X 
 
. _..: 
 
 
 G. WASHINGTON 
 
/%&&%& 
 
 H I S T R Y 
 
 OF 
 
 THE LIFE AND DEATH, 
 VIRTUES AND EXPLOITS, 
 
 OF 
 
 General George 
 
 FAITHFULLY TAKEN 
 
 FROM 
 
 AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS, 
 
 AND, NOW, IN 
 
 A THIRD EDITION IMPROVED, 
 
 RESPECTFULLY OFFERED TO THE PERUSAL OF HIS COUN- 
 TRYMEN ; AS ALSO, OF ALL OTHERS WHO WISH TO SEE 
 HUMAN NATURE IN ITS MOST FINISHED FORM. 
 
 wee, 
 
 A life, /JOiv glorious , to bis country led ! 
 J3tloi> ^ d ivhile living, as rever'd noiu dead, 
 JWay bis example^ virtuous deeds inspire ! 
 Let future ages read it t and admire / 
 
 BY THE REV. M. L. WEEMS, 
 OF LODGE No. 50 DUMFRIES. 
 
 RE-PRINTED BY JOHN BIOREN, NO. 83 CHESNUT STREET, 
 FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 
 [Entered according to 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 To MRS. MARTHA WASHINGTON, 
 
 THE ILLUSTRIOUS RELICT 
 OF 
 
 GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Very Hcnored Madam, 
 
 JL HE author hopes he fhall efcape the charge of pre- 
 fumption for dedicating this little book to you, as it treats 
 of one, to whom, you, of all on earth, were, and flill 
 are, the moil tenderly related. One of my reafons for wri- 
 ting this fketch of your hufband's life, and virtues, is derived 
 from thole virtues themfelves, which are fuch true brilliants 
 as to affure me, that even in my fimple flyle, like diamonds 
 on the earth, they will fo play their part at 'jparkting, that 
 many an honed youth fhall long to place them in the cafket 
 of his own bofom. 
 
 Should it contribute, in any wife, to diffufe the fpirit of 
 WASHINGTON-^ any degree to promote thofe virtues y 
 which rendered him the greatefl y becaufe the moft Jervice- 
 dUe of mankind Should it ferve to foothe the forrows of 
 WASHINGTON'S dear Relitt^ during her fhort feparation from 
 that befl of hufbands, now brighteft of faints And O \ 
 Ihould it be fo favoured as to fuggeft to the children, now 
 that their father is dead, the great duty of burying their 
 quarrels, and of heartily uniting to love, and to promote 
 each other's good It will be matter of great joy to one, 
 who can fincerely fubfcribe himfelf the lover of all, who, 
 fear God, honor the Prefident (dldams or Jsfferfcn 9 ) revere 
 the laws, and are not given to thange. 
 
 May God's everlafting coniblations attend the bofom 
 friend^ of WASHINGTON ! .is the prayer of orphan'd 
 America ; and the prayer of 
 Honored Madam, 
 
 Tour Sincere, though Unknown Friend, 
 
 M, L. % WBEMS. , 
 2su/, 1800. /" 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, Efq, 
 
 Ji HIS truly great man, the third fon of a Mr. Auguftin Wafh* 
 ington, was born in Weftmoreland county, Virginia, on the 22d 
 day of February, 1732. He was the firft fon of a second marriage ; 
 a circumftance which ought, in all conference, to quiet the minds of 
 thofe who have their doubts with refpeft to the lawfulness of ie- 
 cond marriages. 
 
 His education was of the privateva\& proper fort. Dead Ian guage% 
 pride, and pedantry, had no charms for him who always preferred 
 fenfe to found, the kernel to the {hell. A grammatical knowledge 
 of bis mother -tongue *tbe mathematics geography history na- 
 tural and moral philosophy ', were the valuable objects of his youth- 
 ful ftudies : And in thefe he made the proficiency of one who al- 
 ways loved to go deep. 
 
 Atfchool he was remarkable forg f o0d'iiatp*BQgRd candour; quali- 
 ties which acquired him fo entirely the hearts of his young compa- 
 nions, that a reference to him was the ufual mode of deciding all 
 differences. After leaving his tutor he ated, for a few years, as 
 a county furveyor, in which profeflion, his indufcry, as alfo the 
 neatness- and regularity with which he did every thing, were uni* 
 versally admired. 
 
 In 1753, the French and Indians began to mike inroads on our 
 weftern frontiers along the Ohio. Governor Dmwicldie was very 
 defirous to get a letter of remonstrance to their commander in chief. 
 He had applied to feveral young gentlemen of h is acquaintance ; but 
 they were all fo exceedingly tender of their night-cups^ that they 
 could not be prevailed on, for love or money, to venture out aniong 
 the favages, Wafhington happening to hear of it, initantly waited 
 on his excellency, and offered: his fervices, but not without being 
 terribly afraid left his want of a beard fhould go aguinft him. How- 
 ever, the governor was fo charmed with his modeily and mar.ly air 7 
 that he never aiked him a fyllable about his age, but, after thanking 
 him for u a nolle youtb" and infilling on his taking a glafs of wine 
 with hinK {lipped a cotnmiflSon into his hand. The next day, ac- 
 by an interprets! and a couple of fervants, he lut.w^t 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 on his expedition, which was, from flart to pole, as difagreeable 
 and dangerous as any thing Hercules himfelf could have wifhed. 
 Soaking rains, chilling blafls, roaring floods, pathlefs woods, and 
 mountains clad mfnows oppofed his courfe ; but oppofed in vain 
 The glorious ambition to ferve his country imparted an animation 
 to his nerves, which rendered him fuperior to all difficulties, and 
 happiei* far than the little fouls he left behind him in Williamfburg, 
 carouiing and card-playing in the Rawleigh.* 
 
 Returning homewards, he was waylaid and fhot at by a French 
 Indian, and though the copper-coloured ruffian was not 15 fleps 
 diflant when he fired at him, yet not even fo much as the smell of 
 lead pafled on the clothes of our young hero ; fo true ftill is the pro- 
 mife on record in the good old book, viz. 
 
 " The hods of God encamp around 
 
 The dwellings of the jufl ; 
 
 And mighty angels wait on all, 
 
 Who in his mercy truft." 
 
 On his return to Williamfburg it was found that he had executed 
 his negociations, both with the French and Indians, with fo much 
 fidelity and judgment, that he received the heartieft thanks of the 
 governor and council for the very important fervices he had done 
 his country. 
 
 He was now (in the 20th year of his age) appointed major and 
 adjutant- general of the Virginia forces. Soon after this, the French 
 continuing their encroachments, orders were given by the Englifh 
 government, for the colonies to arm and unite in one confederacy. 
 Virginia took the lead, and raifed a regiment of four hundred men, 
 at the head of which the placed her darling Wafhington. 
 
 With thfs handful of brave fellows, Col. Walhington, not yet 23, 
 boldly pufhed out into the Indian country, and there, for a confide- 
 rable time, Hannibal-like, maintained the war againft three times 
 the number of French and Indians. At the Red-Stones he came 
 up with a ftrong party of the enemy, whom he engaged and effec- 
 tually defeated, after having killed and taken thirty-one men. From 
 his prifoners, he obtained undoubted intelligence, that the French 
 forces on the Ohio confifted of upwards of a ihoufand regulars and 
 many hundreds of Indians. But, notwithflanding this difheartening 
 advice, he ftill prefled on undauntedly againfl the enemy, and at a 
 place called the Little-Meadows, built a fort, which he called Fort- 
 Neceffity. Here he waited, hourly and anxiouily looking for fuc- 
 cours from New- York and Pennfylvania ; but he looked in vain- 
 nobody came to his alTiflance. Not long after this, his fmall force, 
 now reduced to three hundred men, was attacked by an array of 
 
 * Note. A fimouv tavern in Williamfburg, chriftencd Ra\vieigh, in honor, I fup- 
 pofc, of the great Sir Walter. 
 
( * ) 
 
 1100 French and Indians. Never did the true Virginian valour 
 ihine more glorioufly than on this trying occafion. 
 
 To fee three hundred young fellows commanded by a fmooth- 
 faced boy all unaccuftomed to the terrors of war far from home, 
 and from all hopes of help fhut up in a dreary wildernefs, and fur- 
 rounded by four times their number of favage foes, and yet, without 
 fign of fear, without thought of furrender, preparing for mortal 
 combat. Oh I it was a noble fight I Scarcely fmce the days of Leo- 
 nidas and his three hundred deathlefs Spartans had the fun beheld its 
 equal, With hideous whoops and yells the enemy came on like a 
 hofl of tygers. The woods, and rocks, and tall tree tops,* were 
 in one continued blaze and crafh of fire arms. Nor were our young 
 warriors idle, but, animated by their gallant chief, plied their ri- 
 fles with fuch fpirit, that their little fort refembled a volcano in full 
 blaft roaring and difcharging thick meets of liquid fire and of leaden 
 deaths among their foes. For three glorious hours, Salamander- 
 like, inveloped infmoke and flame, they fuflained the attack of the 
 enemy's whole force, and laid two hundred of them dead on the 
 fpot ! Difcouraged by fuch defperate refiftance, the French gene- 
 ral, the count de Villiers, lent in a flag to Wafhington, extolling 
 his gallantry to the ikies, and offering him the moft honorable terms* 
 It was ftipulatedthat Col. Wamington and his little band of heroes, 
 Ihould march away with all the honors of war, and carry with them 
 their military (lores and baggage. 
 
 In the fpringof 1755, Wamington, while bufied in the higheft 
 military operations, was fummoned to attend general Braddock, 
 who, in the month of February, arrived at Alexandria with 2,OOO 
 Britifh troops. The aflembly of Virginia appointed 8OO provinci- 
 als to join him. The objecl; of this army was to march through the 
 country, by the way of WillVCreek, to fort du Quefne (now Pittf- 
 burgh or Fort-Pitt). As no perfon was fo well acquainted with the 
 frontier country as Wamington, and none flood fo high in military 
 fame, it was thought he would be infinitely ferviceable to general 
 Braddock. At the requeft of the governor and council he cheer- 
 fully quitted his own command, to aft as volunteer aid-de-camp to 
 that very imprudent and unfortunate general. The army, near 
 5,000 flrong, marched from Alexandria to the mournful ditty of 
 44 over the hills and far away," and proceeded unmolefted within a 
 few miles of Fort-Pitt. On the morning of the day (9th of July) 
 on which they expected to arrive, the provincial fcouts difcovered 
 a large party of French and Indians lying in ambufh. Wafhingcon, 
 with his ufual modefty, obferved to general Braddock what fort of 
 enemy he had now to deal with. An enemy who would not, like 
 
 * Note. Numbers of ths Indians, climbing to the tops of the trees, poured dowa. 
 their bullets into the fort. 
 
6 ) 
 
 the Europeans, come forward to a fair conteft in the field, but, con- 
 cealed behind rocks and trees, carry on a deadly warfare with their 
 rifles. He concluded with begging that general Braddock would 
 grant him the honor to let him place himfelf at the head of the Vir- 
 ginia riflemen, and fight them in their own way. And it was ge- 
 nerally thought that our young hero and his 800 hearts of hickory, 
 would very eafily have beaten them too, for they were not fuperior 
 to the force, which, (with only three hundred) he had handled 
 fo roughly a twelve month before. But general Braddock, who 
 had all along treated the American officers and foldiers with infinite 
 contempt, inftead of following this truly falutary advice, fwelled 
 and reddened with moft unmanly rage : u High times, by G d," 
 he exclaimed, flrutting to and fro, with arms a-kimbo, u High 
 times ! when a young Buckfldn can teach a Britifli general how to 
 fight !" Wafhington withdrew, biting his lip with grief and in- 
 dignation, to think what numbers of brave fellows would draw 
 ihort breath that day, through the pride and obftinacy of one epau- 
 letted fool. The troops were ordered to form and advance in co- 
 lumns through the woods III! In a little time the ruin, which 
 Wafliington had predicted, enfued. This poor devoted army, 
 puflied on by their mad-cap general, fell into the fatal fnare which 
 was laid for them. All at once a thoufand rifles began the work of 
 death. The ground was inftantly covered with the dying and the 
 dead. The Britifli troops, thus flaughtered by hundreds, and by 
 an enemy whom they could not fee, were thrown irrecoverably in- 
 to panic and confufion, and in a few minutes their haughty general,* 
 with 1200 of his brave, but unfortunate countrymen, bit the ground. 
 Amidft all this fearful confternation and carnage, amidft all the up- 
 roar and horrors of a rout, rendered ftill more dreadful by the 
 groans of the dying, the fcreams of the wounded, the piercing 
 ihrieks of the women,, and the yells of the furious afiaulting fava- 
 ges, Wafhington, calm and f elf- collected, rallied his faithful rifle- 
 men, led them on to the charge, killed numbers of the enemy who 
 were ruming on with tomahawks, checked their purfuit, and bro't 
 off the (battered remains of the Bridfh army. 
 
 This glorious aBion confirmed his admiring countrymen in the 
 very high opinion which they had conceived of their Wafhington. 
 His valour and military talents were extolled to the ikies. The 
 
 * Note, Poor Braddock clofed the tragedy with great decency. He was mortally 
 wounded in the beginning of the a03ion; and Washington had him placed in a cart 
 ready for retreat. Cioie, on the left, -A here the -weight of the French and Indian fire 
 principally fell, Wafliington and his Virginia riflemen, clrefled in Llue> fuftained the- 
 ihock. At every discharge of their rifles the wounded general cried out, " my brave 
 Virginia Hues ! ivoulJ God I cotilJ but live to reward you for fuel gallantry." But he died. 
 Wafhington buried Liiu in the rocd,znd, to lave him from difcovery, and the fcalping 
 knife, ordered the waggons on their retreat to drht aver kit grave i Q Gvd ! ivb&t i, man ? 
 ven a thing of nwgkt* 
 
( 1 ) 
 
 bravery of the Virginia troops, on this trying occafion, rejoiced the 
 good old mother country, and was furely enough to have taught her 
 to defpife that execrable fire-brand, general Amherft, who, a few 
 years afterwards, moil impudently aflerted, that the sight of a gre- 
 nadier's cap would put an American army to flight, and even boafted 
 in parliament, that be could march through all North-America with 
 
 5000 men !!!!!!! 
 
 With refpect to our Wafhington, I cannot but mention here two 
 very extraordinary fpeeches that were uttered about him at this 
 time, and which, as things have turned out, look a good deal like 
 prophecies. A famous Indian warrior who aflifted in the defeat of 
 Braddock, was often heard to fwear that Wafhington was not born 
 to be killed by a bullet, "/or," continued he, " I had 1 7 fair f res at him ' 
 with my rifle, and, after all, I could not bring him to the ground" 
 And, indeed, whoever confiders that a good rifle, levelled by a pro- 
 per markfman, hardly ever mifles its aim, will readily enough con- 
 clude, with this unlettered favage, that fome invifible hand muft 
 have turned afide his bullets. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Davies, in a fennon occafioned by Braddock's 
 defeat, has thefe remarkable words " / beg leave to point the at- 
 tention of the public to that heroic youth, coL Washington, whom I 
 cannot but hope Providence has preserved for some great service t9 
 this country" Yes, reverend Sir, for fome great service indeed. 
 He was preferved of God to be the political faviour of his country. 
 He who infpired the flaming fancies of a Barlow and a Dwight : 
 He who imparted the ken of angels to Franklin and to Rittenhoufe, 
 even he, the fame all-gracious power, railed up Wamington, to be 
 his minifter of mercies to America. Oh ! that there were an heart 
 in us to adore the giver, and to emulate the bright virtues of his 
 precious gift. 
 
 After the defeat and death of general Braddock, Waftiington 
 continued to prefs forward, the foremoft man to fall upon every 
 difficulty or danger that threatened his beloved country. And the 
 Lord was with him whithersoever he went, and whatsoever he did the 
 Lord made it to prosper. On every occafion he difplayed fo much 
 wifdom, indullry, and valour, as gained him his country's heartieft 
 approbation, a reward which, next to the fmiles of his own con- 
 fcience, he valued more than all things elfe. 
 
 In 1759, he refigned his command, and entered into the married 
 ftate, in the 27th year of his age, with the young and amiable wi- 
 dow of Mr. Cuftis, with whom he received one of the handfomeft 
 eftates in Virginia. From this period he became as afliduous to 
 fervc the ftate as a fenator, as he had hitherto been active to defend 
 it as a foldier ; thus teaching us, by his own great example, that a 
 real patriot thinks nothing done for his country, while there re- 
 mains any thing to be done for it. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 In the year 1773, when the lamp of God was burning with pecu- 
 liar brightnefs in our land, and both Britain and her colonies enjoy- 
 ed a meafure of bletTmgs feldom indulged to the mod favored na- 
 tions When, at the very mention of Old-England, our hearts 
 leaped for joy, as at the name of a great and venerable mother, 
 and that mother felt an equal tranfport at thoughts of us, her flou- 
 rifhing colonies When all the produce of thefe vaft and fertile 
 regions was poured into her beloved lap, and me, in return, not 
 allowing us the trouble to make even a hob-nail, heaped our fami- 
 lies with all the neceffaries and elegancies of her ingenious artifts. 
 When, tho' far feparated by an ocean's roar, we were yet fo united 
 by love and mutual helpfumefs, thutthe fouls of Rawleigh and Co- 
 lumbus, looking from heaven on the enchanting fcene, enjoyed the 
 contamination of their wiflies, and felt an acceflion to their blifs : 
 At this happy period, lord North brought in a bill to tax the colo- 
 nies without allowing us a voice in their councils!!! The colonies 
 were thunderftruck, and Britain herfelf, " fighing through all her 
 ifiand, gave figns of woe that all was loft." 
 
 Millions of that magnanimous and freedom-loving people execra- 
 ted the meafure as unconftitutional and wicked. 
 
 London, Liverpool, Glafgow, Briftol, &c. poured in petitions on 
 petitions, praying the minifter, in companion to their half-ruined 
 trade and families, to repeal the act. Petitions and remonftrances, 
 without number, were fent alfo from America to the king, to the 
 parliament, and to the people of Great-Britain ; but thefe, like the 
 unfortunate petitions juft mentioned, were all configned to the 
 " committee of oblivion" as oppofidon humouroufly ftyled it. The 
 miniftry would not honor them even with a reading ! They had 
 attempted in 1 765, eight years before, to impofe on the colonies an 
 unconftitutional tax, under cover of the stamp-aft. This had blown 
 up fuch a flame of oppofition throughout the continent, efpecially 
 at Bofton, that the miniftry prudently fufFered the matter to die 
 away. But the gall of difappointment was flill bitter on their minds, 
 and they now thought to have fatisfaction by laying a tax of three 
 pence in the pound on all teas confumed in the colonies. This fet 
 the old flame agoing .gain. The colonifts at firft employed, as we 
 have fee n, moderate i-. afures, but finding that thefe were treated 
 with conte*.,-'t, ^.nd that the face of North, black as the cloud of 
 winter, was na.ru ; 'et a^aiiiit them for evil, they rofe up as one man, 
 from Dan to 3ecrihe' i, refolved, like true fons of Britons, to live 
 free, o~ not to live at all. Soon, therefore, as the mips, laden with 
 the ill-fated tea, arrived at JBofton, in the fall of 1773, immenfe 
 quantities ot k (.18,000 fterling's worth) were thrown into the 
 fea ; larg: parcels of it were deilroyed in other colonies, and ftill 
 larger parcels (to the amount of /*.3OG,OOO) were returned unfold. 
 On the arrival of this news in England, the countenance of the 
 
h c 9 ) 
 
 minifter was dark with fury, and he proceeded, without delay, to 
 mix up for the colonies a cup of fiery indignation, of which Bof- 
 ton, it feems, was to have the largefl dofe. As that moil unduti- 
 ful child had always led off the dance in outrage and rebellion a 
 gainfl the parent flate, it was determined that ihe Ihould pay tho. 
 piper for did and new that her purfe fhould anfwer for all the tea 
 that had been deflroyed that her luxuriant trade, which had made 
 her fo wanton, fhould be taken away from her and that, maugre 
 her high looks and proud uomach, Ihe ihould fit on the ftool of re- 
 pentance until his gracious majelty, George III. fhculd be pleafed 
 to pronounce her pardon. 
 
 On the receipt of this intelligence at Boflon, the paffions of the 
 people flew up, five hundred degrees above blood-heat! throughout 
 the continent the fever raged with equal fury. The colonies all extol- 
 led Boflon for the firmncfs with which fhe had flood up for her char- 
 tered rights liberal contributions were made for her relief and 
 this miniflerial attack on her liberties, was confidered as an attack 
 on the liberties of the whole, which were now thought to be in 
 fuch danger, as loudly to call for a general Congrefs from all the 
 colonies, to deliberate on their common interefts. This mofl un- 
 kingly body fat down, for the firfl time, in Philadelphia, Sept. 5th, 
 1 774. They began with publifliing a bill of rights, wherein, " they 
 " repeated their loyalty and love to the mother country, together 
 " with an earned wilh for a constitutional dependance on her ; but, 
 " at the fame time, they begged leave to allure, that though flie, 
 " in her excels of parental fondnefs, might fuffer herfelf to be 
 " bound and infulted by North and Bute, and other Philifline lords, 
 " yet they, for their parts, were reiblved, like true fons of Britifh 
 " Sampfons, to rife and fight to the lait hair of their heads." They 
 afierted, and begged leave to do it pretty roundly too, as it was get- 
 ting now high time to fpeak plain, that, by the immutable laws of 
 nature by the principles of the British constitution and by tbsir 
 several charters, they had a right to liberty, the liberty of Britiih 
 colonies ; and, moreover, that their ever-honored fathers, at the 
 time of their emigration to this country, were entitled to all the 
 rights of freemen ; and fmce, by fuch emigration, they had neither 
 forfeited nor furrendered thefe rights that they, their children, 
 were determined, at the rifk of every thing fhort of their eternal 
 falvatiou, to defend and to tranfmit them entire to their pofterity. 
 
