppofition 
 in order to repair our loiTes, are difmayed, 
 untraceable, and impatient to leturn. Great 
 numbers of them have gone oft; in fome 
 inflances almofl by whole regiments, by 
 half ones and by companies at a time. This 
 circumilance, of itfelf, independent of oth- 
 ers, when fronted by a well-appointed ene- 
 my fuperior in number to our whole col- 
 lected force, would be fufficiently difagree- 
 able : but, when their example has infected 
 another part of the army, when their want 
 
^i Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 of difcipline, and refufal of almoft every 
 kind of reftraint and government, have pro- 
 duced a like condud: but too common to 
 the whole, and an entire difregard of the 
 order and fubordination neceifary to the 
 well doing of an army, and which had been 
 inculcated before, as well as the nature of 
 our military eflablifhment would admit of; 
 our condition is ftill more alarming : and 
 with the deepeft concern I am obliged to 
 confefs my want of confidence in the gene- 
 rality of the troops. 
 
 "Ail thefe circumftances fully confirm 
 the opinion I ever entertained, and which I 
 more than once in my letters took the liber- 
 ty of mentioning to Congrefs, that no de- 
 pendence could be put in a militia, or other 
 troops than thofe eriliiled and embodied for 
 a longer period than our regulations hereto- 
 fore have prefcribed. I am perfuaded, and 
 as fully convinced as 1 am of any one fad 
 that has happened, that our liberties muft 
 of neceflity be greatly hazarded, if not en- 
 tirely lofl, if their defence is left to any but 
 a permanent (landing army ; I mean, one to 
 exill during the war. Nor would the ex- 
 
General George Wajhingion. 83 
 
 penfe, incident to the fupport of fuch a body 
 of troops as would be competent to almoft 
 every exigency, far exceed that which is 
 daily incurred by calling in fuccour, and 
 new enliftments, which when efFeded, are 
 not attended with any good confequences. 
 Men who have been free and fubjedl to no 
 control, cannot be reduced to order in an 
 inftant : and the privileges and exemptions 
 they claim and will have, influence the con- 
 duct of others ; and the aid derived from 
 them is nearly counterbalanced by the dif- 
 order, irregularity and confufion they occa- 
 fion. 
 
 " I cannot find that the bounty of ten 
 dollars is likely to produce the defired ef- 
 fed. When men can get double that fum 
 to engage for a month or two in the mili- 
 tia, and that militia frequently called out, it 
 is hardly to be expeded. The addition of 
 land might have a confiderable influence on 
 a permanent enliftment.'* 
 
84 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHIKGTOJ^ 
 
 To the Prefident of Congrefs, 
 
 Col. Morris's, on the Heights of Haerlem, 
 
 Sept. 24, 1776. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 " FROM the hours allotted to fleep, I will 
 
 borrow a few moments to convey my tho'ts 
 on fundry important matters to Congrefs. 
 I fhall offer them with the fmcerity. which 
 ought to characlerife a man of candor, and 
 with the freedom which may be ufed in 
 giving ufeful information, without incur- 
 ring the imputation of prefumption. 
 
 " We are now, as it were, on the eve of 
 another diffolution of our army. The re- 
 membrance of the difficulties which happen- 
 ed upon the occafion laft year, the confe- 
 quences which might have followed the 
 change if proper advantages had been taken 
 by the enemy, added to a knowledge of the 
 prefent temper and fituation of our troops, 
 refledt a gloomy profpedt upon the appear- 
 ances of things now, and fatisfy me beyond 
 the poflibilivy of doubt, that, unlefs fome 
 fpeedy and effedual meafurs are adopted by 
 Congrefs, our caufe will be loft* 
 
 I 
 
General George Wajhmgton. 85 
 
 <* It ism vain to expeft that any or more 
 than a trifling part of this army will again 
 engage in the fervice on the encouragement 
 offered by Congrefs, when men find that 
 their townfmen and companions are receiv- 
 ing twenty, thirty and more dollars, for a 
 few months fervice (which is truly the cafe,) 
 it cannot be expeded without ufing compul- 
 fiion ; and to force them into the fervice 
 would anfwer no valuable purpofe. When 
 men are irritated, and the paffions inflamed, 
 they fly hafl;ily and cheerfully to arms ; but 
 after the firft emotions are over * * *, a fol- 
 dier, reafoned with upon the goodnefs of 
 the caufe he is engaged in, and the inefti- 
 mable rights he is contending for, hears you 
 with patience, and acknowledges the truth 
 of your obfervations, but adds, that it is of 
 no more importance to him than others. 
 The officer makes you the fame reply, with 
 this further remark, that his pay will not 
 fupport him, and he cannot ruin himfelf 
 and family to ferve his country, when eve- 
 ry member of the community is equally in- 
 terefted and benefitted by his labors. ♦ * * 
 H 
 
$$ Biographical Metnoirs of 
 
 " It becomes evidently clear then, that as 
 this conteft is not likely to be the work of a 
 day,— as the war muft be carried on fyftem- 
 atically, — and to do it you muft have good 
 officers, — there are in my judgment, no oth- 
 cr poffible means to obtain them but by ef- 
 tabiifhing your army upon a permanent 
 footing, and giving your officers good pay. 
 This will induce gentlemen and men of 
 charafter to engage ; and, till the bulk of 
 your officers are compofed of fuch perfons 
 as are aduated by principles of honor and a 
 fpirit of enterprife, you have little to exped 
 from them. They ought to have fuch al- 
 lowances as will enable them to live like and 
 fupport the characters of gentlemen. * * * 
 Befides, fomething is due to the man who 
 puts his life in (jour) hands, hazards his 
 health, and forgets the fweets of domeftic 
 enjoyment. Why a captain in the conti- 
 Bental fervice fhould receive no more than 
 five fliillings currency per day for perform- 
 ing the fame duties that an officer of the 
 fame rank in the Britifti fervice receives ten 
 fhillings fterling for, I never could conceive, 
 efpecially when the latter is provided with 
 
General George Wcrfhlngton, 87 
 
 every neceffary he requires upon the bed 
 terms, and the former can fcarce procure 
 them at any rate. There is nothing that 
 gives a man confequence and renders him 
 fit for command, like a fupport that ren- 
 ders him independent of every body but the 
 flate he ferves. 
 
 "With refpe6l to the men, nothing but 
 a good bounty can obtain them upon a per- 
 manent eftablifhment ; and for no fhorter 
 time than the continuance of the war, ought 
 they to be engaged ; as fa(fts inconteftibly 
 prove that the difficulty and coll of enlift- 
 ments increafe with time. When the army 
 was firft raifed at Cambridge, I am perfua- 
 ded that the men might have been got with- 
 out a bounty, for the war. After this they 
 began to fee the conteft was not likely to 
 end fo fpeedily as was imagined, and to feel 
 their confequence by remarking, that, to get 
 in the militia in the courfe of the laft year, 
 many towns were induced to give them a 
 bounty. 
 
 " Forefeeing the evils refulting from this, 
 and the deftrudtive confequences which un- 
 avoidably would follow flioit enliftments, I 
 
68 Biographical Me?noirs of 
 
 took the liberty in a long letter (date not 
 now recolledled, as my letter book is not 
 here) to recommend the enliftments for and 
 during the war, afligning fuch reafons for 
 it as experience has fince convinced me 
 were well founded. At that time, twenty 
 dollars would, I am perfuaded, have enga- 
 ged the men for this term. But it will not 
 do to look back : and if the prefent oppor- 
 tunity is flipped, I am perfuaded that twelve 
 months more will increafe our difficulties 
 four-fold. I ftiall therefore take the free- 
 dom of giving it as my opinion, that a good 
 bounty be immediately offered, aided by 
 the proffer of at leaft an hundred and fifty 
 acres of land, and a fuit of clothes and blank* 
 et to each non-commiffioned officer and fol- 
 dier ; as I have good authority for faying 
 that however high the men's pay may ap- 
 pear, it is barely fufficient, in the prefent 
 fcarcity and dearnefs of all kinds of goods, 
 to keep them in clothes, much lefs afford 
 fupport to their families. 
 
 « If this enc ouragement then is given to 
 the men, and fuch pay allowed the officers 
 as will induce gentlemen of charader and 
 
General George Wajhingion. 89 
 
 liberal fentiments to engage, and proper 
 
 care and precaution ufed in the nomination 
 
 (having more regard to the chara<fter of 
 
 perfons than the number of men they can 
 
 enlift,) we fhould in a little time have an 
 
 army able to cope with any that can be op- 
 
 pofed to it, as there are excellent materials 
 
 to form one out of. But while the only 
 
 merit an officer poffelTes in his ability to raife 
 
 men, while thofe men confider and treat 
 
 him as an equal, and (in the character of an 
 
 officer) regard him no more than a broom* 
 
 flick, being mixed together as one common 
 
 herd, no order nor difcipline can prevail ; 
 
 nor will the officer meet with that refpedl 
 
 which is effentialiy neceffary to due fubordi- 
 
 nation. 
 
 " To place any dependence upon militia, 
 
 is alTuredly refting upon a broken ftaflP— 
 
 men juft dragged from the tender fcenes pf 
 
 domeflic life — unaccuflomed to the din of 
 
 arms — totally unacquainted with every kind 
 
 of military Ikill ; which being followed by 
 
 a want of confidence in themfelves, when 
 
 oppofed to troops regularly trained, difci- 
 
 plined, and appointed, fuperior in knowl* 
 H 2 
 
9D Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 edge, and fuperior in arms, makes them tim- 
 id and ready to fly from their own fhad- 
 ows. Befides, the fudden change in their 
 manner of living (particularly in the lodg- 
 ing) brings on ficknefs in many, impatience 
 in all, and fuch an unconquerable delire of 
 returning to their refpedive homes, that it 
 not only produces lliameful and Icandalous 
 defertions among themfelves, but infufes 
 the like fpirit into others. 
 
 " Again ; men accuflomed to unbounded 
 freedom and no control, cannot brook the 
 reftraint which is indifpenfibly neceflary to 
 the good order and government of an ar- 
 my ; without which, licentioufnefs and ev* 
 ery kind of diforder triumphantly reign. 
 To bring men to a proper degree of fubor- 
 dination is not the work of a day, a month, 
 or even a year ; and unhappily for us and 
 the caufe we are engaged in, the little difci- 
 pline I have been laboring to eftabiifh in the 
 army under my immediate command, is in 
 a manner done away, by having fuch a mix- 
 ture of troops as have been called together 
 within thefe few monthsp 
 
General George Wajh'mgton. 91 
 
 *' Relaxed and unfit as our rules and reg- 
 ulations of war are for the government of 
 an army5the nitlitia(thofe properly fo calPd ; 
 for of tliefe we have two forts, the fix- months 
 men, and thofe fent in as a temporary aid) 
 do not think themfelves fubjecl to them, 
 and therefore take liberties which a foldier 
 is puniflied for. This creates jealoufy ; jeal- 
 oufy begets diffatisfadions : and thefe by 
 degrees ripen into mutiny, keeping the 
 whole army in a confufed and difordered 
 flate ; rendering the time of thofe who wifli 
 to fee regularity and good order prevail, 
 more unhappy than words can defcribe. Be- 
 fides this, fuch repeated changes take place, 
 that all arrangement is fet at nought, and 
 the conftant fluctuation of things deranges 
 every plan as fafl: as adopted. 
 
 " Thefe, fir, Congrefs may be affured, are 
 but a fmall part ot the inconveniences which 
 might be enun erated, and attributed toani- 
 litia : but there is one that merits particu- 
 lar attenti(.'n, and that is the expenfe. Cer- 
 tain I am, that it would be cheaper to keep 
 fifty or an hundred thoufand in conftant 
 pay, than to depend upon half the numberj 
 
9,2 Biographical Memoirs of ■ 
 
 and fupply the other half occalionally by 
 militia. The time the latter are in pay be- 
 fore and after they are in camp, affembling 
 and marching ; the wade of ammunition, 
 the confumption of ftores, which, in fpite 
 of every refolution of Congrefs, they muft 
 be furniftied with, or fent home ; added to 
 other incidental expences confequent upon 
 their coming and conducl in camp, furpaf- 
 fes all idea, and deftroys every kind of reg- 
 ularity and economy which you could eftab- 
 iilh among fixed and fettled troops, and 
 will, in my opinion, prove (if the fcheme is 
 adhered to) the ruin of our caufe. 
 
 *'• The jealoufies of a ftanding army, and 
 the evils to be apprehended from one, are 
 remote, and, in my judgment, fituated and 
 circumftanced as we are, not at all to be 
 dreaded : but the confequence of wanting 
 one, according to my ideas formed from the 
 prefent view of things, is certain and inevit- 
 able ruin. For, if I was called upon to de- 
 clare upon oathj whether the militia have 
 been moft ferviceable or hurtful upon the 
 whole, I Ihould fubfcribe to the latter. I 
 do not mean by this, however, to arraign 
 
General George Wajhtngion* 9S 
 
 the conducl of Congrefs : in fo doing I 
 fliould equally condemn my own meafures, 
 if I did not my judgment : but experience, 
 which is the beft criterion to work by, fo 
 fully, clearly and deciiively reprobates the 
 practice of trufting to militia, that no m.an 
 who regards order, regularity and econo- 
 my, or who has any regard to his own hon- 
 or, character, or peace of mind, will rifk 
 them upon this ilTue, * * * 
 
 '' An army formed of good officers, 
 moves like clock-work : but there is no fit- 
 uation on earth lefs enviable nor more dif- 
 treffing than that perfon's who is at the 
 head of troops who are regardlefs of order 
 or difcipline, and who are unprovided with 
 almoft every neceflary. In a word, the dif- 
 ficulties which have forever furrounded me 
 fince I have been in the i'ervice, and kept 
 my mind conftantly upon the flretcli— the 
 wounds which my feelings (as an officer) 
 have received a thoufand things which have 
 happened contrary to my expedation and 
 wifhes, * * * — added to a confcioufnefs of 
 my inability to govern an army compofed 
 of fuch difcordant parts, and under fuch a 
 
94 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 variety of intricate and perplexing circum- 
 
 ftances — induce not only a belief, but a thor- 
 
 ough convidion in my mind, that it will be 
 
 impoilible (unlefs there is a thorough change 
 
 in our military fyftem.) for ine to condud 
 
 matters in fuch a manner as to give fatisfac- 
 
 tion to the public, which is all the recom- 
 
 pence I aim at, or ever wifhed for. 
 
 " Before I conclude, I muft apologife for 
 
 the liberties taken in this letter, and for the 
 
 blots and fcratchings therein, not having 
 
 time to give it more correctly. With truth 
 
 I can add, that, with every fentiment of re- 
 
 fped and efteem, I am yours and the Con- 
 
 grefs' 
 
 Mofl obedient, &c. 
 
 G. W." 
 
 LETTER FROM GEJ^'ERAL WJSHIjVGTOjY 
 To the Commiiiee of Congrefsy oJi a vifit to the 
 Camp, 
 Camp at the Clove, July 19, 1777. 
 
 G£NTLliM£N, 
 
 " The little notice I had of your coming 
 to the army, and the fhortnefs of your ftay 
 in camp, will more than probably occafion 
 
General George Wajhington. 95 
 
 the omiffion of many matters, which of right 
 ought to be laid before you ; and the inter- 
 ruption which my thoughts conftantly meet 
 by a variety of occurrences, muft apologize 
 for the crude and indigefted manner in 
 which they are offered. 
 
 " The completion of the continental re- 
 giments is a matter of fuch infinite impor- 
 tance, that I think no means fliould be left 
 uneffayed to accomplifli it. Draughting 
 where the powers of government are ade- 
 quate, would be the fpeediefl and moft ef- 
 fedual, but if it fhould be thought unadvif- 
 able to attempt this mode — next to it I 
 would recommend that the bufinefs of re- 
 cruiting fhould be taken entirely out of the 
 hands of the officers of the army, and that 
 -each ftate fliould appoint fome perfon of 
 known activity (one for inftance, who has 
 been a good under {her iff) in each county 
 or townlhip, not only to recruit, but to ap- 
 prehend deferters ; thefe perfons to be lib- 
 erally rewarded for each recruit, and defer- 
 ter whom they fliall deliver, at ftated peri- 
 ods and places, to officers appointed to re- 
 ceive, and difcipline, and march them to the 
 
Q6 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 * 
 
 army : none of thefe recruiters to have the 
 fmalleft power to ad: out of their own dif- 
 tri6ts, but to be abfolutely fixed to them. 
 
 *' A mode of this kind would, in my hum- 
 ble opinion, be lefs burthenfome to the pub- 
 lie than the prefent ; prevent the idle hab- 
 its which recruiting officers contrad, not 
 only injurious to themfelves,but to others; 
 the moft efFedual means which can be devif- 
 ed for the recovery of defelters ; the furefl 
 way of keeping your regiments of equal 
 ilrength, and of making the duty more e- 
 qual in the detail of it : in a word, many 
 valuable advantages would refult from it, 
 whilll I can fuggeft but one reafon againfl 
 it ; and that, (fully fatisfied I am) when 
 weighed in the fcale of intereft, will not op- 
 erate ; I mean, the keeping fo many offi- 
 cers in the camp, who might be fpared from 
 the duties of the field till the regiments are 
 flronger than at prefent. The fixteen addi- 
 tional regiments labor under fuch difadvan- 
 tages in fome flates, as to render the inter- 
 polition of Congrefs, in fome fliape or oth- 
 er, indifpenfably necelTary. 
 
General George Wqfhingfon. 97 
 
 / 
 " With refpeft to food, confidering we 
 
 are in fuch an extenfive and abundant coun- 
 try, no army was ever worfe fupplied than 
 ours, with many effential articles of it. Our 
 foldiers, the greateft part of laft campaign 
 and the whole of this, have fcarcely tafted 
 any kind of vegetables, had but little fait ; 
 and vinegar which would have been a toler- 
 able fubflitute for vegetables, they have 
 been in a great meafure ftrangers to. Nei- 
 ther have they been provided with proper 
 drink : beer or cider feldom comes within 
 the verge of the camp, and rum in much 
 too fmall quantities. Thus, to devouring 
 large quantities of animal food, untemper- 
 ed by vegetables or vinegar, or by any kind 
 of drink but water, and eating indifferent 
 bread, (but for this, a remedy is provided) 
 are to be afcribed the many putrid difeafes 
 incident to the army, and the lamentable 
 mortality that attended us laft campaign. 
 If thefe evils can be remedied, the expence 
 and trouble ought not to be obftacles.— 
 Though fome kinds of vegetables are not 
 to be had, others are, which, together with 
 fourcrout and vinegar, might eafily be had 
 
98 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 it proper perfons acquainted with the bufi- 
 nefs were employed therein. 
 
 " Soap is another article in great demand^ 
 the continental allowance is too fmall ; and, 
 dear as every neceffary of life is now got, a 
 foldier's pay will not enable him to pur- 
 chafe ; by which means his confequent dir- 
 tinefs adds not a little to the difeafes of the 
 army. 
 
 " I have no reafon to accufe the clothier- 
 general of inattention to his department ; 
 and therefore, as his fupplies are incompe- 
 tent to the wants of the army, I am to fup- 
 pofe his refources are unequal. Ought not 
 each ftate then to be called upon to draw 
 fuch fupplies from the country manufado- 
 ries, as can be afforded ? particularly of 
 does, (lockings, Ihirts and blankets, articles 
 indispenfably neceffary, and of w^hich fcarce 
 too many can be provided : in the mean 
 while every provilion to be making, for 
 clothing the troops uniformly and warm in 
 the winter. It is a maxim that needs no 
 illucidation, that nothing can be of more 
 importance in an army than the clothing 
 and feeding it well. On thefe the healthy 
 
General George Wajhington. 99 
 
 comfort and fpirits of the foldiers eflential- 
 ly depend ; and it is a melancholy fad, that 
 the American army are miferably defective 
 in both thefe refpecls- The diftrefs moft 
 of them are in for want of clothing is pain- 
 ful to humanity, difpiriting to themfelves, 
 and difcouraging to every officer. It makes 
 every pretenfion to the prefervation of 
 cleanlinefs impoffible, expofes them to a va- 
 riety of diforders, and abates or deftroys 
 that military pride without which nothing 
 can be expeded from any army. 
 
 '' The confequence of giving rank indis- 
 criminately is much to be dreaded : great 
 diffatisfadion has already arifen on account 
 of beftowing this on officers in the civil de- 
 partments of the army, on the inferior ftafF, 
 waggon-mafters, &c. who, by cuftom, pro- 
 priety, and every other motive, are exclu- 
 ded from it in all well regulated armies. — 
 The too great liberality praclifed in this 
 refped wilt deflroy the pride of rank 
 where it ought to exift, and will not only 
 render it cheap, but contemptible. It is the 
 policy of all armies to make it valued and 
 refpected, as a ilimulus to emulation, and 
 
 » L.cf G. . 
 
100 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 an incitement to bold and gallant underta- 
 kings ; it mull be very unadvifeably there- 
 fore, in our infant ftate of war, to adopt 
 novel cuftonis to bring it into difcredit ; 
 which muft and will be the confequence of 
 making it too common, befides the difguft 
 it creates in others. 
 
 *' An auditor of accounts, to be con- 
 ftantly with the army, is abfolutely requi- 
 fite. It is abfolutely impoffible for me, 
 crowded as I am with other bulinefs, to ex- 
 amine & adjuft the numerous complex ac- 
 counts of the army with that correctnefs 
 the public have a right to expect, before 
 warrants pafs for payment ; and, without 
 doing it, great impofitions may follow. 
 The proviiions for makhig regimental pay- 
 mafters regulate all regimental accounts is 
 altogether incompetent to the end propofed 
 from it : for thefe men being appointed 
 generally agreeable to the recommendation 
 of the field officers of the regiments they 
 belong to •, affociating conftantly with the 
 officers of their corps, and in a great meaf- 
 ure under their control ; cannot be confider- 
 ed as fufficiently uninfluenced \ nor are au- 
 
General George Wajhington. 101 
 
 ditors at a diftance from the army of much 
 ufe, as it would require a delay not admiffi- 
 ble, to fend accounts to them to audit be- 
 fore the)^ were puffed and paid in confe- 
 quence of warrants from the commander in 
 chief of the army. 
 
 *' A good geographer, to furvey the roads 
 and take fketches of the country where the 
 army is to act, would be extremely ufeful, 
 and might be attended with exceeding val- 
 uable confequences. He might with propri- 
 ety have the chief dire(^ion of the guides, 
 and muft have a head to procure, govern, 
 and pay them. If fuch a perfon fliould be 
 approved of, I would beg leave to recom- 
 mend Mr. Robert Erfkine, who is thorough- 
 ly (killed in this bufinefs, has already allift. 
 ed us in making maps of the country, and 
 has (as I am informed) uniformly fupport- 
 ed the charader of a fall friend to America. 
 
 " A fmall travelling prefs, to follow head- 
 quarters, would be produdive of many em- 
 inent advantages. It would enable us to 
 give fpeedy and exad information of any 
 military tranfadVions that take place, with 
 
 proper comments upon themp and thereby 
 I 2 
 
102 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 fruftrate the pernicious tendency of falfe* 
 hood and mifreprefentation, which, in my 
 opinion, of whatever complexion they may 
 be, are, in the main, detrimental to our 
 caufe. If the people had a channel of intel- 
 ligence, that, from its ufual authenticity, 
 they could look up to with confidence, 
 they might often be preferved from that 
 defpondency which they are apt to fall into, 
 from the exaggerated pictures our enemies 
 and their emilTaries among us commonly 
 draw of any misfortunes we meet with — 
 and from that diffidence of truths favorable 
 to us, which they muft naturaUy feel from 
 the frequent deception they are expofed to, 
 by the extravagant colorings our friends of- 
 ten give to our fucceffes. It would alfo be 
 very ufeful to difpatch bufinefs in camp, be- 
 ing the mofl: expeditious means of taking 
 copies of orders or other matters that re- 
 quire to be difperfed, and would fave a good 
 deal in returns and other papers we are of- 
 ten obliged to get printed in Philadelphia^ 
 An ingenious man to accompany this prefs, 
 and be employed wholly in writing for it, 
 might render it jfingularly beneficial. 
 
General George Wajhington. 103 
 
 " I am exceedingly embarraffed how to 
 difpofe of the French oflicers in general, but 
 more efpechliy the artillery officers, who 
 are come out under the fanclion of a com- 
 pact. I can think of no other way than 
 that of forming a feparate corps of them, 
 and draughting men from the whole line 
 to compofe that corps : but even this will 
 be attended with many difagreeable efFeds : 
 among others, this is not the leaft, that of- 
 ficers will think themfelves much injured 
 to have the men they have had the trouble 
 of railing, taken from them and given to 
 others. There is fomething in this which 
 is difcouraging, and breaks the fpirit of a 
 good officer, who prides himfelf in having 
 a full and complete corps. 
 
 " A doubt has arifen, whether a perfon 
 who belongs to any of the United States of 
 America, and who owed allegiance to any of 
 the faid ftates, — that went to the enemy 
 fome time paft^ and fmce that time has been 
 lurking about any of the fortifications, or 
 about any of the encampments of the ar- 
 mies of the United States, plundering and 
 driving off cattle to the enemy, recruiting 
 
104 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 for them, or committing any other atro- 
 cious crime, or who is appointed an officer 
 in the enemy's army — can be tried by a 
 general court-martial, under the refolution 
 of Congrefs of the twenty-firft of Auguft, 
 1776, and punifhed as a fpy. I have the 
 honor to be, &c. 
 
 G. W." 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN. WASHING- 
 TON AND GHNERAL GAGE, RESPECTING 
 THE BAD TREATMENT OF PRISONERS. 
 
 Letter from bis Excellency General Wajhington^ 
 
 to General Gage. 
 H. Quarters, Cambridge, Aug. 11, 1775. 
 Sir, 
 
 " I underfland that the officers engaged 
 in the caufe of liberty and their country, 
 who, by the fortune of war, have fallen in- 
 to your hands, have been thrown indifcrim- 
 inately into a common gaol, appropriated 
 for felons — that no confideration has been 
 made for thofe of the moft refpedable rank, 
 when languiihing with wounds and ficknefs 
 —that fome of them have been amputated 
 in this unworthy fituation. 
 
General George Wajhingion. 105 
 
 " Let your opinion, fir, of the principle 
 which actuates them, be what it nriay, they 
 fuppofe they acl from the nobleft of all prin- 
 ciples, a love of freedom and their country. 
 But political opinions, I conceive, are for- 
 eign to this point. The obligations arifmg 
 from the right of humanity and claims of 
 rank, are univerfally binding and extenfive, 
 except in cafe of retaliation. ThefeJ fhould 
 have hoped, would have dictated a more 
 tender treatment of tliofe individuals, whom 
 chance or war had put in your power* Nor 
 can I forbear fuggefting its fatal tendency 
 to widen that unhappy breach, which you, 
 and thofe minifters under whom you act, 
 have repeatedly declared you wifh to fee 
 forever clofed. 
 
 " My duty now makes it neceflary to ap- 
 prife you, that for the future, I fhall regu- 
 late my condud towards thofe gentlemen of 
 your army, who are, or may be in our pof- 
 feflion, exactly by the rule you may obferve 
 towards thofe of ours who may be in yo\ir 
 cuftody. 
 
 " If feverity and hardlhip mark the line 
 of your condud: (painful as it may be to me) 
 
106 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 your prifoners will feel its efTe^ls ; but if 
 kindnefs and humanity are fhewn to ours, I 
 fliall, with pleafure, confider thofe in our 
 hands, only as unfortunate, and they fhall 
 receive fron:i me that treatment to which 
 the unfortunate are ever entitled. 
 
 " I beg to be favored with an anfwer as 
 foon as poffible, and am, fir. 
 
 Your very humble fervant, 
 G. WASHINGTON." 
 
 ANSWER. 
 
 BosTvjN, Aug. 13, 1775. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " TO the glory of civilized nations, hu- 
 manity and war have been compatible ; and 
 compaffion to be fubdued is become almoft 
 a general fyftem. 
 
 " Britons, ever pre-eminent in mercy, 
 have out-gone common examples, and over- 
 looked the criminal in the captive. Upon 
 thcfe principles your prifoners, whofe lives, 
 by the laws of the land, are deftined to tbe 
 cord, have hitherto been treated with care 
 and kindnefs, and more comfortably lodg- 
 ed, than the king's troops, in the hofpitals ; 
 
General George Wajhington. 107' 
 
 indifcriminately, it is true, for I acknowl- 
 edge no rank that is not derived from the 
 king. 
 