 Millions of choice fpirits in England, Scotland and Ireland, cri- 
 ed out " that's well said, and may God^s arm strike 'with ourA/neri- 
 " can brother* ;" this was coming to the point, and produced the 
 effect that might, be expected. For, inflantly, all exportation of 
 arms and ammunition to America was prohibited large reinforce- 
 ments were fent to the king's troops at Boflon and every ftep was 
 taken to compel the colonies to fnhmifiion. This filled un the mea- 
 
 B 
 
fure of American hatred to the miniftry^ and called forth the mod 
 vigorous preparations for war. Every ounce of gunpowder was 
 . hufbanded like fo much gold-dull j powder-mills and mufquet-ma- 
 nufaclories were creeled in mod of the colonies, while others, as not 
 liking this flow way of doing things, laid violent hands at once up- 
 on all the king's arms and ammunition that came in their way* The 
 hell-fraughted cloud of civil war was now ready to burft, and April 
 the 19th, 1775, was the fatal day marked out by myfterious Heaven, 
 for tearing away the infant colonies from the (hri veiled paps of the 
 old mother country. Early that morning, gen. Gage, whofe force in 
 Boflon was augmented to 10,000 men, lent a detachment of 1,OOO 
 to deftroy fome military flores which the Americans had collected 
 in the town of Concord, near Lexington. On coming to the place, 
 they found the town militia aflembled on the green near the road. 
 " Throw down your arms, and disperse, you rebels," was the cry of 
 the Britifh officer, which was immediately followed by a general 
 difcharge of the foldiers ; whereby eight of the Americans were 
 killed and feveral wounded. The provincials returned the fire with 
 good intereft, and flrewed the green with the dead and wounded. 
 Such fierce difcharges of mufquetry produced the effect that might 
 have been expecled in -a land of freemen, who faw their brave coun- 
 trymen fuddenly engaged in the flrife of death. Never, before, 
 had the bofoms of the fwains experienced fuch a tumult of heroic 
 paffions. They flew to their houfes^ fnatched up their arms, and, 
 in fpite of their wild f creaming wives and children, flew to the glo- 
 rious field where liberty, heaven-born goddefs, was to be bought 
 for blood. Pouring in now from every -quarter, were feen crowds 
 of flurdy peafants \\itiijtusbed checks, and faming eyes, eager for 
 battle ! Fail as they came up their ready mufquets began to pour 
 the long red flreams of fiery vengeance. The enemy fell back ap- 
 palled ; while the gathering thoufands hung upon their flight. Every 
 flep of their retreat was flamed with trickling crimfon ; every hedge 
 or fence by which" they patted, took large toll of hoilile carcafes. 
 They would, in all probability, have been cut off to a man, had not 
 gen. Gage, luckily recollecting that, born of Britons, thefe Yankees 
 might Hill perhaps retain fome of the old lions/ire, fent on 2,000 
 men to fupport, if neceflary, his troops. This reinforcement met 
 the poor fellows, faint with fear and fatigue, and brought them fafe- 
 ly off to Bofton. In this their firft field, the young American far- 
 mers gleaned of the Britifh about fixty-three in flain, and two hun- 
 dred and eight in wounded and prifoners. The fire of civil difcord 
 npw broke out, a roaring iiamc, and, with equal ardor, both parties 
 hitftened to clap on the horrid kettle of war. 
 
 On this day, June 12, 1775, general Gage iflued his proclamation 
 of rebellion, with threats of heaviefl vengeance againft the rebels ; 
 extending however, in the king's name, the golden fceptre of rner- 
 
C 11 ) 
 
 cy to ail true penitents, Samuel Ad; mi, and John Hancock, ex- 
 cepted. The Britifh 1O,OOO flrong were flill in Bofton where, 
 ever fince the affair of Concord, they had been furrounded by an 
 army of 20,000 Provincials,* all fo eager to try the city by ftorm, 
 that it was with the greateft difficulty their officers could reftrain 
 them. 
 
 On the night of June 16, with a view of driving the Britifh 
 from Bofton, the Provincial Generals fent a body of fifteen hun- 
 dred men, to throw up fome works on Bunker's hill. Next morn- 
 ing General Gage pufhed off a detachment, three thoufand ftrong, 
 with a fuitable train of artillery, to diflodge them. The attack 
 was made with great fury on the part of the Britifh, while the 
 Americans did not return a fhot, until the enemy had come up 
 within ten fteps of the works. A wejl directed and moft horrid 
 fire then took place. The Britifh fell back. Their gallant officers 
 led them a fecond time to the charge j a fecond fire equally clofe 
 and deadly, drqve them back again. But, led on a third time, 
 by dint of bayonet they at length carried the works ; and the Ame- 
 ricans deflitute of that weapon, were obliged, after an obflinate 
 refiftance, to quit their little dirt fort, the ever green grave of the 
 immortal Warren, and many more of weeping Liberty's martyred, 
 fons. On the other hand, the Britifh drew back to town with so- 
 lemn steps and Jlow, having nearly one half of their whole detach- 
 ment killed and wounded. 
 
 The bloody Rubicon was now pafled, and Congrefs, having clo- 
 fed with the Britifh in an awful appeal to the fword, faw the ne- 
 ceffity of appointing a Commander in Chief. .In a moment the 
 great name of Wafliington was buzzed from Georgia to New- 
 Hampfhire. Congrefs haftened to meet the wifh of the nation ; 
 and Walhington was unaniinoufly elected Commander in Chief pf 
 the armies of his country. On the third day of July, 1775, he 
 arrived at the continental camp near Bofton, where he was received 
 with great joy, after having been treated on his way through the 
 fdates, with all the attention due to that great and virtuous man, 
 to whom, under God, the whole continent looked for fafety and 
 freedom. During the autumn and winter of 1775, Wafhington 
 could do no more with the Britifh, than to hold them clofe confi- 
 ned in Bafion, where the fcurvy got in among them and proved 
 very fatal. To remedy this evil, immenfe quantities of liveftock 
 and vegetables were f hipped from Britain 5,OOO fat oxen 14,OOO 
 fheep 12,000 hogs-r-22,OOO pounds fterling worth of four crout 
 
 * How adorable the goodncfs of God for ordering that the minifterial attack on 
 our liberties, fhould fall on the papulous and high toned New Fnglanders ! The hero 
 ic fpirit with which they repelled it, fhould, to eternity, endear them to their/*'/* 
 
 era krotben. 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 and nearly the fame amount in hay, oats and beans, for a single 
 regiment of cavalry ! ! A proof, that nations, as well as indivi- 
 duals, had better Sometimes to pccket an injury, and favc the ex- 
 pence. 
 
 In the fpring of 1776, Wafhington gave orders to erecl on the 
 heights near Boflon, three large batteries, whofe heavy fire both 
 of balls and bombs foon rendered the town fo intolerably hot, that 
 General Gage was glad to evacuate it on the 17th of March, when 
 Wafhington marched in with the honours of a triumph, and was 
 welcomed by the people and by the flate aflembly, as Heaven's 
 agent of their deliverance. In confequence of fome disturbances, 
 this year in Corolina in favour of the miniftry, Sir Peter Parker 
 was difpatched with nine fhips of war, from fifty to twenty guns 
 e^ch, with a large land force commanded by Clinton and Cornwal- 
 lis, to make an attempt on Charleston the capital of South Caroli- 
 nia. Before the fhips could be brought to pay their refpe&s to the 
 town, they mufl, it feems, pafs a little fort on Sullivan's iiland. 
 This, however, being- defended only by the raw militia, was hard- 
 ly looked on as an obstacle. Happily for America, Wafhington 
 had committed the command of it to General Moultrie. About 
 ten o'clock, June 1S8th, Sir Peter Parker having brought his Ihips 
 of war clofe along fide the fort, began a tremendous canonade up- 
 on it, not without expecting to fee the militia fly, like frightened 
 rats from an old barn on fire. But, very contrary to his hopes, 
 the Provincials flood their ground as though they grew to the foil, 
 and levelling their eighteen pounders with good aim, they bored 
 the rniniflerial fhips through and through at every fire. Their 
 third broadfide cut the fprings of the Commodore's cables, To that 
 fwinging around, flern on, towards the fort, flic was raked fore 
 and aft, moft dreadfully. The Daughter on board the fhips was 
 very great. The quarter-deck of the Briftol (the Commodore's 
 fhip) was at one time cleared of every foul, except the Commo- 
 dore himfelf, whofe small clothes were rudely torn off by a cannon 
 ball. So that Sir Peter was the fir& Sans Culotte ever heard of in 
 Amerir.a. Would to God be bad been the last. 
 
 The heroes in the fort won immortal honour. One brave fellow, 
 a Serjeant, obferving the flag Staif fhot away, jumped down from 
 the fort on the beach, in the hottefl fury of the battle, fnatchcd 
 up the flag, and having returned it to its place, Streaming defiance, 
 waved his hat with a Hurra, my boys, God save Washington and 
 America forever," Congrefs rewarded him with a fword. Ano- 
 ther, while roaring away with his 18 pounder, was terribly Shat- 
 tered by a cannon ball. When about to expire, he lifted up his 
 dying eyes and faid " My brave Countrymen, I die, but don't 
 let the cause of Liberty die with me" No\v louder and louder, 
 Itill peal on peal, the American thunder burlt forth with earth 
 
trembling crafhes ; and the Britifh fhips, after a long and gallant 
 llruggle, hauled off with a good fortnights worth of work for 
 Surgeons, Carpenters and Splicers. 
 
 About this time the great queflion of Independence, was propo- 
 fed in Congrefs. The honourable Samuel Chafe, Efq. the De- 
 mofthenes of Maryland, was the firft who had the honor to fay 
 on the floor of Congrefs, that, be owed no allegiance to the King of 
 Great Britain" On the ever memorable 4th of July, 1776, the 
 United States were declared A FREE AND INDEPENDENT NATION. 
 God Almighty grant us virtue enough, for ever to live f o 1 1 ! 
 
 A few days after this, Lord Howe came upon the coafl with a 
 huge forefl of men of war and tranfports, lhading far and wide 
 the frightened ocean, and bearing nearly forty thoufand men, Bri- 
 tifh, Heflians and Waldeckers. Suppofmg that this had intimida- 
 ted the American commander, Lord Howe wrote a letter to him, 
 directed " to George Washington, Esq." This Wafhington refu- 
 fed to receive, looking on it as an infult to Congrefs, under whom 
 he had the honour to bear the commifilon of Commander in Chief, 
 and fhould have been addrefled as fuch. General Howe then fent 
 an officer to converfe with him on the fubjecl of reconciliation- 
 Having heard what he had to fay, Wafhington replied, " by what 
 has yet appeared, fir, you have no power but to grant pardons ; 
 but we, who have committed no faults, want no pardons, for we 
 are fighting only for our rights, as the defcendants of Englifh- 
 
 men." 
 
 The unfortunate defeat, of Long-Ifland, now took place, on 
 Augufl 28th, which though the hottest fay in the year, hadlike to 
 have been the freezing point in the American affairs. For, on 
 this day, the Britilh, with an infinite fuperiority of force, after 
 having defeated the Americans with great lofs, were invefting the 
 flender remains of their army, and had actually broke ground 
 within fix hundred yards of the little redoubt that feebly covered 
 their front. Soon as it was dark Wafhington ordered the troops 
 to convey their baggage and artillery to the water fide, whence it 
 was transported over a broad ferry all night long, with amazing 
 filence and order. Providentially a thick fog continued next morn- 
 ing till ten o'clock ; when that patted away, and the fun broke oin% 
 the Britifh were equally furprifcd and enraged to fee the rear guard 
 with the lad of the baggage, in their boats and out of all danger. 
 
 Lord Howe, fuppofmg that fuch a run of misfortunes muft have 
 put Congrefs into a good humour to think about peace, fignified a 
 willingnefs to have a grand talk on the fubje6l. Congrefs fent Dr. 
 Franklin, Mr. Adams, and Mr. Rutledge, each with his belt of 
 wampum. But finding that frs lordfhip was ftill harping on the old 
 firing, pardons* pardo n s ; not liking fuch mufic, they took up their 
 hats, and very erectly ftalked off. Towards the clofe of this try- 
 
ing campaign, it is a facl:, that Wafhington had not 5,000 men, and 
 even thefe were fo deftitute of necessaries, that nothing but their 
 love and veneration of him kept them together. And with this 
 handful he had to oppofe a victorious army of nearly fifty thoufand 
 veterans ! I But Jehovah, the God of Hofts, was with him, and 
 oft' times, in the ear of the flumbering hero, his voice was heard, 
 4t fear not, for lam with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God" > 
 Hence, under all the diiheartening circumftances of this campaign, 
 Wafhington not only kept up his own fpirits, but checr'd thofe of 
 his drooping comrades. u Never despond, my friends," faid he " let 
 41 matters come to the worst, we can but retire over the mountains, 
 44 whence we shall never lack opportunities to barrass, and finally to 
 44 expel the enemies of our country ." Hearing his officers talking one 
 day about the gloominefs of the American affairs, he humouroufly 
 clapfed his neck with his hands, and faid with a fmile, " I really 
 cannot believe yet that my neck was ever made for a halter" 
 
 For four months, during the fummer and fall of '76, the Amerir 
 cans had been obliged to retreat before the enemy, who had now 
 completely over-run the Jerfeys, filling every town andhamletwith 
 their victorious red-coats, Wafhington hovered around them, wait- 
 ing for an opportunity to ftrike. An opportunity foon offered. : 
 Learning that the enemy, at Trenton, (in number about 2,OOO, 
 chiefly Heflians) were lulled into that ftate of fecurity which fre- 
 quent victories and contempt of an enemy too naturally hifpire ; he 
 formed the defign to furprife them. Chriftmas night ('76) was 
 pitched on for the purpofe. Having divided his little force into 
 three bodies, he gave the command of two of thefe t to generals 
 Ewing and Gadwallader, w^th orders to crofs the river juft be lorn 
 Trenton. Aflifted by gen. Greene, Wafhington himfelf led the 
 principal body over M'Konky's ferry, 9 miles above. It was his 
 plan to reach town about day break ; but, by reafon of the immenfe 
 quantities of ice in the river, and a violent ftorm of hail and fhow, 
 he did not arrive till 8 o'clock. The troops under Cadwallader and 
 Ewing, could not crofs at all. The inftant before the attack, he 
 animated his men by the following fpeech : 
 
 44 My brave countrymen Now is the important moment to ftrike 
 <4 a blow, which, however inconfiderable in appearance, n?ay draw 
 44 after it confequences the moft defirable and glorious. When, 
 44 therefore, you come to the charge, give me, which is all I afk 
 44 on earth, to fee you behave like men who are fighting for coun- 
 44 try, for liberty, and for life. For my own part, I folemnlyvow 
 44 to God, that I will never furvive a defeat, if that defeat be ow- 
 44 ing to any inattention to your welfare." He would have proceed- 
 ed, but was interrupted by the eager cries of his men u Lead us 
 *c on \ ea( i us on to the enemy." In an inftant, like lightning, they 
 earn* pp with the out-guards, and pouring in their fire, drove them 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 back into town, feized their artillery, and were on the eve of dif- 
 charging on their main body, a ftorm of cannon and mufquet balls, 
 wlfen they prudently threw down their arms and cried out for quar- 
 ter. The brave col. Rhal, with 40 of his men, were killed, and 
 1 000 taken prifoners. The reft, at the beginning of the action took 
 down the road to Bordentown, and fo cleared themfelves. If Ew- 
 ing and Cadwallader could but have crofled the river, and feized 
 the Trenton bridge according to Wafliington's orders, the whole of 
 the British forces at Trenton, Bordentown and Burlington, would 
 have been as completely taken as ever was a gang of partridges in a 
 fowler's net. However, this bold flroke threw gen. Howe into 
 fuch a tremor, that he inftantly called off all his cantonments from 
 the Delaware to Brunfwick and Amboy, within the welcome fight 
 and fmell of their men of war. 
 
 Tho' this victory was gained on the 26th of December, and Waili- 
 ington, in order to animate his countrymen, had marched his pri- 
 foners to Philadelphia, yet we find him again, on the 1ft of January, 
 acrofs the angry Delaware, and railing aloft his country's flag, bold- 
 waving over the heights of Trenton. Lord Cornwallis advanced 
 to attack him. Finding that the enemy, greatly fuperior in num- 
 bers, were endeavouring to furround him, and feeing no poflibility, 
 on account of the ice, to re-crofs the Delaware, Walhington was 
 obliged again to recur to ftratagem, of which no general, perhaps, 
 ever had a larger flock. He kept up a heavy cannonade on the ene- 
 my till night, then lighting a vaft number of fires, and leaving 
 guards at the bridges, he puflied off about midnight for Princeton, 
 and at fun-rife, came down upon another heavy body of the Britim, 
 who had juft ftruck their tents, and were coming on in high fpirits 
 to attack him at Trenton. To it, in a moment, both parties fell 
 like heroes. Flam and clam went the mufquets and bayonets. 
 Here the fervants of George, and there the fons of liberty wrapped 
 in fulphurous clouds and torrid flame, together ruih'd to mutual 
 wounds and death, 
 
 " God fave the king, the Britifh heroes cry'd, 
 
 ic And Ciod for Waftiington ! Columbia's fons reply'd." 
 
 The great name of Wafhington imparted its ufual animation to 
 his troops. The enemy gave way in all quarters, and were purfued 
 4 miles. The victors returned with 4OO prifoners ; the bayonet had 
 ftopp'd 120 on the field. But they fell not alone. The gallant 
 Mercer, and 63 of his brave countrymen, fleep with them. But 
 the ilrife of the heroes was but for a moment ; and they have for- 
 gotten their wounds. Together now, they feaft in Paraclife, and 
 when meet their eyes of love, their joys are not daflied by re- 
 membrance of the paft. 
 
C 16 ) 
 
 The Britifh officers gave our Wafhington full credit for fuch fine 
 ftrokes of generalihip, and began to look thoughtful whenever his 
 name was mentioned. 
 
 The enemy now (January 15th) drew in all their forces to winter- 
 quarters at Brunfwick, where Waftiington continued to thin their 
 number by cutting off their foraging parties ; fo that every load of 
 hay, or difh of turnips they got, was at the price of blood. 
 
 Thus glorioufly, 1 in ten days, was turn'd the tide of victory in 
 favour of America, by him whom heaven, in mercy, not to Ame- 
 rica alone, but to Britain and to the world, had raifed up to found 
 here a wide empire of liberty and virtue. The character of Wafh- 
 ington was exalted to the higheft pitch, even throughout Europe, 
 where he was generally ftyled the American Fabius, from the fa- 
 mous Roman general of that name, who oppofed Hannibal with 
 fuccefs. A diitinction to which he was juftly entitled, from the 
 invincible firmnefs with which he rejected every bait and fineffe of 
 the Britifh generals j as alfo, from that admirable judgment with 
 which he fuited the defence of his country to the genius and abili- 
 ties of the people, and to the natural advantages of the country it- 
 felf ; thereby not allowing the enemy to profit by their great fupe- 
 riority of numbers, discipline, and artillery, and conftantly cutting 
 them off by fkirmifhes andfurprife. 
 
 The minifterial plan for this year (1777) was to reduce the Ame- 
 ricans, by cutting off all communication between the northern and 
 fouthern ftates ! ! To effect this, general Howe, with 20,000 men, 
 was to go round from New-York to the Head-of-Elk, and thence 
 march on, due north, thro' Philadelphia, while general Burgoyne, 
 with 10,000 men, fettingout from Canada, was to pafs along down 
 the lakes, and thence due fouth to meet his brother Howe ; the 
 flrait line, formed by the junction of thefe two gentlemen, was to 
 poffefs fuch virtue, that, it was fuppofed, no American could ever 
 be found hardy enough to fet foot over it ! I 
 
 Accordingly, July 23, general Howe left Sandy -Hook, failed up 
 the Chefapeakc, and landing at the mouth of Elk-River, marched 
 on with but little interruption, except at Brandywine, to Philadel- 
 phia. Into this elegant city, on the 26th of September, 1777, he 
 entered in triumph; fondly fuppofmg, that, in America as in Eu- 
 rope, the capture of the city was the fame thing as the reduction 
 of the country. But, inftead of finding himfelf mailer of this 
 great continent, whofe rattle-fnakes alone, in the hand of heaven, 
 could fcourge his prefumption ; it was with no fmall difficulty he 
 could keep poffeilion of the little village of Germantown. For, on 
 the morning of the 4th of October, Wafhington made an attack on 
 him with fuch judgment and fury, that his troops gave way in every 
 quarter. u 'The tumult, disorder and despair in the British army" 
 fays Wafhington, " were unparalleled*" But, in the very moment 
 
( ir ) 
 
 of the ttioft decifive and glorious victory, when fonie of the pro* 
 vincial regiments had more prifoners than men, the Americans be- 
 gan to retreat!! Waihington's grief and mortification were inex- 
 preflible. 
 
 But while he was annoying the enemy by land, he did not lofe 
 fight of their fleet, which was now forcing its way up the Delaware* 
 to keep open to the army a channel of fupplies. They arrived, with- 
 out moleftation, within 8 miles of Philadelphia, at a marm called 
 Mud-Ifland. On this poor harmlefs fpot, the fitteft, however, that 
 nature in this peaceful land of Friends could furnifh, Wafhington 
 had ordered a fort to be thrown up, the command of which, with 23O 
 men, he afiigned to lieutenant-colonel Sam. Smith. On the eaftern 
 or Jerfey fide of the river, at a place called Red-Bank, he ordered 
 aflrong redoubt, the command of which, with 205 men, was given 
 to Col. Greene. Thefe, with fome chevaux-de-frize funk in the 
 river, and a few gallies, formed all the barrier that Wafhington, 
 could prefent againft the Britifh navy. The flrength of this barrier, 
 was foon put to a fiery trial. Great preparations were made to at- 
 tack the Americans, at the fame inftant, both by land and water* 
 Count Donop, with a hoft of Heflians, was fent over to be in rea- 
 dinefs to attack Red-Bank, while the tide of flood, groaning under 
 their enormous weight, brought up the men of war. The morn- 
 ing was ftill, and the heavens overcaft with fad clouds, as of nature 
 fympathifing with her children, and ready to drop fhowers of celeT- 
 tial pity on their*ftrifes. No fooner had the (hips floated up within 
 three cables length of the fort, than they began a moft tremendous 
 cannonade : while cannon balls and fire-tailed bombs, like comets, 
 fell upon it thick as hail. The gallant Smith and his myrmidons 
 flood the fhock to a miracle, and like men fighting under the eye 
 of their Washington, drove the two and thirty pounders through 
 them with fuch fpirit and fuccefs, that, in a little time, the Auguf- 
 ta, a heavy 64 gun (hip, took fire and blew up, the horrid balloon . 
 of the greateft part of the crew. Another (hip, called the Merlin, 
 or Black-Bird^ foon got on the wing, and followed the Augufla. 
 
 At the fame moment, Col. Donop, with his Heflians, made a gal- 
 lant attack on the fort at Red-Bank. After a few and well directed 
 fires, Greene and his men artfully retired from the cut-works. The 
 enemy now fuppofing the day their own, ruihed on in vaft numbers 
 along a large opening in the fort, and within twenty fteps of a maf- 
 ked battery of 18 pounders loaded with grape-mot and fpike nails. 
 All at once, Hellitfelf feemed to open before their affrighted view. 
 But their pains and their terrors were but for a moment. Toge- 
 ther down they funk by hundreds, into the fweet (lumbers of death, 
 fcarcely fenfible of the fatal blow that deprived them of lift-. 
 Heaps on heaps the flaughter'd Heflians lie : 
 Brave Greene beholds them with a tearful eye. 
 
 C 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 Far now from home, and from their native more, 
 They fleep in death and hear of wars no more." 
 
 Poor Donop was mortally wounded and taken prifoner. The 
 attentions of the American officers, and particularly the kind con- 
 dolance of the Godlike Wafhington, quite overcame him ;* and 
 his laft moments were deeped in tears of regret, for having left his 
 native land, to fight a diftant people who had never injured him. 
 
 After fix weeks of infinite fatigue, with great lofs of men and 
 money, the Britifh forced a paflage large enough for their provifioii 
 fliips to Philadelphia, where general Howe and his officers held 
 their balls this winter ; while 16 miles diftant, the great Wafh ing- 
 ton, well.pleafed with his campaign, retired and hutted it at Valley- 
 Forge. 
 