 " My intelligence from your army would 
 juftify fevere recrimination. I underfland 
 there are fome of the king's faithful fub- 
 je£l:s, taken fome time fince by the rebels, 
 laboring like Negro Haves, to gain their dai- 
 ly fubfiftence, or reduced to the wretched 
 alternative, to perifli by famine, or take up 
 arms againft their king and country. Thofe, 
 who have made the treatment of the prifon- 
 ers in my hands, or of your other friends in 
 Bofton, a pretence for fuch meafures, found 
 barbarity upon falfehood. 
 
 " I would willingly hope, fir, that the 
 fentiments of liberality which I have always 
 believed you to poffefs, will be exerted to 
 correcl their mifdoings. Be temperate in 
 political difquifitions ; give free operation 
 to truth, and punifli thofe who deceive and 
 mifreprefent ^ and not only the effeds, but 
 the caufes of this unhappy confli£t willfoon 
 be removed. 
 
 " Should thofe, under whofe ufurped au- 
 thority you act, control fuch a difpofition, 
 
308 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and dare to call feverity retaliation, to God, 
 who knows all hearts, be the appeal for the 
 dreadful confequences. I truft, that Britiih 
 foldiers, afferting the rights of the ftate, the 
 laws of the land, the being of the conftitu- 
 tion, will meet all events with becoming 
 fortitude. They will court victory with 
 the fpirit their caufe infpires, and from the 
 fame motive, will find the patience of mar- 
 tyrs under misfortune. 
 
 *' Till I read your infinuations in regard 
 to minifters, I conceived that I a£led under 
 the king ; whofe wiflies, it is true, as well 
 as thofe of his minifters, and of every hon- 
 eft man, have been to fee this unhappy 
 breach forever clofed: but unfortunately 
 for both countries, thofe who have long 
 fince projeded the prefent crlfis, and influ- 
 ence the councils of America, have views 
 very diftant from accommodation. 
 1 am, fir. 
 
 Your obedient, humble ferv't. 
 THOMx^S GAGE. 
 George Washington, Esq. 
 
General George Wajhington, 109 
 
 REPLY. 
 
 H. Quarters, Cambridge, Aug. 19, 1775. 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I addreffed you on the 1 1 th inftant 
 in terms which gave the faireft fcope for the 
 exercife of that humanity and politenefs, 
 which were fuppofed to form a part of your 
 character. I remonftrated with you on the 
 unworthy treatment fliewn to the officers 
 and citizens of America, whom the fortune 
 of war, chance, or a miftaken confidence, 
 had thrown into your hands. 
 
 " Whether Britifli or American mercy, 
 fortitude and patience, are moft pre-emi- 
 nent — whether our virtuous citizens, whom 
 the hand of tyranny has forced into arms, 
 to defend their wives, their children and 
 their property, or the mercenary inftru- 
 ments of lawlefs domination, avarice and 
 revenge, beftdeferve the appellation ofreb- 
 els, and the punifliment of that cord, which 
 your afFeded clemency has forborn to inflid 
 — whether the authority under which I ad, 
 is ufurped, or founded on the genuine prin- 
 ciples of liberty, were altogether foreign to 
 K 
 
110 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 the fubje^b. I purpofely avoided all politic- 
 al difquifition ; nor Ihall I now avail my- 
 felf of thofe advantages, which the facred 
 caufe of my country, of liberty and human 
 nature, give me over you ; much iefs fhall 
 I {loop to retort any invedive. But the in- 
 telligence, you fay you have received from 
 our army, requires a reply. I have taken 
 time, fir, to make a ftridt enquiry, and find 
 that it has not the leaft foundation in truth. 
 Not only your officers and foldiers have 
 been treated with a tendernefs due to fel- 
 low-citizens and brethren, but even thofe 
 execrable parricides, whofe councils and aid 
 , have deluged their country in blood, have 
 been protected from the fury of a juftly en- 
 raged people- Far from compelling or per- 
 mitting their afliftance, I am embarrafled 
 with the number who crowd to our camp, 
 animated with the pureft principles of vir- 
 tue and love of their country. You advife 
 me to give free operation to truth ; to pun - 
 ifh mifreprefentation and falfehood. If ex- 
 perience (lamps value upon counfel, yours 
 mud have a weight which few can claim. 
 You beft can tell how far the convulfion. 
 
General George Wajhingion* Jli 
 
 which h^s brought fuch ruin on both coun* 
 tries, and ihaken the mighty empire of Brit- 
 ain to its foundation, may be traced to thefe 
 malignant caufes. 
 
 " You affed, fir, to defpife all rank not 
 derived from the fame fource with your 
 own. I cannot conceive one more honora* 
 ble, than that which flows from the uncor- 
 rupted choice of a brave and free people, 
 the pureft fource and original fountain of 
 all power. — Far from making it a plea for 
 cruelty, a mind of true magnanimity and 
 enlarged ideas, would comprehend and re- 
 fpecl it. 
 
 " What may have been the minifterial 
 views w^hich have precipitated the prefent 
 crifis, Lexington, Concord, and Charlefton, 
 can beft declare. May that God to whom 
 you then appealed, judge between America 
 and you. Under his providence, thofe who 
 influence the councils of America, and all 
 the other inhabitants of the united colonies, 
 at the hazard of their lives, are determined 
 to hand down to poilerity, thofe juft and 
 invaluable privileges which they received 
 from their anceflors. 
 
112 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 " I (hall now, fir, clofe my correfpondence 
 with you, perhaps for ever. If your offi- 
 cers, our prifoners, receive a treatment from 
 me different from what I wilhed to fliew 
 them, they and you will remember the oc- 
 cafion of it. I am, fir, 
 
 " Your very humble fervant, 
 '' GEORGE WASHINGTONo*' 
 " General Gage." 
 
 THE preceding letters will ever convey 
 to the world, a fufficient teflimony of the 
 attention and care, which, at all times. Gen- 
 eral Wafhington extended to the foldiers 
 under his command. The whole of his of* 
 licial letters are uniformly charaderifed 
 with thofe tender and fympathetic pictures, 
 which the appearance of real want in oth- 
 ers imprefs on a lively and feeling mind, 
 and which was the beft calculated to roufe 
 in the minds of Congrefs, a fenfe of the fuf- 
 ferings of thofe who were facrificing their 
 eafe, and rifking their lives to eftablifh the 
 independence of their country. Obferve 
 the extreme modefly which he affumes, 
 
General George Wajhmgton. 113 
 
 when he requefts for himfelf, even an aid- 
 de-camp, which the multiplicity of his cares 
 rendered effential — contrail it with that 
 freedom with which he delivers his opinion 
 on other fubjeds which regard the comfort 
 of his fellow foldiers only — and with the 
 manly language in which he addreffes Gen- 
 eral Gage, for his ill treatment to thofe 
 whom the misfortune of war placed in his 
 power — Then we behold the citizen — the 
 General. 
 
 To thofe ungrateful few, who, ftimulated 
 by malice, have heretofore endeavored to 
 fully his honor and military reputation, and 
 to imprefs upon the public mind, the ungen- 
 erous idea, that he was inftrumental to the 
 fliedding of innocent blood, and infliffing 
 wanton cruelty upon the prifoners of the 
 enemy, we recommend a perufal of his let- 
 ters to Congrefs upon that fubjed: ; there 
 they will find him combating the idea with 
 the language of reafon, and cenfuring the 
 inhuman practice. The hiftorians of the 
 American war have uniformly reprefented 
 the cafe of Major Andre, as an example of 
 inhuman murder on the part of America. 
 
1J4 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 On this occalion. General Wafhington facri* 
 ficed his own feelings, to the " neceflities oi 
 inexorable juftice." The fentence was pro- 
 nounced with much helitation, and, at its 
 execution, he was feen to fhed tears — Nor 
 is it neceffary for us to remind them of his 
 fortitude to withfland the threats, or virtue 
 to fcorn the bribes of the emiffaries of the 
 Britifh Cabinet, for one uniform principle 
 of prudence and wdfdom feems to have reg- 
 ulated levery tranfadion of his life. 
 
 When General Wafhington received the 
 joyful intelligence of peace, he exprefled 
 himfelf to the army who had accompanied 
 him through the dangers, toils and difficul- 
 ties' of this glorious ftruggle, in the follow- 
 ing addrefs : 
 
 ORDERS 
 
 Iffued by General Wajhington^ io the Army. 
 Head. Quarters, April 18, 1783. 
 
 THE Commander in Chief orders the cef- 
 fation of hoftilities between the United 
 States of America and the King of Great 
 Britain, to be publicly proclaimed to-mor- 
 row, at twelve o'clock, at the new.building 
 
General George Wajhington, 115 
 
 — and that the proclamation, which will be 
 communicated herewith, be read to-mor- 
 row evening at the head of every regiment 
 and corps of the army ; after which the 
 chaplains, with the feverai brigades, will 
 render thanks to the Almighty God for all 
 his mercies, particularly for his over-ruling 
 the wrath of man to his own glory, and 
 caufmg the rage of war to ceafe among na- 
 tions. 
 
 " Although the proclamation, before al- 
 luded to, extends only to the prohibition of 
 hoftilities, and not the annunciation of a 
 general peace, yet it muft afford the moft 
 rational and fmcere fatisfaclion to every be- 
 nevolent mind, as it puts a period to a long 
 a doubtful conteft, flops the effufion of hu- 
 man blood, opens the profped to a more 
 fplendid fcene, and, like another morning 
 liar, promifes the approach of brighter days 
 than hath hitherto illuminated the Weflern 
 Hemifphere. On fuch a happy day, which 
 is the harbinger of peace, a day which com- 
 pletes the eighth year of the war, it would 
 be ingratitude not to rejoice : it would be 
 
1 
 116 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 infenfibility not to participate in the gener- 
 al felicity. 
 
 " The Commander in Chief, far from 
 endeavoring to ftifle the feehngs of joy in 
 his own bofom, offers his moft cordial con- 
 gratulations on the occallon to all the offi- 
 cers of every denomination ; to all the 
 troops of the United States in general ; and, 
 in particular, to thofe gallant and perfever- 
 ing men who had refolved to defend the 
 rights of their invaded country, fo long as 
 the war fhould continue. For thefe are the 
 men who ought to be conlidered as the 
 pride and boaft of the American army ; and 
 who, crowned with well-earned laurels, may 
 foon withdraw from the field of glory to 
 the more tranquil walks of civil life. While 
 the Commander in Chief recoUefe the al- 
 moil infinite variety of fcenes through which 
 we have pafl, with a mixture of pleafure, 
 aftonifliment, and gratitude ; while he con- 
 templates the profped before us with rap- 
 ture, he cannot help wifhing that all the 
 brave men, of whatever condition they 
 may be, who have fhared the toils and dan- 
 gers of effeding this glorious revolution j 
 
General George Wajhingion. 117 
 
 of refcuing millions from the hand of op- 
 preffion, and of laying the foundation of a 
 great empire, might be imprefl'ed wi«^h a 
 proper idea of the dignified part they have 
 been called lo ad, under the fmiles of Prov- 
 idence, on the ftage of human affairs j for 
 happy, thrice happy fhall they be pronoun- 
 ced hereafter, who have contributed any 
 thing, who have performed the meaneft of- 
 fice in creeling this ftupendous fabric of 
 FRiiiiDjM ANu EMPiRii ou the broad bafis of 
 independence ; who have afllfted in pro- 
 tecting the rights of human nature, and ef- 
 tablifliing an afylum for the poor and oppref- 
 fed of all nations and religions^ — The glori- 
 ous talk for which we at firft flew to arms be- 
 ing accomplifhed — the liberties of our coun- 
 try being fully acknowledged and firmly fe- 
 cured by the fmiies of Heaven on the puri- 
 ty of our caufe, and the honeft exertions of 
 a feeble people, determined to be free, a- 
 gainft a powerful nation difpofed to opprefs 
 them ; and the character of thofe who have 
 perfevered through every extremity of 
 hardfhip, fuffering, and danger, being im- 
 mortalized by the iliuftrious appellation of 
 
118 Biographical Me7noirs of 
 
 the patriot army^ nothing now remains but 
 for the acflors of this mighty fcene to pre- 
 ferve a perfed unvarying conMency of 
 character through the very laft ad, to clofe 
 the drama with applaufe ; anfi to retire 
 from the military theatre with the fame ap- 
 probation of angels and men which have 
 crowned all their former virtuous adions. 
 For this purpofe, no diforder or licentious- 
 nefs muft be tolerated. — Every confiderate 
 and well-difpofed foldier muft remember it 
 will be abfolutely necefiary to wait with pa- 
 tience until peace fliall be declared, or Con-N 
 grefs Ihall be enabled to take proper meaf- 
 ures for the fecurity of the public ftores, 
 &c. As foon as thefe arrans^ements fhall be 
 made, the General is confident, there will 
 be no delay in difcharging, with every 
 mark of diftinclion and honor, all the men 
 enlifted for the war, who will then have 
 faithfully performed their engagements v/ith 
 
 the public. The General has already 
 
 interefted himfelf in tlicir behalf, and he 
 thinks he need not repeat the aflurance of 
 his difpofition to be ufeful to them on the 
 prefent and every other proper occafion. 
 
General George Wajhlngion. 119 
 
 In the mean time, he is determined that no 
 military neglects or exceffes iliall go unpun- 
 ifhed while he retains the command of the 
 army. 
 
 " The 4^jutant. General will have fuch 
 working parties detached, to ailift in ma- 
 king the preparations for a general rejoi- 
 cing, as the chief Engineer with the army 
 fliall call for ; and the Quarter-Mafter- Gen- 
 eral will, without delay, procure fuch a ^^xm- 
 ber of difcharges to be printed as will be fuf- 
 iicient for all the men enlifted for the war 
 — he will pleafe to apply to head-quarters 
 for the form.. — An extra ration of liquor to 
 be ilTued to every man to-morrow to drink, 
 " Perpetual Peace and Happinefs to the United 
 States of America,'^ 
 
 The following refolutions werepajfedby Congrefs^ 
 on the 1th Augujl^ 17B3, vi% : 
 
 « BY THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 In Congress assembled. 
 " Refolved unanimoujly^ Ten States being 
 prefent, 
 
 " THAT an Equeftrian Statue of Gener- 
 
120 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 al Wafhington be ereded at the place where 
 the refidence of Congrefs fliall be eftablifh- 
 
 ed: 
 
 «' Refohed^ That the ftatue be of bronze, 
 the General <o be reprefented in a Roman 
 drefs, holding a truncheon in his right hand 
 and his head encircled in a laurel wreath ; 
 the ftatue to be fupported by a maible pe- 
 deftal, on which are to be reprefented, in 
 balfc) relievo, the following principal events 
 of the war, in which General Wafhington 
 commanded in perfon, viz. The Evacua- 
 ation of Bofton — The Capture of the I^ef- 
 fians at Trenton — The Battle of Princeton 
 — The adlion of Monmouth — and the Sur- 
 render of York. On the upper part of the 
 front of the pedeftal to be engraved as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " The United States in Congrefs affem- 
 bled, ordered this ftatue to be erected in 
 the year of our Lord, 1783, in honor of 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 the illuftrious Commander in Chief of the 
 Armies of the United States of America, 
 during the war, which vindicated and fe- 
 
General George Wajhingion. 12 i 
 
 cured their liberty, fovereignty and inde- 
 
 pendence." 
 
 " Refohed^ That a ftatue conformable to 
 
 the above plan, be executed by the beft ar- 
 tift in Europe, under the fuperintendance 
 of the Minifter of the United States at the 
 Court of Verfailles, and that money to de- 
 fray the expence of the fame, be furniflied 
 from the Treafury of the United States. 
 
 " Refolved^ That the Secretary of Con- 
 grefs tranfmit to the Minifter of the United 
 States at the Court of Verfailles, the beft re- 
 femblance of General Wafhington that can 
 be procured, for the purpofe of having the 
 above ftatue erefted, together with the fit- 
 teft defcription of the events which are to 
 be the fubjed of the baffo relievo." 
 
 On the 26th of Auguft, 178S, General 
 Wafliington, at the requeft of Congrefs, 
 proceeded to Pprinceton, where the Con- 
 grefs was then fitting, and being introduced 
 by two members, the Prefident addrefled 
 him as follows, viz. 
 
122 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 *' CONGRESS feel particular pleafure 
 in feeing your Excellency, and in congratu- 
 lating you on the fuccefs of a war in which 
 you have adled fo confpicuous a part : 
 
 " It has been the fingular happinefs of the 
 United States, that during a war fo long, fo 
 dangerous and fo important. Providence has 
 been gracioully pleafed to preferve the life 
 of a general, who has merited and poffeffed 
 the uninterrupted confidence and affeclion 
 of his fellow-citizens. In other nations, 
 many have performed fervices for which 
 they have deferved and received the thanks 
 of the public ; but to you, fir, peculiar praife 
 is due : your fervices have been eifential in 
 acquiring and eftablifliing the freedom and 
 idependence of your country, they deferve 
 the grateful acknowledgment of a free and 
 independent nation ; thofe acknowledg- 
 ments Congrefs have the fatisfadlion of ex- 
 preffing to your excellency. 
 
 " Hoflilities have now ceafed, but your 
 country ftill needs your fervices ; flie wifli- 
 es to avail herfelf of your talents in form- 
 ing the arrangements which will be necef- 
 
General George Wajhington, 123 
 
 fary for her in the time of peace ; for this 
 reafon, your attendance at Congrefs has 
 been requefted. A Committee is appoint- 
 ed io confer with your Excellency, and to 
 receive your ailiftance in preparing and ad- 
 jufting plans relative to thofe important ob- 
 jeds." 
 
 To which his Excellency inade the following 
 REPEY, 
 " Mr. Frefideni, 
 
 " I AM too fenfible of the honorable 
 reception I have now experienced, not to be 
 penetrated with the deepeft feelings of grat- 
 itude. 
 
 ** Notwithftanding Congrefs appear to 
 eftimate the value of my life beyond any 
 fervices I have been able to render the Uni- 
 ted States, yet I muil be permitted to con- 
 fider the wifdom and unanimity of our na- 
 tional councils, the firmnefs of our citizens, 
 and the patience and bravery of our troops, 
 which have produced fo happy a termina- 
 tion of the war, as the moft confpicuous ef- 
 fe<3: of the Divine interpofition, and the fur- 
 eft prefage of our future happinefs. 
 
124 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 " Highly gratified by the favorable fenti- 
 nients which Congrefs are pleafed to exprefs 
 of my paft condud, and amply rewarded 
 by the confidence and afFedlion of my feU 
 low-citizens, I cannot hefitate to contribute 
 my befl endeavors towards the eflabliih- 
 ment of the national fecurity in whatever 
 manner the fovereign power may think 
 proper to direct, until the ratification of the 
 definitive treaty of peace, or the final evac- 
 uation of our country by the Britifh forces 
 — after either of which events, I Hiall alk 
 permiffion to retire to the peaceful fliade of 
 private life. 
 
 " Perhaps, fir, no occafion may offer more 
 fuitable than the prefent, to exprefs my 
 humble thanks to God, and my grateful ac- 
 knowledgments to my country, for the 
 great and uniform fupport I have received 
 in every viciflitude of fortune, and for the 
 many diftinguifhed honors which Congrefs 
 have been pleafed to confer upon me in the 
 courfe of the war." 
 
 After the final conclufion of the peace in 
 17835 a proclamation was iffued by Coa^ 
 
General George WaJhingion» 125 
 
 grefs, Ocflober 1 8th, direding the difcharge 
 of the army : whereupon General . Wafh- 
 ington, before he refigned his important 
 charge, delivered the following elegant and 
 pathetic farewell addrefs, to the oiEcers and 
 foldiers, under his command, viz. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON' % FAREWELL 
 ORDERS, 
 
 To the Armies of the United States* 
 Rocky-Hill, near Pbinclton, 
 November 2, 1783. 
 THE United States in Congrefs affem* 
 bled, after giving the mofl: honorable tefti- 
 mony to the federal armies, and prefenting 
 them with the thanks of their country, for 
 their long, eminent and faithful fervices 
 having thought proper, by their proc- 
 lamation, bearing date the 1 8th of Od:ober 
 laft, to difcharge fuch part of the troops as 
 were engaged for the war, and to permit the 
 officers on furlough to retire from fervice, 
 from and after to-morrow, which proclam- 
 ation having been communicated in the pub- 
 lic papers for the information and govern- 
 ment of all concerned ; it only remains for 
 the commander in chief to addrefs hinafelf 
 L 2 
 
126 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 once more, and that for the lad time, to the 
 armies of the United States (however wide- 
 ly difperfed the individuals who coinpofed 
 them may be) and bid them an affedlionate 
 —a long farewell. 
 
 But before the commander in chief takes 
 his final leave of thofe he holds moft dear, 
 lie wifhes to indulge himfelf a few moments 
 in calling to mind a flight review of the paft 
 —he will then take the liberty of exploring, 
 with his military friends, their future prof- 
 pefts ; of advifing the general line of con- 
 dud which, in his opinion, ought to be pur- 
 fued ; and he will conclude the addrefs, by 
 expreffing the obligations he feels himfelf 
 under for the fpirited and able affiftance he 
 has experienced from them, in the perform- 
 ance of an arduous office. 
 
 A contemplation of the complete attain- 
 ment, at a period earlier than could have 
 been expected, of the objed for which we 
 contended, againft fo formidable a power, 
 cannot but infpire us with aftonifliment and 
 gratitude. The difadvantageous circum- 
 ftances on our part, under which the war 
 was undertaken can never be forgotten. 
 
General George Wajhingion. 127 
 
 The Angular interpolitions of Providence, 
 in our feeble condition, were fuch as could 
 fcarcely efcape the attention of the moft un- 
 obferving ; while the unparalleled perfe- 
 verance of the armies of the United States, 
 through almoft every poffible fuffering and 
 difcouragement, for the fpace of eight long 
 years, was little ihort of a {landing miracle. 
 It is not the meaning, nor within the 
 compafs of this addrefs, to detail the hard- 
 fhips peculiarly incident to our fervice, or 
 to defcribe the dillrefles, which, in feveral 
 inftances, have refulted from the extremes 
 of hunger and nakednefs, combined with 
 the rigors of an inclement feafon : nor is it 
 neceffary to dwell on the dark fide of paft 
 affairs. Every American officer and foldier 
 mull now confole himfelf for any unpleas- 
 ant circumftances which may have occurred 
 by the recollection of the uncommon fcenes 
 in which he has been called to ad no inglo- 
 rious partj and the aflonifliing events of 
 which he has been a witnefs : events which 
 have feldom, if ever before, taken place be- 
 fore on the flage of human adion, nor can 
 they probably ever happen again. For^ 
 
1 28 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 who has before feen a dilciplined army for- 
 med at once from fuch raw materials ? Who 
 that was not a witnefs, could imagine, that 
 the mcft violent local prejudices would 
 ceafe fo foon, and that men who came 
 from the different parts of the continent 
 ftrongly difpofed, by the habits of educa- 
 tion, to defpife and quarrel with each oth- 
 er, would inftantly become one patriotic 
 band of brothers ? or who that was not on 
 the fpot, can trace the Heps, by which fuch 
 a wonderful revolution has been effected, 
 and fuch a glorious period put to all our 
 warlike toils ? 
 
 It is univerfally acknowledged that the 
 enlarged profpeds of happinefs, opened by 
 the confirmation of our independence and 
 fovereignty, almoft exceed the power of 
 defcription : and fliall not the brave men 
 who have contributed fo effentially to thefe 
 ineliimable acquifitions, retiring vii^orious 
 from the field of war to the field of agricul- 
 ture, participate all the bleffings which have 
 been obtained ? In fuch a republic, who will 
 exclude them from the rights of citizens, 
 and the fruits of their labors ? In fuch a 
 
 i 
 
General George Wajhington. I29 
 
 country fo happily circumftanced, the pur- 
 fuits of commerce and the cultivation of 
 the foil will untold to induftry the certain 
 road to competence. To thofe hardy fol- 
 diers, who are actuated by the fpirit of ad- 
 venture, the fifheries will afford ample and 
 profitable employment ; and the extenfive 
 and fertile regions of the weft will yield a 
 moft happy afylum to thofe, who, fond of 
 domeftic enjoyment, are feeking for perfon- 
 al independence. Nor is it poffible to con- 
 ceive that any one of the United States will 
 prefer a national bankruptcy, and a diffolu- 
 tion of the union, to a compliance with the 
 requifitions of Congrefs and the payment of 
 its juft debts — so that the ollicers and fol- 
 diers may expecl confiderable afllftance, in 
 re-commencing their civil occupations, 
 from the fums due to them from the pub- 
 lic, which muft and will moft inevitably b^ 
 paid. 
 
 In order to effect this defirable purpofe, 
 and to remove the prejudices which may 
 have taken pofTeflxon of the minds of any of 
 the good people of the States, it is earneftly 
 recommended to all the troops, that, with 
 
130 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ftrong attachment to the union, they fliould 
 carry with them into civil fociety the moft 
 conciKating difpofitions ; and that they 
 fhould pro^e themfelves not lefs virtuous 
 and ufeful as citizens, than they have been 
 perfevering and viclorjous as foldiers. What 
 though there ihouid be fome envious indi- 
 viduals, who are unwilling to pay the debt 
 the public has contra(5led5 or to yield the 
 tribute due to merit, yet let fuch unworthy 
 treatment produce no invedive, or any in- 
 ftance of intemperate conduct — let it be re- 
 membered, that the unbialTed voice of the 
 free citizens of the United States has prom- 
 ifed the juft reward, and given the merited 
 
 " applaufe \ let it be known and remember- 
 ed, that the reputation of the federal ar- 
 mies is eftablilhed beyond the reach cf ma- 
 levolence, and let a confcioufnefs of their at- 
 chievements and fame ftill incite the men 
 who compofed them, to honorable a£lions, 
 
 , under the perfuafion, that the virtues of e- 
 conomy, prudence, and induflry, will not 
 be the lefs amiable in civil life, than the 
 more fplendid qualities of valor, perfever- 
 ance and enterprize, were in the field. Ev- 
 
 I 
 
 ,<'/ 
 
General George Wajhington, 131 
 
 ery one may reft affured that much, very 
 much of the future happinefs of the officers 
 and men, will depend upon the wife and 
 manly condud which fhall be adopted by 
 them, when they are mingled with the 
 great body of the community. And, al- 
 though the general has fo frequently given 
 it as his opinion, in the moft public and ex- 
 plicit manner, that unlefs the principles of 
 the federal government were properly fup- 
 ported, and the powers of the union increa- 
 fed, the honor, dignity, and juflice of the 
 nation would be loft for ever ; yet he can- 
 not help repeating on this occafion fo inter- 
 efting a fentiment, and leaving it as his laft 
 injundion to every officer and foldier, who 
 may view the fubjed in th^ fame ferious 
 point of light, to add his beft endeavors to 
 thole of his worthy fellow citizens, towards 
 effeding thefe great and valuable purpofes, 
 on which our very exiftence as a nation fo 
 materially depends. 
 
 The commander in chief conceives little 
 is now wanting to enable the foldier to 
 change his military character into that of a 
 citizen, but that fteady and decent tenor of 
 
2 32 Bi ographkal Memoirs of 
 
 behaviour, which has generally diftinguifii- 
 ed not only the army under his immediate 
 command, but the different detachments 
 and feparate armies, through the courfe of 
 the war. From their good fenfe and pru- 
 dence he anticipates the happieft confequen- 
 ces — and while he congratulates them on 
 the glorious occafion which renders their 
 fervices in the field no longer neceffary, he 
 wiflies to exprefs the ftrong obligations he 
 feels himfelf under, for the ailiftance he has 
 received from every clafs, and in every in- 
 flance. He prefents his thanks in the moft 
 ferious and afFedionate manner to the gen- 
 eral officers, as well for their counfel on ma- 
 ny interefting occafions, as for their ardor 
 in promoting the fuccefs of the plans he had 
 adopted *, to the commandants of regi- 
 ments and corps, and to the other officers, 
 for their great zeal and attention in carry- 
 ing his orders promptly into execution ; to 
 the ilafF for their alacrity and exadnefs in 
 performing the duties of their feveral de- 
 partments ; and to the non-commiffioned 
 officers and private foldiers, for their extra- 
 ordinary patience in fufiering as well as their 
 
General George Wqfhingion. 133 
 
 invincible fortitude in^ adlion ; to the va<» 
 rious branches of the army, the general 
 takes this laft and folemn opportunity of 
 profeffing his inviolable attachment and 
 friendfhip. He wifhes more than bare pro- 
 feffions were in his power, that he was real- 
 ly able to be ufeful to them all in future 
 life. — He flatters himfelf, they will do him 
 the juftice to believe, that whatever could 
 with propriety be attempted by him, has 
 been done. And being now to conclude 
 thefe his laft public orders, to take his ulti- 
 mate leave in a fliort time, of the military 
 chara<5ler — and bid a final adieu to the ar- 
 mies he has fo long had the honor to com- 
 mand — he can only again offer, in their be- 
 half, his recommendations to their grateful 
 country, and his prayers to the God of ar- 
 mies. May ample juftice be done them 
 here, and may the choiceft of Heaven's fa- 
 vors both here and hereafter, attend thofe, 
 who, under the Divine aufpices, have fecur- 
 ed innumerable bleffings for others ! With 
 thefe wifties and this benedidion, the com- 
 mander in chief is about to retire from fer- 
 vice. The curtain of feparation will foon 
 M 
 
134 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 be drawn — and the military fcene to him 
 will be clofed for ever. 
 
 E. Hand, Adj. Gen. 
 
 TO the preceding addrefs the officers of 
 the part of the army remaining on the banks 
 of the Hudfon, returned a fuitable anfwer j 
 they thanked the commander in chief for 
 the communication of his afFedionate affur- 
 ances of his inviolable attachment and 
 friendfhip ; they assured his Excellen- 
 cy that although as yet his endeavors 
 to enfure to the armies the juft reward 
 of their fervices, had failed of fuccefs, they 
 were convinced that it had arifen from 
 caufes which it was not in his power 
 to control, and fhould the contempla- 
 ted measure never be attained, that their 
 patriotifm jQiould ftill remain uiifhaken : 
 They were happy in the opportunity of con- 
 gratulating his Excellency on the certain 
 conclufion of the DiiFiNiTivE treaty of 
 Peace, affuring him, that, relieved at laft 
 from long fufpenfe, their warmeft wifh was 
 to return to the bofom of their country, to 
 refume the charader of citizens ;; and that 
 
General George Wajhingion. 1 35 
 
 it fliould be their higheft ambition to be- 
 come ufeful ones. To his Excellency they 
 were convinced that this great event muft 
 be peculiarly pleafmg ; becaufe, while at 
 the head of the armies, urged by patriotic 
 virtues and magnanimity, he perfevered, 
 under the prelTure of every poflible aifficul- 
 ty and difcouragement, in the purfuit of 
 the great obje6ls of the war — the freedom 
 and fafety of his country ; — his heart pant- 
 ed for the tranquil enjoyments of peace. 
 They concluded with fincere prayers to 
 God, long to beftow happinefs to their 
 commander, and that when he quits the 
 ilage of human life, he may receive from 
 the unerring Judge, the rewards of valor 
 exerted to fave the oppreiTed, of patriotifm 
 and dilinterefted virtue. 
 
 On the 25th of I^ovember, 1783, New- 
 York was evacuated by the Britifh army ; 
 fame day the American army marched in, 
 and took pofleilion of the city ; after which 
 General Wafhington and the governor 
 made their public entry. The arrangement 
 and whole condud of the march and the 
 tranquillity which fucceeded it through the 
 
1 36 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 day and night, was admirable ! and the 
 grateful citizens, feeling the moft affe6lion- 
 ate impreflions from the elegant and effi- 
 cient difpofition which prevailed through 
 the whole event, on their returning from 
 exile, addreffed his excellency the comman- 
 der in chief in behalf of themfelves and 
 their fufFering brethren, looking up to him 
 with'unufual joy : they welcomed him to 
 the city, long torn from them by the hand 
 of oppreffion, but which by his wifdom, un- 
 der the guidance of Providence, had again 
 been rendered the feat of peace and free- 
 dom : they alTured him that they would 
 preferve, to the laft, their gratitude for his 
 fervices and veneration for his character, 
 and required him " to accept their fincere 
 and earneft wiflies, that he may long enjoy 
 that calm domeftic felicity, which he had 
 fo generally facrificed ; that the cries of in- 
 jured liberty may never more interrupt his 
 repofe ; and that his happiness may be e- 
 qual to his virtues." 
 
 Previous to General Wafhington's leav- 
 ing New- York, on the 6th of December, 
 the principal officers of the army Uien ia 
 
General George Wajhington, 137 
 
 the city, aflembled at Frances' tavern, to 
 take a final leave of their illuflrious and 
 much loved commander. The paflions of 
 human nature v^-ere never more tenderly 
 agitated than in this interefting fcene. His 
 Excellency having filled a glafs of wine, 
 thus addreffed his brave fellow foldiers : — 
 
 " With a heart full of love and gratitude I 
 710W take leave of you : I moji devoutly wifh 
 that your latter days may be as profperous and 
 happy ^ as your former ones have been glorious and 
 honorable,^' 
 
 Thefe words produced extreme fenfitili- 
 ty on both fides : they were anfwered by 
 warm expreffions, and fervent wifties, from 
 the gentlemen of the army, whofe truly 
 pathetic feelings, it is not in our power to 
 convey to the reader. Soon after this 
 fcene was clofed, the Governor, the council 
 and citizens of the firft diflinclion waited 
 on the General, and in terms the moft affec- 
 tionate, took their leave — The corps of 
 Light Infantry was drawn up in a Ime, and 
 the Commander in Chief pafTed through 
 them on his way to White hall, where he 
 embarked in his barge for Powles Hook, 
 M 2 
 
138 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 from whence he proceeded to Philadelphia, 
 where he m^.de a fliort flay. Here he de- 
 livered to the Comptroller of the public 
 Treafury an account of the expenditure of 
 all the public money which he had receiv- 
 ed daring the war ; by which it appeared 
 that the whole fum which had gone through 
 his hands only amou ated to fourteen thou- 
 fand four hundred and feventy-nine pounds, 
 eighteen fhiilings and ninepence fterling, a- 
 bout iixty-four thouCand three hundred and 
 fitt) dollars, nearly one hu ndred and fifty 
 dollars per week. 
 
 From Philadelphia he proceeded to An- 
 apolis where the Congrefs was then fitting, 
 and having obtained leave, he terminated 
 his military career, and refigned his com- 
 miffion on the 2Sd of December : upon this 
 occafion he delivered the following fhort 
 and pathetic addrefs, viz. 
 
 General Washington's Address. 
 To Congress on the Resignation of his Commis* 
 
 sion. 
 " Mr* President^ 
 
 « THE great events on which my refig- 
 nation depended, having at length taken 
 
General George Wajhington. 1 39 
 
 place, I have now the honor of offering my 
 fincere congratulations to Congrefs, and of 
 prefenting myfelf before them, to furrender 
 into their hands the truft committed to me 
 and to claim the indulgence of retiring 
 from the fervice of my country. 
 
 " Happy in the confirmation of our in- 
 dependence and fovereignty, and pleafed 
 with the opportunity afforded the United 
 States of becoming a refpeclable nation — 
 I refign, with fatisfaclion, the appointment 
 I accepted with diffidence, a diffidence in 
 my abiUties to accomplifh fo arduous a tafk, 
 which howevf^r, was fuperceded by a confi- 
 dence in the reditude of our caufe, the fup- 
 porX. of the fupreme power of the union, 
 and the patronage of Heaven. 
 
 " The fuccefsful termination of the war 
 has verified the moft fanguine expecta- 
 tions ; and my gratitude for the interpofi- 
 tion of Providence, and the affiflance I hav^e 
 received from my countrymen, increafes 
 with every review of the momentous con- 
 teft. 
 
 " While I repeat my obligations to the 
 army in general, I fliould do. injuftice to my 
 
140 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 own feelings not to acknowledge, In this 
 place, the peculiar fervices and diftinguifli- 
 ed merits of the gentlemen who have been 
 attached to my perfon during the war. It 
 was impoffible the choice of confidential of- 
 ficers to compofe my family fliould be more 
 fortunate \ permit me, fir, to recommend 
 in particular thofe who have continued in 
 the fervice to the prefent moment, as wor- 
 thy the favorable notice and patronage of 
 Congrefs. 
 
 " I confider it as an indifpenfable duty to 
 clofe this laft folemn act of my official life, 
 by commending the interefi:s of our deareft 
 country to the protection of Almighty 
 God, and thofe who have the fuperintend- 
 ance of them to his holy keeping. 
 
 *-' Having now finifhed the work afiigned 
 me, I retire from the great theatre of ac- 
 tion : and bidding an affeCbionate farewell 
 to this auguft body, under whofe orders I 
 have fo long acted, I here ofi'er my com- 
 mifiion, and take my leave of ail the em- 
 ployments of public life. 
 
 G. WASHINGTON." 
 City cf Annapolis^ Dec. 23, 17S3. 
 
General George Wajhingion, 141 
 
 answer of congress. 
 Sir, 
 
 THE United States in Congrefs affem- 
 bled, receive, with emotions too affecting 
 for utterance, the folemn refignation of the 
 authorities under which you have led their 
 troops with fuccefs, through a perilous and 
 doubtful war. 
 
 "^ Called upon by your country to de- 
 fend its invaded rights, you accepted the fa- 
 cred charge before it had formed alliances, 
 and whilft it was without funds or a gov- 
 ernment to fupport you. 
 
 " You have conHucled the great military 
 conteft with wifdom and fortitude, invaria- 
 bly regarding the rights of the civil power, 
 through all difafters and changes ; you 
 have, by the love and confidence of your 
 feilowcitizens, enabled them to difplay 
 their martial genius, and tranfmit their 
 fame to poflerity ; you have perfevered, 
 till thefe United States, aided by a magnan- 
 imous king and nation, have been enabled 
 under a jufl Providence, to clofe the war in 
 freedom, iafety, and independence ; on 
 
142 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 which happy event, we lincerely join yo]il 
 in congratulations. 
 
 '^ Having defended the ftandard of liberty 
 in this new world — having taught a leff ju 
 ufeful to thofe who infiict, and to thofe 
 who feel opprefiion — you retire from the 
 great theatre of adion, with the blefllng of 
 your fellow citizens ; but the glory of your 
 virtues will not terminate with your milita- 
 ry command 5 it will continue to animate 
 remoteil ages. We feel, with you, our ob- 
 ligations to the army in general, and will 
 particularly charge ourfelves with the in- 
 terefts of thofe confidential officers, who 
 have attended your perfon to this afFeding 
 moment. 
 
 " We join you in commending the inter- 
 efts of our deareft country to the protection 
 of Almighty God, befeeching him to dif- 
 pofe the hearts and minds of its citizens to 
 improve the opportunity afforded them of 
 becoming a happy and refpeciable nation ; 
 and for you, we addrefs to him our earnefl 
 prayers, that a life fo beloved may be fos- 
 tered with all his care ; that your days 
 may be as happy as they have been illuftri- 
 
General George Wajhingion. 143 
 
 ous ; and that he will finally give you that 
 reward which the world cannot give." 
 
 With thefe becoming fentiments. Gen. 
 Wafhington retired from the toils of war 
 to enjoy in private the rural pleafures of 
 Mount Vernon, carrying with him the 
 thanks and blefiings of a grateful people, 
 emulating the example of the virtuous Ro- 
 man General,* who, victorious, left the ten- 
 ted field, covered with honor, and with- 
 drew from public life. 
 
 No perfon who had not the advantage 
 o^being prefent when he received the in- 
 telligence of peace, and who did not accom- 
 pany him to his domeftic retirement, can 
 defcribe the relief vt^hich that joyful event 
 brought to his laboring mind, or the fu- 
 preme fatisfa(5lion with which he withdrew 
 to private life. From his triumphal entry 
 into New- York, upon the evacuation of 
 that city by the Britifli army, to his arrival 
 at Mount Vernon, after the refignation of 
 
 * Cincinnatus. 
 
14)4} Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 his commiiTion to Congrefs, feftive crowds 
 impeded his paffage through all the popu- 
 lous towns : the devotion of the whole 
 people purfued him, with prayers to Hea- 
 ven for bleffings on his head, while their 
 gratitude fought the moll expreffive lan- 
 guage of manifefting itfelf to him as their 
 common father and benefactor. When he 
 became a private citizen he had the unufual 
 felicity to find that his native ftate was a- 
 mong the moft zealous in doing juflice to 
 his merits ; and that ftronger demonftra- 
 tions of afFe61:ionate efteem (ifpolTible) were 
 given by the citizens of his neighborhood, 
 than by any other defcription of men on 
 the continent. As he always refufed to ac- 
 cept any pecuniary compenfation for his 
 public fervices, or provifion for the aug- 
 mented expenfes which he muft have in- 
 curred in confequence of his public employ, 
 ment, no falary was ever annexed by Con- 
 grefs to his important command, and he 
 only drew weekly for the expenfes of his 
 public table and other neceffary demands, 
 although propofals have been made in the 
 moft delicate manner, particularly by the 
 
General George Wajhingion. 145 
 
 ftates of Virginia and Pennfylvania. His 
 conducl in this particular is noble and mag- 
 nanimous, and exhibits to the world an un- 
 deniable evidence of felf-difintereilednefs, of 
 the purity of his motives and integrity of 
 his heart. His anfwer to the Governor of 
 Virginia, declining the acceptance of a pre- 
 fent from that State, is fo charaderiftic of 
 his whole public conduct, that we are indu- 
 ced to give it in his own words, as we are 
 convinced it will prove acceptable to his 
 admirers. 
 
 LETTER, 
 
 From hts Excellency General Wajhingion^ to the 
 Governor of Virginia^ declining the accept^ 
 ance of fifty jhares in the companies for open^ 
 ing the navigation of James and Potomac 
 rivers, which had been vefied in him by aa 
 of the Legiflature of that commonwealth, as a 
 fmall acknowledgment of his merits afidfer* 
 vices* 
 
 " Your Excellency having been pleafed 
 to tranfmit to me a copy of the aft appro- 
 N 
 
1 46 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 priating to my benefit, certain fliares in the 
 compaPiies for opening the navigation of 
 James and Potomac rivers, 1 take the liber- 
 ty of returning to the alTembly, through 
 your hands, the profound and grateful ac- 
 knowledgments, infpired by fo fignal a 
 mark of their beneficent intentions towards 
 me. I beg you, fir, to affure them, that I 
 am filled on this occafion with every fenti- 
 ment which can flow from a heart warm 
 with love for my country — fenfible to eve- 
 ry token of its approbaton and afFeclion, 
 and felicitous to tefl:ify, in every infiance, a 
 refpedfui fubmifiion to its wnfhes. With 
 thefe fentiments in my bofom, I need not 
 dwell on the anxiety I feel, in being obli- 
 ged in this inftance, to decline a favor, 
 which is rendered no lefs flattering by the 
 manner in which it is conveyed, than it is 
 affedionate in itfelf. In explaining this ob- 
 ligation I pafs over a comparifon of my en- 
 deavors in the public fervice, with the ma- 
 ny honorable teftimonies of approbation 
 which have already fo far over-rated and o- 
 ver paid them — reciting one confideration 
 only, which fupercedes the necefllty of re- 
 
General George Wajhington. 147 
 
 curring to every other. When I was firft 
 called to the flation with which I was hon- 
 ored during the late conflict for our liber- 
 ties y to the diffidence which I had fo many 
 reafons to feel in accepting it, I thought it 
 jny duty to join a firm resolution to 
 
 SHUT MY HAND AGAINST EVERY PECUNIA- 
 RY RECOMPENCE. To this rcfolutiou I 
 have inviolably adhered ; and from this 
 refolution (if I had the inclination) I do not 
 confider myfelf at liberty to depart. Whilft 
 I repeat, therefore, my fervent acknowl- 
 edgments to the legiflature for their very 
 kind fentiments and intentions in my fa- 
 vor, and at the fame time beg them to be 
 perfuaded that a remembrance of this An- 
 gular proof of goodnefs towards me, will 
 never ceafe to cherifh returns of the warm- 
 eft affection and gratitude ; I muft pray 
 that their acl, fo far as it has for its objedl: 
 my perfonal emolument, may not have its 
 effecl. But if it fhould pleafe the general 
 affembly to permit me to turn the deftina^ 
 tion of the fund vefted in me from my pri- 
 vate emolument to objects of a pubUc na- 
 ture, it will be my ftudy, in felecling thefe, 
 
148 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 to prove the fincerity of my gratitude, by 
 preferring fuch as may appear moft fubfer- 
 vient to the enlightened and patriotic views 
 of the legiflature. I am, &c. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON.'^ 
 
 Upon this requeft, the legiflature of Vir- 
 ginia repealed fo much of the ad referred 
 to as related to the veiling the above 
 mentioned fhares in General Wafhington 
 and heirs,and enaded that the Ihares and 
 profits accruing therefrom, Ihould Hand ap- 
 propriated to fuch objeds of a public nature 
 as his Excellency Ihould dired and appoint. 
 Sometime afterwards, General Wafhington 
 applied thefe fhares of the canal company 
 to the ereclion and eftabliftiment of two 
 feminaries of learning in Virginia, which 
 were accomplifhed under his immediate di- 
 redion. 
 
 Although the enlarged mind of general 
 Wafhington felt fuperior to fuch confidera- 
 tions, and nobly refufed any recompence for 
 himfelf, yet he eloquently, though unfuc- 
 cefsfully, pleaded the caufe of his fellow-fol- 
 
General George Wajhington. 149 
 
 diers, and other public creditors. He con- 
 fidered himfelf as pledged to the army that 
 their country would do them ample juftice, 
 in rewarding them for their glorious fervi- 
 ces, exercifed in its defence, and finally 
 crowned by the complete eftablifliment of 
 its liberty and independence. He could 
 forefee the evils which were to follow if a 
 regular and efficient revenue fyftem was not 
 purfued : — To efFed thefe purpofes, and to 
 inculcate the neceffity of union, juftice, fub- 
 ordination, and of fuch principles and prac- 
 tices as the new iituation of his country re- 
 quired, he publiflied his parting advice to 
 his countrymen, in the following eloquent 
 and circular letter, addrefl'ed to the gover- 
 nors of the individual States, viz. 
 
 A CIRCULAR LETTER 
 
 From his Excellency General George Wajhing-^ 
 ton^ Qom?nander in Chief of the Armies of the 
 United States of America^ to the Governors of 
 the fever al States. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 THE great objeft for which I had the 
 honor to bold an appointment in the fer- 
 N 2 
 
150 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 vice of my country, being accompliflied, I 
 am now preparing to rifign it into the hands 
 of Congref$, and return to that domeftic 
 retirement, which, it is well known, I left 
 with the greateft reludance ; a retirement 
 for which I have n^ver ceafed to figh 
 through a long and painful abfence, in 
 which (remote from the noife and trouble 
 of the world) I meditate to pafs the remain- 
 der of life in a flate of undifturbed repofe : 
 but, before I carry this refolution into efFed:, 
 I think it a duty incumbent on me to make 
 this my laft official communication, to con- 
 gratulate you on the glorious events which 
 Heaven has been pleafed to produce in our 
 favor, to offer my fentiments refpeding 
 fome important fubje<^s, which appear to 
 me to be intimately connected with the 
 tranquillity of the United States, to take 
 my leave of your Excellency as a public 
 character, and to give my final bleffmg to 
 that country in whofe fervice I have fpent 
 the prime of my life ; for whofe fake I have 
 confuvned fo many anxious days and watch- 
 ful nights : and whofe happinefs, being ex- 
 
General George WaJhmgio72, 151 
 
 tremely dear to me, will always conflitute 
 no inconiiderable part of my own. 
 
 Impreffed with the livelieft fenfibility on 
 tfeis plealing occafion, I will claim the indul- 
 gence of dilating the more copioufly on the 
 iubjedl of our mutual felicitation. When 
 we confider the magnitudeof the prize we 
 contended for, the doubtful nature of the 
 conteft, and the favorable manner in which 
 it has terminated ; we fhall find the great- 
 eft poflible reafon for gratitude and rejoi- 
 cing : this is a theme that will afford infi- 
 nite delight to every benevolent and liberal 
 mind, whether the event in contemplation 
 be confidered as a fource of prefent enjoy- 
 ment, or the parent of future happinefs : 
 and we fhall have equal occafion to felici- 
 tate ourfelves on the lot which Providence 
 has afligned us, whether we view it in a 
 natural, a political, or a moral point of 
 view. 
 
 The citizens of America, placed in the 
 moft enviable condition, as the fole lords 
 and proprietors of a vaft tract of continent, 
 comprehending all the various foils and cli- 
 mates of the world, and^ abounding with 
 
152 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 all the iieceffaries and conveniences of life, 
 are now, by the late fatisfadory pacifica- 
 tion, acknowledged to be polfeffed of abfo- 
 lute freedom and independency ; they are 
 from this period to be confidered as the ac- 
 tors on a moft confpicuous theatre, which 
 feems to be peculiarly defigned by Provi- 
 dence for the difplay of human greatnefs 
 and felicity ; here they are not only fur- 
 rounded with every thing that can contri- 
 bute to the completion of private and do- 
 meftic enjoyment, but Heaven has crowned 
 all its other bleffings, by giving a furer op- 
 portunity for political happinefs than any 
 other nation has ever been favored with. 
 Nothing can illuilrate thefe obfervations 
 more forcibly than the recolle(5lion ©f the 
 happy conjundure of times and circumftan- 
 ces, under which our Republic affumed its 
 rank among the nations. The foundation 
 of our empire was not laid in a gloomy age 
 of ignorance and fuperftition, but at an e- 
 pocha when the rights of mankind were 
 better underftood and more clearly defin- 
 ed, than at any former period : refearches 
 of the human mind after fociai happinefs 
 
General George Wajhington. 15s 
 
 have been carried to a great extent : the 
 treafures of knowledge acquired by the la- 
 bors of philofophers, fagg^ and legiflators 
 through a long fuccellion of years, are laid 
 open for ufe, and their collefted wifdom 
 may be happily appHed in the eftablifli- 
 ment of our forms of government : the 
 free cultivation of letters, the unbounded 
 extenfion of commerce, the prrgreffive re- 
 finement of manners, the growing liberali- 
 ty of fentiment, and above all, the pure and 
 benign light of revelation, have had a mel- 
 iorating influence on mankind, and increaf- 
 ed the bleilings of fociety. At this aufpi- 
 cious period the United States came into 
 exiftence as a nation, and if her citizens 
 fhould not be completely free and happy, 
 the fault will be entirely their own. 1 
 
 Such is our fituation, and fuch are our 
 profpecls : but notwithflanding the cup of 
 bleffingis thus reached out to us — notwith- 
 flanding happinefs is ours, if we have a dif- 
 pofition to feize the occafion, and make it 
 our own ; yet it appears to me, there is an 
 option flill left to the United States of A- 
 merica, whether they will be refpeftable 
 
154 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and profperous, or contemptible and mifer- 
 able as a nation. This is the time of their 
 political probation ; this is the moment, 
 when the eyes of the world are turned up- 
 on them ; this is the time to eflabhfh or 
 ruin their national charadler forever ; this 
 is the fovorable moment to give fuch a tone 
 to the Federal Government, as will enable 
 it to anfwer the ends of its inftitution ; or 
 this may be the ill-fated moment for relax- 
 ing the powers of the Union, annihilating 
 the cement of the Confederation, and ex- 
 pofe us to become the (port of European 
 politics, which may play one State againft 
 another, to prevent their growing impor- 
 tance, and to ferve their own interefted 
 purpofes. For, according to the fyftem of 
 policy the States ftiall adopt at this mo- 
 ment, they will ftand or fall ; and, by their 
 confirmation or lapfe, it is yet to be deci- 
 ded, whether the revolution muft ultimate- 
 ly be confidered as a bleffing or a curfe, 
 not to the prefent age alone, for with our 
 fate will the deftiny of unborn millions be 
 involved. 
 
 With this convidion of the importance 
 
General George Wajhington. \55 
 
 of the prefent criiis, lilence in me would be 
 a crime. I vviii therefore fpeak to your Ex- 
 cellency the language of freedom and iin- 
 cerity, without difguife. I am aware, how- 
 ever, thofe who differ from me in political 
 fentiments, may perhaps remark I am flep- 
 ping out of the proper line of my duty; 
 and they may poilibly afcribe to arrogance 
 and to oftentation, whati know is the refult 
 of the pureft intention ; but the rectitude of 
 my own heart, which difdains fuch unwor- 
 thy motives — the part I have hitherto ad- 
 ed in life — the determination I have form- 
 ed of not taking any fhare in public bufi- 
 nefs hereafter— the ardent defire I feel and 
 fliall continue to manifeft, of quietly enjoy- 
 ing in private life, after all the toils of war, 
 the benefits of a wife and liberal govern- 
 ment — will, I flatter myfelf, fooner or later, 
 convince my countrymen, that I could have 
 no flnifler views in delivering, with fo lit- 
 tle referve, tne opinions contained in this 
 addrefs. 
 
 There are four things which I humbly 
 conceive are effential to the well-being, \ 
 may even venture to fay to the exiftence of 
 
156 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 the United States, as an independent pow- 
 er. 
 
 1st. an indiflbluble union of the States un- 
 der one federal head. 
 
 2dly. A facred regard to public juflice. 
 
 3dly. The adoption of a proper peace es- 
 tabliftiment. And, 
 
 4thly. The prevalence of that pacific and 
 friendly difpofition among the people of the 
 United States, which will induce them to 
 forget their local prejudices and policies, 
 to make thofe mutual conceffions which are 
 requifite to the general profperlty, and, in 
 feme inilances, to facrifice their individual 
 advantages to the intereft of the communi- 
 ty. 
 
 Thefe are the pillars on which the glori- 
 ous fabric of our independency and nation- 
 al charader muft be fupported. Liberty is 
 the bafis, and whoever would dare to fap 
 the foundation, or overturn the flrudure, 
 under whatever fpecious pretext he may 
 attempt it, will merit the bittereft execra- 
 tion andfevereft pu .iftiment which can be 
 inflicted by his injured country. 
 
 On the three firjH articles I will coake a 
 
General George Wajhington, 157 
 
 few obfervations, leaving the laft to the 
 good fenfe and ferious conllderation of thofe 
 immediately concerned. 
 
 Under the firft head, although it may not 
 be necelTary or proper for me, in this place, 
 to enter into a particular difquifition of the 
 'principles of the union, and to take up the 
 great queftion which has been frequently 
 agitated, whether it be expedient and req- 
 uifite for the States to delegate a large pro- 
 portion of power to Congrefs, or not : yet 
 it will be a part of my duty, and that of ev- 
 ery true patriot, to affert, without referve, 
 and to infift upon the following pofitions. 
 That unlefs the States will fufFer Congrefs 
 to exercife thofe prerogatives they are un- 
 doubtedly invefted with by the conftitution, 
 every thing muft very rapidly tend to an- 
 archy and confulion, — That it is indifpenfi- 
 ble to the happinefs of the individual States, 
 that ther^ fhould be lodged, fomewhere, a 
 fupreme power, to regulate and govern the 
 general concerns of the confederated re- 
 public, without which the union cannot be 
 of long duration. — That there muft be a 
 
 faithful and pointed compliance on the 
 O 
 
1 58 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 part of every State, with the late propofals 
 and demands of Congrefs, or the moft fatal 
 confequences will enfue — That whatever 
 meafures have a tendency to diffolve the u- 
 nion, or contribute to violate or leffen the 
 fovereign authority, ought to be confider- 
 ed as hoftile to the liberty and independen- 
 cy of America, and the authors of them 
 treated accordingly. — And laftly, that unlefs 
 we can be enabled by the concurrence ot 
 the States to participate of the fruits of the 
 revolution, and enjoy the effential benefits 
 of civil fociety, under a form of govern- 
 ment fo free and uncorrupted, fo happily 
 guarded againft the danger of oppreflion, as 
 has been devifed and adopted by the arti- 
 cles of confederation, it will be a fubjed of 
 regret, that fo much blood and treafure have 
 been lavifhed for no purpofe ; that fo many 
 fufferings have been encountered without a 
 compenfation, and that fo many facrifices 
 have been made in vain. Many other con- 
 fiderations might here be adduced to prove, 
 that without an entire conformity to the 
 fpirit of the Union, we cannot exift as an 
 independent power. It will be fufficient 
 
General George Wajhlngton. 159 
 
 for my purpofe to mention but one or two, 
 which feem to me of the great eft impor- 
 tance. It is only in our united character, as 
 an empire, that our independence is ac- 
 knowledged that our power can be regard- 
 ed, or our credit fupported am.ong foreign 
 nations. The treaties of the European 
 powers, with the United States of America, 
 will have no validity on the diflblution of 
 the Union. We Ihall be left nearly in a 
 ftate of nature ; or we may find, by our 
 own unhappy experience, that there is a 
 natural and necelTary progreflion from the 
 extreme of anarchy to the extreme of ty- 
 ranny ; and that arbitrary power is moft ea- 
 fily eftablilhed on the ruins of liberty abu- 
 fed to licentiousnefs. 
 