 While fuch ill fuccefs attended this part of the minifterial plan, 
 viz. to choak the colonies by a military noose , fo tightly drawn from 
 Chefapeake to' Champlain, as to Hop all circulation between the nor- 
 thern and fouthern ftates ; a worfe fate frowned on their attempt in 
 the north. General Burgoyne, with 1O,000 veterans, befides a hofl 
 of Canadians and Indians, iffuing forth from Canada in June '77 
 came pouring along down the lakes, like the thundering Niagara, 
 with an impetuofity that fwept every thing before it. The hatchets of 
 the Indians were drunk with American blood. No age, no fex 
 could foften them. The widow's wail, the virgin's fliriek, and 
 infant's trembling- cry, was niulk: in their ears. In cold blood they 
 flrudft their cruel tomahawks into the defencelefs head of a Mifs 
 Me Rae, a beautiful girl, who was that very day to have been mar- 
 ried I Such a6ts of inhumanity called forth the fierceft indignation 
 of the Americans, and infpired that desperate resolution of which 
 the human heart is capable, but which no human force can conquer. 
 The New-Englanders, who were neareft to thefe infernal fcenes, 
 turned out in mafs. Wafhington hurried on Gates and Arnold 
 with their furious legions ; and to thefe he joined the immortal Mor- 
 gan with his dreadful phalanx, 1000 riflemen, whofe triggers were 
 never touched in vain, but could throw a ball a hundred yards at a 
 fquirrel's head and never mifs. 
 
 The firft check given to Burgoyne's career, was at Bennington* 
 Hearing that the Americans had laid up large provifions in that 
 town, he detached a Col. Baum, with 600 Germans, to furprife it ; 
 and, at the fame time, polled CoL Breyman in the neighbourhood, 
 with an equal number, to fupport him if neceflary. Finding the 
 
 * On hearing of his misfortune, Wafliington fcnt an officer to condole with him- 
 The officer was conducted to his apartment and delivered the meflage. The wounded 
 count appeared much afFeed a tear fwelled in his eye and he faid to the officer, 
 prtfent to general Wajklnaton the thanks of an unfortunate brother fold'ur tell him I expect to riff 
 xo viort but i thai if IJkould, tbefrjl exertion vftnyjlrengtbjkallbc) to return Lim my thanks in 
 ftrfca. 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 place too well guarded either for furprife or ftorm, Baum fortified 
 himfelf at a little diftance, and fent back for Breyman. The Ame- 
 rican commander, the*brave general Starke, thinking thefe enemies 
 fully enough, at leaft not wiihing for any more, fallied out, and with 
 great fury attacked Baum's intrenchments. At the firft onfet, the 
 Canadians and Britifh markfmen took to their heels, and left the 
 poor Germans in the lurch. After a gallant refiftance, Baum was 
 mortally wounded, and his brave countrymen killed or taken to a 
 man. In the mean time, Breyman, who had not heard a fyllablc 
 of all this, arrived at the place of action, where, inftead of the 
 cheering huzzas of joyful friends, he was faluted, on all hands, 
 with the deadly whizzing of rifle-bullets. After receiving a few 
 clofe andfcorching fires, the Germans were fain to trythe^nlhanks. 
 The neighbouring woods, with night's fable curtains, enabled the 
 fugitives to fave their bacon, for that time at leaih The enemy loft 
 in thefe two engagements not lefs than 800 men, in killed, wound- 
 ed, and prifoners. 
 
 About the fame time, a}I their forts on the lakes were furprifed 
 Col. St. Leger was defeated at Fort-Stanwix the Indians began 
 to defert Arnold and Morgan were coming up like mountain- 
 ftorms and the militia from all quarters were pouring in. Bur- 
 goyne began to be alarmed, and wrote to New- York for help ; but, 
 finding that Clinton could give him none, and that the falvution of 
 his army depended on themfelves, he gallantly determined, on the 
 7th of October, 1777, to flake his all on the caft of a general bat- 
 tle. 
 
 His, army, in high fpirits, was formed within a mile of the A- 
 merican camp. Burgoyne himfelf, with the flower of the Briliih 
 troops, compofed the centre brigadier-general Frazer commanded 
 the left the Germans, headed by major-generals Phillips and 
 Reidfdel, and Col. Breyman, formed the right. With a fine train 
 of artillery, flying colours, and a full roll of martial mufic, from 
 wing to wing the to w'ring heroes moved. On the other hand,jra/ 
 with the love of Liberty, the Americans poured out by thpuiands, 
 eager for the glorious conteil. Their dear country's flag waves 
 over their heads ; the thoughts of the warriors are on their children^ 
 and on the chains now forging for their tender hands. The aveng- 
 ing paffions rife and the battle moves. On either fide the thundering 
 cannon begin to make the folid earth, while, from hofl to hod, the 
 long black pillars of fmoke, and glaring flame, enwrap the dreadful 
 field. The action fell with utmofl fury on the centre of the Bri- 
 tifh army, and extending along the left wing. The grenadiers behav- 
 ed with their ufual gallantry, but were obliged to give way. Per- 
 ceiving that they were finking under the weight of the American 
 fire, Gates ordered a ftrongbody to march round their flank, while 
 Morgan, with a heavy reinforcement, haftened to the left to decide 
 
the aiion there. Thefe charges were made with fuch impetuofity, 
 that the enemy were thrown into the utmofl confufion. To fave 
 them from total deftru&ion, the brave general Frazer flew to their 
 afftftance. In this attempt he loft his life, and great numbers of 
 His men were flam. The fituation of this part of the royal army 
 becoming now exceedingly critical, and the danger encreafing every 
 moment, a retreat was ordered. But fcarcely had they entered 
 their camp, when the Americans ito-rmed it with all the fury of lions ; 
 with trailed arms ruming to the charge through a feve're fire of grape- 
 fhot and mufquetry. The Britifh fought with equal defperation, 
 for theirs// was at flake, arid the Americans, like a whelming flood, 
 were burfting over their entrenchments, and, hand to hand, with 
 argumeiy^of bloody fteel, were pleading the caufe of ages yet un- 
 born. For fome time the mortal ilrife was maintained, on both 
 fides, with a bravery that was never exceeded. But, in that mo- 
 ment of danger and of glory, the impetuous Arnold, who led them 
 on, was dangeroufly wounded and forced to retire, and feveral re- 
 giments of Britifh infantry pouring in to the afliftance of their gal- 
 lant comrades, the Americans, after many hard ftruggles, were fi- 
 nally repulfed. In another quarter, where the ftrength of the Ger- 
 mans fought, the Americans, led on by Morgan, carried the en- 
 trenchments fword in hand. Col. Breyman, with the greateft part 
 of his countrymen, were killed, and their baggage, tents and artil- 
 lery, all fell into the hands of the conquerors. This was a bloody 
 day to both armies ; but fo peculiarly difheartening to the Britifh, 
 that they were obliged to retreat that night to Saratoga, where, in 
 a few days, (on the 13th of October, 1777,) they furrendered to 
 Gates and the Americans, by whom they were treated with a ge- 
 nerofity that perfectly aflonimed them. For, when the Britifh were 
 marched out to lay down their arms, there was not an American to 
 be feen ) They'had all nobly retired, for a moment, as if unwil- 
 ling to give the pain, even to their enemies, of being fpe6lators of 
 fo humiliating afcene ! Worthy countrymen of Wafhington ! this 
 deed of your's fhall out-live the flars ; and the bleft Sun himfelf, 
 smiling, ihall proclaim, that in the wide travel of his beams, he 
 never looked upon its like before. 
 
 Thus, glorioufly for America, ended the campaign of '77. '78 
 began as aufpicioufly. In May,' Silas Deane arrived from France 
 with the welcome news of a treaty with that powerful people, and 
 a letter from Lewis XVI. to Congrefs, whom he ftyled Very dear 
 great Jrhnds and allies. On the 6th of June commiOioners arrived 
 from Britain with lord North's conciliatory plan, wherein was offer- 
 ed every thing that America once contended for, or coveted. But 
 things were now gone too far to admit of the idea of reconciliation 
 <hn any bafis fhort of independence* Negociation was, of courfe, 
 
C 21 ) 
 
 at an end on the part of Britain, who took inftantly to the fword 
 again. 
 
 On the 18th of June the Britifh army, now under the command 
 of Clinton, evacuated Philadelphia for New- York. The figure 
 they made on the road had fomething the air of the sublime ; for 
 their baggage, loaded horfes, and carriages, formed a line not lefs 
 than twelve miles in length. Gen. Waihington, whofe eye, like 
 that of the facred dragon, was always open and fixed upon the ene- 
 mies of America, immediately croffed the Delaware alter them 
 puihed on detached corps to obftrucl their advance gall their 
 flanks and fall on their rear, while he himfelf moved on with the 
 body of the army. By the 27th, Clinton had got on as far as Mon- 
 mouth, and Wafhington's troops were clofe on his flank and rear. 
 Next morning he ordered general Lee, with 5000 men, to begin 
 the attack; himfelf moving on brifkly to fupport him. But, to his 
 aftonifhment, as he advanced he met Lee retreating, and the ene- 
 my impetuoufly purfuing. Here Wafhington was feen in all his 
 fplendor ; for the moment of danger and confufion was always the 
 orb in which he fhone the brighteft. At fight of him his troops 
 recovered their wonted fpirits, and wheeled around furioufly to the 
 charge. The enemy, finding themfelves now warmly oppofed in 
 front, made an attempt to turn his left flank, but were gallantly at- 
 tacked and driven back. They then made a rapid pufh to the right, 
 but the brave Greene, with a choice body of troops and artillery, 
 repulfed them with confiderable (laughter. At the fame inftant, 
 Wayne advanced with his Game Chickens,* and poured in fo fevere 
 and well directed a fire, that the enemy were glad to get back to 
 their defiles. Morgan's rifles were full hot that day. Wafhington 
 and his heroes lay upon their arms all night, refolved to fall on the 
 enemy the moment they mould attempt their retreat next morning. 
 But during the night they moved off in silence, and got fuch a ftart 
 that Waihington thought it dangerous, in fuch hot weather, to 
 make a pufh after them. Wafhington loft 58 killed 140 wounded. 
 The Britifh had 249 killed, and the wounded in proportion. Num- 
 bers, on both fides, died of the extreme beat, and cold water. 
 
 In September 1780, an attempt was made to take off our Wafh- 
 ington, and by means which I can hardly believe the old Britifh 
 Lion was ever well pleafed with. The brave general Arnold, hav- 
 ing been appointed to the government of Philadelphia, was, alas I 
 over-perfuaded by the devil to make a shaving affair of it ; but, 
 unfkilled in the life of the fwindling razor, he unfortunately cut 
 many of his cuftomers, fo near the quick, that they never gave 
 over bawling until they had gotten him into the ftar-chamber. Con- 
 grefs, unwilling to expofe the man who had fought fo bravely in the 
 
 * Every body has heard of Paoli. 
 
( 22 ) 
 
 caufe of liberty, thought they would make what the rauficians call, 
 a piano slur of it, and be done with it ; for it was a piece of vile 
 difcord to generous American ears. For the fame reafon, the 
 god-like Wafhington hurried it over, and after a gentle reprimand 
 of Arnold, gave him the command of Weft-Point, with a large 
 body of American troops ! The hiftory of Arnold's embarraffments 
 and his quarrel with his countrymen, foon got down to New- York 
 to the Britifh commander, who, well knowing the ticklifh fituation 
 of aproud man caught on the horns of poverty, fends him up a ma- 
 jor Andre, with money in his pocket. The major, by means yet 
 unknown to the public, got near enough to Arnold to probe him, 
 and, alas ! found him, both in principle and purfe, hollow as an 
 exhaufted receiver, and very willing to be filled up with Englifh 
 guineas. Englifh guineas are offered him, and Arnold agrees, 
 Oh! {hocking to humanity! Arnold agrees to facrifice Wafhington 
 to the Britifh ! To be certified of this delightful truth, Andre, dur- 
 ing Wafhington's abfence from Weft-Point, comes afhore from a 
 floop of war, with a furtout over his regimentals, fpends a day and 
 night with Arnold, fees, with his own eyes, the dear train laid, 
 the matches lighted, and every thing in readinefs, a few nights 
 hence, to fend the old Virginia farmer and his republic a-packing. 
 Every thing being fettled to fatisfaction, Andre wifhes to fet off to 
 carry the glad news to general Clinton ; but, behold ! by a fine 
 ftroke of Providential interference, he cannot get on board the 
 fhip ! ! Arnold gives him a horfe and a pafs to go to New- York by 
 land. Under the name of Anderfon he paffes, in fafety, all the 
 guards. Now, like an uncaged bird, and light as the air he 
 breathes, he fweeps along the road. His fame brightens before 
 Kim ftars and garters, coaches and caftles, dance before his de- 
 lighted fancy even his long-loved, reluctant Delia (Mifs Seward) 
 is all bis own she joins in tbe nation's gratitude foftly fhe rolls 
 her eye of love, and, brightening in all her beauty, fmks on his en- 
 raptured breaft ! In the midft of thefe too happy thoughts, he is 
 met by three young militia-men : Though not on duty, they chal- 
 lenge him ; he anfwers by the name of Anderfon, fhews his pafs 
 and bounds away. Here the guardian genius of Columbia burfh 
 into tears (he faw the fall of her hero, and her country's liberties 
 cruihed forever. Dry thine eyes, bleft faint, thy Wafhington is 
 not fallen yet the thick bofies of Jehovah's buckler are before the 
 chief, arid the fhafts of his enemies fhall yet fall to the earth, accurft. 
 For, fcarce has Andre paffed the young militia-men, before one of 
 them tells his comrades, that " be does not like bis look" and in- 
 fifts that he fhall be called back and queftioned again. His anfwers 
 prove him a fpy. He would have fled, but they level their mufquets. 
 . Trembling and pale, he offers them an elegant gold- watch to let him 
 go ; no \ he preffes on them a purfe bloated with guineas ; no 1 he 
 
( 23 ) 
 
 promifes each of them a handfome penfion for life but all In vain. 
 The power that guarded Walhington was wroth with Andre. On 
 fearchinghim they find in his boot, and in Arnold's own band wri- 
 ting, a plan of the whole confpiracy ! ! Sons of the generous foul, 
 why fliould I tell how major Andre died? The place where his 
 gallows flood is overgrown with weeds but fmiling angels often 
 vilit the fpot, for it was bathed with the tears of bis foes. 
 
 His candour, on his examination, in fome fort expiated his 
 crime, it melted the angel foul of Wafhington, and the tears of the 
 hero were mingled with the ink that fignedthe death-warrant of the 
 haplefs youth. The wretched Arnold fled. Britifh hiflorians have 
 wondered that he left his wife in the dangerous power of Wafhing- 
 ton. But Arnold knew in whom he trufted ; and the god-like man 
 behaved exactly as Arnold had forefeen ; for he immediately fent 
 him his clothes and baggage, and wrote a polite letter of condolance 
 to his lady, offering her a conveyance to her hufband, or to her 
 friends in Pennfylyania. 
 
 Wafhington now waged the war with various fuccefs. On the 
 one hand, his hero of Saratoga (Gates) was defeated, with confi- 
 derable lofs at Cambden ; on the other, the Britifh loft, on the 
 KingVMountain, the brave Col. Fergufon, with all his army, 
 1,4OO men. After the defeat of Gates, Wafhington fent on his fa- 
 vourite Greene to head the fouthern army againfl the victorious 
 Cornwallis and Tarleton. With Greene he joined the famous 
 Morgan, whofe riflemen had done fuch fignal fervice during the 
 war. 
 
 To draw Cornwallis's attention from a blow meditated againft the 
 Britifh poft at Ninety-Six, Greene detached Morgan with 30O re- 
 gulars, 50O militia, and lOOhorfe, to Faulet's river, near the neigh- 
 bourhood of Cornwallis and Tarleton. Immediately the pride of 
 Tarleton rofe. He begged of his friend, lord Rawdon, to obtain 
 for him the permiflion of the commander in chief to go and attack 
 Morgan. " By Heaven, my lord" faid he, " / would not desire a 
 44 finer feather in my cap than Col. Morgan* Such a prisoner 
 *' would make my fortune" " Ah, Ben" replied, Rawdon very 
 coolly, " you bad better let the old waggoner alone" As no refu- 
 fal could fatisfy, permiflion at length was granted him ; and he in- 
 ftantly fet out with 1OOO choice infantry, 300 horfe, and two pieces 
 of cannon. His force was to Morgans, at leaft as 5 to 4. At 
 parting, he faid to lord Rawdon with a fmile, " My lord, if you 
 44 will be so obliging as to wait dinner, the day after to-morrow, till 
 4 ' four o* clock, Col. Morgan shall be one of your lordship* s guests" 
 44 Very well, Ben," faid the other " we shall wait." 
 
 Morgan bravely flood his ground, and, at a place called the Cow- 
 pens, drew up his men with mofl admirable judgment. He para- 
 ded his militia in a large field, but near a piece of thick woods ; 
 
this was made to appear as his whole force ; but clofe behind them 
 and in the edge of the woods, he concealed his regulars. Scarce 
 was this arrangement made, before the thundering rattle of Tarle- 
 ton's drums were heard : And the enemy, horfe and foot, poured 
 in on the other iide of the field in all their glittering fteel. The 
 militia fuffered them to advance within a hundred yards, and then 
 gave them a well directed fire, and, according to orders, broke, to 
 gain the woods, and form behind the regulars. The Britiih, fup- 
 pofing Morgan's whole force now put to the rout, advanced with 
 fuch impetuofity that Tarleton's horfe had like to have cut down 
 fome of the fugitives before they reached the woods. Sufpecling no 
 danger nigh, and ruining on as to certain victory, the enemy were 
 now within ten fleps of Morgan's riflemen, with every man his fin- 
 ger on the fatal trigger, and his unerring fight drawn upon his bro- 
 ther's heart. Sons of Columbia ! let the curtain drop : For who, 
 without weeping eyes, can behold the horrid tragedy that enfued, 
 or the pale cloud of flirieking ghofts that fuddenly afcended from 
 the bloody field ! Oh 1 that they may have wing'd their way to that 
 bleft world, where strife, and groans, and death are unknown ! 
 The furvivors, Tarleton and a few horfe excepted, were taken. 
 
 Wafhington's heroes continued the war againft the Britifh till 
 July '81 ; when Cornwallis refolved to pufli into Virginia and to 
 fortify himfelf at York-Town. But the eye of Walhmgton was 
 upon him, and with an addrefs hardly ever equalled, concerted a 
 plan that ended in his total deftruc~lion. He artfully wrote letters 
 to Greene, informing, that u in order to relieve Virginia, be was 
 <c determined immediately to attack New-Tork" Thefe letters were 
 fo difpofed of as to fall into the right hands. Clinton took the 
 alarm. But while Clinton was in daily expectation of a vifit from 
 him, Wamington and his army, now acrofs the Delaware, were 
 in full ftretch to the fouth, darkening the day with their clouds of 
 rolling duft. Cornwallis faw now that the day of his fall was at 
 hand. He had done all that man could do, but all in vain. On the 
 laft of September, Wa'fhington fat down before Ybrk with about 
 100 pieces of heavy artillery. On the 7th of October, this 
 dreaful train began to thunder; and the Britifh works funk be- 
 fore them. Lord Cornwallis, unwilling to expofe his gallant 
 army to the deftruction of a general aflault, agreed on the 17th, 
 to furrender. This was juftly confidered as the clofe of war ; 
 which having been begun with supplication, Walhington pioufly 
 ordered to be finifhed with thanksgiving. In the fiege of Corn- 
 wallis, the behaviour of the Americans* was, as ufual, generous 
 
 * The amiable colonel Sea-ram el. adjutant-general of the American army, and un- 
 commonly beloved by them, was badly wounded, and taken prifoncr by fome Britiil* 
 dragoons, who trotted him on, before them three miles, into town, where he prefently 
 died ! ! Great was the mourning for Scammcl. In a few nights, \Vafliington gave 
 
C 25 ) 
 
 and noble. The conduct of the French alfo, was fuch as to 
 tie them to equal immortality. 
 
 For, when the Britifh marched out to lay down their arms, thd 
 French troops were feen to Ihed tears they condoled with the 
 Britifh, and tendered them their purfes ! Glorious proof, that 
 God never intended men to be, as tome wickedly term it, natural 
 enemies. 
 
 At the conclufion of the war this truly illuftrious man, with a 
 foul far fuperior to the low ambition of governing, furrendered up 
 to Congrefs all the authority with which he had been inverted. 
 Never was there a more glorious difplay of the power which vir- 
 tue poflefles over the human heart, than on that memorable occa- 
 fion. Congrefs was then fitting at Annapolis. Waihington had 
 informed them of his intention to refign on the following day. The 
 houfe was crouded with the moft refpe&able characters in the uni- 
 verfe. Wafhington arofe, and with a dignified modefty, prefent- 
 cd into the hands of the Prefident of Congrefs, the commiffion 
 which he had received from them feven years before. They now 
 faw the man whom they had long confidered as fent of God to fave 
 them and their children from flavery the man who, for this great- 
 eft of all purpofes had cheerfully relinquiflred every pleafure of 
 life, and bravely expofed himfelf to all its evils the man who, for 
 feven long years of difficulty and danger, had manifefted the moft 
 unflinching zeal for his country, and had been made the honored 
 inftruttient of fecuring to them liberty, property, and every thing 
 moft dear and valuable the man who, in confequence of all this, 
 poflefled fo entirely the hearts of his army, and of the nation, that 
 he could eafily have made himfelf their mafter They now faw 
 this man fcorning to abufe his power to the difhonor of his mo- 
 ther country ; but, on the contrary, treating her with the moft pro- 
 found refpecl dutifully bowing before her delegated presence, the 
 Congrefs returning the commifiion (he had entrufted him with 
 pioufly laying down his unbounded power at her feet and cheer- 
 fully falling back into the humble condition of the reft of her chil- 
 dren. The fight of this great man, a<5ling in fo generous, fo god- 
 like a manner, produced an effe6l beyond the power of words to 
 exprefs. Virtue appeared to ftand before them arrayed in more 
 than mortal charms. Their feelings of admiration and delight 
 were too delicious too big for utterance. A flood of tears gufti- 
 ed from every eye, which, though a silent, was perhaps the rich- 
 eft offering of veneration and efteem ever paid to a human being. 
 
 On the 4th of February, 1789, when the federal conftitution 
 
 rders to ftorm one of the enemy's redoubts, which was carried almoft in an inftant- 
 The Bririfli ca'ied for quarters : A voice of death was heard, " Remember poor Scammel." 
 c * S.em:tnbir t genilemen, you are Americans" was rejoined by the comraander, an 
 she points of the American bayonets were thrown up towards ketvcn. 
 
 1 
 
was adopted, he was, by the unanimous voice of his country, deck- 
 ed Prefident of the United States, and before the expiration of 
 4 years, for which he had received his appointment, he was, with 
 equal unanimity, re-elected to the fame honorable ftation. Dur- 
 ing the firfl part of his adminiftration he gave the moft entire fa- 
 tisfactiori ; but afterwards when Mr. Pitt was pleafed to turn loofe 
 his cruifers upon our defencelefs commerce, and when the French 
 Directory and their agents, abufing the friendly fentiments which 
 we entertained towards them on account of their former fervices, 
 endeavoured to draw us into the war when our citizens, impiouf- 
 ly forgetting their own country, were divided and diftracted by fo- 
 reign politics, then it was that Waihington failed to pleafe fome. 
 Bat indeed it was not for an angel of God to pleafe fuch oppofite 
 parties, one of whom was furiouily clamorous for a war with Bri- 
 tain, the other as keen fet on a game of logger-heads with France. 
 In the midft of thefe violent commotions, Wafhington turned not 
 to the right hand nor to the left to humour any party. Placed by 
 his country at the facred helm of her government, with no pole- 
 itar but her good, no compafs but duty, like a brave and heaven- 
 aiiifted pilot, he fteered our great national bark fafely through the 
 Scyllaand Charybdis, the dangerous rocks and whirlpools of French 
 and Englilh politics. 
 