 As to the fecond article, which refpeds 
 the performance of public juftice, Congrefs 
 in their late Addrefs to the United States, 
 almofl exhaufted the fubjed ; they have 
 explained their ideas fo fully, and have en- 
 forced the obligations the States are under 
 to render complete juftice to all the public 
 creditors, with fo much dignity and energy, 
 that in my opinion, no real friend to the hon- 
 
1 60 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 or and independency of America can hefitate 
 a fingle moment refpeding the propriety of 
 complying With the juil: and honorable mea« 
 fures propofed. If their arguments do not 
 produce conviction, I know of nothing that 
 will have greater influence, efpecially when 
 we refled that the fyftem referred to, being 
 the refult of the collected wifdom of the con- 
 tinent, mud be efleemed, if not perfect, cer- 
 tainly the leaft objectionable of any that 
 could be devifed ; and that if it Ihould not 
 be carried into immediate execution, a na- 
 tional bankruptcy, with all its deplorable 
 confequences, will take place, before any 
 different plan can poffibly be propofed or 
 adopted ; fo prefling are the prefent cir- 
 cumiiances, and fuch is the alternative now 
 offered to the States. 
 
 'I he ability of the country to difcharge 
 the debts which have been incurred in its 
 defence, is not to be doubted. An inclina- 
 tion, I flatter myfelf, will not be wanting ; 
 the path of our duty is plain before us ; 
 honefly will be found, on every experi- 
 ment, to be the beft and only true policy. 
 Let us then, as a nation, be jufl ; let us ful- 
 
General George Wqfhingim, 161 
 
 fil the public contrafts which Congrefs had 
 unduubtedly a right to make for the pur- 
 pofe of carrying on the war, with the fame 
 good faith we fuppofe ourfelves bound to 
 perform our private engagements. In the 
 mean time let an attention to the cheerful 
 performance of their proper bufinefs, as in- 
 dividuals, and as members of fociety, be 
 earneftly inculcated on the citizens of A- 
 merica ; then will they ftrengthen the bands 
 of government, and be happy under its pro- 
 tection. Every one will reap the fruit of 
 his labors \ every one will enjoy his own 
 acquilitions, without moleflation and with- 
 out danger. 
 
 In this ftate of abfolute freedom and per- 
 feet fecurity, who will grudge to yield a 
 very little of his property to fupport the 
 common interefts of fociety, and enfure the 
 protection of government ? Who does not 
 remember the frequent declarations at the 
 commencement of the war, that we fliould 
 be completely fatisfied, if at the expence of 
 one half, we could defend the remainder of 
 our poffeffions ? Where is the man to be 
 found, who wilhes to remain indebted for 
 
 O 2 
 
162 Biogmphical Memoirs of 
 
 the defence of his own perfon and property 
 to the exertions, bravery, and the blood of 
 others, without making one generous effort 
 to pay the debt of honor and of gratitude ? 
 In what part of the continent fhall we find 
 any man, or body of men, who would not 
 blufh to ftand up, and propofe meafures, 
 purpofely calculated to rob the foldier of 
 his flipend, and the public creditor of his 
 due ? And were it poflible that fuch a fla- 
 grant inflance of injuftice could ever hap- 
 pen, would it not excite the general indig- 
 nation, and tend to bring down, upon the 
 authors of fuch meafures, the aggravated 
 vengeance of Heaven ? If after all, a fpirit 
 of difunion, or a temper of obflinacy and 
 perverfenefs fliould manifeft itfelf in any of 
 the States ; if fuch an ungracious difpofi- 
 tion fhould attempt to fruflrate all the hap- 
 py effects that might be expeded to flow 
 from the union ; if there fhould be a refu- 
 fal to comply with the requifitions for 
 funds to difcharge the annual interefl of the 
 public debts, and if that refufal fhould re- 
 vive all thofe jealoufiesj and produce all 
 thofe evils which are »^w happily removed 
 
General George Wajhingtoru 163 
 
 — Congrefs, who have, in all their tran- 
 fa<5i:ions, (hewn a great degree of magnan- 
 imity and juftice, will ftand juftified in the 
 light of God and man ! And that (late a- 
 lone, which puts itfelf in oppofition to the 
 aggregate wifdom of the continent, and fol- 
 lows fuch miftaken and pernicious coufels, 
 will be refponfible for all the confequences. 
 For my own part, confcious of having 
 acted, while a fervant of the public, in the 
 manner I conceived befl fuited to promote 
 the real interefts of my country ; having in 
 confequence of my fixed belief, in fome 
 me^fure, pledged myfelf to the army, that 
 their country would finally do them com- 
 plete and ample juftice, and not willing to 
 conceal any inftance of my official condud 
 from the eyes of the world, I have thought 
 proper to tranfmit to your Excellency 
 the enclofed collecllon of papers, relative 
 to the half pay and commutation granted 
 by Congrefs to the officers of the army : 
 from thefe communications, my decided 
 fentiment will be clearly comprehended, to- 
 gether with the conclufive reafons, which 
 induced me, at an early period, to recom- 
 
164 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 mend the adoption of this measure in the 
 moft earneft and ferious manner. As the 
 proceedings of Congrels, the army, and 
 myfelf, are open to all, and contain in my 
 opinion, fufficient information to remove 
 the prejudice and errors which may have 
 been entertained by any, I think it unnecef- 
 fary to fay any thing more, than juft to ob- 
 ferve, that the refolutions of Congrefs, now 
 alluded to, are as undoubtedly and abfolute- 
 ly binding upon the United States, as the 
 moft folemn ad: of confederation or legif- 
 lation. 
 
 As to the idea, which, I am informed, 
 has in fome inftances prevailed, that the 
 half pay and commutation are to be regar- 
 ded merely in the odious light of a penfion, 
 it ought to be exploded forever : that pro- 
 vifion fhould be viewed as it really was, a 
 reafonable compenfation offered by Con- 
 grefs, at a time when they had nothing elfe 
 to give to of&cers of the army, for fervices 
 then to be performed : it was the only 
 means to prevent a total dereliction of the 
 fervices ; it was a part of their hire. I may 
 be allowed to fay, it was the price of their 
 
General George Wajhirigton, 1 Q5 
 
 blood, and of your independency ; it is 
 therefore more than a common debt, it is a 
 debt of honor ; it can never be conlidered 
 as a penfion or gratuity, nor cancelled until 
 it is fairly difcharged. 
 
 With regard to rhe diftincllon between 
 officers and foldiers, it is fufficient that the 
 uniform experience of every nation of the 
 world, combined with our own, proves the 
 utility and propriety of the difcrimination. 
 Rewards in proportion to the aid the public 
 draws from them, are unquellionably due 
 to all its fervants. In fome lines the fol- 
 diers have, perhaps, generally, bad as ample 
 compenfation for their fervices, by the large 
 bounties which have been paid them, as 
 their officers will receive in the propofed 
 commutation ; in others, if befides the do- 
 nation of land, the payment of arrearages of 
 clothing and wages (in which articles all the 
 component parts of the army muft be put 
 upon the fame footing) we take into the 
 eftimate, the bounties many of the foldiers 
 have received, and the gratuity of one 
 year'a full pay, which is promifed to all, 
 poffibiy their fituation (every circumftance 
 
1 66 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 being duly confidered) will not be deemed 
 lefs eligible than that of the officers. 
 
 Should a farther reward, however, be 
 judged equitable, I will venture to affert, no 
 man will enjoy greater fatisfaclion than my- 
 felf, in an exemption from taxes for a Hm- 
 ited time (which has been petitioned for in 
 fome inftances) or any other adequate im- 
 munity or compenfation granted to the 
 brave defenders of their country's caufe : 
 but neither the adoption or rejedion of this 
 propofition will in any manner affecl, much 
 lefs militate againil the ad of Congrefs, by 
 which they have oifered five years full pay, 
 in lieu of the half- pay for life, which have 
 been before promifed to the officers of the 
 army. 
 
 Before I conclude the fubjecl on public 
 juftice, I cannot omit to mention the obli- 
 gations this country is under to that meri- 
 torious clafs of veterans, the non-commif- 
 fioned officers and privates, who have been 
 difcharged for inability, in confequence of 
 the refolution of Congrefs, of the 23d of 
 April, 1782, on an annual penfion for life. 
 Their peculiar fufferings, their fmgular 
 
Gen era! George Wajhlngion. 167 
 
 merits and claims to that provifion need 
 only to be known, to intereft the feelings 
 of humanity in their behalf. Nothing but 
 a pundual payment of their annual allow- 
 ance can refcue them from the moft com- 
 plicated mifery ; and nothing could be a 
 more melancholy and diftreffing fight, than 
 to behold thofe who have flied their blood, 
 or loft their limbs in the fervice of their 
 country, without a flielter, without a friend, 
 and without the means of obtaining any of 
 the comforts or neceffaries of life, compel- 
 led to beg their daily bread from door to 
 door. Suffer me to recommend thofe of 
 this defcription belonging to your State, to 
 the warmeft patronage of your Excellency 
 and your legiflature. 
 
 It is neceffary to fay but few words on 
 the third topic which was propofed, and 
 which regards particularly the defence of 
 the republic. As there can be little doubt 
 but Congrefs will recommend a proper 
 peace eftablifhment for the United States, 
 in which a due attention will be paid to the 
 importance of placing the militia of the u- 
 nion upon a regular and refpedable foot- 
 
168 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ing ; If this fhould be the cafe, I fliould beg 
 leave to urge the great advantage of it in the 
 ftrongeft terms. 
 
 The militia of this country muft be con- 
 lidered as the palladium of our (ecurity, and 
 the firft effectual refort in cafe of hoflility : 
 it is elfential, therefore, that the fame fys- 
 tem fliould pervade the whole ; that the 
 formation and difcipline of the militia of 
 the continent fhould be abfolutely uniform ; 
 and that the fame fpecies of arms, accou- 
 trements, and military apparatus, fhould 
 be introduced into every part of the United 
 States. No one, who has not learned it 
 from experience, can conceive the diiEcul- 
 ty, expenfe, and confufion which refult 
 from a contrary fyflem, or the vague ar- 
 rangements which have hitherto prevailed. 
 
 If, in treating of political points, a great- 
 er latitude than ufual has been taken in the 
 courfe of the Addrefs, the importance of 
 the crifis, and the magnitude of the objeds 
 in difcuflion, mufl be my apology : It is 
 however, neither my wifh nor expectation, 
 that the preceding obfervations fhould 
 claim any regard, except fo far as tliey fliall 
 
General George Wajhingion, 169 
 
 appear to be didated by a good intention ; 
 confonant to the immutable rules of juf- 
 tice 5 calculated to produce a liberal fyftem 
 of policy, and founded on whatever experi« 
 ence may have been acquired by a long and 
 clofe attention to public bufinefs. Here I 
 might fpeak with more confidence, from 
 myadual obfervations ; and if it would 
 not fwell this letter (already too prolix) be- 
 yond the bounds I had prefcribed to myfelf, 
 I could demonftrate to every mind, open to 
 convidion, that in lefs time, and with much 
 lefs expenfe than has been incurred, the 
 war might have been brought to the fame 
 happy conclufion, if the refources of the 
 continent could have been properly called 
 forth; that the diftreffes and difappoint- 
 ments which have very often occurred, 
 have, in too many inflances, refulted more 
 from a want of energy in the continental 
 government, than a deficiency of means in 
 the particular States : That the inefficacy of 
 the meafures, arifing from the want of an 
 adequate authority in the fupreme power, 
 from a partial compliance with the requifi- 
 lions of Congrefs in fome of the States, and 
 P 
 
IVO Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 from a failure of punduality in others, 
 while they tended to damp the zeal of thofe 
 who were more willing to exert them- 
 felves, ferved alfo to accumulate the ex- 
 penfes of the war, and to fruftrate the 
 beft concerted plans ; and that the difcour- 
 agement occalioned by the complicated dif- 
 ficulties and embarraffments, in which our 
 affairs were by this means involved, would 
 have long ago produced the diffolution of 
 an army, lefs patient, lefs virtuous, and lefs 
 perfevering than that which I have had the 
 honor to command. But while I mention 
 thofe things, which are notorious fa&, as 
 the defers of our Federal Conflitution, 
 particularly in the profecution of a war, I 
 beg it may be underftood, that as I have 
 ever taken a pleafure in gratefully acknowl- 
 edging the afliftance and fupp^^rt I have de- 
 rived from every clafs of citizens; fo fhall 
 I always be happy to do juflice to the un- 
 paralleled exertions of the individual States, 
 on many interefling occafions. 
 
 I have thus freely difclofed what I wifhed 
 to make known before I furrendered up my 
 public truft to thofe who committed it to 
 
General George Wajhington, 1 7 1 
 
 me : The tafk is now accompliflied. I now 
 bid adieu to your Excellency, as the Chief 
 Magiftrate of your State ; at the fame time 
 I bid a laft farewell to the cares of office, 
 and all the employments of public life. 
 
 It remains, then, to be my final and only 
 requeft, that your Excellency will commu- 
 nicate thefe fentiments to your legiflature, 
 at their next meeting ; and that they may 
 be confidered as the legacy of one who has 
 ardently wifhed, on all occafions, to be ufe- 
 ful to his country, and who, even in the 
 fliade of retirement, will not fail to implore 
 the Divine benediction upon it. 
 
 I now make it my earneft prayer, that 
 God would have you, and the State over 
 which you prefide, in his holy protection ; 
 that he would incline the hearts of the citi- 
 zens to cultivate a fpirit of fubordination 
 and obedience to government ; to enter- 
 tain a brotherly afFedion and love for one 
 another, for their fellow citizens of the U- 
 nited States at large ; and particularly for 
 their brethren who have feived in the field ; 
 and finally, that he would moft gracioufly 
 be pleafed to difpofe us all to do juftce to 
 
172 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 love mercy, and to demean ourfelves with 
 that charity, humility, and pacific temper 
 of the mind, which were the charaderif- 
 tics of the Divine author of our bleffed reli- 
 gion ; without an humble imitation of 
 whofe example in thefe things, we can ne- 
 ver hope to be a happy nation. 
 
 I have the honor to be, with much es- 
 ileem and refped, Sir, your Excellency's 
 moft obedient and moft humble fervant, 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 General Wafliington having retired from 
 all public employment, now allumed the 
 charader of a private gentleman ; he em- 
 ployed himfelf in improving his farms and 
 plantation, and in cultivating the arts of 
 peace. But in this retreat of happinefs and 
 rural fimplicity, he w^as not fufFered long to 
 
 remain ; it was too foon for ihQ father of A' 
 mertca to leave his infant care, his well- tri- 
 ed virtues were generally and juftly known 
 to his fellow citizens, and their confidence 
 in his judgment, experience and difinter- 
 eded patriotism, was univerfal even to en- 
 thufiafm. Four years had not expired from 
 
General George Wajhingion, 173 
 
 the period at which he refigned his milita- 
 ry^ command, when the voice of his coun- 
 try again called him to its fervice — in the 
 year 1787, he was elected a delegate to the 
 federal convention which met at Philadel- 
 phia to form the new Conftitution, and was 
 chofen prefident thereof. — Whatever differ- 
 ences of fentiment there might have been 
 amongft the citizens with regard to the 
 principle, ftrudure, or adoption of the new 
 conftitution, there appeared but one fenti- 
 ment as to the man who fliould fit at the 
 helm of its adminiflration. General Wafh- 
 ington, after the adoption of the federal 
 conflitution, was, on the 6th of April, 1789, 
 unanimoufly eleded Prefident of the United 
 States — whereupon the citizens teflified 
 with becoming joy, their confidence and 
 approbation at his appointment to the office 
 of chief magiflrate, and innumerable ad- 
 dreffes reiterated his praife, from every 
 part of the union. 
 
 His triumphal entry into Philadelphia on 
 his way to New- York, the feat of govern- 
 ment, to afTume the duties of his important 
 office, merit a minute defcription. Early 
 P 2 
 
174 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 on the morning of the 20th of April, his 
 Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Efq. governor 
 of the State, the Hon. Richard Peters, Efq. 
 Speaker of the legillature of the State, the 
 old city troop of horfe, and another troop 
 from the city, commanded by capt. Bing- 
 ham, waited the arrival of their beloved 
 Wajhington, at the line between the States of 
 Pennfylvania and Delaware, to which place 
 they had proceeded the evening before- 
 
 After paying him the tribute of military 
 honor due to his rank and exalted charac- 
 ter, by proper falutes and otherwife, they 
 efcorted him into Chefter, where they 
 breakfafted, and refted a couple of hours. 
 
 This great and worthy man, finding he 
 could not poffibly elude the parade which 
 neceffarily muft attend manifeftations of joy 
 and afFedion, when difplayed by a grateful 
 people, to their patriot benefactor, ordered 
 his carriages in the rear of the whole line, 
 and mounted an elegant horfe, accompani- 
 ed by the venerable patriot, Charles 
 Thompfon, Efq. and his former aid-de- 
 camp, the celebrated Colonel Humphries 5 
 both of whom werealfoon horfe back* 
 
General George Wajhington. 1*75 
 
 On their way to the city, they were join- 
 ed by detachments from the Chefter and 
 Philadelphia troops of horfe, and alfo by a 
 number of refpedlable citizens, at whofe 
 head was the refpectable Arthur St. Clair, 
 Efq. governor of the Weftern Territory. 
 Thus they proceeded to Gray's ferry, on 
 Schuylkill ; obferving the ftrideft order 
 and regularity during the march. But here 
 fuch a fcene prefented itfelf, that even the 
 pencil of a Raphael could not delineate. 
 
 The bridge was highly decorated with 
 laurel and other evergreens, by Mr. Gray, 
 the ingenious Mr. Peale, and others, and in 
 fuch a ftyle as to difplay uncommon tafte 
 in thefe gentlemen. At each end there 
 were erecled magnificent arches, compofed 
 of laurel, emblematical of the ancient tri- 
 umphal arches, ufed by the Romans, and 
 on each fide of the bridge, a laurel fhrub- 
 bery, which feemed to challenge even na- 
 ture herfelf, for fimplicity, eafe and ele- 
 gance. And as our beloved Washington 
 paffed the bridge, a lad, beautifully orna- 
 mented with fprigs of laurel, affifted by a 
 certain machinery, let drop, above the he- 
 
1^6 Biographical Mefnoirs of 
 
 ro's head, unperceived by him, a civic 
 crown of laurel. There was alfo a very ele- 
 gant difplay of variegated flags on each fide 
 of the bridge, as well as other places, which 
 alternately caught the eye, and filled the 
 fpedator's foul with admiration and de- 
 light. 
 
 But who can defcribe the heart-felt con- 
 gratulations of mere than twenty thoufand 
 free citizens, who lined every fence, field, 
 and avenue between the bridge and the city ? 
 the aged fire, the venerable matron, the 
 blooming virgin, and the ruddy youth, 
 were all emulous in their plaudits — nay, the 
 lifping infant did not withhold its innocent 
 fmile of praife and approbation. 
 
 In fhort, all claflis and defcription of citi- 
 zens difcovered, (and they felt what they 
 difcovered) the m.oft undifguifed attach- 
 ment and unbounded zeal for their dear 
 chief, and I may add, under God, the Sa- 
 viour of their country. Not all the pomp 
 of majefty, not even imperial dignity itfelf, 
 furrounded with its ufual fplendor and 
 magnificence, could equal this interefting 
 fcene. 
 
General George Wajhington. 177 
 
 On approaching near the city, our illuf- 
 trious chief was highly gratified with a fur-> 
 ther military difplay of infantry, and artil- 
 lery who joined in the procefiion, and thou- 
 fands of freemen, whofe hearts burned with 
 patriotic fire, alfo fell into the ranks, almoft 
 every fquare they marched, until the col- 
 umn fwelied beyond credibility itfelf, and 
 having conducted the man of their hearts 
 to the city tavern, he was introduced to a 
 very grand and plentiful banquet, which 
 was prepared for him by the citizens. At 
 dinner, thirteen patriotic toads were drank. 
 The pleafures and feftivity of the day being 
 over, they were fucceeded by a handfome 
 difplay of fire works in the evening y this 
 may give a faint idea of the glorious pro- 
 cefiion, and of the univerfal joy which in- 
 fpired every heart upon this interetiing, 
 this important occafion. 
 
 Having arrived at the feat of govern- 
 ment he delivered the following inaugural 
 addrels to both houfes of Congrefs, viz. 
 
178 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 Inaugural Addrefs of the Prefident of the Uni' 
 ted States to both Houfes of^Qmgrefs, 
 
 GENTLEMEN, 
 
 " Among the viciflitudes incident to 
 life, no event could have filled me with 
 greater anxieties, than that, of which the 
 notification was tranfmitted by your order, 
 and received on the fourteenth day of the 
 prefent months on the one hand, I was 
 fummoned by my country whofe voice I 
 can never hear but with veneration and 
 love, from a retreat which I had chofen 
 with the fondeft predeliction, and, in my 
 flattering hopes, with an immutable decif- 
 ion, as the afylum of my declining years : 
 a retreat w-hich was rendered every day 
 more neceffary, as well as more dear to me 
 by the addition of habit to inclination, and 
 of frequent interruptions in health, to the 
 gradual wafte committed on it by time. On 
 the other hand, the magnitude and difficul- 
 ties of the truft, to which the voice of my 
 country called me, being fufficient to awa- 
 ken in the wifeft and moft experienced of 
 her citizens, a diftruilful fcrutiny into his 
 
General George Wajh'mgion. 179 
 
 qualifications, could not but ovprwhelm 
 with defpondence, one, who, inheriting in- 
 ferior endowments from nature, and un- 
 pra<^ifed in the duties of civil adminiftra- 
 tion, ought to be peculiarly confcious of his 
 own deficiences. In this confliift of emo- 
 tions, all I dare aver, is that it has been my 
 faithful ftudy to collect my duty from a juft 
 appreciation of every circumftance, by 
 which it might be aifedled. All I dare 
 hope, is that if, in executing this tafk, I 
 have been too much fwayed by a grateful 
 remembrance of former inftances, or by 
 an afFedionate fenfibility of this tranfcen- 
 dant proof of the confidence of my fellow 
 citizens — and have thence too little con- 
 fulted my incapacity as well as difincli- 
 nation for the weighty and untried cares 
 before me — my error will be palliated by 
 the motives which miilead me, and its con- 
 fequences be judged by my country, with 
 fome fiiare of the partiality in which they 
 originated. 
 
 " Such being the impreffions under which 
 I have, in obedience to the public fummons, 
 
180 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 repaired to the prefent flation — it would 
 be peculiarly improper to omit in the firft 
 official adl, my fervent fupplications to that 
 Almighty Being who rules over the uni- 
 verfe, who prefides in the councils of na- 
 tions — and whofe providential aids can 
 fupply every human defect, that his bene- 
 diction may confecrate to the liberties and 
 happinefs of the people of the United 
 States, a government inftituted by them- 
 felves for their effential purpofes : and may- 
 enable every inftrument, employed in its 
 adminiftration, to execute with fuccefs the 
 functions allotted to his charge. Tn ten- 
 dering this homage to the great Author of 
 every public and private good, I aflure my- 
 felf that it expreffes your fentiments not 
 lefs than my own, nor thofe of my fellow 
 citizens at large, lefs than either. No peo- 
 ple can be bound to acknowledge and ad- 
 ore the invifible hand, which conduds the 
 affairs of men, more than the people of the 
 United States. Every ftep, by which they 
 have advanced to the character of an inde- 
 pendent nation, feems to have been diftin- 
 guiflied by fome tokens of providential a- 
 
General George Wajhington. 181 
 
 gency. And in the Important revolution 
 jull accomplifhed in the fyflem of their U- 
 nited government, the tranquil delibera- 
 tions and voluntary confent of fo many dif- 
 tind communities, from which the event 
 has refulted, cannot be compared with the 
 means by which moft governments have 
 been eftablifhed, without fome return of pi- 
 ous gratitude, along with an humble antl- 
 cipation of the future bleffings which the 
 paft feem to prefage. Thefe reflections, a- 
 rifing out of the prefent crifis, have forced 
 themfelves too ftrongly on my mind to be 
 fupprefled. You will join me, I trull, in 
 thinking, that there are none under the in- 
 fluence of which the proceedings of a new 
 and free government can more aufpicioufly 
 commence. 
 
 " By the article eftablifliing the execu- 
 tive department, it is made the duty of the 
 Prefident " to recommend to your confid- 
 eration fuch meafures as he fliall judge ne- 
 ceflary and expedient." The circumflances 
 under which I now meet you, will acquit 
 tne from entering into that fubjed, farther 
 tlian to refer to the great conftitutional 
 
182 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 charter under which you are now affem- 
 bled ; and which in defining your powers, 
 defignates the objeds to which your atten- 
 tion is to be given. It will be more confift- 
 entj with thofe circumftances, and far more 
 congenial with the feelings which actuate 
 me, to fubftitute in place of a recommenda- 
 tion of particular meafuies, the tribute that 
 is due to the talents, the reditude, and the 
 patriotifm which adorn the characters fe- 
 le6ted to devife and to adopt them. In 
 thefe qualifications, I behold the fureft 
 pledges, that as, on one fide, no local preju- 
 dices or attachments— no feparate views— | 
 nor party animofities, will mis-dired the 
 comprehenfive and equal eye which ought 
 to watch over this great affemblage of com- 
 munities and interefts : fo, on another, that 
 the foundations of our national policy will 
 be laid in the pure and immutable princi- 
 ples of private morality ; and the pre-emi- 
 nence of|free government,be exemplified by 
 all the attributes which can win the affec- 
 tions of its citizens, and command the re- 
 fped of the world. I dwell on this prof- 
 peCtwith every fatisfaftion which an ar- 
 
General George Wajhington. 1 83 
 
 dent love for my country can infpire ; fince 
 there is no truth nriore thoroughly eftablifti- 
 ed, than that there exifts in the economy 
 and courfe of nature, an indiffoluble union 
 between virtue and happinefs, between du- 
 ty and advantage, between the genuine 
 maxims of an honeft and magnanimous pol- 
 icy, and the folid rewards of public prof- . 
 perity and felicity : fince we ought to be 
 no lefs perfuaded, that the propitious fmiles 
 of Heaven can never be expected on a na- 
 tion that difregards the eternal rules of or- 
 der and right, which Heaven itfelf hath or- 
 dained j and lince the prefervation of the 
 facred fire of liberty, and the deftiny of the 
 republican model of government, are juftly 
 confidered as deeply, perhaps as finally fla- 
 ked, on the experiment entrufted to the 
 hands of the American people. 
 
 " Befides the ordinary objeds fubmitted 
 to your care, it will remain with yourjudg. 
 ment to decide how far an exercife of the 
 occafional power delegated by the fifth ar- 
 ticle of the conftitution is rendered expe- 
 dient at the prefent juncture, by the nature 
 of objedions which have been urged a- 
 
184 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 gainft the fyftem, or by the degree of in- 
 quietude which has given birth to them. 
 Inflead of undertaking particular recom- 
 mendations on this fubjecl, in which I 
 could be guided by no lights derived from 
 official opportunities, I Ihall again give 
 way to my entire confidence in your dif- 
 cernment and purfuit of the public good 5 
 for I alTure myfelf that whilft you carefully 
 avoid every altercation which might en- 
 danger the benefits of an united and effec- 
 tive government, or which ought to await 
 the future lefTons of experience ; a reve- 
 rence for the chara£reriflic rights of free- 
 men, and a regard for the public harmony, 
 will fufficiently influence your deliberations 
 on the queflion, how far the former can be 
 more impregnably fortified, or the latter be 
 fafely and advantageoufly promoted. 
 
 " To the preceding obfervations, I have 
 one to add, which will be mofl properly 
 addrefTed to the Houfe of Reprefentatives. 
 It concerns myfelf, and therefore will be as 
 brief as poilible. "When I was firfl honor- 
 ed with a call into the fervice of my coun? 
 try, then on the eve of an arduous ftrug- 
 
General George Wajhingion. 185 
 
 gle for its liberties, the light in which I con- 
 templated my duty, required that I fliould 
 renounce every pecuniary compenfation. 
 From this refolution I have in no inftance 
 departed. And being ftill under the im-. 
 preffions which produced it, I nmft decline, 
 as inapplicable to myfelf, any ihare in the 
 perfonal emoluments, which may be indif- 
 penfably included in a permanent provifion 
 for the executive department ; and muft 
 accordingly pray that the pecuniary efti- 
 mates for the ftation in which I am placed, 
 may, during my continuance in it, be limit- 
 ed to fuch adtual expenditures as the pub- 
 lic good may be thought to require. 
 