 Little minds are dazzled with pornp and {how, to fuch Wailiiijg- 
 tcn muft have appeared little lefs than a God, when at York, amidft 
 the thunder and lightning of the war, the Britifh lion crouched be- 
 fore him, and Cornwallis and Tarleton, with feven thoufand vete- 
 ran troops, grounded their arms and acknowledged his fuperiority. 
 But, however great, however glorious, he might have appeared as 
 a triumphant conqueror, he muft appear far greater, far more glo- 
 rious as the noifelefs fiatefman, whofe wifdom and firmnefs pre- 
 ferved his country from the ruin and horrors of war, and fecured 
 to it all the bleffings of peace and flourilhing commerce. And 
 however this wife, this beneficent conduct of his may have been 
 reprobated by fome, yet the clay is at hand, when he, whom no cla- 
 mours could perfuade to let flip the hell-hounds of war to feaft on 
 the cries and blood of mankind, will be revered and beloved as 
 one of the guardian angels of the human race : Yes, when thofe 
 unfeeling rulers, who, to monopolize the fale of fugars and of fpi- 
 ces, could, without remorfe, deluge the earth and dye the ocean 
 with human gore, (hall be remembered only to be. accurfed, then 
 ihall the name of Waihington found in the delighted ears of pofte- 
 rity as the name of fome gentle angel of God, fent on errands of 
 love to his country: When bloody kings and conquerors, with all 
 their eclat, (hall have palled away like the black ftorms of night 
 which defolated nations in their courfe, then fiiall our Wafhington, 
 like the fun, blefl inftrument of light and joy to our world, roll OR 
 
In his eternal rate, gilding diftant lands and ages yet unborn, with 
 the fweet beams of his beneficent life. 
 
 When our children, and our children's children, hearing the 
 great name of Wafhington re-echoed from every lip, fliali afk their 
 fathers, u what was it that raifed Washington to this god-like height 
 44 of glory . ? " let them be told, that " it was bis great virtues, thofe 
 u precious plants of life, the native fhoots of a foul, like his, early 
 *' watered with the dews of heaven-born religion." Yes, let them 
 be told, andO! may they never forget ! that the fame of Wafhing- 
 ton, which hath gone forth throughout the earth, and afcended the 
 higheil heavens, arofe from his early fenfe of religion, th?.t only 
 fource of human virtue and of human greatnefs. For how fhall 
 frail man, prone to inglorious eafe and pleafure, ever afcend the 
 arduous fteeps of virtue and of glory, unlefs animated by the 
 mighty hopes of religion ? Or what (hall arreft him in his fwift de- 
 fcent to infamy and vice if unawed by that dread power which pro- 
 claims to the guilty that their fecret crimes are feen and fiiall not 
 go unpunifhed I Hence the wife, in all ages, have pronounced, 
 that there never was a truly great man without religion. There 
 have indeed been great generals, great flatefmen, &c. without re- 
 ligion ; but let it be remembered that mere courage or cunning, 
 however paramount, never yet made a great man. 
 
 " Admit that this can conquer, that can cheat, 
 
 " 'Tis phrafe abfurd to call a villain great : 
 
 u Who wickedly is wife, or madly brave, 
 
 " Is but the more a fool, the more a knave." 
 Were it not fo, the prince of devils would out-top the topmofi 
 hero of them all, for he had wit to out-wit Solomon, and courage 
 enough to throw down his black gauntlet to the Aimjghty. No, 
 no, to be truly great, a man muft have not only great talents but 
 great virtues, and thefe mutt have nerves of fteel too, to bear him 
 ftrongly up till death, for if he mould ever turn afide to vice, fare- 
 well forever his reputation as a hero. Hence, when Epaminondas 
 was afked which was the greateft man, himfelf, or Pelopidas (ano- 
 ther illuftrious character of the times) he replied, " wait till we 
 u are dead," thus implying, that the all of heroifm depends on a 
 perieverance, till death, in virtue and in great actions. But what 
 motive on earth can give fuch perfeverance to our virtue, as true re- 
 ligion? For want of this moft animating, this only tone-giving 
 principle, how many, who once dazzled the world with the gUre 
 of their abilities, are now eclipfed and fet, to rife no more ? There 
 was Arnold, who, in courage and military talents, glittered in the 
 fame firmament with Wafhington, and, for a while, his face fhcne 
 like the fb.r of the morning, but, alas 1 for lack of Washington's 
 religious principles, he foon fell, like Lucifer, from a heaven of 
 glory into anabyfs of never-ending infamy. But why fliould I fum* 
 
i 
 
 ) 
 
 moh the Arnolds, the Cromwells, the Bacons, the Caefars and A- 
 lexanders of the earth, to give fad evidence that no valour, no ge- 
 nius alone can make men great? Do we not daily meet with me- 
 lancholy inilances of youth, lovely as innocence, fparkling as wit, 
 and promifing to the full of their fond parents' wiihes, who, yet, 
 merely for lack of religion, foon make fhipwreck of all this preci- 
 ous cargo ; facrificing their gold to gamblers, their health to har- 
 lots, and their glory to grog ; making confcience their curfe, this 
 life a purgatory, and the next a hell ! ! In fa&, a man, though of 
 the greatefl talents, without religion, is but like a gorgeous Ihip 
 without ballad highly painted, and with flowing canvas fhe launch- 
 es out upon the deep, and during a fmooth fea and gentle breezes, 
 {he moves along {lately as the pride of ocean ; but, foon as the 
 itormy winds defcend, and the black'ning billows begin to roll, fud- 
 denly fhe is overfet and difappears forever. But who is this com- 
 ing thus glorioufly along, with mafts towering to heaven, and his 
 fails white looming like the mountain of fnows, the flrength of o- 
 cean roars beneath his prow, while his courfe through the waves is 
 as the courfe of the mighty Leviathan ? Who is it but the fervant 
 of God, the friend of man, and guardian angel of his country ! 
 Who is it but the pride of Columbia, Wafhington the great and 
 good, whole talents like the fails of a mighty fhip, fpread far and 
 wide catching the gales of heaven, while his capacious foul, flored 
 with the rich ballaft of religion, remains firm and unfhaken as the 
 ponderous rock ? The warm zephyrs of profperity breathe melt- 
 ingly upon him, the chill ftorms of adverfity defcend in all their 
 fury ; the big billows of afHi&ion dafh violently againft him, but 
 nothing can move him ; his eye is fixed on God, his thoughts on 
 the fame that remaineth after death the prefentjoys of an approv- 
 ing confcience, and the glory that fadeth not away, thefe comfort 
 and fupport him. 
 
 Never, perhaps, had human being a more vivid fenfe than Wafh- 
 Sngton, of that great truth which lies at the bottom of all our reli- 
 gion and of all our joys; I mean, the belief of a particular Provi- 
 dence. His ftrong, vigorous mind clearly difcerned that mighty- 
 God, whom nature through all her wond'rous works proclaims a- 
 loud : that mighty God who fills the heaven of heavens with his 
 gloiy, yet every where prefent with his works, paints the humble 
 lilly of the vale, and feeds with parent care the crying tenants of the 
 fparrow'ii neft ; that Almighty God who is thus regardful of his 
 sneanest creatures, muft, furely, be more regardful of man than of 
 jnillions of fparrows. This through life, was Wamington's firm 
 belief* Ahd this through life animated his hopes, fweetened his 
 fefigHSition, taught him humility, and inflamed his gratitude. To 
 ver-prefent parent and preferver of men, Wafhington afcribed 
 all thofe rich mercies which crowned his life -his favored birth at 
 
C * ) 
 
 fo fmgularly important a time and place his extraordinary rife 
 from obfcurity to a throne ! a throne in the hearts of five millions 
 of freemen his miraculous efcape from the deadly rifle's aim, and 
 from all the cafualties of war his prefervation from the dark de- 
 figns of Arnold and of Andre his capture of veteran armies, and 
 defeat of a mighty nation his fubverfton, in part, of a great mo- 
 narchy, and eftahlifhment of a pure and happy republic Thefe 
 wonderful events for which admiring millions extolled him, his 
 enlightened mind deemed it equal iufanity and facrilege to take te 
 himfelf. u Not unto me, not unto me, but unto thyfelf O God be 
 " all the glory," was the flyle of WASHINGTON. When called by 
 his country is 1775, to lead her freedom-loving fons againft the 
 arms of Britain, what charming modefty, what noble felf-diftruft, 
 what pious confidence in heaven, appeared in all his anfwers ! 
 How widely different from the behaviour of Suwarrow on a fimilar 
 occafion I When that butcher of the Poles was appointed by the 
 Emperor of Rruffia, to command his forces againft the French, he 
 replied, " I thank your Highnefs, and will beat tbe French ! .'** 
 Vain mortal ! Shall the Father of mercies defert the fouls that he 
 has created, let drop his everlafting reins of government, and fuf- 
 fer a Dsemon to break the nations before him like a potter's veflel ! 
 No ! WASHINGTON thought not fo. Firmly perfuaded that he 
 who formed " this univerfal frame thus wonderous fair," formed 
 it on fome great plan worthy of infinite wifdom and goodnefs, he 
 wifely concluded, that God would never give to another his glory, 
 the glory of governing it : nor allow to angels, men, or devils, to 
 a6l but in fublerviency to his adorable defign. Filled with this fub- 
 limely delightful idea, WASHINGTON found no place for pride 
 faw himfelf but as a mortal man whofe breath is in his noftrils * 
 whofe place is but a point his time a moment and himfelf an 
 atom in the hand of God to accomplifh his mighty will. Hence 
 when called to the chief command, by his countrymen who ex- 
 pected every thing from his great abilities, how utterly did he re- 
 nounce all felf-fufliciency ? how earneftly did he conjure his coun- 
 trymen " to ceafe from man, nor truft in the arm of flefh, but in 
 the living God, whofe alone the victory is, with whom it is all one 
 to fave by many or by few." Who r in the flame of battle, can 
 flrike a fudden panic through the hearts of the brave, or give the 
 lion's courage to the timed, as may bed ferve his all wife purpofes. 
 And when after, having conducted his countrymen through the 
 great revolutionary war with fuch fmgular fuccefs, he again re- 
 ceived an unanimous call to the PRESIDENT'S CHAIR, accompanied 
 with the heartiefl thanks of the Union for his great fervices paft, 
 and an aflured anticipation of equally great to come, read his an- 
 fwers. " When I contemplate tbe interposition of Providence, as 
 it was visibly manifested in guiding us through the revolution, in 
 
preparing us for the reception of a general government, and in con- 
 ciliating the good will of the people of America towards one another 
 after its adoption ; I feel myself oppressed and almost^bverwhelmed, 
 with a sense of the divine munificence. I feel that nothing is due 
 to my personal agency in all those complicated and wonderful events, 
 except, what, can simply be attributed to the exertions of an honest 
 zeal for the good of my country" 
 
 And when he prefented himfelf, for the nrfl time, before that 
 augiiil body, the Congrefs of the United States, April 30, 1739 
 when he fiiw before him in full conclave the pride of Columbia in 
 herchofen fons, her Adamfes, her Jefferfons, her Jays, her Frank- 
 lins, her Lees, &c. &c. Immortal heroes ! whofe wifdom and va- 
 lor had flood around her a wall of fire, during her long and ardu- 
 ous druggie for liberty and independencewhen he faw thofe illuf- 
 trious faces, which the knowledge of their GREAT VIRTUES ren- 
 dered 1U11 more illuilrious ; and whofe eager eyes all fixed and 
 {hining on HIM, darted the fweeteft beams of admiration and of 
 filial affecTion, then it was, that our WASHINGTON felt sensations 
 unutterable / sensations that were left to more expressive silence 
 that facred paufe of exquifite blifs which belongs alone to virtue to 
 impart ! and one moment of which far outweighs a whole eterni- 
 ty of profperous vice. And his addrefs to Congrefs on that im- 
 portant occafion infinitely deferved the folemn filence with which 
 it was heard ; infinitely defer-ves to be remembered by every council, 
 parliament, or congrefs, that may be held to the end of the world! 
 
 The delegated Fathers of his country were before him to con- 
 fult on measures, of all others, the neareft to his heart, on mea- 
 fures the belt calculated to flrengthen the chain of love between 
 the States to prcferve friendfhip and harmony with foreign pow- 
 ers to fecure the bleilings of civil and religious liberty, of peace 
 and profnerity to the union, and to build up our young republic, a 
 great and happy people, among the nations of the earth. Never 
 patriot entered on fuch important bufmefs with fairer hopes, whe- 
 ther we con'ider the unanimity and confidence of the citizens, or 
 his own sad the abilities and virtues of his fellow-counfellors ; but 
 all this vfo'jld not do, nothing, Ihort of the divine friendfhip, could 
 fifisfv WASHINGTON. Feeling the magnitude, difficulty, ancy 
 daniy^r o~ managing fuch an sfiemblage of communities and inter- 
 efts^ d:*e - IK\^ the machinations of bad men, and well knowing 
 tVie iafuiH 'lenr.y of all fecond caufes, even the best ,< he piouily re- 
 minds Co^gr^fs of the wifdom of imploring the benediction of the 
 <rrent firsf cavse, without which he knew that his beloved country 
 could never r.rofper. 
 
 " It *ouldtx$S he, be peculiarly' improper, to omit, in t&sfrst of- 
 ficial -'iSt, my fervent supplications to that almighty being who ru't't 
 ever tbe universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose 
 providential aids can supply every human deject, that his benedic- 
 
tlon may consecrate to tbe liberties and happiness of tbe people oftbt 
 United States, a government instituted by themselves for these essential 
 purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its admini- 
 stration, to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge. 
 In tendering this homage to the great author of every public and 
 private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less 
 than my own ; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either* 
 No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the inyifible hand 
 which conduces the ajfairs of men, more than tbe people of tbe Uni- 
 ted States. Every step, by which they have advanced to tbe character 
 of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some 
 token of providential agency. These reflections arising out of tbe 
 present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be 
 suppressed. Tou will join with me, I trust, in thinking, that there 
 are 'none under the influence of which tbe proceedings of a new and 
 free government can more auspiciously commence" 
 
 And after having come near the clofe of this the mod fenfible and 
 virtuous fpeech ever made to a fenfible and virtuous representation 
 of a free people, he adds" I mail take my prefent leave ; but, 
 " not, without reforting once more to the benign parent of the hu- 
 " man race, in humble fupplication, that, fmce he has been pleafed 
 " to favour the American people with opportunities for delibera- 
 " ting with perfect tranquillity ; and difpofitions for deciding with 
 " unparalleled unanimity, on a form of government for the fecu- 
 " rity of their union, and the advancement of their happinefs ; ibhis 
 *' divine bleflings may be equally confpicuous in the enlarged views, 
 " the temperate confultations, and the wife meafures, on which the 
 41 fuccefs of this government muft depend." 
 
 But if the conduct of our WASHINGTON was fo lovely in the 
 eyes of angels and good men, becaufe fo refpeclful to the great pa- 
 ret, in public, it was not lefs fo in private life. The learned and 
 facetious Mr. LEE MASSEY, long rector of the pariih in which 
 WASHINGTON lived, has often told me, that he never knew fo con- 
 ftant a churchman as WASHINGTON. u And his behaviour in the 
 houfe of his God was fo exceedingly decent, added the fame Rev. 
 gentleman, that it produced the happieft effect on my whole congre- 
 gation, and greatly aflifted and comforted me in my moralizing la- 
 bours ; and he always made it a point, to bring with him to church 
 whatever friends happened to be at his houfe. The amiable Judge 
 Harrifon, fecretary to Wafhington, ufed often to fay, that whenever 
 the General could be spared from camp, on tbe Sabbath, be never 
 failed riding out to some neighbouring church, to make one of those^ 
 who were publicly worshiping the great Creator. 
 
 And while he refided at Philadelphia, as Prefident of the United 
 States, his cheerful and conftant attendance on divine fervice, was 
 iUch ag to convince all who were deftitute of religion and true tafte, 
 
( 32 ) 
 
 that he deemed no pleafures equal to thofe of devotion, and no bu- 
 fmefs a funicient escufe for neglecling his fupreme benefactor. 
 Created of fentimentalifts I Patron ot propriety 1 Noble devotee 
 ef duty I No wonder th:it he, whom thou fo fignally honoredll 
 through life, ihould through life, fo fignally have honored thee ! 
 
 The pillars of heaven are not more immoveable than is this great 
 truth ; which in WASHINGTON'S own language runs beautifully 
 thus " there exifts in the (economy and courle of nature an in- 
 " diffoluble union between virtue and happinefs ; between duty 
 " and advantage" between religion and glory. For what is reli- 
 gion but a firm belief of the great things of eternity, and a reveren- 
 tial, affectionate intercourfe between the foul and its almighty crea- 
 tor ? Now what motives could human wit devife, comparable with 
 thefe of religion, to kindle our love, to enrapture our hopes, to 
 alarm our fears, to inflame our ambition, and, in fhort, to touch 
 every fpring andpaifion of our fouls, in favour of virtue and happi- 
 nefs ? 
 
 Did the fenfe of fhame, reflrain Alcibiades from bafe actions ha 
 the prefence of Socrates ? Behold, fays religion, a greater than So- 
 crates is here. Does the love of created beauty and worth, refine 
 and improve the foul ? Religion leads to the eternal beauty ! the 
 love of whom exalts human nature to divine. 
 
 Did the ambition of a civic crown animate Scipio to heroic 
 deeds ? Religion holds up a crown, at light of which the laurels of 
 a Caefar fade to weeds. Does the hope of gain call forth nobleft 
 induftry and worth ? Religion points to treaiures in heaven, com- 
 pared with which, whole beds of diamonds and rocks of mafly 
 gold are tram. Did Titus and Aurelius ftudy the happinefs of 
 their fubjec~ls, for the fake of this world's fame ? Religion difplays 
 that world of glory, where good kings, who have made their iub- 
 jects happy, (hall (nine like the ftars for ever and ever. 
 
 Are fubjec~ls withheld from crimes ruinous to fociety, through 
 fear of death ? Religion adds infinite horrors to that dread, it 
 warns them of a death both of foul and body, in hell, in torments 
 exquifue and eternal. 
 
 In inert, what motives under heaven can reflrain men from vice 
 and mifery, or urge them on in full ftretch after individual and na- 
 tional happinefs, comparable with thofe of Religion ? Hence thofe 
 great Legislators of nations, Mofes, Lycurgus, and Numa, de- 
 Sred nothing for their dear countrymen, in comparifon of Reli- 
 gious principles. " / ask not gold for the Spartans, faid Lycurgus, 
 virtue is better than gold" the event {hewed his wifdom. The 
 Spartans Were invincible all the days of their virtue even 50O 
 years I " I ask not wealth for Israel, cried Moses, but 01 that they 
 were w//f, that tbsj did but fear God and keep bis command- 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 ments ! The Lord himself sk all be tbeir sun. end shield" The 
 event proved Moles a true prophet. For while they were virtu- 
 ous they were independent and happy. In fhort, look throughout 
 the world, and you will fee this eternal truth written on the fates 
 and fortunes of all nations, that according as they were virtu- 
 ous or vicious, they were ftrong or weak, united or divided, prof- 
 perous or unfortunate. 
 
 Hence, WASHINGTON, in his confultations for our good, laid 
 more flrefs on religious principles, than on all other means what- 
 ever. " Of all the difpoiitions and habits which lead to the prof- 
 " perity of a nation, religion, fays he, is the indifpenfable fupport. 
 " Volumes could not trace all its connections with private and pub- 
 " lie happinefs." That is, to lay nothing of all thoie duties, ge- 
 nerally called duties of imperfect obligation, fuch as meeknefs, 
 hofpitality, charity, &c. Nor of thofe ten thoufand little, name- 
 kfs tendernefies and endearments of looks, fpeech and manners, 
 which, like the graces in a fine piece of mufic, make up the fweet- 
 eft harmonies of focial life ; but which have no more to do with 
 human laws, than angels have with fetters and handcuffs : To pafs 
 over all thefe : " Let it be fisnply afked, continues WASHINGTON, 
 " where is the fecurity for property, for reputation, for life itfelf, 
 " if there be no fenfe of God or religion on the minds of thofc 
 " who give their oaths in courts of juftice." 
 
 Human laws ! Human nonfenfe ! How often, even where the 
 cries and fcreams of the wretched call aloud for lightning-fpeeded 
 vengeance, have we not feen the fword of human law loiter in its 
 coward fcabbard, afraid of angry royalty ? Did not that vile Queen 
 Jezebel, having a mind to compliment her huiband with a vine- 
 yard belonging to one of her poor fubj eels, fubborn a couple of 
 villains to take a falfe oath againft innocent Naboth, and then caufe 
 him to be dragged out with his little motherlefs, crying babes, and 
 mofl barbarouily ftoned to death ? 
 
 Great God ! what bloody tragedies have been acted on the poor 
 ones of the earth, by kings and great men who were above, the 
 laws, and had no fenfe of religion to keep them in awe ! And if men 
 be not above the laws, yet what horrid crimes ! what ruinous robbe- 
 ries ! what wide-wafting flames ! what cruel murders may they not 
 commit in secret if they be not withheld by the facred arm of re- 
 ligion 1 " In vain therefore fays WASHINGTON, would that man 
 " claim the tribute of patriotifm, who fnould do any thing to dif- 
 " countenance religion and morality, thofe great pillars of human 
 " happinefs, thofe firmeft props of the duties of men and citizens. 
 
 JE 
 
( 34 ) 
 
 " The mere politician equally with the pious man, ought to re- 
 fpecl and cherifh them." 
 
 But fome have faid, and with a ferious face too, that a fenfe of 
 honour is fufficient to preferve men from bafe actions ! O blafphe- 
 my to fenfe ! Do we not daily hear of men of honour, by dice 
 and cards, draining their fellow-citizens to the laft guinea, reduce- 
 ing them to a dunghill, or driving them to a piftol ? Do we not 
 daily hear of men of honor corrupting their neighbours wives and 
 daughter, and then murdering their hufbands and brothers in 
 duels ? Bind fuchxfelfiQi, fuch inhuman beings, by a fenfe of ho- 
 nour ! ! Why not bind roaring lions with a cobweb ? u No" ex- 
 claims WASHINGTON, " Whatever a fenfe of honour may do on 
 " men of refined education, and on minds of a peculiar ftructure, 
 u reafon and experience both forbid us to expect that national mo- 
 44 rality can prevail, inexclufion of religious principles." 
 