 " Having thus imparted to you my fen- 
 timents, as they have been awakened by 
 the occaiion which brings us together, I 
 fliall take my prefent leave ; but not with- 
 out reforting once more to the benign Par- 
 ent of the human race, in humble fupplica- 
 tion, that fince he has been pleafed to favor 
 the American people, with opportunities 
 for deliberating in perfedl: tranquillity, and 
 difpoiitions for deciding with unparalleled 
 unanimity on a form of government, for 
 Q 2 
 
186 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 the fecurity of their union, and the ad- 
 vancement of their happinefs ; fo his divine 
 blefling may be equally confpicuous in the 
 enlarged views, the temperate confulta- 
 tions, and the wife meafures on which the 
 fuccefs of this government muft depend. 
 G. WASHINGTON/' 
 
 The firft feffion of Congrefs, under the 
 new conftitutlon, continued their fittings 
 from the 4th of March until the 39th of 
 September, their attention was chiefly di- 
 rected towards the eftablifhment of various 
 regulations for the reftoration,of the public 
 credit of the United States, and other ob- 
 jeds of political economy. During the pe- 
 riod of the feffion, the Prefident refided at 
 New- York, fanctioning the proceedings of 
 the legiflature, and otherwife organizing 
 the federal government. Shortly after the 
 rifing of C(;ngrefs he made a tour to the 
 ftates of Connedicut, Maifichufetts and 
 New-Hampftiire, attended by Meffis. Lear 
 and Jackfon, his fecretaries. In every part 
 of the country through which he pafled, 
 
General George Wajhington. 18? 
 
 the citizens embraced the opportunity of 
 perfonally teftifying their efteem and refpe^ 
 of the 7nan of their choice^ in whofe charadl- 
 er, whatever is great and good — whatever 
 dignifies and adorns human nature, are fo 
 happily united. All that a grateful people 
 could pay, was paid, whenever he approach- 
 ed a town or village, the roads were lined 
 with citizens to hail him welcome — the 
 military efcorted him from place to place. 
 Particularly to relate all the grateful teftimo- 
 nials which were paid him during this viiit, 
 is impoflible from their number. If our lim- 
 its would permit, a defcription of the man- 
 ner in which he was received at Bofton 
 would be particularly interefting ; nor can 
 we fpecify the numerous congratulatory 
 addrefles which were prefented him. But 
 no particular circumftance gave him more 
 pleafure, during his whole tour, than the 
 plain and hearty manner in which Mr. 
 Northey, the chairman of the feledmen at 
 Salem received him. This gentleman is of 
 the fociety of Friends and when the Prefi- 
 dent was prefented to the feledmen, Mr. 
 Northey, being covered, took him by the 
 
18S Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 hand, faid, "Friend Wafliington, we are 
 glad to fee thee, and in behalf of the inhab- 
 itants, bid thee a hearty welcome to Sa- 
 lem." 
 
 On his arrival at Newbury port, the fol- 
 lowing incident occurred, a poor old fol- 
 dier named Cotton, who was with him in 
 the memorable battle on the Ohio, when 
 Braddock was defeated, requefted and was 
 admitted into the room where the Prefi- 
 dent was — on the foldier's afkins^ " how Ma* 
 jor Waflmigion did?** the Prefident immedi- 
 ately recollected his perfon, and rifing from 
 his chair, took him by the hand, and ten- 
 derly enquired into the fcenes of his life, 
 and prefent circumftances, " I thank God,'* 
 anfwered the foldier, " that I have an oppor- 
 tunity of feeing my old commander once 
 more, I have feen him in adverfity, and 
 now feeing him in glory, I can go home 
 and die contented^" The next morning, 
 he came to take leave of the Prefident, who 
 gave him a guinea, which he accepted, he 
 faid, " merely as a token in remembrance 
 of his commander," and which he wore 
 pendent on his bofom, declaring that noth- 
 ing earthly fliould feparate it from him. 
 
General George Wajhington, 189 
 
 While General Wafliington was Prefi- 
 dent of the United States, the following 
 circumftance which does honor to his hu- 
 manity occurred. One Reuben Rouzy, of 
 Virginia, owed him a thoufand pounds ; 
 one of the Prefident's agents brought a fuit 
 for the money, judgment was obtained, and 
 execution iffued againft the body of the de- 
 fendant, who was taken to goal. He had 
 a conliderable landed property, but this 
 kind of property cannot be fold in Virgin- 
 ia for debts, unlefs at the difcretion of the 
 perfon. He had a large family, and pre- 
 ferred lying in goal to felling his lands, for 
 the fake of his children. — Some of his ac- 
 quaintance hinted to him that probably 
 general Wafhington did not know any 
 thing of the proceeding, and it might be 
 well to fend him a petition, with a flate- 
 ment of the circumftances. He did fo, and 
 the very next poll from Philadelphia, after 
 his petition arrived, brought him a releafe- 
 ment, with a fevere reprimand on the agent 
 for acting in fuch a cruel manner, without 
 confent. Poor Rouzy was, in confequence, 
 refiored to his family and happinefs, who 
 
190 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 never laid down their heads at night, with- 
 out offering their prayers to Heaven for 
 our fnuch beloved Washington. 
 
 On the 4th day of January, 1790, Con- 
 grefs held their fecond feflion at New- 
 York. The Prefident opened it with a 
 fpeech ; he congratulated them on the fa- 
 vorable profpecls which the public affairs 
 then affumed ; the accefTion of the Hate of 
 North Carolina to the Union, the rifing 
 credit and refpectability of the country, 
 and the concord, peace and plenty with 
 which they were bleffed : he directed their 
 attention towards the making provifion for 
 the common defence, affuring them that 
 " to be prepared for war, is one of the moft 
 efFeclual means of preferving peace, and 
 that a free people ought not only to be ar- 
 med but difciplined ;'' he recommended 
 the protection of the Weftern and Souihern 
 frontiers againft the depredations of the 
 hoflile Indians ; the eftabiifhment of inter- 
 courfe with other nations ; the framing of 
 an uniform law for the naturalization of 
 foreigners ; the importance of uniformity 
 in the currency, weights and meafures 
 
General George Wajhingfon* I9i 
 
 throughout the Union; the advancement 
 of agriculture, commerce, and manufact- 
 ures ; the encouragement of exertions of 
 Ikill, and genius, and to facilitate the inter- 
 courfe between the diflant parts of the 
 country, by a due attention to the poft-of- 
 lice and poft-roads. He particularly recom- 
 mended the promotion of fcience and liter- 
 ature, as the fureft bafis of public happinefs, 
 and beft means of fecuring a free conftitu- 
 tion, by teaching the people to know and 
 to value their rights, to difcern and provide 
 againft innovations of them, to diflinguifh 
 between oppreflion and the neceffary exer- 
 cife of lawful authority, to difcriminate the 
 fpirit of liberty from that of licentioufnefs, 
 cherifliing the firft, avoiding the laft, and 
 uniting a fpeedy but temperate vigilance a- 
 gainft encroachments, with an inviolable re- 
 fped to the laws. He informed them that 
 he had direded the papers and eftimates to 
 be laid before them, which were neceflary 
 -to convey to them, that information of the 
 Union, which it was his duty to afford. 
 He concluded by affuring them, that " He 
 fhould derive great fatisfaclion, from a co- 
 
192 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 operation with them, in the pleafing, 
 though arduous tafk, of enfuring to their 
 fellow citizens the bleffings which they have 
 a right to expeft from a free, efficient gov- 
 ernment." 
 
 This feflion continued their fittings until 
 the 12th of Auguft following 5 in that 
 month the Prefident negociated a treaty of 
 peace and friendfhip between the United 
 States and the Creek nation of Indians : 
 the ceremony took place at New- York, on 
 the 30th September. The fame year Gen. 
 Harmar, with 320 United States troops and 
 1183 militia, gave battle to the Miami In- 
 dians, by whom he was defeated, with the 
 lofs of 183 m.en killed, and S) wounded ; 
 about 100 or upwards of the Indians were 
 killed. The Miami village, containing a- 
 bout 100 log houfes, or wigwams, with 
 20,000 bufhels of corn was deftroyed. 
 
 The third feffion of Congrefs met on the 
 6th of December, 1 790, and rofe on the 3d 
 of March following; their deliberations 
 were chiefly directed towards the regula- 
 tion of commerce, further improvement of 
 the judicial fyftem, and making provifion 
 
General George Wajhingion. 193 
 
 for the appointment of confuls in foreign 
 countries. The ftate of Kentucky was ad- 
 mitted into the Union as a diftin6l: State, 
 and a loan was negotiated with the ftates 
 of Holland. 
 
 The Indian war continued on the fron- 
 tier of the ftates. During the fummer of 
 1791, General Scott furprifed the Wabafli 
 towns ; he killed about 30 Indians, took 
 50 prifoners, and brought with him 200 
 horfes, loaded with peltry and other arti- 
 cles of plunder, with the lofs of 3 men on- 
 ly. The attention of the Prelident during 
 the period of this Congrefs, was chiefly di- 
 rected towards the adoption of meafures 
 for the protedion of the frontiers, and ef- 
 tablifliment of commerce. 
 
 On the 24th of October, 1791, the fecond 
 Congrefs commenced their firft feffion : 
 the Prefident, as ufual, opened the feffion 
 by a fpeech to both houfes ; he began by 
 remarking the abundance of the preceding 
 harveft, the progre'Iive ftate of agriculture, 
 manufactures, commerce and navigation, 
 and the general and happy effects which 
 had been produced by the revival of public 
 R 
 
l94 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and private confidence, to which the laws 
 of the United States had fo eminently con- 
 tributed. He mentioned the plan laid 
 down for conciliating the friendfhip of the 
 Indians ; the bafis of which was a ftricl ad- 
 herance to the dictates of juftice and hu- 
 manity. The act of laying a. duty on dif- 
 tilled fpirits, had been, he faid, attended 
 with foine difficulty, from the want of ex- 
 perience in the federal government, to 
 make the proper arrangements, and, in fome 
 parts of the union, there had been a mif- 
 conception of !ts provifions ; but he enter- 
 tained no doubt that the difcontent produ- 
 ced from it would be removed by a proper 
 explanation of the law. The Prelident 
 next obferved, that, agree?Jole to feveral 
 ads on that fubjed, a diftridl of ten miles 
 fquare, for the permanent feat of the gov- 
 ernment of the United States, had been fix- 
 ed upon and announced by proclamation ; 
 th^t the diftriA comprehended lands on 
 both fides of the Potomac, and the towns 
 of Alexandria and Georgetown ; that a city 
 had accordingly been laid out, and that 
 there was every reafon to expe(5t a due 
 
General George Wajhington. 195 
 
 progrefs in the buildings. — He alfo inform- 
 ed the two houfes that a cenfus of the in- 
 habitants of the United States, had been 
 almoft completed, and afforded the pleaf- 
 ing aifurance that the prefent population 
 bordered upon four millions of perfons ; 
 that a further loan of two millions and an 
 half of florins had been completed in Hol- 
 land, upon terms limilar to the laft, and 
 that another loan for fix millions of florins 
 had been fet on foot. He concluded by 
 recommending to their particular attention, 
 the fupporting of the militia'on an effective 
 plan : the adminiflration of the poll of- 
 fice, the extenfion and improvements of 
 the pofi- roads, the neceflity for a public 
 mint, an uniformity of weights and meaf- 
 ures, and a provifion for the fale of the va- 
 cant lands of the United States. 
 
 This feflion continued their deliberations 
 until the 8th of May, 1792, when they ad- 
 journed till the firfl Monday of November 
 following. During their feflion and ad- 
 journment, there was no remarkable or 
 important event ; a feries of maffacres, 
 were, as formerly, committed on the fron- 
 
196 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 tiers ; the hopes expreffed by the Prefident 
 of being able to accommodote the difputes 
 with the Indians, did not prove fuccefsful. 
 On the 4th of November, 1791, the Uni- 
 ted States army, under the command of 
 General St. Clair, was attacked by furprife, 
 within fifteen miles of the Miami village ; 
 the conteft lafted for four hours, when the 
 Indians became victorious, the retreat of 
 the Americans v/as accomplifhed with the 
 lofs of 46 officers, j600 privates, eight pie- 
 ces of artillery and their whole baggage. 
 In this battle it is faid that 1200 Canadians 
 fought under the difguife of Indians. The 
 attention of the Executive, during this pe« 
 riod, was alfo engaged in deviling modes 
 to reconcile the citizens, in fome diftricis 
 of the union, to the law, enabled for the 
 purpofe of colleding a certain duty on 
 fpirits, diflilled within the United States, 
 in fome of the flates, particularly the weft- 
 ern parts of Pennfylvania, where a regular 
 and formidable oppofition began to mani- 
 fefl itfeif, in confequence of which the fpe- 
 cialinterpofition of the Prefident was deem- 
 ed advifable. He ifTued a proclamation 
 
General George Wajhington. J 97 
 
 recommending a compliance with the laws, 
 and warning the citizens againft all unlaw- 
 ful proceedings and combinations, having 
 a tendency to obftrud the fame. 
 
 The fecond Congrefs met again in No- 
 vember, 1792. The Prefident opened the 
 feflion with a fpeech, the greatell part of 
 which refpeded the unfortunate endeavors 
 to terminate the Indian hoftilities. He in- 
 formed Congrefs of the oppofition which 
 had been manifefted to the excife law, and 
 recommended a revifion of the judiciary 
 fyftem. He further obferved that three 
 loans had been negociated for the ufe of the 
 United States, one at Antwerp, and two at 
 Amfterdam, each for three miUions of flo- 
 rins, on very reafonable terms, which affor- 
 ded a pleafing evidence of the increafing 
 credit of the new government. On the 2d 
 of March 1793, this feflion adjourned. 
 
 Heretofore the profperity of the United 
 States met with httle or no interruption, 
 except from the hoftilities of the Indians. 
 The attention of the Executive was chiefly 
 directed to the eftablifliment of thofe mea- 
 fures which the organization of the infant 
 R 2 
 
198 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 republic rendered neceffary. The exten. 
 fion of commerce and the difputes of the 
 European powers, rendered it neceflliry for 
 the United States to fend and receive min- 
 ifters and agents, for the better regulation 
 of affairs. 
 
 This neceffary meafure created troubles 
 and perplexities hitherto unknown to the 
 Executive of the United States. On the 
 8th of April, 1793, citizen Genet arrived at 
 Charlefton, as minifter plenipotentiary from 
 the Executive of France to the Preiident of 
 the United States. On the 22d of the fame 
 month the Prefident iffued a proclamation 
 enjoining the citizens of the United States 
 to a ttrid: neutrality, in the conteft between 
 the maritime powers, and threatening prof, 
 ecution to aJ who fhould infringe the fame. 
 — The public approbation of this wile mea- 
 fure, for the prefervation of the public 
 tranquility, vwas manifefted in numerous 
 aadreffes to the Prefident, thanking him in 
 warm terms for his attention to the intereft 
 of the citizens ; many, however were of- 
 fended at the meafure, as they conceived 
 that it implied a deficiency of refpect and 
 
General George Wajhington, 199 
 
 gratitude to the republic of France, to 
 whom the United States were highly in- 
 debted for their independence. Genet ar- 
 rived at Philadelphia, the feat of Govern- 
 ment, on the 17th of May. The conduct 
 of this minifter is, perhaps, unexampled in 
 diplomatic hidory. It was not until the 
 publication of the Proclamation of the Pre. 
 fident enjoining neutrality, that the gov- 
 ernment firft heard of his arrival, and even 
 then, they were only informed through the 
 medium of the news-papers, about a fort- 
 night after his arrival ; inftead of prefent- 
 ing his credentials to the Prefident, he be- 
 gan to alTume a conduct imprudent and un- 
 becoming ; he undertook to authorize the 
 fitting out of armed veflels, he enlifled citi- 
 zens and others, and gave commifTions to 
 cruife and commit hoftilities againft the vef- 
 fels of England and other nations at war 
 with Fiance, but who were, at the 
 fame time, at peace with the United States. 
 Thefe veffeis had aclually taken prizes, 
 brouglit them into American ports, where 
 theconfuls of France held courts of Admi- 
 ralty, tried, condemned; and authorized 
 
200 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 their fale as legal prizes. Thefe proceed- 
 iiigs, in oppolition to the peace of" the Uni- 
 ted States, were inllantly con- plained of by 
 Mr. Hammond, the Britiih minilter ; thus 
 were the feeds of future contnwerfy plant* 
 ed The government of the United States 
 interfered, and, in fome cafes, over- ruled 
 the proceedings of both the Britiih and 
 French, as illegal ; remonflrances were ex- 
 hibited to the Prefident, from both fides, 
 which created a feries of diplomatic corref- 
 pondence. A new fource of difcontent, on 
 the part of the French, now arofe ; Genet 
 demanded, with fome abruptnefs, money 
 from the treafury of the United States, in 
 part payment of their debt to France, with 
 which the American government found it 
 inconvenient to comply. This ftate of di- 
 plomatic hoftility could not be expeded to 
 hold out long without coming to a crifis. 
 Accordingly, on the 16th of Auguft, the 
 Prefident ordered Mr. XefFerfon, the Secre- 
 tary of State, to addrefs a letter to Mr. 
 Morris the American ambaflador in France, 
 foliciting the republic to recal their minif- 
 ter. In the mean time Citizen Duplaine, 
 
General George Wqfhington. 201 
 
 Vice conful for the republic of France, in 
 the port of Bofton, having committed fun- 
 dry encroachments on the laws of the Uni- 
 ted States, the Prefident, in confequence 
 thereof, fufpended his powers. 
 
 The term for which general Wafliington 
 was eleded Prefident, having expired, he 
 was again re-elecled to the fame office. On 
 the 2d of December, 1793, the third Con- 
 grefs commenced their firft feffion. The 
 Prefident, in his fpeech to both houfes, ex- 
 prefled a refpeclful fenfe of the confidence 
 that he enjoyed, in being again called, by^ 
 the fufFrage of his fellow-citizens, to the of- 
 fice of chief magiftrate. He recited the 
 meafures which he had adopted to avoid a 
 rupture with any of the powers at war, an^ 
 to enfure to the citizens of the United 
 States, the rights of neutrality. He further 
 recommended to Congrefs, the necefilty of 
 placing the country in a fiate of defence ; 
 that v/hile the United States fulfilled their 
 duties to the refl: of the world, they may 
 likewife exact the fulfilment, of the like du- 
 ties towards them. He informed them of 
 the means which had been purfued for con- 
 
202 BiograpJjical Memoirs of 
 
 ciliating the dirpofitions of the Indians, and 
 recommended to Congrefs to make provif- 
 ion for the eftabliflinjent of coriimerce with 
 the Indian nations, as the beft m^ans of fe- 
 curing their intereft, and rendering their 
 tranquility permanent ; he conclnded by- 
 recommending a repeal of the tax on the 
 tranfportation of public prints, as they con- 
 tained the beft means of informing the 
 minds, and fecuring the affedions of their 
 conftituents : he afterwards, by a fpecial 
 mt;irige, informed the Houfe of Reprefent- 
 atives, " that although the government of 
 the French nation, had generally manifelled 
 a friendly uifpofition to the United States, 
 yet the perfon unfortunately appointed 
 their minilter plenipotentiary, had breath- 
 ed nothing of the friendly diipofition of the 
 nation which fent him ; his proceedings 
 had uniformly tended to involve us in a 
 war abroad, and difcord and anarchy at 
 home." He hoped that the French gov- 
 ernment would not long fufFer the United 
 States to remain expofed to the acljon of a 
 perfon, who had fo little refpc6led the mu- 
 tual difpofitions of the two countries. 
 
General George Wajhington. 20S 
 
 Soon ofter this period, the minifter was 
 recalled, his coududt having been unequiv. 
 ocally difapproved of. About this period 
 the commerce of the United States began 
 to fufFer greatly, from the depredations of 
 the Britifh, under pretence of their being 
 loaded with French property ; it alfo fuf- 
 fered from the piracy of privateers, who, 
 for the mod part, difclaiming juftice alto- 
 gether, feized both veffels and cargo, and 
 difpofed of the fame for their own ufe ; a 
 confiderable number of American vefTels 
 were likewife captured in the Weftern O- 
 cean by the Algerine corfairs. Thefe fub- 
 jects were affumed by Congrefs, and many 
 modes were propofed for the purpofe of 
 putting a (lop to the unwarrantable excef- 
 fes. A bill was paiTed, to provide a naval 
 armament againft the Algerines. On the 
 25th of March, a motion was made in the 
 Houfe of Reprefentatives, affented to by 
 the Senate, and figned by the Prefi fent, 
 laying an embargo for 30 days on all vef- 
 fels bound to foreign ports ; this embargo 
 was afterwards continued until tlie 2.5th of 
 May. The Preiident was empowered to 
 
204 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 raife an additional corps of artillery men, 
 for the purpofe of garrifoning the fortifica- 
 tions for the defence of the fea-coafts : he 
 was alfo authorized to call on the execu- 
 tives of the different ftates, to take effed- 
 ual meafures for organizing 60,000 effedt- 
 ive militia. 
 
 On the 19th of May, intelligence was re- 
 ceived from the territory N. W. of the ri- 
 ver Ohio, ftating the hardfhips which the 
 citizens of that territory fuftained from the 
 hoflile difpofition of the Cherokee Indians ; 
 the maffacre of 200 people, and the lofs of 
 2000 horfes, formed a part of the lift of 
 their difafters. On the 20th of May, the 
 Prefident by a mefiage, informed the Houfe 
 of Reprefentatives, that there had been 
 fome danger of hoftilities againft the terri- 
 tories of Spain, in the neighborhood of the 
 United States ; that the governor of Ken- 
 tucky had indicated that he would make 
 no exertions to prevent the e^^pulfion of the 
 Spaniards from the banks of the Miffiflippi, 
 as he had found them a perfidious and 
 worthlefs people, conftantly exciting the In- 
 dians to murder the fettle in that quarter. 
 
General George Wqfhington. 205 
 
 During this feiEon of Congrefs, many im- 
 portant laws were enaded. The a<^ affign- 
 ing to the Marquis de la Fayette, the fum 
 of 24,424 dollars, for his fervices, during 
 the war, being the pay of a major-general 5 
 and the ad forbidding American citizens, 
 or foreigners, reliding in the United States, 
 under fevere penalties, from being concern- 
 ed in the flave trade, does great honor to 
 the legillature — On the 9th of June, 1794, 
 this feffion adjourned. 
 
 In 1794, during the recefs of Congrefs, 
 the attention of the Prefident of the United 
 States was called to fupprefs an infurrec- 
 tion, which began to affume a very formi- 
 dable afped. It was confined to the Weft- 
 ern parts of the State of Pennfylvania. 
 The outlines of it are as follows, viz. Dur- 
 ing the year 1790, the Congrefs of the U- 
 nited States found it neceflary " to lay and 
 colled excifes.'* This mode of taxation, 
 difcordant to the genius of the citizens, in 
 many parts of the union, met with confid- 
 erable oppolition, which, however, was 
 gradually banifhed by reafon and patriot- 
 ifm, excepting the four weftern counties of 
 S 
 
206 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 Pennfylvania, where a prejudice llill remain 
 ed, and produced fymptonis of riot and vio- 
 lence. The difafFedion was at firft vented 
 in general complaints ; certain affociations 
 w^ere formed to prevent the operation of 
 the laws, and . the excife officers received 
 feme marks of contempt and rudenefs, 
 Thefe affociations held public meetings, and 
 publiihed their refolutions. Belides the 
 excife law, they cenfured feveral other ads 
 of the federal government ; as the exorbit- 
 ant falaries of office, the inftitution of a na- 
 tional bank, the interell of the public debt, 
 &c. 
 
 On the 6th of September, 1791, the col- 
 ledor of the revenue for that diftrict, was 
 feized by a party, armed, and in difguife ; 
 they tarred and feathered him, cut off his 
 hair and committed other ads of violence ; 
 legal procefs w^as therefore iffued againft 
 the offenders, but the infurgents prevented 
 the marflial from ferving them ; they fired 
 upon him, arretted, and, for fome time, de- 
 tained him as a prifoner ; a number of fim- 
 ilar outrages were committed. The Prefi- 
 dent, the ever watchful guardian of the 
 
General George Wajhingion. 207 
 
 conftltution, beheld, with forrow, thefe ex- 
 ceffes ; he fought and weighed what was 
 beft to be done in this momentous criiis ; 
 he beheld the judiciary ftripped of its capa- 
 city to enforce the laws, and crimes, which 
 reached to the very exiftence of focial or- 
 der, perpetrated without control ; the 
 friends of government infulted, and that 
 conftitution violated, which he had made a 
 facred vow to protect ; he beheld with ab- 
 horrence, the idea of " arraying citizen a- 
 gainft citizen,'* until every lenient meafure 
 fhould be exhaufled. He ilTued proclama- 
 tions, exhorting the rioters to defift from 
 fuch diforderly proceedings, he recommen- 
 ded obedience to the laws, he appointed 
 commiflioners to repair to the fcene of in- 
 furreclion, authorized them to confer with 
 the infurgents, to flate to them his fenfa- 
 tions, to ailure them that it was his earneft 
 wiili to avoid a refort to coercion 5 he even 
 offered them pardon, on condition of re- 
 ceiving fatisfaclory affurance, of obedience 
 to the laws. 
 
 Thefe lenient meafures did not produce 
 the good effeds that Ihould have been ex- 
 
208 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 peeled. The Prefident therefore deemed it 
 prudent to refort to military force — Fifteen 
 thoufand militia were put in motion, their 
 number intimidated the infurgents; thus 
 the infurredion was quelled without the ef- 
 fulion of blood ; lome of the ringleaders 
 were apprehended and brought to trial ; 
 one of them was found guilty of high trea- 
 fon and condemned to fufFer, but was par- 
 doned by the Prefident. — Indeed the fame 
 goodnefs of difpofition actuated the Prefi. 
 dent from the beginning to the termin- 
 ation of this licentious invafion of the laws, 
 notwithflanding there are in the United 
 States, certain difcontented, invidious indi- 
 viduals, who wiih to fligmatize every a6^ 
 of the Executive, with opprobium 
 
 In November, 1794, the third Congrefs 
 held their fecond feflion, at Philadelphia. 
 The Prefident began his fpeech with a hifl- 
 ory of the oppofition which had been man- 
 ifefled to the conftitution and laws of the 
 United States, and of the means which he 
 had purfued to fupprefs it ; the alacrity 
 which the militia, and others who volun- 
 teered their fervice difplayed, exhibited, he 
 
General George Wajhington. 209 
 
 faid, " to the higheft advantage, the value 
 of republican government ; to behold the 
 moft and leaft wealthy of our citizens, Han- 
 ding in the fame ranks as private foidiers, 
 pre-eminently diftinguifhed by being the 
 army of the conftitution ; undeterred by a 
 march of three hundred miles, over rugged 
 mountains, by the approach of an inclem- 
 ent feafon, or by any other difcourage- 
 ment." He recommended to Congrefs to 
 re-imburfe the officers of government and 
 other citizens, who had fuilained loffes, for 
 their generous exertions for upholding the 
 conftitution and laws, " the amount," he 
 faid, " would not be great j and on future 
 emergencies, the government would be am- 
 ply repaid by the influence of an example, 
 that he who incurs a lofs in its defence, 
 fliall find a recompenfe in its liberality."— 
 The intelligence from the army of General 
 Wayne, ading againft the hoftile Indians 
 N. W. of the Ohio, he faid, afforded a hap- 
 py j)refage to the military operations, that 
 they had damped the ardor and obflinacy 
 ' of the favages. — Yet although the power of 
 the United States to punifli them, could 
 
 S 2 
 
210 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 not be queftioned, that he 's^as not unwil- 
 ling to cement a lading peace, upon terms 
 of equity and good neighborhood 5 he re- 
 commended the adoption of a definitive 
 plan for the redemption of the public debt, 
 and in fubfequent communications he 
 tranfmitted to them, certain papers relative 
 to the intercourfe of the United States, with 
 foreign nations ; they announced to Con- 
 grefs and to the world, his unremitting ex- 
 ertions to cultivate peace with all the world, 
 to obferve treaties with good faith, to 
 check deviations from the line of impar- 
 tiality, and to explain and corred what 
 was mifapprehended or appeared injurious. 
 Ever fince the formal ratification of the 
 treaties of peace between the United States 
 and Great-Britain, numerous caufes of com- 
 plaint has exifted on the part of both coun- 
 tries refpe£ling its fulfihnent. The hifto- 
 ry of the nature, progrefs, and final deter- 
 mination of thefe difputes, will form a very 
 interefting part in the hiftory of the political 
 and diplomatic charader of president 
 WAS iNGTON ; but the bounds which we 
 have afligned to the prefent Iketch, prevents 
 
General George Wajhington, 21 1 
 
 us from entering fully upon the fubjedt : 
 the ground of complaint on both fides, was 
 difputed in 1797, in a correfpondence be- 
 tween Mr. JefFerfon, fecretary of ftate and 
 Mr. Hammond, the envoy of Britain ; in 
 their letters, the reciprocal complaints are 
 .ftated v/ith candor, perfpicuity and com- 
 pletenefs ; to lupport their refpeclive ar- 
 guments, they .bring forward on each fide, 
 a large body of illuftrations and authorities, 
 which are highly interefting. This corref- 
 pondence was published by Congrefs in 
 1794. The arguments of Mr. JefFerfon ap- 
 peared to have contained unanfwerable 
 w^eight, as no reply or explanation were 
 ever made to them, although requefi^ed by 
 him. — Affairs remained in this ftate offuf- 
 penfe until June 1793, when the Britifli, 
 in confequence of their hoftijities with 
 France, ilTued orders to the commanders 
 of their veiTels, to flop all neutral veffels 
 carrying proviOons to any port in that re- 
 public ; fhips attempting to enter any 
 French port, blockaded by the Engliih, 
 v/ere to be condemned, both veffel and car- 
 go, whatever it may conlift of : the order 
 
21:2 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 contained a limited exception in favor of 
 Denmark and Sweden, but in the execution 
 of it, the rights of America were entirely 
 difregarded. This matter produced a di- 
 plomatic difcuffion between the minifters of 
 the two countries, both at London and Phi- 
 ladelphia : Their correfpondence produced 
 a mutual wifh on both fides to eftablifli a 
 treaty of commerce, and a friendly adjuft« 
 ment of all complaints. The Prelident of 
 the United States, accordingly nominated 
 Mr. John Jay, chief Judge of the United 
 States, as an envoy extraordinary to the 
 court of London. After a Ihort pafTage, 
 Mr. Jay arrived in London, where he met 
 with a polite reception, and negociated the 
 Treaty of Peace^ Commerce and Navigation, 
 which at prefent exifts between the coun- 
 tries. 
 