 Indeed he feems never to have loft fight of the importance of 
 religion to national fafety. When he was told that the Britifli 
 troops at Lexington, on the ever memorable 19th April, 1775, had 
 fired on the Americans and killed feveral of them, he replied, " I 
 " grieve for the death of my countrymen, but rejoice that the 
 Britifh are ftill fo determined to put God on our fide :" alluding to 
 that noble fervtiment which he has fmce fo happily expressed, viz. 
 " The fmiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that dif- 
 u regards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itfelf 
 " has ordained." And truly WASHINGTON had abundant reafon 
 from his own happy experience, to recommend religion fo heartily 
 to others. For, as religion never had a more dutiful fon than 
 WASHINGTON, fo WASHINGTON never had a more generous mo- 
 ther than religion. Setting; afide all thofe fecret comforts and joys with 
 which fhe refreihed him in his frequent vifits to the great King ; fet- 
 ing afide all thofe incalculable favours which he received from her 
 at the hands of her celeftial daughters, the virtues that fine health 
 which rosey-cbeetfd temperance gave him that clearnefs of head 
 which genteel sobriety furnifhed him that firm tone which blush- 
 ing chastity difpenfecl him that horn of abundance which firm- 
 nerved industry beftowed on him that tranquillity which prudence 
 in business, preferved to him that cheerfulnefs which smiling in- 
 nocence prefented to him that bold undaunted heart which good 
 conscience gave him Ifay,fctting afide theie, and the tenthoufand 
 other choiceft prefents which religion fent him by the hands of her 
 daughters the virtues ; Ihc threw over him her own venerable 
 mantle, which, like the Aegis of Minerva, makes little men great 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 and great men little lefs than gods. It was this mantle of religion 
 which immortalized our WASHINGTON. By inipiring every body 
 withfthe profoundeft veneration for him as the befl of men, it natural- 
 ly fmoothe.d his way to the fupreme command. For when war, 
 that monfter of hell, came on roaring againft us, with all his death- 
 heads and garments rolled in blood, we unanimoufly elected 
 WASHINGTON our commander in chief, from a natural perfuafion 
 that fo good a man muft be the peculiar favourite of heaven, and 
 the fafteft friend of his country. How far this precious in{lin6l of 
 nature in favour of goodnefs, was correct, or how far WASHING- 
 TON'S condudl was honourable to religion, and glorious to himfelf 
 and country, bright ages to come, and happy nations yet unborn, 
 will, I truft, declare. 
 
 The life of WASHINGTON adds one more to the already innume- 
 rable proofs of the incalculable importance of good character to 
 all men, but efpecially to great men. " Very gladly, faid Georgs 
 Villars, would I give ten thoufand pounds for a good character, 
 becauie I could eafily make thirty thoufand pounds by it. But. 
 WASHINGTON'S good character was worth to himfelf and to his 
 country, more thirty thoufand pounds than all the golden fands 
 of Gambia, and precious ore cf Pototi could furnifh ! It obtained 
 for him the fupreme command of the American armies ! a com- 
 mand which his great abilities conducted with fuch (kill and fuc- 
 cefs, that he fully eftablifhed the liberties of his country ; and creel- 
 ed for himfelf a monument whofe bafe covers the United States 
 and its fummit reaches the Iky : a monument that fhall fhine in 
 the Cabinets of the Almighty, when the moon has fhrowded for- 
 ever her filver face, and the great fun himfelf has ceafedto gladden 
 the earth with his golden beams. 
 
 But before I quit this article, permit me to add (for which I 
 hope his brethren in arms will thank me) that Wafhington's piety 
 rendered him one of the brighteft ornaments of his profeffion as 
 a foldier. It infpired him with that heroic kind of courage, fo 
 honourable to reason and to man, and fo necefiary to a general ; 
 that calm deliberate valour, which, even in the madden rage of 
 battle, enabled him to look coolly on, and improve every advan- 
 tage which the errors of the enemy afforded. Braddock's bloody 
 field bears glorious tefjimony to this. For there in the midfl of 
 horrors unparalleled, while profane dram-drinking veterans wer* 
 flying in every direction, like gun-ihot deer, this virtuous youth, 
 unconcerned as Mars, was riding along the line of his Virginia 
 riflemen, inceffantly calling out " well fired, my brave fejl ows t 
 
( 36 ) 
 
 " remember the fate of our little army depends now on your 
 " rifles." 
 
 An officer faid one day at head-quarters, that in his opinion a 
 field of battle called for valour not virtue. " There is no call, fir," 
 replied Waihington, u prior to that of virtue, none of comp?*, ible 
 4i magnitude and importance. By fitting we ferve our country ; 
 44 by virtue we ferve him who made us, we ferve mankind, wfe 
 44 ferve ourfelves and even we ferve our country the better in the 
 i4 article of valour. For how a man can fight in a bad caufe and 
 44 under a guilty confcicnce, I do not know. Under fuch circum- 
 44 fiances I think I fhould be the verieft coward alive ; but give me 
 44 the happinefs to live and to fight, fo as to have God on my fide, 
 44 and I hope I ihall never know fear." 
 
 This is near a-kin to a noble fentiment of a great captain in for- 
 mer ages u I fear my God, O Abner, arid know no other fear." 
 
 The great Guflavus Adolphus ufed conftantly to fay, that u a 
 foldier always fights the better for being a good man."* 
 
 Wafhington proved to a demonftration that virtue is the foul of 
 courage. No beau ever went with more compofure to a ball than 
 he did to a battle. Hannibal-like, he was the firft on the field, and 
 the lad off. Providence, in love to America, made his body bul- 
 let-proof, and his great virtues rendered his mind fearlefs of fear. 
 
 His conduct in camp was correfpondetit with his principles. 
 He was never abfent from public prayers. And as to his private 
 devotions, we have every evidence, fave that of the eye, that they 
 were duly difcharged. He whofe feelings through life, were fo 
 exquifitely alive to duty and propriety, that he could not lie down 
 Utider the weight of an hundred pence due to his neighbour ; furely 
 could never have flept under the enormous burden of ten thousand 
 talents due to his God. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S PATRIOTISM. 
 
 The next duty to piety is patriotism, or the love of our country. 
 
 In this firft of all republican virtues, the whole life of Wafhing- 
 ton may juflly challenge a comparifon with that of the greateft He- 
 roes, whether we confider the majefty of its fiream or the purity 
 of its fource. His was not the patriotifin of a Csefar, or an Alex- 
 ander, human devils 1 who could rob and murder millions of man- 
 kind to enrich their own flates. No, his was the patriotifm of an 
 enlightened and virtuous mind, which, looking on the whole hu- 
 
 * On the morning of the battle of Monmouth, an officer happening to fay, " I be- 
 ** lievc we fhaU liivea hut clav of it," Washington replied, Wetl^tbank God, we have 
 " a gaod caujiy and i truli a cle.>r cc'if>:isK-e t what could \ve defire more ?" 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 man family as his brethren, felt for all, the tendernefs of a brother ; 
 rendered unto all, the fame great duties of humanity and juftice. 
 Cut knowing that the proper fphere of activity to the individual 
 lay in his own country, he nobly exerted on that beloved fpot, all 
 the influence of his prayers, his example, and his advice. 
 
 As to his prayers " I {hell carry with me to my grave, fays he, 
 " addreffing himfelf to us, ty unceafmg vows, that heaven may 
 " continue to you the choiceft tokens of its beneficence that 
 " your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual that the 
 " free conftitution which is the work of your own hands, may be 
 " facredly maintained that its adminiftration in every department 
 " may be ftamped with wifdom and virtue that in fliort the hap- 
 " pinefs of the people of thefe flates, under the bleiTmgs of heaven, 
 " may be made complete, by fo careful a prefervation, and fo pru- 
 u dent an ufe of liberty, as will acquire to them the glory of re- 
 " commending it to the applaufe, the affection and adoption of 
 " every nation which is ftranger to it." O divine prayer 1 would 
 to God it could be uttered every Sabbath, in all places of prayer 
 throughout the Union, and with the fame heaveii-aflaulting fer- 
 vour with which it flowed from bis full foul ! ! 
 
 As to his advice, hear how earneftly he intreats us " to inv 
 a prove the extraordinary opportunities of happincfs which heaven 
 " has put into our hands." How particularly does he conjure us 
 " to reflect on the infinite importance of national union to our col- 
 " leclive and individual welfare to cherifh a cordial and imrnove- 
 " able attachment to it to accuftom ourfelves to think and fpeak 
 " of it as of the palladium of our political fafety and profperity ; 
 " watching for its prefervation with jealous anxiety ; difcounte- 
 " nancing whatever may fuggeft even a fufpicion that it can in any 
 u event ever be abandoned ; and indignently frowning upon the 
 " firft dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our 
 " country from the reft, or to enfeeble the facred ties whkh ROW 
 44 link together the various parts. For this you have every in- 
 u ducement of fympathy and intereft. Citizens, by birth or 
 " choic, of a common country, that country has a right to COR- 
 u center your affections. The name of American, which belongs 
 4c to you as a nation, muft always exalt the juft pride of patriotifm, 
 u more than any title taken from the ftate in which you may have 
 u been born. With flight difference you have the fame religion, 
 u manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a com- 
 u mon caufe, fought and triumphed together ; the independence 
 " and liberty you poffefs, are the work of joint councils, and joint 
 "efforts, of common dangers, fufferings and fucceiTes." 
 
 
 
( 38 ) 
 
 O ! let us confider that our country is the common mother of us 
 all the cradle of our exiilence the nurfery of our youth the 
 guardian of our manhood the facrcd circle that embraces our 
 wives, our parents, our children, our liberties, our laws and eve- 
 ry thing on earth dear and valuable to us. She is alfo the precious 
 bank in which we all have, in common, our fhares, and muft 
 therefore bear our part in whatever good or ill befalls her. If her 
 liberty be deftroyed none of us can efcape the chains. If her cre^ 
 dit fink, each man's fortune links with it. If foreigners prefs our 
 feamen, beggar our merchants and ruin our trade, every man fuf- 
 fers. 
 
 If national vice abound, if luxury, floth, duelling and fedition 
 prevail, increafmg the debt and haftening* the downfall of the 
 country ; every individual muft bear his part of the heart-ache and 
 wretchednefs that enfue. On the contrary, if public virtues flou- 
 rifh, if unanimity in council, valour in the field, induftry and ceco- 
 nomy every where prevail ; the blefling extends to all : Everyman 
 is crowned with glory, feafted with the plenty, and partakes in the 
 joy that gladdens the dear common mother 1 
 
 O for Wafhkigton's flaming patriotifm ! That divine cement 
 of nations 1 Without which a people, tho' numerous as the fands of 
 the defart, are but as the fands of the defart, loofe and fcattered 
 before every blaft. While a nation, though few in number, but 
 welded together, by patriotifm, and edged with public virtue, be- 
 come like an ax of fleel, fufficient to cut its reftlefs way through 
 whole forefts of foes. For proof, fee the little republics, of 
 Greece ! mere mole-hills on the map of nations ; but nurferies of 
 immortal patriots, educated in the fchool of virtue, and led on by 
 Leonidas and Liberty. See, I fay, thefe little republics, thefe 
 virtuous few, this noble band of brothers, invaded by the great 
 King of Perfia at the head of an army of at leaft fifteen hundred 
 thousand men ! Expectation ftands in horror, looking to fee the 
 Greeks fuddenly fwept away by the bofom of deftru6lion. But, 
 accuflomed from earlieft infancy to love their country invigorated 
 by rigid temperance enured to manly toil and clofely united in 
 the fame great interefts, this handful of brave republicans met 
 Xerxes and his hoft of flaves, and gave them the moft fignal over- 
 throw ever recorded in hiftory. 
 
 But no nation under the fun, ever exhibited a more brilliant dif- 
 play of the power of patriotifm than the ancient Romans. When 
 Carthage, proud Miftrefs of the Sea, made war, with all her 
 wealth againft the Roman poverty, Ihe found the refult very differ- 
 
C 39 -) 
 
 ent from her expe&ations. The reafon is plain. Gold and diver may 
 eafily be exhaufted, but public virtue and fortitude never can. 
 Even after loofmg two hundred and fifty thoufand of their beft 
 troops, the Romans would not hearken to any terms. " No ! Let 
 *' us die, to a man, rather than out-live the ruin of our country," 
 was the univerfal cry. Every citizen threw afide his ownbufmefs 
 and preffed to take up arms in defence of his country ; and not on- 
 ly refufed to receive pay, but eagerly offered for the public good, 
 all the gold and filver in his pofleflion. The behaviour of the wo- 
 men, to their immortal honour, was equally great and difmtereft- 
 ed. The Romans prevailed. Indeed it is hardly poflible for hu- 
 man force to prevail againft fuch magnanimous patriots who feel, 
 that, " without virtue, life is pain and woe, and that without liber- 
 " ty, even virtue mourns and looks around for happiness in vain" 
 
 Such was the patriotifm which raifed the republics of ancient 
 Greece and Rome to be the Miftrefles of the world. And fuch, 
 thro' life, was the patriotifm of Wafhington. While yet a youth, 
 the tender down hardly formed on his ruddy cheek, he hears that 
 the French and Indians have lifted the tomahawk and are butcher- 
 ing the frontier inhabitans. He fees the grim ruffians burfling in- 
 to the unguarded Cabin. The father and the huiband, {hot down, 
 lies weltering in his own heart's blood while the wretched mo- 
 ther and her helplefs little ones, with heart-piercing fhrieks, and 
 eyes wild-flarting from their fockets, fly, but fly in vain, from 
 their bloody purfuers ! He Harts up burning for vengeance. The 
 Alleghanies are not feen before him ; rivers fhrink into rills, and 
 iinmenfe forefts to fcanty groves. Full-nerved with patriot rage, 
 he rufhes upon the murderers of his countrymen, as the bound- 
 ing Lion upon the wretch who has invaded his brindled cubs. 
 Bloody were the balls of his rifles in the battle of the roaring 
 Kanhaway, when the painted children of the foe fled to their dif- 
 tant lands. 
 
 And in 1774, when Lord North had refolved, Uzzah-like, to 
 lay his unhallowed hand upon the facred ark of our liberties, then 
 it was that the patriotifm of Wafhington broke forth in a blaze of 
 glory to himfelf, and of honor to human nature. 
 
 He faw, with aching heart, the black cloud that was gathering 
 over his country, the fearful odds marlhalled in dread array againft 
 us ; thirteen millions, againft three ! Veteran armies, againft raw 
 militia! Powerful natives, bridging the Atlantic, againft (loops and 
 fchooners ! Britain, in fine, wealthy, warlike Britain coming on, 
 in ftep-mother wrath, refolved that her children fhould down on 
 
c 
 
 ) 
 
 marrow bones -and take her yoke. Poffefling a princely fortune 
 Waihington might eafily have flipped away from a ftorm which, 
 indeed, he had very little of tbit world's reason to perfuade him 
 to encounter. For he knew very well what fort of promotion the 
 Scotch Lairds met with in 1745, and had abundant caufe to expect, 
 that, in cafe of equalfuccefs, he mould be equally promoted. 
 And befides, he had no children for whofe dear fakes nature might 
 roufe him up to meet fuch rifks. No daughters, meanly ftudious 
 of ornaments to pleafe the enflavers of their country ; no fons to 
 wear the galling chain, and tread lightly in prefence of her haughty 
 Lordlings. Hence one of his European friends advifed him to 
 quit a fcene of danger to which he had fuch (lender ties, and fly 
 with him to the fafe and pleafant fhores of Europe. u What, re- 
 " plied Wafhington, shall I forsake my mother, because she is in 
 " danger ?" The other obferved that Col. Wafhington had not 
 perhaps duly appreciated the pleafures, he was renouncing, the dan- 
 gers he was incurring. " God forbid, rejoined Wafhington, that 
 " / tfoould ever appreciate pleasure, opposite to duty, or shrink 
 " from dangers when my country calls. No ! I bad rather suffer 
 *' with her, than reign 'with her oppressors" His conduct was 
 agreeble to his principles. In the ever memorable 1775, he em- 
 braced his weeping confort, and went forth the Leonidas of his 
 country refolving to fix her liberties or find a glorious grave. For 
 feven long years he kept the fields of iron war, with no dainties, 
 but common foldiers fare ;* no mufic, but claming arms and thun- 
 dering guns, no pleafures, but his toils and watching for us. At 
 any period of this long conflict, he might, no doubt, have exchan- 
 ged our liberties for myriads of mining gold, or highefl feats of 
 purpled honor. But Wafhington was not born to blaft the hopes 
 of millions, or bid the Genius of his country hang her head and 
 weep. 
 
 Greece and Rome have boafted, and juftly too, of their great 
 patriots, who after rendering immortal fervices to their 
 country, would accept no pecuniary rewards. Of the fame 
 difmtcrefted and noble quality was the patriotifm of WASH- 
 INGTON. For after having fleered the trembling bark of his 
 country through all the ftorms and tempefts of a perilous war ; 
 
 * A gentleman allured me that dining one day at head-quartes ift company with a 
 nwmbcr of officers, he expelled, as was very natural, to have had a fine fvigat fonic 
 .wood drink, fuch as Porte 1 . Punch, Wine, &c. but how did his palate fall, on hear- 
 ing the general ca 1 out, ' Cume gentlemen, here's plenty of Whiflcey aud water, 
 or, of 'water and Whiflcey } or here'* Whifky by hfelf, cr water by itfdf ; d&a't be 
 baihfulbut call freely. 
 
( 41 ) 
 
 after having by t-he help of the Almighty, conducted her in fafe- 
 ty into the port of honourable peace and glorious independance, 
 he would receive no Gold. No: Gold is the counterpoife of 
 fervices done ; but fay, Americans! what Gold could counter- 
 poife fervices like his, when, after the dread explofion at York- 
 town, he faw the black ftorm of war paffing away, and the fweet 
 beams of liberty gilding again our happy plains ? 
 
 The patriotifm of 'the Roman Emperor, Alexander, has been 
 celebrated through all ages* becaufe he was never known to give 
 any place thro' favour or friendiliip, but to'employ thofe only 
 whom bothhimfelf and the Senate looked on as the heft qualified 
 to ferve the country. In our -WASHINGTON we meet this great 
 and honed Emperor over. again. For in choofmg men to ferve 
 his country, WASHINGTON knew no recommendation but merit ; 
 had no favourite but worth. No relations, .however near, no 
 friends, however dear, flood any chance for places under him, 
 provided he knew men better qualified to fill them. His great 
 foul was fo truly republican, fo perfectly abhorrent of every thing 
 like selfishness, that during the whole of his adminiilration he 
 was never known to advance even an~individual of his own name 
 and family. 
 
 The Britim,-with good reafon, admire and extol Admiral Blake 
 as one of the braveft and beft of Patriots, becaufe, though he 
 hal no love for Oliver Cromwell, yet he fought like a hero for 
 him, and with his dying breath exhorted his men u to love tbcir 
 country as a common mocker, and, no matter wbat bands the go* 
 vzrnmcnt might cbancs to fall into, to fight for her like good chil- 
 dren" 
 
 The fame truly filial fpirit was in WASHINGTON. Equallv 
 anxious was he that we fliould all fo dearly love our country as 
 to fhudder at the idea of party fpirit, that leaven of hell, whofe 
 fatal fermentation dilTolves the facred cement of union, and in- 
 troduces all the horrors of civil war. 
 
 The Roman hiftorians have extolled their Cincinnatus to the 
 heavens, becaufe that after having, in a day of great public dan- 
 ger, taken command of his country's forces, and entirely defeated 
 the enemy,-' he haitened, laden with honours, to the Senate, pi- 
 ouily refigning the powers with which they had entrufted him, 
 and then cheerfully returned to cultivate his llttls farm (of four 
 acres) from which he had been called to lead the armies of his 
 country. O wondrous man! O prodigy and pride of pureft re- 
 publican virtue! May each exalted American imitate thy gl6ri- 
 ous example. WASHINGTON imitated! WASHINGTON equalled 
 it ! For after having begun, continued, and ended fur- his QOUII- 
 try, the moil glorious revolution that this or any other age ever 
 beheld ; after having, through his unparalelled' worth, obtained a 
 
 F confidence 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 confidence and power fupreme and abfolate,* he h after, eel, at the 
 call of duty, to reiign that power into the revered hands of Con- 
 grefs, and returned to the dignified fcatron of a virtuous private 
 citizen ; yes, he returned, with heaven in his foul, and glory e- 
 ternal on his name, to enjov the welcome lhade, and delicious 
 fruits, of that bleflcd tree of liberty, which, with divine help, 
 his own right-hand had planted. 
 
 WASHINGTON** INDUSTRT. 
 
 But of all the virtues that adorned the life of this great man, 
 there is none more worthy of our imitation than his admirable 
 induitry. It is to this virtue in her AVASIIINGTON, that America 
 Hands indebted for fervices paib calculation ; and it is from this 
 virtue, that WASHINGTON himfelf, has fnatched a wreathe of glo- 
 ry, that iliall never fade away. O that the good genius of Ame- 
 lica may prevail ! That the example- of this her favourite for. 
 may but be univerfally adopted 1 Soon {hall our land be freed front 
 all thofe iloth-begotten Demons which now haunt and torment 
 Xis I For, whence do all our miferies proceed, but from our lack 
 of induftry ? In a land like this, which heaven has bleffed above 
 all lands: A land abounding with the fiih and fleih-pots of E- 
 gypt, and flowing with the choiceft milk and honey of Canaan ; a 
 land, where the pooreft Lazarus may get his fifty 'pence a-day for 
 commoneil labour; and buy daintieit bread of Corn flour for less 
 than a penny a pound ! Why is any man hungry, or thirity, or 
 fished, or in prifon ? Why, but for his own unpardonable iioth 1 
 But alas ! What would it avail, though the bleft fliade of WASH- 
 INGTON were to defcend from his native fkies, and, with an an- 
 gel's voice, recommend induftry as the handmaid vtbcahh, wealthy 
 innocence, and kapphiess to man ! A notion from the land of lies, 
 has talcen too deep root among Come, that u labour is a low-lived 
 tbtngyjZt for none but Negro-slaves ! and that dress and pleasure 
 are the only accomplishments for a gentleman /" But does it be- 
 come a gentleman to faunter about living on the charity of his 
 relations to fufler himfelf to be dunned bv his creditors and, 
 Jike a hunted wolf, to fly from the face' of Sheriffs and Conftables? 
 Is it like a gentleman to take a generous woman from her parents, 
 and reduce her to beggary to fee even her bed fold from under 
 her, and herfelf and weeping infants turned out of doors ? Is it 
 like a gentleman to reduce'one's children to rugs, and to drive 
 them, like the birds of heaven, to hedges and highways, to pick 
 
 berries 
 
 * At one period of the great revolutionary war Conorefs offered, 
 and actually fettled rhc iopreme power on oar WASHINGTON, bur., 
 thinking it a dangerous precedent/ the Hero returned it. 
 
( 43 ) 
 
 berries, filling their pale bloated bodies with difeafes ? Or is it 
 like a gentleman to bring up one's ions in {loth, pleafure, and 
 drefs, as young Noblemen, and then leave them without eftates, 
 profeffion, or trade, to turn gamblers, {harpers, or horfe-thieves ? 
 " From sucb gentlemen, O save my country, Heaven!" v/as 
 WASHINGTON'S perpetual prayer, the e'mphatical prayer of his 
 life and great example ! In the ear oi 7 \vifdorn, that was iuiird in- 
 ceffantly calling aloud, " He is the real gentleman, who cheer- 
 fully contributes his every exertion to accomplish heaven's favor- 
 ite "defigns, \\\Q beauty, order, %,vi&bappiness of human life 
 
 whofe induftry appears in a plentiful houfe, and fniiiing wife, in 
 the decent apparel of his children, and in their good education 
 and virtuous manners who is not afraid to fee any man on 
 earth, but meets his creditor wich a fmiling countenance, and 
 with the v/elcome mufic of gold and filver in his hand Who ex- 
 erts an honeft induftry for wealth, that he may become as a wa- 
 ter-courfe in a thirfty land, a fource of ref re lament to a thoufand 
 poor." 
 