 The treaty arrived in Philadelphia in 
 March 1795 5 it was Ihortly after fubmitted 
 to the Senate for their confent ; they re- 
 turned it to the Prefident on the 24th of 
 jfune, and advifed the conditional ratifica- 
 tion thereof. About the 30th of the fame 
 month it was fubmitted to the public thro' 
 
General George Wajhtngton. 2 1 3 
 
 the medium of the news papers. It now 
 became the general topic of converfation 5 
 it was placed in all the different points of 
 view of which it was fufceptible, and in ma- 
 ny of which it could not admit. 
 
 It met with great oppofition, addreffes 
 and refolutions were received from all the 
 commercial towns in the union ; fome ad- 
 vifmg its ratification, others difapproving of 
 it in toto. This oppofition was viewed by 
 the Prefident in a very ferious light ; he 
 confidered the fubje6t and weighed all the 
 arguments which had been advanced againft 
 it J his own opinion was not in favor of it, 
 but he did not wifh to differ from the Sen- 
 ate, and thought that it would be better to 
 ratify it in the manner they had advifed ; 
 to this meafure he was alfo induced, as Mr. 
 Jay had aflerted "that no better terms could 
 poflibly be obtained ; and that obflinacy in 
 rejecting the fettlement, might be ferious.'^ 
 The Prefident therefore afl'ented, and ratifi- 
 cations were exchanged, with the fufpenfion 
 of the moft objectionable article. 
 
 This tranfaction is perhaps the mofl un- 
 fortunate that occurred to his excellency 
 
214 Biographical Memoir s of 
 
 during the whole period of his Prefidency. 
 Thofe oppofed to the treaty did not fail to 
 load him with reproach ; no ftone was left 
 unturned that could imprefs upon the minds 
 of the citizens grofs falfehoods ; fuch as, 
 that the treaty contained no reciprocal ad- 
 vantages, that the benefits were all on the 
 fide of Britain, that their rights were not on- 
 ly neglecled, but abfolutely fold, that it was 
 made with the defign of oppreffing the 
 French, and contrary to every principle of 
 gratitude and found policy. 
 
 The lirft fellion of the fourth Congrefs 
 met at Philadelphia, in December, 1705. — 
 The Prelident in a fpeech informed them 
 that negociations were on foot for the ad- 
 juflment of afifeirs with the hoftile Indians, 
 and alfo with the Dey and Regency of Al- 
 giers ; that he had received aiTurances of a 
 fpeedy and fatisfaclory conclulion of the ne- 
 gociations with Spain ; that with the ad- 
 vice of the Senate he had ratified a treaty 
 with Britain, upon a condition which ex- 
 cepts part of one article. He recommend- 
 ed a review of the military eflablifliment, 
 and to make provifiori for garrifoning and 
 
General George Wqfhington, 215 
 
 iecuring the weftern pofls which were to 
 be delivered up by the Britifh. He inform- 
 ed them that a ftate of the finance and ap- 
 propriations neceffary for the enfuing year 
 would be laid before them, as alfo ftate- 
 ments relative to the mint, progrefs in pro- 
 viding materials for building frigates, ftate 
 of fortifications, and military magazines, 
 Sic. He concluded with a recommenda- 
 tion of temperate dilcuflion and mutual for- 
 bearance in fubjecls where a difference of 
 opinion may be apt to arife. 
 
 A warm and lengthy difcuilion took place 
 in the Houfe of Reprefentatives relative to 
 the Britifh treaty. Both fides of the quef- 
 tion were ably fupported ; few fubjecfls had 
 ever comebefoie the Houfe, upon which fo 
 many members delivered their fentiments. 
 On the 2Uh ot March, 1796, they came to 
 a refolution, requefting the Prefident to lay 
 before the Houfe, a copy of the inftruclions 
 to Mr. Jay, together with his correfpond- 
 ence and other documents relative to that 
 treaty. To which requeft, the Prefident 
 gave a pofitive refufal ; he allured the houfe, 
 that he had always endeavored to harmon- 
 
216 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ize with the other branches of government, 
 and that he had never withheld any infor- 
 mation which the conftitution enjoined him 
 to give. But that the nature of foreign ne- 
 gociations required caution and fecrecy, that 
 all the papers relative thereto had been laid 
 before the Senate, that the conftitution em- 
 powered him to make treaties with the con- 
 fent of that body, but that it would eftab- 
 lifli a dangerous precedent to admit a right 
 in the Houfe of Reprefentatives to demand 
 and have all papers refpedling negociations 
 with foreign powers, after the treaties were 
 finally concluded and ratified, and the afTent 
 of that houfe not neceffary to their validity. 
 
 We deem it unnecellary to enter into a 
 hiftory of the differences with the republic 
 of France, as they are not yet terminated, 
 and are fo recent as to be generally remem- 
 bered ; fufEce it to obferve, that during the 
 whole period in which General Wafliington 
 fat at the helm of public affairs, his whole 
 conduct has uniformly exhibited modera- 
 tion and prudence, magnanimity and firm- 
 nefs, wifdom and virtue- 
 
 The period of General Wafliington's fee- 
 
General George Wajhington, 217 
 
 ond elecl:ion to the office of Chief Magiftrate 
 being nearly expired, he put on a determin- 
 ed refolution to retire from the public and 
 enjoy his declining years in private life. — 
 Upon this momentous occafion, refigning a 
 charge which he at firft accepted through 
 his enthufiafm for the principles of rational 
 liberty^ he was impreffed with the pureft 
 wilhes for the future happinefs of that re- 
 public, which he had devoted the early, the 
 mature, and a portion of his declining years 
 to eftablifti. And as a teftimony of pure re- 
 gard, he publifhhed the following mafterly 
 addrefs to his fellow- citizens. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 Of his Excellency GEORGE WASHING- 
 
 TON, Efq. Prefident of ihe United States, 
 announcing his intention of retiring from all 
 public employment, 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES ^ 
 
 Friends and Fellow- Citizens, 
 
 THE period of a new election of a 
 
 citizen to adminifter the executive govern- 
 T 
 
218 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ment of the United States, being not far 
 diftant, and the time actually arrived, when 
 your thoughts muft be employed in de%- 
 nating the perfon, who is to be clothed with 
 that important truft,it appears to me proper, 
 efpecially as it may conduce to a more dif- 
 tincl exprefTion of the public voice, that I 
 fliould now apprife you of the refolution I 
 have formed, to decline being coniidered a- 
 mong the number of thofe out of whom a 
 choice is to be made. 
 
 I beg you, at the same time, to do me the 
 juftice to be affured, that this refolution has 
 not been taken without a flridl regard to all 
 the confiderations appertaining to the rela- 
 tion, which binds a dutiful citizen to his 
 country j and that, in withdrawing the ten- 
 der of fervice which filence in my fituation 
 might imply, I am influenced by no dimin- 
 ution of zeal for your future intereft ; no, 
 deficiency of grateful refpecl for your paft 
 kindnefs ; but am fupported by a full con- 
 vi6tion that the ftep is compatible with 
 both. 
 
 The acceptance of, and continuance hith- 
 erto in the office to which your fuffrages 
 
General George Wajhington. 219 
 
 have twice called me, have been an uniform 
 facrifice of inclination to the opinion of du- 
 ty, and to a deference for what appeared to 
 be your defire. I conftantly hoped, that it 
 would have been much earlier in my power 
 confiftently with motives, which I was not 
 at liberty to difregard, to return to that re- 
 tirement, from which I had been reludlant- 
 ly drawn. The ftrength of my inclination 
 to this, previous to the laft election had even 
 led to the preparation of an addrefs to de- 
 clare it you j but mature refledion on the 
 then perplexed and critical pofture of our 
 affairs with foreign nations, and the unani- 
 mous advice of perfons entitled to my con- 
 fidence, impelled me to abandon the idea. 
 
 I rejoice, that the flate of your concerns, 
 external as well as internal, no longer ren- 
 ders the purfuit of inclination incompatible 
 with the fentiment of duty, or propriety ; 
 and am perfuaded, whatever partiality may 
 be retained for my fervices, that in the pref- 
 ent circumftances of our country, you will 
 not difapprove my determination to retire. 
 
 The impreflions with which I firfl under- 
 took the arduous truft, were explained on 
 
220 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 the proper occafions. In the difcharge of 
 this truft, I will only fay, that I have with 
 good intentions, contributed towards the 
 organization and adminiftration of the gov- 
 ernment, the beft exertions of which a very 
 falliable judgment was capable. Not uncon- 
 feious, in the outfet, of the inferiority of my 
 qualifications, experience in my own eyes, 
 perhaps (lill more in the eyes of others, has 
 iirengthened the motives to diffidence of 
 iTjyfelf ; and every day the increafing weight 
 of years admonifhes me more and more, 
 that the fnade of retirement is as neceffary 
 to me, as it will be welcome. Satisfied that 
 if any circumftances have given peculiar val- 
 ue to my fervices, they were temporary ; I 
 have the confolation to believe, that while 
 choice and prudence invUe me to quit the 
 political fcene, patriotism does not forbid it. 
 In looking forward to the moment, which 
 is intended to terminate the. career of my 
 public life, my feelings do not permit me to 
 fufpend the deep acknowledgment of that 
 debt of gratitude which I owe to my belov- 
 ed country, for the many honors it has con- 
 ferred upon me ; ftill more for the Head- 
 
General George V/aJhingion, 221 
 
 faft confidence with which it has fupported 
 me ; and for the opportunities I have thence 
 enjoyed of nianifeftingmy inviolable attach- 
 ment, by fervices faithful and perfevering, 
 though in ufefulnefs unequal to my zeal. 
 If benefits haverefulted to our country from 
 thefe fervices, let it always be remembered 
 to your praife, and as an inftruclive exam- 
 ple in our annals, that under circumftances 
 in which the paffions, agitated in every di- 
 red:ion, were liable to miilead, amidft ap- 
 pearances fometimes dubious, viciffitudes of 
 fortune often difcouraging, in fituations in 
 which not unfrequently want of fuccefs has 
 countenanced the fpirit of criticifm, the 
 conftancy of your fupport was the effential 
 prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the 
 plans by which they were effeded» Pro- 
 foundly penetrated with this idea, I fliall 
 carry it with me to my grave, as a ftrong 
 incitement to unceafing vows. That Heav- 
 en may continue to you the choiceft tokens 
 of its beneficence ; that your union and 
 brotherly affedion may be perpetual ; that 
 the free conllitution, which is the work of 
 
 your hands, may be facredly maintained j 
 T 2 
 
252 Biographical Me?noirs cf 
 
 that its adminiftration in every department 
 may be ftamped with wifdom and virtue ; 
 that, in fine, the happinefs of the people of 
 thefe Hates, under the aufpices of liberty, 
 may be made complete, by lb careful a pref- 
 er vation, and fo prudent a ufe of this bl ef- 
 fing, as will acquire to them the glory of re- 
 commending it to applaufe, the affedion 
 and adoption of every nation which is yet a 
 flranger to it. 
 
 Here, perhaps, I ought to flop. But a 
 folicitude for your welfare, which cannot 
 end but with my life, and the apprehenfion 
 of danger, natural to that folicitude, urge 
 me on an occalion like the prefent, to offer 
 to your folemn contemplations, and to rec- 
 ommend to your frequent review, fome fen- 
 timents, which are the refult of much re- 
 fleeTion, of no inconfiderable obfervation, 
 and which appear to me all important to the 
 permanency of your felicity as a people. — 
 Thefe will be offered to you with the more 
 freedom, as you can only fee in them the 
 difinterefled warnings of a parting friend, 
 who can pollibly have no perfonal motive 
 to bias his counfel Nor can I foiget, as an 
 
General George Wa/hingion. 223 
 
 encouragement to it, your indulgent recep- 
 tion of my fentiments on a former and not 
 diffimilar occalion. 
 
 Interwoven as is the love of liberty with 
 every ligament of your hearts, no recom- 
 mendation of mine is neceilary to fortify or 
 confirm the attachment. 
 
 The unity of government which confti- 
 tutes you one people, is alfo now dear to 
 you. It is juftly fo ; for it is a main pillar 
 in the edifice of your real independence, the 
 fupport of your tranquillity at home, your 
 peace abroad ; of your fafety, of your prof- 
 perity ; of that very liberty which you fo 
 highly prize. But as it is eafy to forfee, 
 that from different quarters, much pains 
 will be taken, many artifices employed to 
 weaken in your minds the convidion of this 
 truth ; as this is the point in your political 
 fortrefs againft which the batteries of inter- 
 nal enemies will be moil conilantly and ac- 
 tively (though often covertly and infiduouf- 
 ly) directed, it is of infinite moment, that 
 you fhould properly eitimate the immenfe 
 value of your national union, to your col-- 
 lective and individual happinefs j that you 
 
224 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 Ihould cherilh a cordial, habitual and im- 
 movable attachment to it ; accuiioming 
 yourfelves to think and fpeak of it as of the 
 palladium of your political fafety and prof- 
 perity ; watching for its prefervation with 
 jealous anxiety ; difcountenancing whatev- 
 er may fuggeft even a fufpicion that it can 
 in an event be abandoned j and indignant- 
 ly frowning upon the lirlf dawning of eve. 
 ry attempt to alienate any portion of our 
 country from the reft, or to enfeeble the fa- 
 cred ties, which now link together the va- 
 rious parts. 
 
 F(;r this you have every inducement of 
 fympathy and intereft. Citizens by birth 
 or choice, of. a common country, that coun- 
 try has a right to concentrate your affec- 
 tions. The name of American^ which be- 
 longs to you, in your national capacity, 
 muft always exalt the juft pride of patriot- 
 ifm, more than any appellation derived from 
 local difcriminat ions. With flight fhades of 
 difference, you have the fame religion, man- 
 ners, habits and political principles. You 
 have in a common caufe fought and tri- 
 umphed together : the independence and 
 
General George Wajhingion, 225 
 
 liberty you poffefs are the work of joint 
 Gouncils and joint efforts, of common dan- 
 gers, fufferings and fucceff s. 
 
 But thefe coiifiderations, however power- 
 fully they addrefs themfelves to your fenfi- 
 bility, are greatly outweighed by thofe 
 which apply more immediately to your in- 
 tereft. Here every portion of cur country 
 finds the moft commanding motives for 
 carefully guarding and preferving the union 
 of the whole. 
 
 The North in an unftrained intercourfe 
 with the South, protected by the equal laws 
 of a common government, finds in the pro- 
 ductions of the latter, great additional re- 
 fources of maritime and commercial enter- 
 prize and precious materials of manufactur- 
 ing induftry- The South, in the fame inter- 
 courfe, benefiting by the agency of the 
 North, fees its agriculture grow, aud its 
 comnjerce expand. Turning partly into its 
 own channels the feamen of the North, it 
 finds its particular navigation invigorated ;- 
 and while it contributes in different ways, 
 to nourifh and increafe the general mass of 
 the national navigation, it looks forward to 
 
226 Biographical Memcirs of 
 
 the protedlion of a maratime flrength to 
 which itfelf is unequally adapted. The Eafl 
 in a like intercourfe with the Weft already 
 finds, and in the progrefllve improvement 
 of interior communications, by land and 
 water, will more and more lind a valuable 
 vent for the commodities which it brings 
 from abroad, or manufactures at home. — 
 The Weil derives from the Eaft, fupplies 
 requiite to its growth and comfort : and 
 what is perhaps of ftiil greater confequence, 
 it muft of necellity owe the fecure enjoy- 
 ment of indifpen fable outlets for its own pro- 
 duclions to the weight, influence, and the 
 future maritime ftrength of the Atlantic 
 fide of the Union, directed by an indiffolu- 
 ble community of intereft as one naiion.-^ 
 Any other tenure by which the Weft can 
 hold this eflential advantage, whether de- 
 rived from its own feparate ftrength, or 
 from an apoftate and unnatural connexion 
 with any foreign power, muft be intrinftcal- 
 ly precarious. 
 
 While then every part of our country 
 thus feels an immediate and particular inter- 
 eft in Union, all the parts combined cannot 
 
General George Wajhlngton. 227 
 
 fail to find in the united mafs of means and 
 efforts greater ftiength, greater refource, 
 proportionably greater fecurity from exter- 
 nal danger, a lefs frequent interruption of 
 their peace by foreign nations ; and what is 
 of ineftimable value ! they mud derive from 
 Union and exemption from thofe broils and 
 wars between themfelves, v/hich fo fre- 
 quently affli6l neighboring countries, not 
 tied together by the fame government ; 
 which their own rivalfliips alone would be 
 fufficient to produce, but which oppofite 
 foreign alliances, attachments^ and intrigues 
 would ftimulate and embitter. — Hence like- 
 wife they will avoid the neceffity of thofe o- 
 ver-grown military eftablifliments, which 
 under any form of government are inauf- 
 picious to liberty, and which are to be re- 
 garded as particularly hoftile to Republican 
 Liberty ; in this fenfe, it is that your Un- 
 ion ought to be confidr-red as a main prop 
 of your liberty, and that tlv ^ove of the one 
 ought to endear to you the prefervation of 
 the other. 
 
 Thefe confiderations fpeak a periuafive 
 language to every refleding and virtuous 
 
228 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 mind, and exhibit the continuance of the 
 Union as a primary object of patriotic de- 
 fire. — Is there a doubt whether a common 
 government can embrace fo large a fphere ? 
 — Let experience folve it. To liften to 
 mere fpeculation in fuch a cafe were crim- 
 inal. — We are authorifed to hope that a 
 proper organization of the whole, with the 
 auxiliary agency of governments for the re- 
 fpedive fub-diviiions, will afford a happy if- 
 fue to the experiment. With fuch power- 
 ful and obvious motives to union, affecting 
 all parts of our country, while experience 
 fliall not have demonftrated its impradibil- 
 ity, there will always be reafon to diftruft 
 the patriotifm of thofe, who, in any quarter, 
 may endeavor to weaken its bands. 
 
 In contemplating the caufes which may 
 diflurb our union, it occurs as matter of fe- 
 rious concern, that any ground (hould have 
 been furnifhed for characlerifmg parties by 
 Geograpiiical difcriminations,'' iVor/Z^^rw and 
 Southern^ Atlantic and Wejlern ;" whence de- 
 signing men may endeavor to excite a be- 
 lief, that there is a real difference of local in- 
 interefts and views. One of the expedi- 
 
General George Wajhington. 229 
 
 ents of party to acquire influence, within 
 particular diftridls, is to miireprefent the o- 
 pinions and aims of other diftrids. You 
 cannot fhield yourfelves too much againft 
 the jealoufies and heart- burnings which 
 fpring thefe mifreprefentations: they tend to 
 render alien to each other thofe who ought 
 to be bound together by fraternal afFedion. 
 The inhabitants of our weftern country 
 have lately had an ufeful leiTon on this head 
 —they have feen, in the negociation by the 
 executive, and in the unanimous ratification 
 by the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and 
 in the univerfal fatisfaftion of that event, 
 throughout the United States, a decifive 
 proof how unfounded were the fufpicions 
 propogated among them, of the policy in 
 the general government and in the Atlan- 
 tic ftates unfriendly to their interefts in re- 
 gard to the MiJ/iffippi : they have been wit- 
 neffes to the formation of two treaties, that 
 with Great Britain and that with Spain, 
 which fecure to them every thing they could 
 defire, in refped to our foreign relations?, 
 towards confirming their profperity. Will 
 
 it not be their wifdora to rely for the pref- 
 U 
 
^30 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 ervation of thefe advantages on the Union by 
 which they were procured ? Will they not 
 henceforth be deaf to thofe advifers, if fuch 
 there are, who wouM fever them from their 
 brethren and conned them with aliens ? 
 
 To the efficacy and permanency of your 
 union, a governm^ent for the whole is indif- 
 penfable. — No alUances, however ftrid, be- 
 tween the parts, can be an adequate fubfti- 
 tute ; they muii inevitably experience the 
 infractions and interruptions which all allian- 
 ces, in all times, have experienced. Senfi- 
 ble of this momentous truth, you have im- 
 proved upon your firft effay, by the adop- 
 tion of a conftitution of government better 
 calculated than your former for an intimate 
 union, and for the efficacious management 
 of your comuion concerns. This govern- 
 ment, the offspring of our own choice, un- 
 inflaenced and unawed, adopted upon full 
 inveftigation, and mature deliberation, com- 
 pletely free in its principles, in the diiiribu- 
 tion of its powers, uniting fecuring with en- 
 ergy, and containing within itfelf a provif- 
 ion for its own amedment, has a juft claim 
 to your confidence and your fupport. Re- 
 
General George Wajhmgton. 251 
 
 fped for its authority, compliance with its 
 laws, acquiefcence in its meafures, are duties 
 enjoined by the fundamental maxims of 
 true Liberty, The baiis of our political fyf- 
 tem is the right of the people to make and 
 to alter their conftitution of government ; 
 but, the conftitution which at any time ex- 
 ifts, till changed by an explicit and authen- 
 tic ad of the whole people, is facredly obli- 
 gatory upon all. The very idea of the pow- 
 er and the right of the people to eftablifh 
 government, piefuppofes the duty of every 
 individual to obey the eftabiifhed govern- 
 ment. 
 
 All obftruclions to the execution of the 
 laws, all combinations and affociations, un- 
 der whatever plaufible character, with real 
 defign to direct, controul,countera<5l, or awe 
 the regular deliberations and a6lion of the 
 conftituted authorities, are deftru6>ive of 
 this fundamental principle, and of fatal ten- 
 dency. They ferve to organize fadlion, to 
 give it an artificial and extraordinary force ; 
 to put it in the place of the delegated will of 
 a party, often a fmall but artful and enter- 
 prifing minority of the community j and 
 
232 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 according to the alternate triumphs of dif- 
 ferent parties, to make the public adminif- 
 tration the mirror of the ill concerted and 
 incongruous projeds of faction, rather than 
 the organ of conliftent and wholefome plans 
 digefted by common councils, and modified 
 by mutual interefts. 
 
 However combinations or alTociations of 
 the above defcription may now and then an- 
 fwer popular ends, they are likely in the 
 courfe of time and things to become potent 
 engines, by which cunning, ambitious and 
 unprincipled men will be enabled to fubvert 
 the power of the people, and to ufury for 
 themfelves the reins of government ; de- 
 ftroying afterwards the very engines which 
 have lifted them to unjuft dominion. 
 
 Towards the prefervation of your govern- 
 ment, and the permanency of your prefent 
 happy ftate, it is requifite, not only that you 
 ileadily difcountenance irregular oppofitions 
 to its acknowledged authority, but alfo that 
 you relift with care the fpirit of innovation 
 upon the principles however fpecious the 
 pretexts. One method of affault may be 
 to effed in the forms of the conftitution al- 
 
General George Wafhington, 233 
 
 terations which will impair the energy of 
 the fyftem, and that to undermine what can- 
 not be diredtly overthrown. In all the chan- 
 ges to which you may be invited, remember 
 time and habit are at lead as neceffary to 
 fix the true charader of governments, as of 
 other human inftitutions ; that experience 
 IS the fureft flandard, by which to tell the 
 real tendency of the exifting conftitution of 
 a country ; that facility changes upon the 
 credit of mere hypothefis and opinion, and 
 remember, efpecially, that for the efficient 
 management of your common intereft, in a 
 country far extenlive as ours, a government 
 of as much vigor as is confiftent with the 
 perfed fecurity of liberty, is indifpenfable. 
 Liberty itfelf will find in fuch a govern- 
 ment, with powers properly difturbed and 
 adjufted, its fureft guardian. It is indeed 
 little elfe than a name where the govern- 
 ment is too feeble to withftand the enterpri- 
 fes of fadion, to confine each member of the 
 fociety within the limits prefcribed by the 
 laws, and fo maintain all in the fecure and 
 tranquil enjoyments of the rights of perfon 
 and property. 
 
 U 2 
 
234 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 I have already intimated to you the dan- 
 ger of parties in the ftate, with a particular 
 reference to the founding of them on geo- 
 graphical difcrirninations. Let me now 
 take a more comprehenfive view, and warn 
 you in the mofl folemn manner againft the 
 baneful efFecls of the fpirit of party, gener- 
 ally. 
 
 The fpirit, unfortunately, is infeparable 
 from our nature, having its root in the 
 llrongeft paffions of the human mind It 
 exifts under different fhapes in all govern- 
 ments more or lefs ftifley, controuled, or re- 
 prefTed ; but in thofe of the popular form, 
 it is feen in its greatefl ranknefs, and is tru- 
 ly their worfl enemy. 
 
 The alternate domination of one fadion 
 over another, Iharpened by the fpirit of re- 
 venge, natural to party diffention, which in 
 different ages and countries has perpetrated 
 the mofl horrid enormities, is itfelf a fright- 
 ful defpotifm. — But this leads at length to a 
 more formal and permanent defpotifm. The 
 diforders and miferies, which generally re- 
 fult, gradually incline the minds of men to 
 feek fecurity and repofe in the abfolute pow- 
 
General George Wajhmgton, 235 
 
 er of an individual : and fooneror later the 
 chief of fome prevailing fadion more able 
 or more fortunate than his competitors, 
 turns this difpofition to the purpofes of his 
 own elevation, on the ruins of public liber- 
 ty- 
 
 Without looking forward to an exti*emi- 
 
 ty of this kind, (which neverthelefs ought 
 not to be entirely out of %ht) the common- 
 and continual mifchiefs of the fpirit of party 
 are fufficient to make it the intereft and du- 
 ty of a wife people to difcourage and reftrain 
 it. 
 
 It ferves always to diftrad the public 
 confels, and enfeeble the public adminiftra- 
 tion. It agitates the community with ill- 
 founded jealoulies and falfe alarms ; kindles 
 the animoiity of one part againft another ; 
 foments occafionally riot and infurreclion. 
 It opens the door to foreign influence ar^d 
 corruption, which find a facilitated accefsto 
 the government itfelf, through the channels 
 of party paflions. Thus the policy and the 
 will of one country are fubjecled to the pol- 
 icy and will of another. 
 