 Yes, my dear countrymen, this is to be the real gentleman, 
 whofe life is filled up with honorable toils, crowned with plenty, 
 enjoyed with health, dignified by ufefuinefs and fweetened by 
 the bleffings of the poor 1 How charming the thought 
 
 " That each fweet hour flies well improv'd away, 
 ct That gen'rous deeds diftinguiih ev'ry day' J 
 
 This was the life, this the example let by WASHINGTON. His 
 whole inheritance was but a fmall tract of poor broken land in 
 Stafford County, oppofite to Frederickfburg, (where he once 
 lived) and a few Negroes. This appearing utterly infuflicient to 
 thofe purpofes of honor and ufefuinefs, with the charms of 
 which his mind feems to have been early fmitten, he refolded to 
 make up the deficiency by dint of great induftry and ce:onomy. 
 For thefe virtues how excellent I how rare in youth 1 WASHING- 
 TON was admirably diftinguiihed when but a boy. At a time 
 when many young men have no higher ambition than a fine coat 
 and a frolic, u often bave I seen him, fays the Reverend Mr. Lee 
 Maffey, riding about tbs country with bis surveying instruments- 
 at bis saddle," enjoying the double fatisfaction, of obliging his 
 fellow citizens by furveying their lands, and of making money, 
 not meanly to hoard, but gencroufly to lend to any worthy ob- 
 ject that aiked it. This early induftry was one of the firft fteps 
 to WASHINGTON'S preferment. It attracted on him the notice 
 and admiration of all his very numerous acquaintance, and, 
 which was ftill much more in his favor, it gave fuch ftrength to 
 his conftitution, fuch vigor to his mind, fuch an ardor and fpiric 
 for adventure, that he was ready, like a young Lion, to leap on 
 
 any 
 
'.(44 ) 
 
 any glorious enterprize, no matter how difficult or dangerous. 
 Witnefs the expedition from Williamiburgh, through the Indian 
 country to the Ohio, which he undertook for Governor Dinwid- 
 die, in 1773, and when he was but 21. Indeed his uncommon 
 attachment to induftry and ufeful life, made fuch an impreffion 
 on the public mind in his favor, that by the time he was one and 
 twenty he was appointed Major and adjutant General of the Vir- 
 ginia forces.* For thefe fervices he recieved a handfome fala- 
 . ry from the crown. By the death of an elder brother he acquir- 
 ed the Mount-Vernon eftate, and a much larger, by the affections 
 of the young and amiable Mrs. Martha "Cuftis, who, in the year 
 1759 and 27th of his age, with her hand and heart give him pof- 
 feflion of one of the fineit eftates in Virginia. Here was a rife for 
 you ! a rife which to little minds would have appeared a fufficient, 
 apology for sloth, high living, and the gout. ut on WASHING- 
 TON, whofe induftry was founded on principle, it produced no o- 
 ther effe6l than gratitude to heaven, and, if pofiible, an increafe 
 of exertion to gratify more amply his favorite wifli, the wifli to be 
 ufeful. 
 
 Never was the great Alfred more anxious to improve his time 
 than our WASHINGTON; and it appears that, like Alfred, he di- 
 vided his time into the four grand departments of sleep, devotion, 
 recreation, and business. On the hours of bufmefs, whether in 
 his own or in his country's fervice, he would allow nothing to in- 
 fringe. While in camp no company however illuflrious, no plea- 
 fures however elegant,' no converfation however agreeable, 
 could prevail on him to negledl his bufmefs The moment that 
 bis hour of duty was come, he would fill his glafs and with a fmile 
 
 call 
 
 ** There was at this time a young fellow in Williamiburgh, by the 
 name of Jack B who pofiefled a considerable vivacity, great good 
 n'ature and feveral accomplishments of the boon companion fort ; he 
 eoald tell a good ftory, fing agreeably, fcrape a lin!e on the fiddle, 
 and cut as many capers to the tune of old Roger as any Buck a-going. 
 And being, befides a young fellow of fortune, and fon of an intimate 
 acquaintance, Jack was a great favorite of the governor, and very 
 much at his houfe. But all this could not fave poor Jack from 
 the twinges of envy. For, on hearing every body talk -in the praife 
 of Major WASHINGTON, he coirld-not help faying one day at the go- 
 rernor's table '** 1 wonder what makes the people fo wrapped up in Ma- 
 'jor Wctftnngton / 1 think, begging yiur excellency* s pardon, 1 had as 
 good a right to expeft a majority *'" dh, Jack, replied the governor, 
 ivhen ive ivxnt a little diver (ion, we fend JQr yon, but when the country 
 ivantJ a man for bi/firt'fs, ive feud for Mejer Washington '* 
 
( 45 ) 
 
 call out to his friends around the focial board, " well gentlemen 
 here is bon repos"* and immediately withdraw to buiinefs. 
 
 While he was employed in chooling a place on the Potamack, 
 for the Federal City, his induftry was no lefs remarkable. Know- 
 ing how little is generally done before breakfaft, he made it a 
 rule to rife fo early as to have breakfaft over, and be on horfe- 
 back by the time the fun was up. Let tlie rifing generation .re- 
 member that he was then fixty years of age ! 
 
 On his farm, his huibandry of time was equally exemplary. He 
 contemplated a great object ; an object worthy of WASHINGTON. 
 He aimed at teaching his countrymen the art of enriching their 
 lands, and, confequently, of rendering the condition of man and 
 beaft more plentiful and happy. He had feen thoufands of acres, 
 which, by conftant cultivation, had loft the power of covering 
 their nakednefs even with a fuit of humble fedge ; he had feen 
 thoufands of wretched cattle, which, driven out houfelefs and 
 haylefs into the eold wintry rains, prefented fuch trembling 
 fpetacles of ftarvation and mifery as were more than enough to 
 Hart the tear into pity's eye. To remedy thefe cruel evils, 
 (which certainly they are, for he who lent us thefe animals, ne- 
 ver, furely, meant that we fliould make their lives a curfe to 
 them, much lefs to our children, hardened by fuch daily lights of. 
 mifery) WASHINGTON generoully fet himfelf to make artificial 
 meadows, to cultivate fields of clover, and to raife the moft nu- 
 tritious vegetables, fuch as Cabbage, Turnips, Scarcity and Po- 
 tatoes j of which lad article he planted in one year 700 bufhels ! 
 
 To 
 
 * Bon repos, is a French cant for good night. WASHINGTON drank 
 it as a fignal to break up ; for the moment the company had fwal- 
 lowed the General's bon repos, it was hats and off. General WAYNE, 
 who happily for America, underftood fighting better than French, 
 ha<J fome how or other taken up a notion, that this fame bon repos, 
 to whom WASHINGTON always made fuch confcience of giving his 
 lad bumper, niuft have been fome warrior of the times of old. Hav- 
 ing by fome extraordinary luck gotten hold of two or three dozen of 
 good old wine, he invited a parcel of hearty fellow-officers to dine 
 with him and help him to break them to the health of America. Soon 
 as the cloth was removed and the bottles on the table, the hero of 
 Stony Point cried out '* corns my brave fellows, f II your giaffes, here's' 
 old bon repos forever." The officers were thunderftrnck, but having 
 turned off their glades, rofe up one and all, to go. " Hey-day ! what's 
 all this, gentlemen what's all this ? why did not you drink bon repos 
 or good night ? " what! is that the meaning of it? " Yes s ' " Well 
 then damn bon repos, and take your feats again, for by the life of 
 WASHINGTON, you (han't ftir a peg, till we have itarted every drop 
 of our drink.' 1 
 
( 46 ) 
 
 To render thefe vaft fup plies of food the more beneftdial to his 
 cattle, he built houfes of ihelter for them all. u He shewed me a 
 barn, fays Briffot, upwards of a hundred feet square, and of brick, 
 designed as a store-bouse for his corn, potatoes, turnips, &c. a- 
 round which he had constructed stables of an amazing length, for 
 his cattle" every one of which had a flail well littered with 
 leaves or ftraw ; and a rack and manger well furniftied with hay 
 and provender. 
 
 The pleafure and profits ariiing from fuch an arrangement, are 
 incalculable. How delicious mail it have been to a man of 
 WASHINGTON'S feelings, to reflecl; that, even in the worft of 
 weather, every creature, on his extenfive farms, was warm and 
 comfortably provided! To have feen his numerous flocks and 
 herds, gamboling around him thro* excefs of joy, and fullnefs of 
 fat ! To have beheld his fteps wafhed with butter, and his dairy 
 floated with rivers of milk! To have feen his once naked fields 
 and frog-croaking pocofins, now by clearance or manure convert- 
 ed into meadows, (landing thick with heavy timothy and clo- 
 ver ! While his farm-yards were piled with fuch quantities of 
 litter and manure as afforded a conflantly increaiing fertility to 
 his lands I 
 
 Here was an employment worthy of WASHINGTON; an em- 
 ployment which we might indeed have expected from him, who, 
 through life, had fludied the bed interefts of his countrymen ; 
 who, firft, as a soldier, had defended them from flavery and 
 crowned them with liberty ; then as a flatefman, had preferved 
 them from war, and fecured to them all the bleHings of peace ; 
 and now, as the lafl but not leaft fervice of his life, was teach- 
 ing them the great arts of improving their farms, multiplying 
 their cattle, enriching their lands, and thus pouring a flood of plen- 
 ty and of comfort thro' the joyful habitations of man and beafl. 
 
 Full of this greatly benevolent idea, no wonder that he was fo 
 frugal of his time, and that, tho' the mod hofpitable of all the 
 hofpitable Virginians, he would not fufferthe fociety of his dear- 
 eft friends to take him entirely from his bufinefs. Long accuf- 
 tomed to find his happinefs in doing his duty, he had attained 
 to that Royal- Arch degree of virtue, as to be refllefs and uneafy 
 while duty was neglecled. Hence of all men that ever lived, 
 WASHINGTON was the mod rip-idly obfervant of thofe hours of 
 bufinefs which were neceffary to the fuccefsful management of 
 his vaft concerns. " Gentlemen" he would often fay to his 
 friends who vifitecl him, " / must beg leave of absence a few 
 hours in the forenoon ; here is plenty of amusements, books, mu* 
 sic, &c. and consider yourselves at home, and be happy" He 
 'wame in about 12 o'clock, and then, as if animated by the con- 
 
 Fcioufnes 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 fcioufnefs of having done his duty, and that all was going on 
 right, he would give himfelf up to his friends and to decent 
 mirth the reft of the evening. But his mornings were always his 
 own. Long before the fun had peeped into the chambers of the 
 fluggard, WASHINGTON was on horfeback and out among his o- 
 verfeers and fervahts, and neither himfelf, nor any about him 
 were allowed to eat the bread of idlenefs. The happy effe&s 
 of fuch induftry were obvious. Well manured and tilled, his 
 lands yielded a grateful return, and it was at once pleafing and a- 
 itonifhing to behold the immenfe quantities of 'fine hay, of fat 
 meats and choice grain that were raifed on his farms. His fer- 
 vants fared plentifully, his cattle rarely had the hollow-born, 
 and the furplus of his produce, fold to the merchants, furniihed 
 bread to the needy, and a revenue to himfelf more than fufficient 
 to defray his vaft expenditures, and to fpread a table of true Vir- 
 ginia hofpitality for thofe crowds of friends and foreigners whom 
 affe6lion or curofity led to vifit him. 
 
 O ! Divine Induftry ? Queen-Mother of all our virtues and of 
 all our bleffings ! What is there of GREAT or of GOOD in this 
 wide world that fprings not from thy royal bounty ? And O ! 
 thou infernal lloth ! Fruitful fountain of all our crimes and cur- 
 ies ! What is there of mean or of miferable in the lot of man 
 that flows not from th) hellifh malice ? 
 
 What was it that betrayed David, otherwife the beft of kings, 
 into the worft of crimes ? IDLENESS. Sauntering about idly 
 on the terrace of his palace, he faw the naked beauties of the 
 diftant, bathing Bathmeba. Luft, adultery and murder were the 
 ccnfequences. 
 
 What was it that brought on a ten years war between the 
 Greeks and Trojans ? IDLENESS. Young Paris the Coxcomb of 
 Troy, having nothing to do, ftrolls over to the court of Menelaus, 
 (a Greek Prince) whofe beauteous wife, Hellen, the black-eyed 
 Queen of love, he corrupts and runs off with to Troy. A bloody 
 war enfues ; Paris is {lain ; his Father, brothers, and myriads o'f 
 wretched fubje&s are flaughtered ; and Troy, the fmeft City of 
 all Afia, is reduced to aflies ! 
 
 What was it that hurried poor Mr. A d to that horrid acl: 
 
 of^fuicide which froze the blood of all who heard it ? Idlenefs. 
 His young wife was all that we could conceive of fweetnefs, 
 tenderneis and truth in ai Angel's form ; and his three beaute- 
 ous babes were the three graces in fmiiing infancy. But ! Oh 
 wretched man ! Having nothing to do, he ftrolled to a tavern and 
 to a card-table, where he loft his all ! Five thousand pounds^ 
 lately fettled on him by a fond father ! He awakes to horrors un- 
 utterable ! What will become of his ruined wife ! his beggared 
 ka-bes ! Believing the torments of th* damned far more tolerable, 
 
 he 
 
( 48 ') 
 
 he drives thefcorching bullets thro' his biain, and files a fhriek* 
 ing ghofc to join the mournful throng ! 
 
 What is the caufe of all that horrid uproar which often throws 
 our towns into fuch fear and trembling, on the evenings of our 
 great hollidays ? Idlenefs. Merciful heavens ! what wild tumul- 
 tuous throng is that, on yonder restless, heaving field ? What 
 clouds of dufl! What ftunning din of ten thoufand difcordant 
 voice*, wboQping and hallooing, cursing and swearing ! Why fure- 
 ly the Devil's millennium is begun, and all hell has turned out to 
 celebrate the joyous occafion 1 No, it is no more than the tag- 
 rag-and-bob-tail of a town, juft efcaped from the fobering hand 
 of industry, and got* out there together with {harpfhiw in pocket, 
 drinking and roaring, racing and cock-fighting, betting, boxing, 
 and playing the D 1 in a thoufand (hocking fliapes. 
 
 O fad fight ! See yon tall genteel young man, in powder and 
 ruffles, Handing before his judges, trembling like an Afpen, and 
 pale and blank as the picture of guilt ; while in the crowded 
 court-houfe, every countenance, filled with pity or contempt, is 
 fixed upon him. Alas I what could have brought him to this ? 
 Idlenefs. His father, happening to poflefs 500 acres of poor 
 Land, and a few Negroes, thought it would be an eternal dif- 
 grace to his family to bring up this fon (though he had ITS any) to 
 be a mechanic. No, he muft, like the reft of his brothers, live the 
 fine gentleman. Grown to man's eftate, and having no profefiion, 
 trade or habit of induftry to fupport this pleafant life, he took to 
 Horse-stealing I If we had leifure to wait, we fhould prefently 
 fee this unhappy youth, on receiving fentehce of death, bursting 
 out into fobs and cries fufficient almoft to make us wlili we had 
 never been born. But let us make hafte and leave thefe accur- 
 fed fcenes of shame, mifery and death, into which idleness never 
 fails to bring poor deluded youth. Yes, let us hurry away from 
 thefe haunts of horror, and joyfully return to our beloved WASH- 
 INGTON and to his health wealth and glory-giving goddefs, 
 industry. 
 
 What is it that braces the nerves, purifies the blood, and hands 
 down the flame of life, bright and fparkling, to old age 1 What but 
 rosy- cheektd industry. See WASHINGTON ib invigorated by con- 
 itant exercife, that, tho' clofe on the heeiof three fcore and ten 
 when he feil aileep, he was fiill frefli as atybr/y, ftraight as a young 
 Grenadier, and girding on his patriot fword, ready, once more at 
 his country's call, to lead his eager warriors to the field. What is 
 it that preserves the morals of young men, andfecures to them all 
 the bleliings of unblemiihed character and unbroken health ? 
 'What but snow-robed Industry, See WASHINGTON, under the 
 guardianihip of indntlry, walked the fiippery paths of youth 
 
 fafe 
 
( 49 ) 
 
 fafe and uncorrupt, though born in a country whofe fertility and 
 climate furnifhed both the means and the invitation to vice. Ear- 
 ly fiiiitten with the love of glory ; early engaged in the noble 
 purfuit of knowledge, of independence, and of ufefulnefs, he had 
 no eyes to fee bad examples nor enfnaring objects, no ears to 
 hear horrid oaths nor obfcene language, no leifure for impure paf- 
 fion nor criminal amours ; hence he enjoyed, O ! blefTed gift of 
 induftry ! that innocence, that purity of foul, which is rightly 
 called its ' sunshine / and which impreffed a dignity on his cha- 
 racler, and gave him a beauty and lovelinefs in the eyes of men, 
 that contributed more to his rife in the world than young people 
 are aware. And what is it that raifes a young man from poverty 
 to wealth, from obfcurity to never-dying fame ? What but Indus- 
 try ! See Wafhington, born of humble parents, and in humble 
 circumftances born in a narrow nook and obfcure corner of the 
 Britrfh Plantations ! yet, lo 1 what great things wonder-working 
 induftry can bring out. of this unpromifing Nazareth ? While but 
 a youth, Wafhington manifefted fuch a noble contempt of sloth, 
 luch a manly fpirit to be always learning or doing fomething ufe- 
 ful or clever, that he was ihe'praise of all who knew him. And, 
 though feveral years yet on the forenoon fide of twenty, fo high 
 were the hopes entertained of him, he was appointed a county 
 furveyor ! Arduous tafk ! But WASHINGTON'S induftry was a 
 full match for it. Such was the alertnefs with which he carried 
 on his furveys ; fuch the neatnefs and accuracy of his plats and 
 drafts, that he met with univerfal applaufe. Full-fed^ and flufli- 
 ed with fo much fare of praise, a fare of all others the moft 
 toothfome and wholefome to generous minds, our young Eagle 
 began now to flap his wings of honed ambition, and to pant for 
 nobler darings. A fair occaiion was foon offered ; a dangerous 
 expedition through the Indian wilds, as before mentioned, to the 
 French Mamelukes, on the Ohio. Nobody elfe having a ftomach 
 to fuch an adventure, WASHINGTON'S offer was gladly accepted, 
 and he executed that hazardous and important truft with fuch 
 diligence and propriety, that he received the thanks of the gover- 
 nor and council. Honors came down on him now in ihowers : 
 He was appointed Major and Adjutant General of the Virginia 
 forces then a Colonel after, a member of the houfe of Burgef- 
 fes next, Generaliffimo of the armies of the United States ; and 
 finally, Chief Magiftrate of the Union. 
 
 All thefe great and arduous appointments ferved but the more 
 to difplay the wonderful effects of his induftry. For fuch was his 
 oeconomy of time, and ib admirable his method and regularity in 
 doing bufinefs, that he always kept a-head of it. No letters of 
 
 G confequence 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 confluence were unanfwered no reasonable expectations" were 
 difappointed no neceffary information was ever negle6led. 
 Neither the Congrefs, nor the governors of the feveral ftates, nor 
 the officers of his army, nor the Britifti generals, nor even the o- 
 verfeers and ftewards on his farms, were uninformed of what he 
 expe6ted from them. Nobody concerned with him, was idle or 
 fretted for want of knowing what to do. 
 
 O admirable man i O great Preceptor to his country ! no won- 
 der every body honoured him who honoured every body ; for the 
 pooreft beggar that wrote to him on bufinefs, was fure to receive 
 a fpeedy and decifive anfwer. No wonder every body loved him, 
 who, by his unwearied attention to the public good, manifefted 
 the tendered love for every body. No wonder that his country 
 delighted to honor bim^ who {hewed fuch a high fenfe of their 
 honors, that he would not allow even a leaf of them to wither ; 
 but fo watered them all with the refreihing ft reams of his induf- 
 try, that they continued to bloom with ever-increafirvg glory on 
 his head. 
 
 Since the day that God created man on the earth, none ever 
 difplayed the power of induftry more fign ally than did GEORGE 
 WASHINGTON. Had he, as Prince of Wales, or, as Dauphin of 
 France, rendered fuch great fervices, or attained fuch immortal 
 honours, it would not have feemed fo marvellous in our eyes. 
 But, that a poor young man, with no King, Lords, nor Com- 
 mons to back him ; with no Princes, nor Whores of Princes, to 
 curry favor for him with no gold but his virtue, no filver but 
 his induftry, fhould with this old-faihioned, King David's coin, 
 have ftolen away the hearts of all the American Ifrael, and front 
 a fheep-cot, have afcended the throne of his country's affections, 
 and gotten himlelf a name among the mighty ones of the earth I 
 This is marvellous indeed! It is furely the nobleft panegyric e- 
 ver yet paid to that great virtue, induftry, which has " length 
 of days in her right-band^ and in bcr left-band riches and honors" 
 
 Reader I Go thy way, think of WASHINGTON, and HOPE. 
 
 Though humble thy birth, low thy fortune, and few thy friends* 
 Hill think of WASHINGTON, and HOPE. Like him, honour thy 
 God and delight in glorious toil ; then, like him, " thou shalt 
 stand before kings ; ibou sbalt not stand before common men." 
 
 The motives to induftry are as numerous as HEALTH, INNO- 
 CENCE, LONGEVITY, INDEPENDENCE, and in fhort, all the Honor? 
 and Felicities that man can enjoy between the cradle and the 
 grave. But among thefe there is none fo animating to a gener- 
 mind, as the godlike pleaiure it affords of doing GOOD. 
 
 WASHING* 
 
5< 
 
 WASHINGTON'S BENEVOLENCE. 
 
 If ever man rejoiced, in the divine adminiftration, and cordial- 
 ly endeavoured to imitate it, by diffuiing bleflings around him, it 
 was WASHINGTON. Taught by religion, that " God is love" 
 and that he muft, by the laws of his own nature, delight mod in 
 thofe of his rational creatures who moft referable him in love, and 
 in doing good to their brethren. Taught by experience, that be- 
 twixt souls, love is the only principle of union and of blifs, which 
 by uniting our hearts gives us the fulleft and fweeteft par- 
 ticipation of each other's joys, and at the fame time enables us to 
 bear one another's infirmities and injuries, with a brotherly 
 generofity. Taught by observation, that love is the only cofme- 
 tic, or beautifier : that however youth, beauty, and wit may* 
 dazzle for a moment, it is goodnefs alone that can captivate our 
 hearts forever ; convinced, I fay, of thefe three precious perqui- 
 fites of lore, WASHINGTON feems early to have been fmitten with 
 her heavenly charms, and early to have ftudied that goodnefs 
 which made him fo fingularly the delight of all mankind. It was 
 this amiable quality which compleated the character of our 
 WASHINGTON, and by fpreading over his great virtues and ta- 
 lents the fweetly-beaming veil of goodnefs, rendered him at once 
 the moft endearing and venerable of human beings. 
 
 The Marquis De Ghaftellux, who viiited him in camp, t?lls us 
 that he was aftoniflied and delighted beyond meafure, to fee this 
 great American living among his officers and men, as a father a- 
 mong his children, who at once revered and loved him with a 
 filial tendernefs. 
 
 Briflbt, another famous French traveller, aflures us, that, 
 throughout the continent, every body fpoke of WASHINGTON as 
 of a father. 
 
 This deareft and bed of all appellations, " The father of bis 
 country," was the precious fruit of that noble fpiritof benevolence 
 which he fo carefully cultivated through every age and ftage of 
 his life. A fingular inftance of which we meet with in 1754, 
 and the 22,d year of his age. 
 