23B Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 There is an opinion that parties in free 
 countries are uleful checks upon the admin- 
 iftration of the government, and ferve to 
 keep alive the fpirit of liberty. This with- 
 in certain limits, is probably true 5 and in 
 governments of a monarchical call, patriot- 
 ifm may look with indulgence, if not with 
 favor upon the fpirit of party. But in thofe 
 of the popular chara6ler5 in governments 
 purely ele(5live, it is a fpirit not to be encour. 
 aged. From their natural tendency, it is 
 certain there will always be enough of that 
 fpirit for every falutary purpofe. And there 
 being conflant danger of excefs, the effort 
 ought to be, by force of public opinion, to 
 mitigate and affuage it. A fire not to be 
 quenched ; it dem.ands an uniform vigilance 
 to prevent its buifting into a flame, left in- 
 fteaa of warming it fliould confume. 
 
 It is important likewife, that the habits of 
 thinking in a tree country ihould infpire 
 caution, in thofe entrufted with its adminif- 
 tration, to confine themfelves within their 
 refpedive conftitutional fpheres, avoiding 
 in the exercife of their powers of one de- 
 partment to encroach upon another. The 
 
General George Wajhingion, 237 
 
 fpirit of encroachment tends to confolidate 
 the powers of all the departments in one, 
 and thus to create, whatever the form of 
 government, a real defpotifm. A juft efli- 
 mate of that love of power, and pronenefs 
 to abufe it, which predominates in the hu^ 
 man heart, is fufEcient to fatisfy us of the 
 truth of this pofition. The neceflity of re- 
 ciprocal checks in the exercife of political 
 power, by dividing and diftributir-g it into 
 different depofitories, and conflituthig each 
 the guardian of the public weal againfl in- 
 vafions by the others, has been exvinced by 
 experiments ancient and modern : fume of 
 them in our country and under our own 
 eyes. To preferve them mufi: be as necef- 
 fary as to inflitute them. If, in the opin- 
 ion of the people, the diftribution or modi- 
 fication of the conftitutional powers be in 
 any particular wrong, let it be corrected by 
 an amendment in a way which the conftitu- 
 tion defignates. But let there be no change 
 by ufurpation ; for though this, in one in- 
 ftance^ may be the inftrument of good, it is 
 the cuflomary weapon by which free gov- 
 ernments are deftroyed. The precedent 
 
238 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 muft always greatly overbalance in perma- 
 nent evil, any partial or tranfient benefit 
 which the ufe can at any time yield. 
 
 Of all the difpC'fitions and habits which, 
 lead to political profperity. Religion and 
 Morality are indifpenfable fupports. In 
 vain would that man claim the tribute of 
 patriotifm, who fhould labor to iubvert 
 thefe great pillars of human happinefs, thefe 
 fii melt props of the duties of men and citi- 
 zens. The mere politician, equally with the 
 pic*us man, ought to refped and to cherifh 
 them. A volume could not trace all their 
 connexions with private and public felicity, 
 Let it limply be alked, where is the fecurity 
 for property, i'^Y reputation, for life, if the 
 fenfe of religious obhgation defert the oaths, 
 which are the inftruments of inveftigation 
 in courts of juftice ? And let us with cau- 
 tion indulge the fuppofition, that morality ^ 
 can be Uiaintained without religion. What- 
 ever maybe conceded to the iiiiluence of 
 refined education on minds of peculiar ftruc- 
 ture ; reafon and experience both forbid us 
 toexpecl: that national morality can prevail 
 in exclufion of religious principle. 
 
General George Wajhlngton. 239 
 
 *Tis fubftantially true that virtue or mo- 
 rality is a neceffary fpring of popular guv- 
 eminent. The rule indeed extends with 
 more or lefs force to every fpecies of free 
 government. Who that is a fincere friend 
 to it, can look with indifference upon at- 
 tempts to fhake the foundation of the fab- 
 ric. 
 
 Promote, then, as an object of primary 
 importance, inftitutions for the general dif- 
 fuiion of knowledge. In proportion as the 
 ftrudlure of a government gives force to 
 public opinion, it is effential that public o- 
 pinion (hould be enlightened. 
 ' As a very important fource of ftrength 
 and fecurity, cherifh public credit. One 
 method of preferving it, is to ufe it as fpar- 
 ingly as poilible ; avoiding the occaiions of 
 expence by cultivating peace ; but remem- 
 bering alfo, that timely difburfements to re- 
 pel it ; avoiding likewife the accumulation 
 of debt, not only by fhunning occaiions of 
 expenfe, but by vigorous exertions in time 
 of peace to difcharge the debts which una- 
 voidable wars may have occaiioned, not un- 
 generoufly throwing upon pofterity the bur- 
 
240 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 then which we ourfelves ought to bear. The 
 execution of thefe maxims belong to your 
 reprefentatives ; but it is neceflary that pub- 
 lic opinion fliould co-operate. 
 
 To facilitate them the performance of their 
 duty, it is effential that you ihould pradlic- 
 ally bear in mind, that towards the pay- 
 ment of debts there mud be revenue : that 
 to have revenue, there mufl be taxes ; and no 
 taxes can be devifed that are not more or 
 lefs inconvenient and unpleafant ; that the 
 intrinfic embarraflment infeparable from the 
 feledion of the proper objeds, (which is al- 
 ways a choice of difficulties) ought to be a 
 deciiive motive for candid conflru<^ion of 
 the conducl of the government in making 
 it, and for the fpirit of acquiefcence in the 
 meafures for obtaining revenue, which the 
 public exigencies may at any time didate. 
 
 Obferve good faith and juftice towards 
 all nations : cultivate peace and harmony 
 with all ; religion and morality enjoin this 
 condud ; and can it be, that good policy 
 does not equally enjoin it ? It will be wor- 
 thy of a free, enlightened, and, at no diilant 
 period, a great nation, to give to mankind 
 
General George Wajhingion, 241 
 
 the magnanimous and too novel example of 
 a people always guided by an exalted juftice 
 and benevolence. Who can doubt, ihat in 
 the courfe of time and things, the fruits of 
 fuch a plan would richly repay any tempo- 
 rary advantages which might be loft by a 
 fteady adherence to it ? — Can it be that 
 Providence has not connected the perma- 
 nent felicity of a nation with its virtue ? 
 The experiment at Jeaft, is recommended 
 by every fentiment which ennobles human 
 nature. — Alas ! is it rendered inipoillble by 
 its vices ? 
 
 In the execution of fuch a plan, nothing 
 is more eflential than that permanent, in- 
 veterate antipathies againft particular na- 
 tions, and paffionate attachments for others, 
 fliould be excluded ; and that in the place 
 of them, juft and amicable feelings towards 
 all fliould be cultivated. The nation which 
 indulges towards another an habitual hatred, 
 or an habitual fondnefs, is in fome degree a 
 Have. It is a flave to its animofity or its af- 
 fection, either of which is fufEcient to lead 
 aftray from its duty and its intereft. An- 
 tipathy in one nation againft another, difpo- 
 W 
 
242 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 fes each more readily to offer infult and in- 
 jury, to lay hold of flight caufes of umbragCj 
 and to be haughty and untracftable, when 
 accidental or trilling occafions of difpute oc 
 cur. 
 
 Hence, frequent collifions, obftinate, en- 
 venomed and bloody contefts. — The nation 
 prompted by ill-will and refentment, fome- 
 times impels to war the government, con- 
 trary to the beft calculations of policy* The 
 government fometimes participates in the 
 national propenlity, and adopts, through 
 paffion, what reafon would rejed ; at other 
 times it makes the animofity of the nation 
 fubfervient to projeds of hofiility, inftiga- 
 ted by pride, ambition, and other iinifter 
 and pernicious motives. The peace often, 
 fometimes perhaps the liberty of nations, 
 has been the vidim. 
 
 So like wife a paflionate attachment of one 
 nation for another, produces a variety of e- 
 vils. Sympathy tor the favorite nation, fa- 
 cilitating the iliufion of an imaginary com- 
 mon intereft, in cafes where no real com- 
 mon intereft exifts, and infufing into one 
 the enmities of the other, betrays the for* 
 
General George Wajhingion, 243 
 
 mer into a participation in the quarrels and 
 wars of the latter, without adequate induce- 
 ment or juftification. It leads alfo to con- 
 ceffions to the favorite nation of privileges 
 denied to others, which is apt doubly to in- 
 jure the nation making the concefllons ; by 
 unneceffarily parting with what ought to 
 have been retained j and by exciting jeal- 
 oufy, ill-will, and a difpofition to retaliate, 
 in the parties from whom equal privileges 
 are withheld : And it gives to ambitious, 
 corrupted or deluded citizens (who devote 
 themfelves to the favorite nation) facility to 
 betray or facrifice the interefts of their own 
 country, without odium, fometimes even 
 with popularity 5 gilding with the appear- 
 ances of a virtuous fenfe of obligations, and 
 commendable deference for public opinion, 
 or a laudable zeal for public good, the bafe 
 or fooliCh compliances of ambition, corrup- 
 tion or infatuation- 
 
 As avenues to foreign influence in innu- 
 merable ways, fuch attachments are partic- 
 ularly alarming to the enlightened and in- 
 dependent patriot. — How many opportuni- 
 ties, do they afford to tamper with domeftic 
 
244 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 fadions, to pradlce the arts of fedudion, to 
 miflead public opiaion, to influence or awe 
 the public councils ! Such an attachnnent of 
 a fmall or weak, towards a great and pow- 
 erf 5^1 nation, dooms the former to be the 
 fatellite of ihe other. 
 
 Againfl the infidious wiles of foreign in- 
 fluence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow 
 citizens) the jealouly of a free people ought 
 to be conjiantly awake ; lince hiftory and ex- 
 perience prove, that foreign influence is one 
 of the moft baneful foes of republican gov- 
 ernment. But tha^ ]*ealoufy to be ufeful 
 muft be impartial ; elfe it becomes the in- 
 flrument of the very influence to be avoid- 
 ed, inilead of a defence againft it. Excef- 
 iive partiality for one foreign nation, and 
 excelTive difiike of another, caufe thofe 
 whom they actuate to fee the danger only 
 on one fide, and ferve to veil and even to 
 fecond the arts of influence on the other. 
 Real patriots, who may relift the intrigues 
 of the favorite, are liable to become fufpect- 
 ed and odious ; while its tools and dupes u- 
 furp the applaufe and confidence of the peo- 
 pie to fur render their inter efts. 
 
General George Wajhington. 245 
 
 The great rule of conduct for us, in re- 
 gard to foreign nations, is in extending our 
 commercial relations, to have with them as 
 little political connexion as poflible. So far 
 as we have already formed engagements, let 
 them be fulfilled with perfed good faith. — 
 Here let us flop. 
 
 Europe has a fet of primary interefts, 
 which to us have none, or a very remote re- 
 lation. — Hence die mufl be engaged in fre- 
 quent controverfies, the caufes of which 
 are effentially foreign to our concerns. — 
 Hence, therefore, it muft be unwife in us to 
 implicate ourfelves, by artificial ties, in the 
 ordinary viciffitudes of her politics, or her 
 ordinary combinations or colliCons of her 
 friendfhips, or enmities. 
 
 Our detached and diftant fituation in- 
 vites and enables us to purfue a diflferent 
 courfe. If we remain one people, under an 
 efiicient government, the period is not far 
 off, when w^e may defy material injury from 
 external annoyance ; when we may take 
 fuch an attitude as will caufe the neutrality, 
 we may at any time refolve upon, to be fcru- 
 
 puloufly refpededj when belligerent na- 
 W 2 
 
246 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 tions, under the impoflibility of rraking ac- 
 quifitions upon us, will not lightly hazard 
 the giving us provocation j when we may f 
 choofe peace or war, as our intereft, guided 
 by juftice, fhall counfel. 
 
 Why forego the advantages of fo pecul- 
 iar a fituation ? Why quit your own to 
 ftand upon foreign ground ? Why, by inter- 
 weaving our deftiny with that of any part 
 of Europe, entangle our peace and profper- 
 ity in the toils of European ambition, rival- 
 Ihip, intereft, humor or caprice ? 
 
 'Tis our true policy to fteer clear of per- 
 manent alliances, with any portion of the 
 foreign world : fo far, I mean, as we are 
 now at liberty to do it : for let me not be 
 underftood as capable of patronizing infi- , 
 delity to exifling engagements. I hold the 
 maxim no lefs applicable to public than pri- 
 vate affairs, that honefty is always the beft 
 policy. I repeat it, therefore, let thofe en- 
 gagements be obferved in their genuine 
 fenfe. But, in my opinion, it is neceffary, 
 and would be unwife, to extend them. 
 
 Taking care always to keep ourfelves, by 
 fuitable eftabliihments, on a refpedable de- 
 
General George Wajhingion, 24ri 
 
 fen five pofture, we in ay fafefly truil to tem- 
 porary alliances for extraordinary emergen- 
 cies. 
 
 Harmony and liberal intercourfe with all 
 nations, are recommended by policy, hu- 
 manity and intereft. But even our com- 
 mercial policy fhould hold an equal and im- 
 partial hand ; neither feeking nor granting 
 exclufive favors or preferences ; confulting 
 the natural courfe of things \ difFufing and 
 diverfifying, by gentle means, the flreams 
 of commerce, but forcing nothing, eftab- 
 lifhing, with powers fo difpofed, in order to 
 give trade a liable courfe, to define the 
 rights of our merchants, and to enable the 
 government to fupport them ; convention- 
 al rules of intercourfe, the bell; that pr^ent 
 circumftances and mutual opinion will per- 
 mit, but temporary, and liable to be from 
 time abandoned or varied, as experience and 
 circumftances Ihall didate ; conftantly keep- 
 ing in view, that 'tis folly in one nation to 
 look for difinterefted favors from another ^ 
 that it muft pay with a portion of its inde- 
 pendence for whatever it may accept under 
 that character > that by fuch acceptance it 
 
248 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 may place itfelf in the condition of having 
 given equivalents for noniinal favors, and 
 yet of being reproached with ingratitude 
 for not giving more. There can be no 
 greater error than to expect, or calculate 
 upon real favors from nation to nation. — 
 'Tis an illufiori which experience mufl cure, 
 which a juft pride ought to difcard. 
 
 In offering to you, my countrymen, thefe 
 counfels of an old and affectionate friend, I 
 dare not hope they will make the ftrong 
 and iafting impreffion I could wifh ; that 
 they will control the ufual current of the 
 paffions, or prevent our nation from run- 
 ning the courfe which has hitherto marked 
 the defliny of nations ; But, if I may even 
 flatier myfelf that they may be produdive 
 of fome partial benefit, fome occafional 
 good ; that they may now and then recur 
 to m.oderate the fury of party fpirit, to warn 
 againft the mifchiefs of foreign intrigue, to 
 guard againft the impoftures of pretended 
 patriotifm ; this hope will be a full recom- 
 pence for the folicitude of your welfare, by 
 which they have been dictated. 
 
General George Wajhinglon. 249 
 
 How far in the difcliarge of my official 
 duties, I have been guided by the principles 
 that they have been deliiieated, the public 
 records and other evidences of my conduct 
 muft witnefs to you and the world. To my- 
 felf, the aflurance of my own confcience is, 
 that I h<we at leaft believed myfelf to be 
 guided by them. 
 
 In relation to the ftill fubfiding war in 
 Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of A- 
 pril, 1793 is the index to my plan. Sanc- 
 tioned by ycur approving voice and by that 
 of your Reprefentatives in both Houfes of 
 Congrefs, the fpirit of that meafure has con- 
 tinually governed me ; uninfluenced by any 
 attempts to deter or divert me from it. 
 
 After deliberate examination with the aid 
 of the beft lights I could obtain, I was well 
 fatisfied that our country, under all the cir- 
 cumftances of the cafe, had a right to take, 
 and was bound in the duty and intereft, to 
 take a neutral pofition* Having taken it, I 
 determined, as far as fliould depend upon 
 me to maintain it, with moderation, perfe- 
 verance and firmnefs. 
 
250 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 The confiderations which refpect the right 
 to hold this conduct, it is not ncceilary on 
 this occafion to detail. I will only obterve, 
 that according to my underftanding of the 
 matter, that right, fo far from being deni- 
 ed by any of the belligerent powers, has 
 been virtually admitted by all. 
 
 The duty of holding a neutral condud 
 may be inferred, without any thing more, 
 from the obligations which juilice and hu- 
 ma-nity impofe on every nation, in cafes in 
 which it is free to acl, to maintain inviolate 
 the relations of peace and amity towards 
 other nations. 
 
 I he inducements of iatereft for obferving 
 that conduct will bell be referred to your 
 own reflections and experience. With me, 
 a predominant motive has been to endeavor 
 to gain time to our country to fettle and 
 mature its yet recent inflitutions, and to 
 progrefs without interruption, to that de- 
 gree of ftrength and confiftency, which is 
 neceflary to give it, humanly fpeaking, the 
 command of its own fortunes. 
 
 Though in reviewing the incidents of my 
 
General George Wajhingion, 251 
 
 adminiftration, I am unconfcious of inten- 
 tional error : I am, neverthelefs, too fenfi. 
 ble of my defects not to think it probable 
 that I may have committed many errors. — 
 
 Whatever they may be^ I fervently befeech the 
 Almighihy to avert or mitigate the evils to which 
 they may tend* 1 jhall alfo carry with me the 
 hope that my country will never ceafe to view 
 them with indulgence ; and that after forty -Jive 
 years of my life dedicated to its fervice, with an 
 upright zeal^ the faults of incompetent abilities 
 will be configned to oblivion^ as myfelfmufl foon 
 be to the manjions ofrejl. 
 
 Relying on its kindnefs in this, as in oth- 
 er things, and actuated by that fervent love 
 towards it, which is fo natural to a man, 
 who views in it the natural ii)il of himfelf 
 and his progenitors for feveral generations ; 
 I anticipate, with pleafing expectation, that 
 retreat, in which I promife myfelf to real- 
 ize, without alloy, the fweet enjoyments of 
 partaking, in the midft of my fellow citi- 
 zens, the benign influence of good laws un- 
 der a free government ; the ever-favorite 
 objecl of my heart, and the happy reward 
 
252 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 as I truft, of our mutual cares, labors and 
 dangers. 
 
 GEO: WASHINGTON. 
 
 United States, 7 
 17 tb Sept. 1796. 3 
 
 ON the 17th December, 1796, Prefident 
 WASHINGTON delivered his iaj Speech to 
 the reprefentatives of the people at the open- 
 ing of the fecond feflion of the fourth Con- 
 grefs. We regret that our contraded lim- 
 its will not permit of inferting it verbatim. 
 In this addrefs he communicates informa- 
 tion refpeding the meafures taken for car- 
 rying into efFed treaties with the Indian na- 
 tions, G/eat Britain, Spain and Algiers. — 
 He likewife informs, that meafures are in 
 operation for efFeding treaties with the Re- 
 gencies of Tunis and Tripoli. He wifhes 
 the United States to look to the means, and 
 to fet about the gradual creation of a navy ; 
 fo that a future war with Europe may not 
 find our commerce in the fame unproted- 
 ed ftate in which it was found by the pafl. 
 
General George Wqfhington, 253 
 
 He then proceeds to recommend the ef- 
 tabliftiment of certain branches of manufac- 
 ture on public account ; particularly thofe 
 which are of a nature ejfential to the furnijhing 
 and equipping of the public force in time of war • 
 
 He judicioufly recommends the inftitu- 
 tion of a Board of Agriculture, compofed of 
 proper characters, charged with colleding 
 and difFufing information, and enabled, by- 
 premiums and fmall pecuniary aids, to en- 
 courage and affift a fpirit of difcovery and 
 improvement. Experience has proved this 
 to be a cheap inftrument of immenfe nation- 
 al benefit. He then recalls the attention of 
 Congrefs, to a fubjecl, he had before pro- 
 pofed to their confideration, the expedien- 
 cy of eftabliihing a national univerfity, and 
 alfo a military academy. He points out as 
 motives to the inftitution of a national uni- 
 verfity, the afilmilation of the principles, 
 opinions, and manners of our countrymen, 
 by the common education of a portion of 
 our youth from every quarter, and remarks 
 that the more homogeneous out citizens 
 can be made in thefe particulars, the greats 
 er will be the profped of our permanent 
 
254f Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 union : and that a primary objed ftiould be 
 the education of our youth in the Icienceof 
 GOVERNMENT. In a republic, what fpe- 
 cies of knowledge can be equally important ? 
 and what duty can be more preffing on its 
 Legiflature, than to patronize a plan for 
 communicating it to thofe who are to be 
 the future guardians of the liberties of the 
 country ? 
 
 The inftitution of a military academy, he 
 alfo obferves, is recommended by cogent 
 reafons. — However pacific fays he, the gen- 
 eral policy of a nation may be, it ought nev- 
 er to be without an adequate ftock of mili- 
 tary knowledge, for emergencies. 
 
 The following important paragraph is 
 verbatim : " The compenfation to the offi- 
 cers of the United States, in various inflan- 
 ces, and in none more than in refpect to the 
 moft important ilations, appear to call for 
 legillative revifion. The confequences of a 
 defective provifion are of ferious import to 
 the government. If private wealth is to 
 fupply the defect of public contribution, it 
 y^ill greatly contract the fphere, within 
 which the feledion of charader for office is 
 
General George Wajhingion, 255 
 
 to be made, and will proper tionably dimin- 
 ifh the probability of a choice of men able, 
 as well as upright. Befides, that it would 
 be repugnant to the vital principles of our 
 government, virtually to exclude from pub- 
 lic trufts, talents and virtue, unlefs accom- 
 panied by wealth." 
 
 The Prefident then exprelTes his regret 
 at the unpleafant circumftances which have 
 occurred relative to the French republic ; his 
 ardent wifh being to maintain cordial har- 
 mony, as far as is confident with the rights 
 and honor of our country. 
 
 The Houfe of Reprefentatives he inform- 
 ed, that the revenues of the United States 
 continue in a^flate of progrellive improve- 
 ment ; and are invited to take fuch further 
 meafures as will afcertain, to our country, 
 the fpeedy extinguifhment of the public 
 debt. 
 
 He then concluded his addrefs to both 
 Houfes of Congrefs, in the following words : 
 " My folicitude to fee the militia of the U- 
 nited States placed on an efficient eflablifh- 
 ment, has been fo often and fo ardently ex- 
 preffed, that I fhall but barely recall the fub- 
 
256 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 jed to your view, on the prefent occafion, 
 at the fame time, I fliall fubmit to your en- 
 quiry, whether our harbors are yet fuffi- 
 ciently fecured." 
 
 The fituation in which T now ftand, for 
 the laft time, in the midft of the reprefent- 
 atives of the people of the United States, 
 naturally recalls the period, when the ad- 
 miniftration of the prefent form of govern- 
 ment commenced -, and I cannot omit the 
 occafion to congratulate you, and my coun- 
 try, on the fuccefs of the experiment ; not 
 to repeat my fervent prayer to the Supreme 
 Ruler of the Univerfe, and Sovereign Arbi- 
 ter of Nations, that his providential care, 
 may ftill be extended to the United States ; 
 that the virtue and happinefs of the people 
 may be preferved ; and that the govern- 
 ment which they have inftituted for the 
 proteclion of their liberties may be perpetu- 
 al." 
 
 On Saturday the 4th of March, 179Y, 
 John Jdams, E/q. who was elected the fuc- 
 cefTor of Prefidefji WASHiNoroN^ attended the 
 Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives of the 
 United States, and took his oath of office,. 
 
General George Wajhington, 257 
 
 according to the directions of the conftitu- 
 tion. The ceremony afforded a fpedlacle of 
 high fatisfadion and delight to every genu- 
 ine republican. To behold a fellow- citizen 
 raifed by the voice of the people to be the 
 firft magiftrate of a free nation, and to be- 
 hold at the fame time George Wafhington, 
 who lately filled the prefidential chair, at- 
 tending the inauguration of his fucceffor in 
 office, as a private citizen, beautifully exem- 
 plifying fublime fimplicity and excellence of 
 repubUcan government. 
 
 The laft official ad of Prefident Wash- 
 ington, is a letter to the Secretary of State, 
 dated March S, 1797. It refpeds certain 
 forged letters, which were publiflied in the 
 years 1777 and 1796, and obtruded on the 
 public as his. They were publiflied at the 
 two moft critical periods of his life, with 
 the view of ftriking at the integrity of his 
 motives, of wounding his character, and of 
 deceiving the people. At the conclufionj 
 therefore of his public employments, he 
 deemed it a duty which he owed to himfelf, 
 to his country, and to truth, to detail the 
 
 circumfiances, and folemnly to declare, that 
 X 2 
 
258 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 the letters (the dates of which he recites) 
 are bafe forgeries, we? e never written by 
 him, and that he never fa w or heard of them, 
 until they appeared in print. During the 
 period in which he held the fupreme com- 
 mand of the army, and bis civil adminftra- 
 tion, the purity of his own mind prevented 
 him from contradiding the falfehood, by 
 any public declaration ; but. Upon his retir- 
 ing to private life, and not knowing how 
 foon a more ferious event might take place, 
 he made this public declaration, and requeft- 
 ed that it might be depofited in the office of 
 the department of ftate, as a teftimony of 
 the truth to the prefent generation and to 
 pofterity. 
 
 On the 22d of March, 1797, General 
 Wafliington took farewell of all public em- 
 ployment, and left Philadelphia for his ef- 
 tate at Mount Vernon. In every town 
 through which he pafled on his way, he re- 
 ceived the grateful and affedionate addref- 
 fes which w ere fo juftly due to his merits 
 from an enlightened and grateful people. 
 
 Having thus amply defcribed the augu/i 
 Washington in his public charader and of- 
 
General George Wojfywgton, 259 
 
 ficial capacity, fufFer us, for a moment, to 
 follow him in private, and take a view of 
 him in the charader of a plain citizen, in 
 his rural refidence at Mount Vernon 
 
 The virtuous fimplicity which diftinguiih- 
 ed the private life of General Waftiington, 
 though lefs known than the dazzling fplen- 
 dor of his military atchievements, is not lefs 
 edifying in example, or worthy the atten- 
 tion of his countrymen. The confpicuous 
 character he ad:ed on the theatre of human " 
 affairs, the uniform dignity with which he 
 fuilained his part amidft difficulties of the 
 moll difcouraging nature, and the glory of 
 having arrived through them at the hour 
 of triumph, have made many official and 
 literary perfons on both fides of the ocean, 
 ambitious of a correfpondence with him. 
 Thefe correfpondencies unavoidably engrof- 
 fed a great portion of his time ; and the 
 communications contained in them, com- 
 bined with the numerous periodical Publi- 
 cations and Newf.papers which he perfued, 
 rendered him, as it were, the focus of politic- 
 al intelligence for the new world* Nor were 
 his converfations with well informed men 
 
260 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 lefs conducive to bring him acquainted with 
 the various events which happened in the 
 difFcrrent countries of the globe. Every for- 
 eigner of dillinclion, who travelled in Amer- 
 ica, made it a point to vifit him- Members 
 of Congrefs and other dignified perfonages 
 feldom paffed his houfe without calling to 
 pay their reipedls. As another fource of 
 information, it may be mentioned, that ma- 
 ny literary productions were fent to him 
 annually by their authors in Europe ; and 
 that there is fcarcely one work written in 
 America, on any art, fcience, or fubjedt, 
 which did notfeek hisprotedion, or which 
 was not offered to him as a token of grati- 
 tude. Mechanical inventions were fre- 
 quently fubmitted to him for his approba- 
 tion, and natural curiofities prefented to 
 him for his inveftigation. But the multi- 
 plicity of epiftolary applications often on the 
 remains ot fome bulinefs which happened 
 when he was in office, fometimes on fub- 
 je6ts f<^)reign to his fituation, frivolous in 
 theit nature, and intended merely to gratify 
 the varity of the writers by drawing an- 
 fwers from him, were truly diftreffing and 
 
General George Wajhington. 261 
 
 almoft incredible, Kis benignity in an- 
 fwering, perhaps increafed the number. 
 Did he not hufband every moment to the 
 beft advantage, it would not have been in 
 his power to notice the vaft variety of fub* 
 je<^s that claimed his attention. 
 
 In his manner of living he was extremely 
 regular, temperate and induftrious. He 
 rofe winter and fummer at the dawn of day, 
 generally read or wrote fometime before 
 breakfall : breakfafted about feven o'clock 
 on Indian hoecake and tea, and often rode 
 immediately to his different farms, and re- 
 mained with his laborers till a little after 
 two o'clock, when he returned ; at three he 
 dined, commonly on a fingle difh, and 
 drank from half a pint to a pint of Made- 
 ria wine, this, with one fmall difli of tea 
 which he took half an hour before the fet- 
 ting of the fun, conftituted his whole fufle- 
 nance till the next day. Hib table, howev- 
 er, was always furnifhed with elegance and 
 exuberance, but was void of pomp ; and 
 whether he had company or not, he re- 
 mained an hour at table in familiar conver- 
 fation. His temper was of a ferious cafl. 
 