 He was ftationed at Alexandria with his regiment, the only one 
 in the colony, and of which he was Colonel. There happened 
 at this time to be an election in Alexandria for members of the 
 Affembiy, and the conteft ran high between Colpnel George 
 Fairfax and Mr. Elzey. WASHINGTON was the warm friend of 
 Fairfax, and a Mr. Payne headed the friends of Elzey. A dif- 
 pute happening to take place in the Court-houfe yard, WASHING- 
 TON, a thing very uncommon with him, got warm, and, which 
 was ftill more uncommon, faid fomething that offended Payne, 
 
 where* 
 
( 53 ) 
 
 whereupon the little gentleman, who, though but a cub in size^ 
 was the old Lyon in heart, railed his flurdy hickory, and, at a 
 fingle blow, brought our hero to the ground. Several of WASH- 
 INGTON'S officerg being prefent, whipped out their cold Irons in 
 an inftant, and it was looked that there would have been murder 
 off-hand. To make bad worfe ; his regiment hearing how he had 
 been treated, bolted out from their barracks, with every man his 
 weapon in his hand, threatening dreadful vengeance on thofe 
 who had dared to knock down their beloved Colonel. Hap- 
 pily for Mr. Payne and his party, WASHINGTON recovered 
 time enough to go out and meet his enraged foldiers, and after 
 thanking them for this expreffion of their love, affured them 
 that he was not hurt in the leaft, and begged them, as they 
 loved him or their duty, to return peaceably to their barracks. 
 As for himfelf, he went to his room, generoufly chaftifing his im- 
 prudence which had thus ftruck out a ipark, that had like to have 
 thrown the whole town into a flame. Finding, on mature re- 
 fieftion, that he had been the aggreffor, he refolved to make Mr. 
 Payne honorable reparation by aiking his pardon on the morrow 1 
 No fooner had he made this noble refolution, than, recovering 
 that delicious gaiety, which ever accompanies good purpoles in a 
 virtuous mind, he went to a ball in town that night and behaved 
 as pleafantly as though nothing had happened : Glorious proof 
 that great fouls, like great fliips, are not affected by thofe little 
 puffs which would overfet feeble minds with paffion, or fink them 
 with fpleen 1 
 
 The next day he went to a tavern, and wrote a polite note to 
 Mr. Payne, whom he requefted to meet him. Mr. Payne took 
 It for a challenge, and repaired to the tavern, not without ex- 
 peeling to fee a pair of piftols produced. But what was his fur- 
 prife on entering the chamber to fee a decanter of wine and glaf- 
 les on the table I WASHINGTON arofe, and, in a very friendly 
 manner met him, and gave him his hand. u Mr. Payne, faid he, 
 " to err fame times is nature ; to rectify error, is always, glory. 
 tc I find I was wrong in the affair of yellerday, you have had, I 
 " think, fome fatisfadlion ; and if you think that fufficient, here's 
 41 my hand, let us be friends." 
 
 Admirable youth I Noble fpeech ! No wonder frnce it charms 
 us fo that it had fnch an effect on Mr. Payne, who from that 
 moment became themoft enthufiaftic admirer and friend of WASH- 
 INGTON, and ready at any time, for his fake, to charge up to a bat- 
 tery of two and forty pounders. 
 
 What a leffon for our young countrymen ! Had WASHINGTON 
 been one of the race of little men, how fadly different would have 
 been his conducl on this occafion ! Inftead of going that night 
 
 tf 
 
( 53 ) 
 
 to the ball, and acting the lively agreeable friend, as if nothing 
 had happened, he would, like an angry viper that had been trod 
 on, have retired to his chamber. There he would have found 
 no 'fuch entertainments as WASHINGTON had at his ball; no 
 fprightly muiic no delicious wines no fweetly fmiling friends: 
 on the contrary, all the tortures of a foul brooding over its in- 
 dignities, until reflection had whipped it up into pangs of rage 
 unutterable, while all the demons of hell with blood-ftained 
 torches pointing at his bleeding honor, cried out revenge ! re- 
 venge ! revenge 1 There in his chamber he would have pafled the 
 gloomy night, in preparing his piftols, moulding his balls, or with 
 furious looks, and hard-gritted teeth, driving his bullets through 
 the body of his enemy chalked on the wall. The next morning 
 would have feen him on the field, and, in language, lately heard 
 in this flate, calling out to his hated antagonirt, Tou have injured 
 me, Sir, beyond reconciliation, and by G d I will put you to death, 
 if I can* While his antagonift, in a ftyle equally mufical and 
 chriftian, rejoins, -J&ll and be damned! Pop go the piftols, down 
 tumbles one of the combatants ; while the murderer, with kfiock- 
 ing knees and looks of Cain, flies from the avenger of blood. The 
 murdered man is carried to his houfe, a ghaftly, bloody corpfe. 
 Merciful God ! what a fcene enfues ! feme are ftupified with 
 horror, others fink as lifelefs to the floor. His tender Mers, 
 wild-fcrearaing with defpair, throw themfelves on their dead 
 brother, and kifs his ice-cold lips ; while his aged parents, crufti- 
 ed under unutterable woe, go down broken-hearted to the grave. 
 Thus bloody and miferable might havebe.en the end of WASH- 
 INGTON or of Mr. Payne, had WASHINGTON been one of thofe 
 poor deluded young men, who are determined to be great, and to 
 be talked of in news-papers, in fpite of God or devil. But WASH- 
 INGTON was not born to exemplify thofe horrid tragedies, which 
 cowards create in fociety by pufillanimoufly giving way to their 
 bad paflions. No! he was born to teach his countrymen, what 
 fvveet peace and harmony might for ever fmile in the habitations 
 of men, if all had but the courage, like himfelf, to obey the fa- 
 cred voice of JUSTICE and of HUMANITY. By firmly obeying 
 thefe, he preferved his hands unftaine^ by the blood of a fellow 
 man ; and his foul unharrowed by the cruel tooth of never-dying 
 remorfe. By firmly obeying thefe, he won thofe fmiles of God 
 which convey to the fouls of the virtuous, that joy which the 
 ftranger meddleth not with. By firmly obeying thefe, he prefer- 
 ved a life, which crowned with deeds of Juftice and benevolence, 
 has brought more glory to God, more good to man, and more ho- 
 nor to himfelf, than any life ever lived fin ce the race of man be- 
 gan. 
 
 Sons 
 
(- 54 ) 
 
 Sons of Columbia ! would you know what is true courage ? fee 
 it defined, fee it exemplified in this a6l of your great, young coun- 
 tryman. Never man poffeffed a more undaunted courage than 
 WASHINGTON : but in him, this noble quality was the life-guard 
 of his reafon, not the aflaifin ; a ready fervant to obey her high 
 commands, not a bully to infult them j a champion to defend his 
 neighbour's rights, not a tyrant to trample them under foot. 
 Tranfpo_rted by a fudden paffion, to which all are liable, he of- 
 fended Mr. Payne, who refented it much too roughly, by knock- 
 ing himidewn on the fpot. WASHINGTON had it in his power to 
 have taken ample revenge ; and cowards, who have no command 
 over their paffions, would have done it ; but duty forbade him, 
 and he had the courage to obey. Reafon whifpered the folly of 
 harbouring black paHlons in his foul, poifoning his peace ; he in- 
 ftantly baniihed them and went to a ball, to drink fweet ftreams 
 of friendfhip from the eyes of happy friends. Again, reafon 
 whifpered him that having been the aggrefTor, he ought to afk 
 Mr. Payne's pardan, and make friends with him. In this alfo he 
 had the courage to obey her facred voice. 
 
 In what hiilory ancient or modern, facred or profane, can you 
 find in fo young a man, only 22,, fuch an inftance of that TRUE 
 HEROIC VALCII which combats malignant paffions, conquers un- 
 reafonable self^ reje6ts the hell of hatred, and invites the heaven 
 oilove into our own bofoms, and into thofe of our brethern with 
 whom we may have had a falling out -, Jofeph forgiving his breth- 
 ren in the land of Egypt ; David fparing that inveterate feeker of 
 his life, Saul ; Sir Walter Rawleigh pardoning the young man 
 who fpat in his face*; afford, it is true, charming fpecimens of 
 the sublime and beautiful in aclin, and certainly fuch men are 
 the worthies of the world and brighteft ornaments of human na- 
 ture. But yet none *f them have gone beyond WASHINGTON, in 
 the affair of Payne. 
 
 A few years after this, Payne .had a caufe tried in Fairfax 
 Court, and WASHINGTON happened on that day to be in the 
 houfe. The lawyer on the other fide, finding he was going fail 
 to leeward, thought he wouid luff up with a whole broadiide at 
 Payne's character ; and a,fter raking him fore and aft with abufe, 
 he artfully bore away under the lee of the jury's prejudices which 
 he endeavored to inflame againft him. " Yes, pleafe your wor- 
 fliips, continued he, as a proof that this Mr. Payne is a mofl tur- 
 bulent fellow, and capable of all I tell you, be pleafed to remem- 
 ber, Gentlemen of the Jury, that this is the very man, who fome 
 time ago treated our beloved Col. WASHINGTON fo barbaroufly. 
 Yes, this is the wretch who dared in this very Court-Houfe-yarc^ 
 to lift up his impious hand againft that greateft and beft of men, 
 
 and 
 
C 55 ) 
 
 and knocked him down as though he had been but a bullock of 
 the Stalls." 
 
 This roared out in a thundering tone, and with a tremendous 
 flamp on the floor, made Payne look very wild, for he Taw the 
 countenances of the court beginning to blacken on him. But 
 WASHINGTON arofe immediately and adclreiled the Bench 
 
 " As to Mr. Payne's character, may it pleafe your worfhips, 
 " faid he, we all have the fatisfalion to know that it is perfecl- 
 " ly unexceptionable : and with refpedt to the little difference 
 " which formerly happened between that gentleman and myfelf, 
 u it was inftantly made up, and we have lived on the bed terms 
 " ever fince ; and befides, I could wifli all my acquaintance to 
 u know, that'I entirely acquit Mr. Payne of blame in that affair, 
 et and take it all on myfelf as the aggreffor." 
 
 Mr. Payne ufed often to relate another anecdote of WASH- 
 INGTON, which reflects equal honor on the goodnefs of his heart. 
 
 " Immediately after the war, faid he, when the conquering 
 hero was returned in peace to his home, with the laurels of vilo- 
 ry green and flourifhing en his head ; I felt a great defire to fee 
 him, and fo fet out for Mount Vernon. As I drew near the 
 houfe, I began to experience a rifing fear left he iliould call to 
 mind the blow I had given him in former days. However, ani- 
 mating myfelf, I pufhed on. WASHINGTON met me at the door 
 with a fmiling welcome, and prefently led me into an adjoining 
 room where Mrs. WASHINGTON fat. " Here, my dear, faid he, 
 41 presenting me to his lady, here is the little man you have fo 
 44 often heard me talk of, and who, on a difference between us one 
 " day, had the refolution to knock me down, big as I am. I 
 "" know you will honor him as he deferves, for I affure you he has 
 " the heart of a true Virginian." He laid this, continued Mr. 
 Payne, with an air which convinced me that his long familiarity 
 with war, had not robbed him of a fingle fpark of the goodnefs 
 and noblenefs of his heart. And Mrs. WASHINGTON looked at 
 him, I thought, with fomething in her eyes which {hewed that 
 he appeared to her greater and lovelier than ever. 
 
 " A good tree, faith the divine teacher, bringetb forth good 
 fruit" No wonder then that we meet with fo many and fuch 
 delicious fruits of CHARITY in WASHINGTON, whofe foul was fo 
 rich in benevolence. 
 
 In confequence of his wealth and large landed poffeffions, he 
 had vifits innumerable from the poor. Knowing the great value 
 of time and of good tempers to them, he could not bare that 
 they fliould lofe thefe by long waiting, and fhuffling, and blow- 
 ing tjheir fingers at his door. He had a room fst apart for the 
 
( 56 ) 
 
 reception of fuch poor perfons as had bufmefs with him, and the 
 porter had orders to conduct them into it, and to let him know 
 it immediately ; and fo affectionately attentive was he to them, 
 that, if he was in company with the greateft characters on the 
 continent when his fervant informed him that a poor man wiftied 
 to fpeak to him, h would inftantly beg them to excufe him for 
 a moment, and go and wait on him. 
 
 WASHINGTON'S conduct fhewed that he difliked another prac- 
 tice too common among fome great men, who, not having the pow- 
 er to fay yes, nor the heart to fay no, to a poor man, are fain to 
 put him off with a u come again, came again" and thus trot him 
 backwards and forwards, wafting his time, wearing out his pa- 
 tience and fhoes, and after all give him the mortification of a 
 difappointment. 
 
 WASHINGTON could not away with fuch CRUEL KINDNESS. If 
 he could not oblige a poor applicant he would candidly tell him 
 fo at once ; but then the goodnefs of his heart painted his regret 
 fo fenfibly on his countenance, that even his refufals made him 
 friends. 
 
 A poor Irrfhman, wanting a little farm, and hearing that AASH- 
 I-NGTON had fuch an one to rent, waited on him. WASHINGTON 
 told him that he was fincerely foiry that he could not afiilt him, 
 for he had juft difpofed of it. The poor man took his leave, 
 but not without returning him a thoufand thanks ! Ab I do you 
 ibank me so beartily for a refusal? " Yes, upon my flioul, now 
 ple*afe your Excellency's honor, and I do thank you a thoufand 
 times. For many a great man would have kept me waiting like 
 a black Negro ; but your Excellency's honor has told me ftrait 
 oft hand that you are forry, and God blefs you for it, that you 
 can't help me, and fo your honor has done my bulinefs for me in 
 no time and lefs. 
 
 The Potomac abounds with the fineft Herrings in the world, 
 which, when faked, furnifti not only to the wealthy a charming 
 reiifh for thair tea and coffee, but alfo to the poor a delicious fub- 
 ftitute for Bacon. But fond as they are of this small bonedbacon^ 
 as they funnily call it, many of them have not the means to pro- 
 cure it. WASHINGTON'S heart felt for thefe poor people, and 
 provided a remedy. He ordered a feine and a batteau to be kept 
 on one of his beft fiftiing fliores on purpofe for the poor. If the 
 batteau was loll or the feine fpoilt, which was often the cafe, he 
 would have them replaced with new ones immediately. And if 
 the poor who came for filh, were at any time too weak-handed to 
 haai the feine themfelves, they needed but to apply to the overfeer, 
 vr.ho had orders from WASHINGTON, to fend handf to help them.. 
 
 Thus . 
 
Thus, all the poor of his large neighbourhood had it in their 
 power to come down in the feafon, and catch an abundance of the 
 fineft fifti for themfelves and their families. In what iilver floods 
 'were ever yet caught the herrings, which could have given to 
 WASHINGTON what he tailed, on feeing the poor, driving away 
 from his fhores with carts laden with delicious fifli, and carrying 
 home, whooping and finging, to their {railing wives and children^ 
 the rich prize, a whole year's joy and plenty I 
 
 In all his charities, he difcovered great judgment and care in 
 fele6ling proper objects. Character was the main chance. Mount 
 Vernon had no charms for lazy, drunken, worthlefs beggars. 
 Such knew very well that they muft carry their pigs (their vices) 
 to another market. He never failed to remind them of the great 
 crime of robbing the public of their fervices, and alfo the exceed- 
 ing cruelty and injuftice of mapping up from .the really indigent, 
 what little charity bread there was flirring. But if the character 
 was good; if the poor petitioner was a fober, honeft and induftri- 
 ous perfon whom Providence hadby.ficknefs or loffes, reduced to 
 want, he found a brother in, WASHINGTON. It is incredible 
 what quantities of wool, corn,bacpn, flour, clothes. Sic. &c. were 
 annually diftributed to the poor from that ai.noft exhauftlefs heap, 
 which the bleilings of heaven had heaped on this its fo industriout 
 and faithful fteward. 
 
 " I had orders, faicl Mr. Peake, a" fenfible, honeft manager of 
 one of WASHINGTON'S plantations, to fill a corn houfe every 
 year for the fole ufe of the poor in my neighbourhood! to whom 
 it was a moft feafonable and precious relief ; faving numbers of 
 poor women and children from miferable famine, and blefling 
 themwitn a chearful plenteoufnefs of bread." 
 
 Mr. Lund Waftiington, long a manager of his Mount VernoiV 
 eftatc, had fimilar orders. In one year when corn was fo dear 
 (a dollar per bufliel) that numbers of the poor were on the point 
 of ftarving, Mr. L. Wellington, by order of the General, not on- 
 ly gave away all that could be fpared from the granaries, but 
 bought at that dear rate several hundred bushels, for them 1 
 
 But it were an endlefs talk to enumerate all the thoufand, th'ou- 
 fand fweet and feafonable charities of this good angel to the poor. 
 The wondering ftranger beheld them in the fliining eyes and de- 
 vouring looks of ALL, wherever he went. 
 
 When the young men faw him they flocked to the door, and 
 the aged arofe and flood up. 
 
 The great men refrained from talking in his prefence, and the 
 hearts of the little ones leaped for joy. 
 
 . Becaufe he fed the poor that cried unto him, and his garment 
 covered the naked. 
 
 H H; 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 He was a father of the fatherlefs, and flood up mightily for 
 him that had none to help him. 
 
 The bleiling of him that was ready to perifh came upon him, 
 and he caufed the heart of the widow to fing for joy. 
 
 Bleffed be thy foul, O WASHINGTON, child of generous love !' 
 Thou waft as the black ftorm of winter to the foes of thy country ; 
 but to the children of the poor, like the foft cloud of fummer that 
 droppeth down marrow and fatnefs ! Thou haft ceafed among men 
 and the tears of millions have flowed; but thou art with HIM 
 who is MIGHTY to REWARD. For the bread which thou gaveft 
 to thy poor brethern, thou art now fed with pureft manna, and 
 honey from the rocks of heaven, even Angels food. And for the 
 cloth with which thou didft cover their nakednefs, thy covering 
 now is from the looms of Paraclife, even robes of floating gold. 
 Bright fun beam of goodnefs, thou haft ceafed among men, but 
 thy ihining is with him who is mighty to reward! 
 
 But though fo kind to the bodies, WASHINGTON was ftill more 
 kind and coltly in his charities to the minds of the poor. Senfible 
 that a republican government, that is, a government of the peo- 
 ple, can never long fublift where the minds of the people are not 
 enlightened; he earneftly recommended it to the citizens of the 
 United States, to promote, as an object of primary importance, 
 inflitutions for the general diffufion of knowledge. In this, as 
 indeed in all other cafes, where any thing great or good was to 
 be done, WASHINGTON led the way. 
 
 lie eiiablifhecl a Charity-School in Alexandria, and endowed it 
 Vv'ith a donation otfour thousand dollars ! The intereft was regu- 
 larly paid and expended on the education of fifteen boys. In 1785 
 the Affembly of his native ftate, Virginia, defirous " to embrace 
 as they faid, .every fuitable occafion of teftifying their fenfe of 
 the unexampled merits of GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq_. towards 
 his country, prefented him with fifty fhares in the Potomac, and 
 one hundred fhares in the James River Navigation Company ; ma- 
 king in the whole, not lefs than the enormous fum of fifteen 
 thoufand pounds fteiTmg 1 
 
 Of this public a6l, they requefted the Governor to tranfmit 
 WASHINGTON a copy. In anfwer to which he addreffed a very 
 elegant letter to the Governor, " in which I take the liberty" 
 lays he " of returning to the General Affembly, through your 
 4 * hands, the profound and grateful acknowledgements, infpired 
 " by fo lignal a mark of their benificent intentions towards me." 
 He goes on to beg that they would be fo good as to excufe his 
 determined refolution not to accept a farthing of it for his own 
 use. u But," continued he, " if it fhould pleafe the General Af- 
 fci femblv to permit me to turn the deftirution of the fund vefted 
 
 " in 
 
( 59 ) 
 
 ** in me, from my private emolument, to objects of a public na- 
 " ture, it (hall be my ftudyin fele6ting, to prove the iincerity of 
 u my gratitude for the honor confered on me, by prefering fuch 
 " as may appear molt fubfervient to the enlightened and patriotic 
 " views of the Legislature." 
 
 They were very cheerfully fubmitted to his difpofal ; and, ac- 
 cording to promife, he appropriated them to works of the great- 
 eft public utility; viz. His (hares in the James river canal, to a 
 College in Rockbridge county, near the waters of James River, 
 and his Potomack fliares to a national Univerfity to be erected in 
 the Federal di6tri6t, on the Great Potomack. 
 
 How immortal were his willies for the good of his country ! As 
 if incapable of being fatisfied with all that he had done for her 
 while living, he endeavoured by founding thofe noble inftitutions 
 for the diffufion of knowledge and virtue, to make himfelf her be- 
 nefactor when he could live no more. Charming evidence, that, 
 like Cato, he tailed no happinefs equal to that of making others 
 happy. 
 
 Since the idea is perfectly correct, that the great Governor of 
 the world muft look, with peculiar dignity and benediction, on 
 thofe of his children, who have moft diftinguifhed themfelves by 
 their dutifulnefs ; may we not indulge the pleafing hope that 
 thefe Colleges, founded by such a band, fhall prove the nurfe- 
 ries of brighteft genius and virtue, and that from their facred halls 
 will walk forth in endlefs fucceflion, the mighty WASHINGTON^, 
 and ADAMSES, the FRANKLINS and LEES, the JEFFERSONS and 
 MADISJONS, &c. &c. of future times ! O that Columbia may live 
 before God ! and that the bright days of her peace andprofperity 
 may never have an end I 
 
 WASHINGTON'S JUSTICE. 
 
 But of all the virtues that flied fuch dignity and grace on the 
 character of WASHINGTON, there was none fo venerable and ma- 
 jeftic as his Juftice, or Honefty. This from his youth, he feems 
 to have revered, as the precious pillar that fupports the fair fa- 
 bric of all focial order and happinefs. 
 
 The Marquis de Chaftelleux obferves, that WASHINGTON'S re- 
 putation for incorruptible juftice, ftood fo high, even while a 
 young man, that all the neighbouring gentlemen, if they could 
 but get him as an executor to their wills, clofed their eyes in 
 peace ; from a fweetly fatisfying fenfe, that juftice would be done 
 to the families they left behind them, at his care. 
 
 Being aiked which he thought the greateft man, Ariftides the 
 juft, or, Caefar the generous j Ob ! Aristides a thousand times ! 
 
 replied 
 
( 60 ) 
 
 replied he, with eyes fparkling with admiration and love of that 
 great man, u Had every body been as juft as Ariftides, there 
 " ^v.ould have been no Gsefar. The one was more than a man, 
 u the other worfe than a beaft of prey." With fuch exalted fen- 
 timents of juftice, no wonder that the firm-toned WASHINGTON 
 ftood through life io immoveably by her facred ftandard: So im- 
 moveably, we truft, will our Captains of men of war (land by the 
 four and twenty pounders of their country, with duty and her 
 iixteen ftripes waving over their heads. 
 
 The great Turenne is defervedly celebrated by his countrymen 
 the French, for his delicate fenfe of juftice. The magiftrates of 
 a large diftrit, dreading the march oi'his numerous army through 
 their fields, vineyards, &c. waited on him and offered a bag of 
 one hundred thousand crowns, if he would take another rout. 
 He refufed their money. Seeing them greatly diftreffed he haf- 
 tened to relieve them. " Gentlemen, faid he, I did not. Intend 
 to march through your country; juftice therefore will not allow 
 me to pocket your money for not doing what I really did not in- 
 tend to do." Glorious Turenne ! Equally Glorious WASHING- 
 TON ! For when offered by his native ftate the enormous fum of 
 feventy thoufand dollars 1 he refufed it all, becaufe he had for- 
 merly made fomething like a promife that he would never take 
 pay for any fervices done to his mother country. " To this pro- 
 mif, fays he, I have invariably adhered and from this promife 
 if I had the inclination, I do not confider myfelf at liberty to 
 depart*." 
 