262 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 and his countenance carried the impreflion 
 of though tMnefs : yet he perfedJy relifhed 
 a pleafant flary, an unafFeded fally of wit, 
 or a burleique defcription. After dinner 
 he applied himfelf to bufinefs, and about 
 nine retired to reft ; but when he had com- 
 pany he politely attended upon them till 
 they wilhed to withdraw. — Agriculture was 
 his favorite employment, he made obferva- 
 tions on the produce of lands, and endeav- 
 ored to throw new light upon the bufinefs 
 of the farmer ; linen and woollen cloths 
 were maufadured under his roof, and or- 
 der and economy were eilablifhed in all his 
 departments, both within and without 
 doors. Mrs. Wafhington prefided over the 
 whole, and united to the qualities of an ex- 
 cellent farmer's wife, that fimple dignity 
 which ought to characlerife a woman whofe 
 hufb Uid has acled fo diftinguiilied a part on 
 the public theatre.^ — Such is the hiftory of 
 the private life of this great character. 
 
 In 1798, the unparrallelled treatment 
 which the American miniflers received at 
 Paris from the republic of France, left little 
 ground to hope for any amicable acconimo- 
 
General George Wajhington. 26 S 
 
 dation with that republic, in confequence of 
 which, the military forces of the United 
 States were greatly augmented, and the 
 Prefident, with the advice of the Senate, 
 appointed GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 LIEUTENANT GENERAL AND COMMANDER IN 
 CHIEF OF ALL THE ARMIES RAISED OR TO BE 
 
 RAISED BY THE United States, this Wife and 
 judicious appointnfient was attended with 
 the happieft efFed, the virtue of a general 
 fo experienced in war, eftabliilied the na- 
 tional dignity and independence, and in- 
 fpired the citizens with enthufiafm. On 
 receiving the appointment, the General ex- 
 prefFefl a wifli that it had fallen upon a man 
 lefs advanced in years, and better qualified 
 to encounter the viciflitudes of war, he re- 
 curred to his determination of clofing his 
 life in retirement and peace, but the conduct 
 of the diredory of France towards our coun- 
 try, he faid, " excited in his bread corref- 
 ponding fentiments with the reft of his 
 countrymen," in confequence of which, he 
 accepted the appointment with this referve, 
 that '^ he ftiould not be called into the field, 
 until the army was in a fituation to require 
 
264 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 his prefence, or it came indifpenfable by the 
 urgency of circumftances," he infoniied the 
 Prefident, " he could not accept of any e- 
 moluoient annexed to the appointment, be- 
 fore entering into a fituation to incur ex- 
 pence." 
 
 He held this command, and contributed 
 his advice and affiftance towards the arrange- 
 ment and organization of the army until 
 the 1 4th of December, 1799, when it pleaf- 
 ed Divine Providence to remove him from 
 this life J he was in his 68th year, and in the 
 enjoyment of perfect health ; the diforder 
 of which he died was an inflammatory fore 
 throat, which proceeded from a flight cold. 
 
 " On Friday, the 13th, he rode out to 
 one of his plantations, and was much wet 
 by the rain, on returning. He was taken 
 with the croup that night ; but from human- 
 ity to his fervants and tendernefs to hi.s phy- 
 lician, very unfortunately declined fending for 
 medical aid, until day -light on Saturday 
 morning. 
 
 " Before Dr. Craik arrived at Mount 
 Vernon, the General had been bled by one 
 of his overfeers. The doctor repeated the 
 
General George Wajhington. 265 
 
 fame immediately ; to whom the General 
 obferved, " he had fent for him too late ;" 
 and feemed to have a prefentiment of his 
 diffolution ; Dodors Dick and Brown alfo 
 attended. 
 
 " As his refpiration became difficult, he 
 faid calmly, " dodors^ I die hard,'' But not- 
 withftanding the excruciating agonies of his 
 violent difeafe, he tranquilly afked feveral 
 queftions during the evening. About fif- 
 teen minutes before he died, (which was 
 between 11 and 12 o'clock, on Saturday 
 night, the 14th of December,) he faid to 
 Dr. Craik, " dt)dor^ what is the clock ? how 
 long am I to continue in this ftiuat ion ? The doc- 
 tor anfwered, "• Not long, fir?' He then re- 
 joined, with the firmeft countenance ima- 
 ginable, '^ I have no fear^ do6lor to die'' 
 
 Mrs. Wafhington was at the bed-fide with 
 his family, and a number of domeftics in 
 the room. He would not wound their fen- 
 fibility by taking a formal leave of any one. 
 — At laft his breathing became fliorter, he 
 clofed his eyes and mouth with his own hands— ^ 
 and expired ! — Thus did the laft moments 
 of this venerable man correfpond with the 
 Y 
 
2&6 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 whol^ tenor of his well fpent life. He died 
 with perfect refignation to the will of Heav- 
 en, and in full poffeffion of his reafon, not a 
 groan or complaint efcaped him ! 
 
 His body was entombed, with folemn 
 honors and funeral pomp, in the family 
 vault, upon the eftate of Mount Vernon, at- 
 tended by the clergy, military, mafonic 
 brethren, and a numerous concourfe of cit- 
 izens. 
 
 The melancholy intelligence of the death 
 of General Waftiington, was every where 
 received throughout the United States, with 
 fenfations of forrow and regret ; the houfes 
 of Congrefs for a period adjourned ; they 
 condoled with the Prefident of the United 
 States, on the lofs our country had fuftain- 
 ed in the death of her worthieft citizen, 
 they went in mourning, and requefted the 
 Prefident to iflue his proclamation, recom- 
 mending the citizens throughout the Un- 
 ion, to wear black crape on the left arm for 
 thirty days ; all the ftate affemblies follow- 
 ed the example : orders were ilTued from 
 the war office, navy department, &c, re- 
 quefting the officers to wear crape on the 
 
General George Wajh'mgton. 267 
 
 left arm for fix months, and the veflels of 
 the navy to put on mourning for one week, 
 by wearing their colors half maft high. 
 
 Orders were iffued by the diredion of 
 the Prefident of the United States, announ- 
 cing to the army the death of its beloved 
 chiefs and requefted the military honors 
 therein, fpecifying to be paid at the feveral 
 ftations of the army. 
 
 The S'enate and Houfe of Reprefentatives 
 of the United States, enaded " that a mar- 
 ble monument be ereded in the capitol in 
 the city of Wafhington ; to the memory of 
 General Wafliington ; and that his family 
 be requefted to permit his body to be depof- 
 ited under it ; and that the monument be 
 fo defigned as to commemorate the great 
 military and political events of his life. — 
 That there be a funeral proceflion, and pub- 
 lic oration delivered on the occafion." The 
 above refolution Mrs. Wafliington affented, 
 facrificing her private wifhes and individu- 
 al feelings to the public will. The public 
 proceiTion took place in Philadelphia, on 
 Thurfday, December the 26th, the ceremo- 
 ny was judicioufly conduced j perhaps 
 
268 Biographical Memoirs of 
 
 there never was a greater difplay of public 
 mourning, folemnity and refpedt, exhibit- 
 ed in the weftern hemifphere j the arrange- 
 ments united every defcription of public 
 and private charai^er, civil and military ; 
 the funeral fervice adapted with great feli- 
 city to the occaiion, was pronounced by 
 Bifhop White ; the deceafed being of the 
 Epifcopal church ; after which, General 
 Lee, who was appointed by Congrefs for 
 that purpofe, delivered the funeral oration ; 
 •we (hall not attempt a report of this admir- 
 able eulogium, of which the public are al- 
 ready pofTelTed, convinced that it would fuf- 
 fer by the attempt. 
 
 Having purfued this diftinguifhed man 
 throughout his public life and in his private 
 retreat, it only now remains that we de- 
 fcribe his perfon, which bears a very great 
 analogy to the qualifications of his mind. 
 
 General Wafhington was a tall well made 
 man, rather large boned, and had a tolera- 
 ble genteel addrcfs : his features were man- 
 ly and bold, his eyes of a blufh cafl and ve- 
 ry lively ; his hair a deep brown, his face 
 rather long and marked with the fmall-pox \ 
 
General George Wajhingion. 269 
 
 his complexion fun burnt and without much 
 color, and his countenance fenfible, compof- 
 ed, and thoughtful ; there was a remarka- 
 ble air of dignity about him with a ftriking 
 degree of gracefulnefs : He had an excellent 
 underftanding without much quicknefs j 
 was llriclly juft, vigilant, and generous ; an 
 affectionate hufband, a faithful friend, ?. fa- 
 ther to the deferving ; gentle in his manr 
 ners, in temper rather refer ved ; a total 
 ftranger to religious prejudices, which have 
 fo often excited Chriilians of one denomin- 
 ation to cut the throats of thofe of another j 
 in his morals irreproachable 5 he was never 
 known to exceed the bounds of the moft 
 rigid temperance, in a word, all his friends 
 and acquaintance univerfally allow that no 
 man ever united in his own perfon, a more 
 perfed alliance of the virtues of a phi- 
 lofopher with the talents of a ftatesman and 
 a general. Candor, fmcerity, affability and 
 fimplicity feem to have been the ftriking 
 features of his character. The befl portraits 
 ever taken of him, are thofe painted by the 
 ingenious Mr. Stewart, of Germantown,and 
 Y 2 
 
2*70 Biographical Memoirs^ tsfc. 
 
 the beft engraving is the large mezotinto 
 done by M- Savage, of Philadelphia. 
 
 Such is the life and charader of the man 
 to whom America entrufted her important 
 caufe, and (he has had every reafon to be 
 fatisfied with her choice ; and moft ungrate- 
 ful would Ihe be to the Great Difpofer of 
 human events, were fhe not to render him 
 unremitting thanks for having provided her 
 with fuch a citizen at fuch a crifis. 
 
 Moft nations have been favord with fome 
 patriotic deliverer. The Ifraelites had their 
 Mofes ; Rome her Camillus ; Greece her 
 Leonidas ; Sweden her Guftavus ; and Eng. 
 land her Hampdens, her Ruffels, and her 
 Sydneys ; but thefe illuftrious heroes, tho' 
 fuccefsful in preferving and defending, did 
 not, like WASHINGTON, form or eftab- 
 lifh empires, which will, in all probability, 
 be the refuge or afylum of virtue, baniflied 
 from Europe by luxury and corruption. 
 
ABSTRACT 
 
 OF 1' H E L A S f 
 
 WILL AND TESTAMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 I, George Washington, citizen of the 
 United States, do declare this my laft W^ill 
 and Teftament, revoking all others : — Ftrji^ 
 All my debts are to be punctually and fpee- 
 dily paid, and the legacies herein bequeath- 
 ed, are to be difcharged in the manner di- 
 rected. 
 
 Item. To my dearly beloved wife. Mar* 
 tha Wajhington^ I bequeath my whole eftate, 
 real and perfonal, during her life, except 
 fuch parts thereof as are hereafter other wife 
 difpofed of. My improved lot in Alexan- 
 dria, I give to her and her heirs forever, as 
 alfo my houfehold and kitchen furniture, 
 with the liquors, and groceries, which may 
 be on hand at the time of my deceafe. 
 
( 272 ) 
 
 lienu Upon the deceafe of my wife, I de- 
 fire, that all the Haves which 1- hold of 7ny 
 own right, lliaii receive their freedom ; but 
 the aged and irifirm, who are unable to iup- 
 pt)rt themfelves, fliall be coniortably cloth- 
 ed and fed by my heirs while they live, and 
 fuch of the children as have no parents, or 
 whofe parents are unable or unwilling to 
 provide for them, fhali be bouid by the 
 court until they arrive at the age of 25 
 years, upon conditions that they fliall be 
 taught to read, write, and be brought up to 
 fome ufeful occupation \ 1 exprefsiy forbid 
 the fale, or tranfportation out of the ftate, 
 of any of them, on any pretence whatfoev- 
 er ; and I do folemnly enjoin my executors 
 to fee this claufe refpecting Haves religiouf- 
 ]y fulfilled. — To my mulatto man, William, 
 1 give immediate freedom, and an annuity 
 of 30 dollars during his life, and if he choof- 
 es to remain in the fituation he now is, he 
 fliall be allowed the clothes and vi6i:uals he 
 has been accuflomed to receive, and the a- 
 bove thirty dollars befide, " and this I give 
 
 him as a teftimony of my fenfe of his attach- 
 
( 273 ) 
 
 nient to me, and for his faithful fervices du- 
 ring the revolutionary war." 
 
 Item. To the Truftees of the Academy 
 of Alexandria, I bequeath 4000 dollars, or, 
 in other words, twenty of m.y fhares in the 
 bank of Alexandria, towards the fupport of 
 a free fchool, for the education of orphans 
 and poor children ; the intereft or dividend 
 only to be applied ; this is in lieu of an an- 
 Duity of JO/, which I have for fome years 
 paft, paid towards the fupport of this infti- 
 tution. 
 
 Ite?n, The fifty fhares in the Potomac 
 Canal company, which I accepted of upon 
 particular terms,* from the legillature of 
 Virginia, as a recompenfe for my fervices 
 during the revolutionary war, and for hav- 
 ing fuggefled the advantages which the 
 community would dtrive from an exten- 
 iion of inland navigation under legiflative 
 patronage, I bequeath in perpetuity tow- 
 ards the endown ent of a National Univer- 
 fity, to be eftabhfhed within the limits of 
 the Diftricl of Columbia, under the aufpi- 
 ces of the general government j and until 
 
 * See page 149. 
 
( 274 ) 
 
 fuch feminary is eftabliflied, the profits arif- 
 ing from thefe fhares, fliall be laid out in the 
 purchafe offtock in the bank of Columbia, 
 or fome other bank, until a fum adequate 
 to the objecl be obtained- 
 
 Item. My hundred ihares in the James 
 River company, I have given, and now con- 
 firm in perpetuity to the ufe of Liberty 
 Hall Academy. Virginia. 
 
 Item. 1 foiever releafe the eflate, he. of 
 my deceafed brother Samuel Wafhington, 
 from the payment of the money (upwards 
 of lOOO/.j which is due to me tor lands 
 w^hich I fold to Philip Pendleton, who as- 
 ligned the fame to my brother, who by a- 
 greemer-t was to pay me ; And whereas 
 two fons of my faid brother Samuel, nam- 
 ed Geo. S. Wafhington, and Lawrence A. 
 Wafhington, came under my protedion, 
 and occaiioned advances on my part for 
 their education at college, &c. for board, 
 cloathing, and other incidental expences, to 
 the amount of near 5000 dollars, which it 
 may be inconvenient for them, or the ef- 
 tate to refund, for which reafons I do here- 
 
( 275 ) 
 
 by acquit them and the eft ate from the pay- 
 ment thereof. 
 
 Item. The balance due me from the ef- 
 tate of Bartholomew Dandridge, deceafed, 
 (my wife's brother) amounting, in 1795, to 
 425/. I releafe and acquit, and the SS ne- 
 groes, formerly belonging to faid eftate, but 
 who were fold on execution, and purchaf- 
 ed on my account, and by me, fuffered to 
 remain in polleflion of Mary his widow, to- 
 gether with their increafe, fhail continue in 
 her poffeffion during her life, without any 
 compenfation ; but at her death, all who 
 are aged 40 years, or upwards, fhall receive 
 their freedom, all under that age, and up- 
 wards of 16, fhall ferve feven years longer, 
 and then be free, and all under 16 years, 
 fliall ferve until they are 25 years, and then 
 be free. 
 
 Item, Charles Carter, who married my 
 neice Betty Lewis, Ihall receive from my ex- 
 ecutors, a fufficient title to the lots in Fred- 
 erickfburgh, which he had of me. 
 
 Item, To my nephew, Wm. A. Waftiing- 
 ton, I bequeath lot No. 265, in the town of 
 Manchefter, my tenth of certain lots in the 
 
( 276 ) 
 
 city and vicinity of Richmond, as alfo lot 
 No. 139, in the town of Edinburgh, Virgin- 
 
 ia. 
 
 Item. To my nephew Bufhrod Wafliing. 
 ton, I give and bequeath, all the papers 
 in my poffeflion, which relate to my civil and 
 military adminiftration of the affairs of this 
 country : I leave to him alfo, fuch of my 
 private papers as are worth prefer ving ; and 
 at the deceafe of my wife and before, if fhe 
 is not inclined to retain them, I give and 
 bequeath all my library of books and pam- 
 phlets of every kind. 
 
 Item. Having fold certain lands which I 
 poffeifed in Pennfylvania, and in New- York, 
 my ihare in Great Difmal Swamp, and a 
 tract in the county ot Gloucefter, withhold- 
 ing the titles until the confideration fhould 
 be paid, alfo having leafed and conditional- 
 ly fold, all my lands on the Great Kanhawa, 
 and a tra^ upon the Difficult Run, whenev- 
 er thefe trads are fulfilled, the money fhall 
 be veiled in bank flock, the interefl where- 
 of I give to my wife during her life, but the 
 flock itfelf (hall be fubject to the diftribution 
 hereafter willed. 
 
( 277 ) 
 
 Itetn, To the Earl of Buchan I re- com- 
 mit " the box made of the oak that (helter- 
 ed the great Sir William Wallace, after the 
 battle of Falkirk ; prefented to me by his 
 lordihip, in terms too flatteting for roe to 
 repeat, with a requeft " to pafs it, on the 
 event of my deceafe, to the man in my 
 country, who fliould appear to merit it beft 
 upon the fame conditions that have induced 
 him to fend it to me.'* Whether eafy or 
 not to feled the man who might comport 
 with his lordfhip*s opinion in this refpedt, is 
 not for me to fay \ but conceiving that no 
 difpoiition of this valuable curioiity can be 
 more eligible than the re- commitment of it 
 to his own cabinet, agreeably to the ori.i^in- 
 al delign of the Goldfmith*s company of Ed- 
 inburgh, who prefented it to him, and, at 
 his requeft, confented that it fliould be tranf- 
 ferred to me ; I bequeath the fame to his 
 lordfhip ; and, in cafe of his deceafe, to his 
 heir, with my grateful thanks for the dif- 
 tinguiflied honor of prefenting it to me, and 
 more efpecially for the favorable fentiments 
 with which he accompanied it. 
 Z 
 
( 278 ) 
 
 Item. To rny brother, Charles Wafhing- 
 ton, I bequeath the gold-headed cane, left 
 me by Dr. Franklin in his wilL To the ac- 
 quaintances and friends of my juvenile years, 
 Laurence Wafhington, and Robert Wafh- 
 ington of Chotanck, I give my other two 
 golden headed canes, having my arms en- 
 graved on them, and to each (as they will 
 be ufeful where the^Jive) I leave one of the 
 fpyglaffes, which conftituted part of my e- 
 quipage during the revolutionary war. To 
 my compatriot in arms and old and inti- 
 mate friend. Dr. Craik, I give my bureau 
 (or as the cabinet makers call it, tambour 
 Secretary) and the circular chair, an appen- 
 dage to my ftudy. To Dr. David Sti^art, I 
 give my large (having and dreffing table, 
 h my telefcope. To the Rev. now Bryan Ld. 
 Fairfax, I give a bible in three large folio 
 volumes, with notes prefented to me by the 
 Rt. Rev. Thomas Wilfon, BiQiop of Sodor 
 and Man. To General de la Fayette, I give 
 a pair of finely wrought fteel piftols, taken 
 from the enemy during the revolutionary 
 war. To mv fifters4n-law, Hannah Wafli- 
 ington and Mildred Wafhington, to my 
 
( 279 ) 
 
 friends Elenor Stuart, Hannah Wafhington, 
 of Fairfield, and Elizabeth Wafhington, of 
 Hayfield, I give, each a mourning ring, of 
 the value of one hundred Dollars. Thefe 
 bequefts are not made for the intrinfic val- 
 ue of them, but as mementos of my efteem 
 and regard. To Tobias Lear, I give the 
 ufe of the farm which he now holds free 
 from rent during his life. To Sally B. 
 Haine (a diftant relation of mine) I give and 
 bequeath three hundred dollars. To Sarah 
 Green, daughter of the deceafed Thomas 
 Blfhop, and to Ann Walker, daughter of 
 John Alton, alfo deceafed, I give each one 
 hundred dollars, in confideration of the at- 
 tachment of their fathers to me ; each of 
 whom having lived nearly forty years in my 
 family. To each of my nephews, Wm. A. 
 Wafhington, Geo Lewis, Geo. 8. Wafhing- 
 ton, Bufhrod Wafhington, and Sam. Wafh- 
 ington, I give one of the Swords or cut- 
 teaux of which I may die pofTefTed : and 
 they are to choofe in the order they are nam- 
 ed. Thefe fwords are accompanied with 
 an injunction not to unfheath them for the 
 purpofe of Ihedding blood, except it be for 
 
( 280 ) 
 
 ielf- defence, or in defence of their country 
 and its rights ; and in the latter cafe to keep 
 them unfheathed, and prefer falling with 
 them in their hands to the relinquilhment 
 thereof. 
 
 Item, To my nephew Bufiirod Wafhing- 
 ton, and his heirs, I bequeath all that part 
 of Mount Vernon, included within the fol- 
 lowing limits, \_here the original will defcribes 
 the boundaries'] containing upwards of 4000 
 acres, with the manfion houfe, and all oth- 
 er improvements : Secondly^ To George F. 
 Wafliington, and Lawrence A. "\JSi7'afhington, 
 and their heirs, to be equally divided be- 
 tween them, I give my eftate of Little Hunt- 
 ing Creek, lying on the Potoniack contain- 
 ing 2027 acres, with the improvements 
 thereon : — Thirdly ^ I bequeath to Laurence 
 Lewis and his wife, and their heirs, all the 
 refidue of Mount Vernon, containing about 
 2000 acres, together with the mili, diftillery, 
 and other improvements. — Fourthly^ 1 be- 
 queath to Geo. Walhington Park Cuftis, the 
 grandfon of my wife, my trad on four mile 
 run, containing 1200 acres and my entire 
 fquare, No. !gl, in the city of Walhington. 
 
( ^Sl ) 
 
 [^The refidue of his eftate real and per* 
 lonal, the General requefts to be fold by his 
 executors to the beft advantage, and the 
 monies ariling therefrom to be divided in- 
 to twenty three equal parts, which he be- 
 queaths equally, to his own and his wife's 
 relations, fpecifying their names.] 
 
 The T'amily Vault at Mount Vernon, re- 
 quiring repairs, and being improperly fitu- 
 ated, 1 defire that a new one of brick, and 
 upon a larger fcale, may be built on the 
 ground which is marked out ; in which my 
 remains, with thofe of my deceafed relations 
 Cnow in the old vault) and fuch others of 
 my family as may choofe to be entombed 
 there, may be depofited. And it is my ex« 
 prefs defire, that my corps may be interred 
 in a private manner, without parade or fu- 
 neral oration. 
 
 Lajlly, I conftitute and appoint my dear- 
 ly beloved wife Martha Wafhington, my 
 nephews William Auguftine Wafhington, 
 Bufhrod W ifhington, George S. Wafhing- 
 ton, Samuel Wafhington, and Laurence 
 Lewis, and my ward George Wafhington P. 
 Z 2 
 
( 282 ) 
 
 Cuftis, (when he fliall have arrived at the 
 age of 20 years) executrix and executors of 
 this WILL and TESTAMENT. 
 
(283 ) 
 
 [THE original Will is of the General's 
 own hand writing ; his name is fubfcribed 
 to every page of it ; he confulted no profef- 
 lional character in the conftrudion of it, and 
 he accompanies every //^;72.with remarks and 
 explanations of the meaning and defign of 
 them ; it is dated July 9th, 1799, and twen- 
 ty. fourth year of the Independence of the 
 United States of America. Annexed to the 
 "Will is the following fchedule of the prop- 
 erty direded to be fold with a moderate val- 
 uation of their worth,] 
 
 IN VIRGINIA. 
 
 Acres. Price, Dols. 
 Loudon CO. Diff. Run, 300 QfiQ6 
 
 Loudon and Fauquier, 
 
 Afhby's Bent, 2481 lOd, ^4,810 
 Chattin's Run, 885 8 IfilO 
 Berkley, S. fork of Bull- 
 fkin, 1 600 
 
 Head of Evan's m. 453 
 In Wormley's line, 1 83 
 
 2236 20 44,720 
 
 ^'Meter!'""^^'^'''"! 571 20 U,VZO 
 
( 284 ) 
 
 Jens, Price* Dolls. 
 Hampfl, on Potomac 7 . 
 
 river, above B. 3 ' 
 
 Gloucefter on N. riv. 400 about 3,600 
 
 Nanfemond near Suff. 7 3 
 
 folk, 3a of 1119 ac. 3 ' 
 
 Gr.Difmal Swamp roy 7 t ^^ ^^^ 
 
 dividend thereof/ i about 20,000 
 
 Ohio riv. Round Bot- 7 ^ 
 torn, 3 
 
 Little Kanhawa, 23 1 4 
 
 2901 
 16 m. lower dow^n, 2448 
 
 Oppofite Big Bent, 4395 
 
 ■dollars 
 
 9744' 10 94,440 
 ^ GREAT KANHAWA. 
 Near the N. Weft, 10,990 
 Eaft fide above, 7276 
 
 Mouth of Cole riv. 2000 
 
 Oppofite thereto 1950') 
 Burning Spring 125 3 
 
 200,000 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 Charles County, 600 6 3,600 
 
 Montgomery do. 519 12 6,229 
 
( 285 ) 
 
 Acres. Price. Dolls 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 Great Meadows, iiS4 6 l5404< 
 
 NEW-YORK. 
 Mohawk river, about 1000 6 6,000 
 
 NORTH-WEST TERRITORY. 
 On Little Miami, 839 
 
 do. do. 977 
 
 do. do. 1235 
 
 3051 
 KENTUCKY. 
 Rough Creek, 3000 
 
 do. adjoining, 2000 
 
 5000 
 LOTS, viz. 
 
 CityofWaJhmgton, 
 Two near the Capitol 
 
 Square, 
 
 coil 693 D. and with 
 
 buildings 
 No. 5, 12, 13, and 14, 
 
 the three laft water 
 
 lots on the Eaftern 
 
 Branch, in iquare 
 
 634, 
 
 15,251 
 
 2 10,000 
 
 1 5,000 
 
( 286 ) 
 
 Acres-' Price. Dolls, 
 667, containing to- 
 gether 345438rquare 
 
 fe^t, at 12 cents, 4,132 
 
 Alexandria, 
 Corner of Pitt and Pr. 
 ftreets, 1-2 an acre 
 laid out into build- 
 ings, three or four of 
 which are let on 
 ground rent at 3 d. 
 
 per foot, 4,000 
 
 Winchejler. 
 A lot in the town of 
 half an acre, and an- 
 other in the Com- 
 mons of about 6 a- 
 
 cres, flippofed 4,000 
 
 Bath, or Warm Springs* 
 Two well fituated, and 
 had buildings to the 
 
 amount of 150l. 8,000 
 
 STOCK. 
 United States, 
 Six per cents, 3746 
 
( 287 ) 
 
 Six per ct. defer'd, 1873 7 
 3 ditto. 2946 3 
 
 2500 
 
 Dolls. 
 6,246 
 
 Potomac Company. 
 24 fhares coft ea. 1 000/e 
 
 fterling, 10,666 
 
 James River Compatny. 
 Five fhares each coft 
 
 100 dollars, 500 
 
 Bank of Columbia, 
 170 fliares, 40 d. each, 6,800 
 
 Bank of Alexandria* 
 Befides 20 fhares to the 
 
 Free School — Five 1000 
 
 STOCK LIVING, viz. 
 1 covering Horfe, 5 carnage Horfes, 4 ri- 
 ding do. 6 brood Mares, 20 working Horfes 
 and Mares, 2 covering Jacks, and 3 young 
 ones, 10 fhe Affes, 42 v^orking Muies, 15 
 younger ones, 329 head horned Cattle, 640 
 head of Sheep, and a large ftock of Hogs the 
 precife number unknown. — C/'Mv Manager 
 has eftimated this live ftock at 7000I. but I 
 fhall fet it down in order to make a round 
 fum at \5fi 5S 
 
 Aggi^^gate amountjv 530,000 
 

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