 It was partly on account of his veneration for Juftice, that he 
 always held {landererfc and {lander in fuch- utter abhorrence. 
 4< Vile praclice" faid he, u Vile offspring 6f injuftice, cowardice 
 " and fpleen." For the fame reafon, he was, through life, the 
 declared enemy of gambling. There are perfqns, now living, 
 who have often heard him fay that he looked on the practice of 
 fitting down toplay,with the wifli to get a man's money from him, 
 as 'having fomething in it fo mean, selfish and dishonest^ that it 
 was to him inconceivable how a gentleman could ever reconcile 
 it to his feelings ! " To give an equivalent for what we receive, 
 " faid he, is the ground of ail dealing amongft honeft men ; but to 
 " take a fum of money from a man, (and what is ftill worfe, from 
 " his wife and children) and give him nothing in return but heart- 
 aches, 
 
 * That famous Britim minifter, fir Robert Walpole, ufed to. fay, 
 in open day, that there was no man fo honeft but he might be bought, 
 if you would but bid boldly up to his price ! How would he have 
 dropped his beef-fteak if he had heanUhis anecdote of WASHINGTON 
 
" aches, bitter reflections, family quarrels and wretchednefs, is 
 " utterly incompatible with common honesty, not to fay humani- 
 ty ." Imprefled with thefe fentiments, WASHINGTON fhun-ned a 
 gaming table, as he would have munned a pillory ; and knit his 
 awful brow as fternly at a Gambler as at a Cut-purfe. And yet 
 for complaifance fake, or to amufe his friends on a winter's even- 
 ing, he had no objection to a hand at whiil : but he always play- 
 ed for pleafure, not for pence ; to divert his friends, not to ftrip 
 them. So that all the choice dinners and fuppers which his 
 friends got at his table, (and no man in America, perhaps none 
 in the world gave fo many) were all clear gain to them. WASH- 
 INGTON would have die4 a thoufand deaths, rather than have al- 
 lowed the flighteft ground for fuck vile dirt to be thrown on him 
 as Qiiin the Player daubed on a Nobleman with whom he had 
 flipped. Bolting out after fupper along the fplendid paflage, lin- 
 ed with fervants, each looking for a fee, Quin cried out,'* Give 
 me the way, gentlemen, and fpare me to-night, for 'pon honor, 
 I'm as naked as a bird : your mafter gave me a good fupper, and 
 he has taken my purfe to.pay tfie reckoning." 
 
 It was this delicate fenfe of honor that fct WASHINGTON fo 
 point blank againfl making purchafes, when he had not a dead 
 certainty of paying at the lime due. He faid, that, he would ra- 
 ther take a turn on the rack, than be fitting momently expecting 
 to fee the face of a creditor, when he had no money to give him. 
 A gentleman affured me, that he once heard him fay, that, " He 
 <c thought a man who owed money to a great many people, was 
 u in almoit as bad a condition as the man in the gofpel who was 
 " poffeffed with a legion of devils." Meaning, I fappofe, that 
 when one flipped out, a hundred whipped in, to torment him. 
 Sometimes they had him in the fire, fometimes in the water, and 
 if he ran through dry places, seeking rest, be found none. Tbsy 
 gave him no rest, fays the parable, until they bad run bim plump 
 into the tombs ! Merciful God! how cruelly does man invert thy 
 kind intentions. Thou madsft him to fing' along the flowery 
 paths of honor, free and happy as the birds of heaven, but pride 
 and folly, true hawks of hell, foon fpoil all his melodious notes ! 
 That great philofopher, Socrates, flipped one day into a large 
 {lore, fomething, I fuppofe, like what the New Englanders call a 
 Variety Store ; after looking, for fome.time, over the vaft varie- 
 ty of curiofities which pride and folly had flruck out, fuch as 
 gold-laced jackets, diamond necklaces, full bottomed perrir/igs 
 and I know not what, he lifted up his eyes and exclaimed, O! 
 Jupiter .' what a world of trumpery is here that I bave no use for!! 
 Socrates was a heathen. But what numbers of us Chriftians mult 
 have every gim-crack article that Socrates defpifed, aj*$ f and a 
 
great many more, or we can't be happy. We muft have gold 
 watches, and Turkey carpets, and gilt chariots, and fo on, and 
 fo on : and, (worse than the Indian who gives a fat bullock for a 
 two-penny firing of beads) we are ready, for- this trumpery, to 
 give not only our fat bullocks, but even our wives and children 
 to abufe and curfes, and to coop ourfelves up in prison bounds, to 
 lead the lives of criminals, fearing every body, pitied by none, 
 damned by many, and defpifed by all. 
 
 It was a frequent faying of WASHINGTON, that, " to dive deep 
 into a merchant's Ledger, was a fure fign of a failing fortune, or 
 a callous confcience." For this reafon his life was a pra6lical 
 comment on that wholefome old proverb, u Cut your coat accord- 
 ing to your clotb" Hence, like the famous Pilot boats of his na- 
 tive ftate, he always failed nearer the wind, than did his income, 
 be that as fcanty as it would. I have been told by his old friend 
 and paftor, the Rev. Mr. Lee Maffey, who, (if wit and worth 
 could have given biftioprics, would have had a mitre long ago; 
 that while WASHINGTON received no more than the falary of a 
 county furveyor, he always had a dollar at the fervice of a friend: 
 and never fuffered a creditor to tip him the wink, and take him 
 afide to fliove an account into his fift. And when by the genero- 
 fity of his brother, he inherited the Mount Vernon eftate, and by 
 the far greater generofity of the young Mrs. Martha Cuftis, he 
 was made one of the wealthieft men in America, he continued 
 the fame, independent and good. He walked with justice, and 
 juftice is one of the mighty pillars that fupport the thione of 
 him who is the fame yefterday, to-day, and for ever. 
 
 WASHINGTON ufed often to fay, that, " to be just, a man muft 
 u fometimes ceafe to be generous. Generous minds have been 
 " known, efpecially when young, to gratify their benevolence e- 
 " ven at the expence of their honefty. The reafon is, acts of 
 " Generofity give great pleafure to ourfelves ; they attra6t onus 
 u the admiration and love of others ; and every fermon we hear, 
 " every novel we read, dwells on the praifes of charity. But 
 a let no honest youth defpair, becaufe he is not able to be gene- 
 *' rous. Let him reflect that we are under greater obligations to 
 tc the one than to the other. Society may fubfift without Gene- 
 " rofity, but not without Juftice 1" 
 
 It was on this account that WASHINGTON could never bear a 
 character fo hypocritical as his who makes rich presents, keeps 
 open houfe, and makes his Guefts drunk with old Madeira ; and yet 
 canfhake hands familiarly with a creditor of ten years standing!!! 
 
 From the fame divine principal (tbe love of justice J Wafhing- 
 .ton though the mob benevolent of men, was the moft rigid of eco- 
 
 nomifls* 
 
 
( 63 ) 
 
 ftomifts. " We should all, fays he, calculate on great and continu- 
 al expense. We *re liable to sickness we may be involved in law 
 suits-* new taxes may be laid the price of previsions may rise 
 servants may sicken and our bouses may burn. Our, debtors, 
 though honest, may be in straits our tenants may be unfortunate 
 our friends may come to want, and our neighbours may ask our 
 help. There is a luxury in doing good, for which a wise man 
 would chearfully difpenfe with a little superfluous eating and 
 show. And besides, by living frugally, we shall seldom know the 
 heart ache of borrowing, or the insolence of creditors. 
 
 From the fame profound veneration for juflice, Washington 
 was always eminent for the punctuality of his promifes and pay- 
 ments. Never man more clearly difcerned its clofe connection 
 with dignified character t or its importance to thofe with whom 
 we deal, efpecially if they be poor. 'Tis pity, faid he, that the 
 rich do not more generally reflect on the disadvantages which the 
 poor labour under in getting their money. Tho* much wronged, 
 they are afraid to go to law with one mightier than themselves. 
 Law is slow, and though not always sure, is always costly. A 
 poor tradesman may have his credit and his bread at stake, and yet 
 be afraid to offend his wealthy customer. And thus between the 
 dread of losing that customer, on the one hand / and the rage un- 
 der ill treatment from him, on the other band, he may be mucb 
 more miserable than any good man can wish to see his brother. 
 
 His admiration of that golden precept, " Owe no man any 
 thing," early led Washington to combat false shame, that weak- 
 nefs, which under the fpecious mafk of Good Nature, and Delica- 
 cy, keeps many a young man from as&ing for his own ! Paying 
 others with great punctuality, he expected that they fhould be 
 equally punctual : And looked on him as but ill entitled to the 
 character of a good man, who puts you to the pain of afking for 
 your money, and lefs of an honest man, who fuflers you to want 
 it, when he could eafily procure it for you. Unleis the debtor 
 was a poor man, Wafhington never loft a debt for want of de- 
 manding it, and that pretty early and earnestly too. 
 
 It was a remark of Waihington, that, he who would enjoy, undif- 
 turbed, the pleafures of honesty, mult learn, fometimes at leaft, to. 
 fay No, even to his deareft friends. Few are the pleafures equal to 
 thofe of meeting the requefts of a beloved wife, or child. But if 
 they aJk for drefs, or, for amufements, above your income, it is 
 duty, it is kindness, even^to them, to refufe. If it coft a struggle ; 
 let it be remembered, that it is the ftruggle of virtue ; and they 
 ihemfelves, fooner or later, will revere ^nd commend you for it. 
 
 But 
 
( 64 ) 
 
 But if you indulge, you contrail the pangs of guilt, and your weak, 
 indulgence will be requited with reproach. Perhaps an evil, ftill, 
 worfe, enfues ; the virtue of. the. family is fhaken. When the- 
 hufband and the father yields to guilt, it is difficult for the wife 
 and children to retain their integrity. Plans of fraud ate too 
 often, unanimoufly adopted, whereby they live in (loth on money, 
 with which debts, fhould be paid. . . 
 
 Of all men, Wamington was the m.oft. corre6\ and regular in his- 
 bufmefs and dealings. :^"The richeft fruits of induftry," faid he, 
 " may eanly be loft, by confufi.on. , To^fmifh. one. piece of bufmefs. 
 " before. you begin another to pvt.. every thing in its proper 
 4C place, to give and take fhort memorandums of your bargains^- 
 " what you are to perform, and what to expect to keep receipts 
 " and vouchers of every thing you, pay -t.o enter carefully your 
 " expenses and incomes irxd .to p oft* all the fe fo correctly, that- 
 <l by a fmgle glance you may tell the. true ftate of your affairs ; 
 * c and never fuffer the. vexation of .being called on by a credit.or, 
 " when you are not prepared to fend him away with a .light heart.' 
 u Thefe are, what fome have been pleafed to call, frnall matters, 
 " but they are fucli fmall matters as will yield you a great deal 
 " of fafety and comfort,, fa v.e you much time, and, trouble in the 
 " courfe of life, fnatch you from many a difpute and law-fuit, 
 cc and preferve perhaps your purfe from .a fecond payment of the 
 4t fame money, and your character, from .ill natured fufpicion. 
 " It is a fad thing to fee a young man,*jfuddenly called on for a 
 41 valuable paper, at his wits end to know where he has laid it^ 
 u turning the houfe upfide down, and, after all, unable to rind it, 
 " obliged to lit down in a high fever of rage and difappoint- 
 " ment." 
 
 And yet this may be a great fcholar, and can tell you in 
 Latin, Greek, or French, the name of every four-footed 
 beaft, and creeping thing, that boarded with Noah in. the ark 1 
 Thus prepofteroully, in the education of his ion, does a 
 father facrifice more to found than to fenfe, to pride than 
 to prudence ; and had rather hear him challenge his 
 company with a frnart Pariez 'sous Francois^ than teach him 
 
 * He was taken ill on Friday. . An intimate friend alked him if he 
 wiftied to have any thingdone on the arrangeaient of his temporal af- 
 fairs; he fiiook his head and replied, <( no, 1 thank you, c or my books 
 nre all ported to Toei'day !" That indafcr/ :.-.iid method mutt be truly 
 aftoni filing, which in the management ef poiTefliuns fo vult and com- 
 plicated as his, kept every thing, fo harmonuniu" adjnited, that when 
 he was called on at a ftiort notice, to leave the world, he had not at 
 wifh to alter a tittle. 
 
( 65 ) 
 
 like Wamington, to do his bufmefs with regularity and exaclnefs 
 with writings and receipts ; though the neglect of thefe gives rife 
 to more than half the quarrels, law fuits, and duels, that diftract 
 the world ! Washington pafied through life without any of thefe 
 curfes ; for in all his dealings, every thing was fo clearly under- 
 flood, fo fairly exprefled, that there was no room for heart-burn- 
 ings. His exaclnefs in bufmefs extended to all, not excepting even 
 thofe whom he moft dearly loved. He laid, " It was one of the 
 41 befl means to preferve love. Some think exa6lnefs unneceffary 
 " between relations and friends. But alas I love is apt to wan 
 " cold, and then felfiflmefs returns. When an account is old, and 
 " much tangled, both fides are too prone to fufpicion. Sufpicion 
 " is a painful feeling, and quarrels among relations are thedifgrace 
 " and bane of life." 
 
 The inconfiderate may fay, that such ^f^w^wmanifefts a littleness 
 of mind unworthy of Wamington. But in reply, Wafhington 
 himfelf affures, that, every thing great, good, or bappy in the lot of 
 man, is connected with bis industry and attention to business. ^Lbro* 
 neglect of these, bis estate melts away, and debts are contracted. Debt 
 haunts the mind Creditors dun and barrass a wife mourns for 
 comforts which she enjoyed under her father's roof- bis children cry 
 for bread and bis daughters turn away their tearful eyes from 
 prospects on which they \nust no longer look These things are dis- 
 tressing, they sour the temper / arid mar bis happiness. T'be morn- 
 ing of bis days, which rose so bright, is overcast weaned is his at- 
 tacbment to life, and the sight of the horrid pistol is welcome. 
 
 Such are the sorrows of the debtor, while be continues honest. But 
 alas ! such trials are found too heavy for most men. By degrees they 
 undermine the moral principles, and reconcile a man to practices 
 which he once abhorred. His first failure of payment, or breach of 
 promise is painful to him : when be considers at bow low a rate bis 
 word must hereafter pass, be sinks in bis own eyes ; but by degrees 
 bis dijficulties bring him to study deceiving as an art, and at last be 
 lies to bis creditors without a blush ! .' With the loss of truth the 
 silken cord of friendship is dissolved. .He seizes the moment of un- 
 suspecting ajfefrlion to ensnare the generous friends of bis youth ; 
 borrowing money which he will never pay, and binding them for 
 debts wLicb they must hereafter answer. 
 
 Thus be sells the dear bliss of loving and being beloved ! ! His calls 
 still are pressing ; and now, an ingenuity, which in a better cause 
 might have immortalized bis name, is exerted to evade the law, to 
 d?-.e'< ve tbe world io pervert the relation of father and son, trans- 
 ferring goods from the one to the otbtr to defraud bis. creditors. FL-~ 
 
 H 
 
ticious bills, false securities ! dark conveyances ! mysteries of Ini- 
 quity ! my soul, come not tbou into bis secrets, into bis assembly 
 mine honour be not tbou united / Bankruptcy now at band, be makes 
 a last grasp with bis expiring credit, takes what be can, once mere, 
 from friends and neighbours, from the ignorant and unsuspecting 
 purchases goods, at any rate, from all who will trust bim, and sells 
 them for ready money, at baif tbeir value ! Inhuman wretch .' One 
 would suppose that when the bustle is over, painful reflations must 
 'arise, on friends, whom be bas brought to ruin ; on neighbours, 
 whose generosity be bas abused ; on the savings of the poor labour- 
 er, which be bas seized, disappointing bis hopes of honest coirfort ; 
 on the staff of the aged, which be bas snatched away, dashing bim, 
 infirm and helpless on the cold ground of charity on the dignity 
 of human nature, which he bas disgraced ; and on : :be credit and 
 character of bis country which be bas contributed to blast / but his 
 heart is a stranger to the relentings of humanity. 
 
 The cruel sacrifice of others comforts, is often made that the 
 fuccefsful fpeculator may accumulate wealth to figure in the Great 
 World, and to excite admiration like that we felt for Wafliington. 
 Miflaken Man ! Wafhington won our hearts, not by his wealth, 
 but by his worth. 'Twas his great virtues and services, that poured 
 around him fuch an atmosphere of the lovely and venerable, that no 
 human eye could look on him without feeling unutterable things" 
 The inofl illuitrious characters from Europe, have declared that 
 they could never approach him without awe. While, on the nerves 
 of his countrymen, the fight of their Wafliington imprefied those 
 sentiments, which a bad man, with the riches of ten thoufand 
 worlds could never command. When the roar of Washington's 
 wheels was heard in our ftreets, men, women, and children nocked 
 to the doors and windows, like doves to the beams of the morn- 
 ing. All eyes were fixed upon him ; and the eager look, the 
 heaving bofom, and the tear-bathed cheek, evinced the power of 
 virtue. Dear, delicious feelings of veneration and love ! Sweet 
 heaven-favoured offerings of the foul to goodnefs I When alafs \ 
 {hall we ever taile your luxuries again ! O Columbia I thy Wafh- 
 ington is gone ! Thy great moralizing teacher, whofe progrefs 
 through thy cities, though filent, yet louder than the preacher's 
 voice, proclaimed to admiring thoufands the charms of virtue ; hp, 
 is gone ! ! But rife Barlow, Dwight and Humphreys rife ! take 
 the facred harp of Columbia, now fallen from her grief flruck 
 hand : Tune the notes above a mortal pitch, and raife the fweetly 
 mourful fong. Let your voices rife, equal to the theme, and 
 down to diftant ages pour the folemn found. The children of 
 the times to come $}&!] gather around the long : they fhall hear 
 of their father's virtues, and may emulate his fame. 
 
( 67 ) 
 
 Oh ! That the great example of Washington may teach us- 
 
 I. The infinite importance of virtue, to true glory. Some, feek 
 a fame like Wafhington, and would let the world a-itare on them, 
 by the glitter of their wealth though gained by means which, vir- 
 tue w 0u id blush at. 
 
 Let fuch gentlemen read the following letter, written during the 
 Jail w.ir, from an Englifh gentleman, to and Englifh duke. 
 
 ' Yes, you are a duke 1 and we fee your ducal coronet on your 
 4 ftrumpet's coach ! Your builder and baker, your butcher and 
 
 * taylor gnaw their nails unpaid; while the jocky and brother 
 
 * gambler, receive ready cam with oflentatious profufion. Sharp- 
 4 ers and proftitutes with all the qualities of thievery, riot in thole 
 
 * riches which ought to be paid to honeft men, who, with their Fa- 
 ' milies are ftarving in confequence of feeding and clothing you. 
 
 * When fuch a wretch as you, can be the companion of a prince, 
 
 * and privy counfellor to the king of Great-Britain and defender 
 
 * ofihefaitb / who can be furprized, or who can lament that the 
 
 * fubjects rebel, and that the Empire is difmembered I Under a 
 4 Ruler like you, who would not glory in the illuftrious character 
 
 * and conduct of a WASHINGTON f ? ? 
 
 What a compliment to virtue ! Here is a nobleman i favour- 
 ite of his prince, and in the higheft feat of honor ; laden with 
 wealth and glittering with titles ; and yet, all this availeth him no- 
 thing. He is vicious 1 A companion of (harpers and proftitutes, 
 and will not pay his debts ! Hence in fpite of his gold, he is held 
 Up, an object of fcorn and execration to the world. And when his 
 chariot rolls into the flreets, inftead of being followed, as was that 
 of Wafhington, by the affectionate looks and benedictions of all 
 beholders, it ferves worfe than the crier's bell, to call angry mer- 
 chants and difappointed tradefmen to their doors, to point at and 
 curfe the paffmg fcoundrel, who buys of every body and pays 
 nobody. 
 
 While on the other hand, there is.Waihington ! aflranger to the 
 beau monde, fimply an American Farmer, and wearing no stars, nor 
 titles, fave thofe of brightest virtues, and yet inthefe he appears fo 
 lovely, fo venerable, that honest Britons can't look on him without 
 pleafure they forget that he is fighting againfl themthey heap 
 him with commendations, and foon as the war is over, they (hip off 
 to him innumerable prefents. Britifh farmers fend him their 
 cheeses / Britifh authors, the incenfe of their praifes ..Brhifh Bi- 
 shops, elegant bibles, and Britifh Lords, e. g. Tha Earl of Bu- 
 chan and his friends, a precious box lined with gold, *nd made of 
 the oak that flickered the great Sir William Wallace after the bat- 
 tle of Falkirk. This was fent to. Waftifngton as to, " the great 
 cst and best man in the world." 
 
( 68 ) 
 
 Dear countrymen ! If honeft Britons fo loved Wafhington, how 
 cmght honest Americans to love one another ; tho' from difference 
 of education they may happen to differ a little in their political 
 opinions I ! 
 
 II. Let us admire and imitate Wafhington's facred regard for 
 order ; and due fubmifllon to lawfully-ruling power. 
 
 All human fociety requires government. Even the finallefl 
 families muft be unprofperous and miferable without it. What 
 then is to be expected in large focieties of thoufands and millions 
 ^selfish and ambitious mortals, unawed by divine or human laws I 
 What, Oh ! Americans 1 but the moil horrid tragedies, fpring- 
 ing from pride, fraud, luft, hate, revenge, &c. and wrought up 
 at length to fuch bloody battles, and inhuman maflacres, with fuch 
 death-fcreams, and dying groans, as to give horror-flruck huma- 
 nity, a perfect picture of the habitations of the damned ? But no 
 fooner has just and effective government raifed aloft her awful 
 form ; than all thefe hell-begotten monfters clifappear. The fons o'f 
 violence are bound in chains, or cut off by the (word of juftice ; 
 the cries of the weak and oppreffed, diilrefs our ears no more ; 
 fweet peace fmiles over all ; and fecure now, of enjoying her own 
 delicious fruits, induilry fprings up, with eye fparkling with honeft 
 ambition ; millions fall to work ; the rich ftore-houfes of nature 
 are broken up ; earth, water, air, and fire, lend their mighty aids ; 
 and arts, fciences, manufactures, and commerce pour a flowing 
 tide of bleiTmgs round the world. 
 
 Thefe are thy peaceful precious fruits, O bleffed government ! 
 Thus it is that thou enabled man, created in his Maker's image, 
 and touched with heaven's own fire, to imitate his God ; and, like 
 him, to call beauty out of deformity, and order out of Chaos ! 
 
 Wafhington's life exhibits immortal monuments of his fenfe of 
 the bieffings of government, and the great duty of cheerful fubmif- 
 fion to it. Frequent were the opportunities which he had to wear 
 the brighteft gold and purple that fceptre-fe eking ambition could 
 covet : But he defpifed them all. Charmed with that heaven 
 which refults from good government, and a prompt obedience to 
 it, he readily returned the glittering fword of the victorious Gene- 
 raliffimo, ftepped down from the exalted chair of fupreme ma- 
 giftracy mixed as a commoner among the citizens obeyed thofe 
 whom he had been accuftomed to command honoured the Prefi- 
 dent revered the laws paid his taxes, and, in every refpect, be- 
 haved as became the man, who was fully poffcffed of this great 
 idea, that, in exact proportion to our union, will be our ilrength, 
 our peace and profperity at home, and our refpectability and fuc- 
 tefs abroad* 
 
( 69 ) 
 
 Let us my fellow-citizens, as we revere the memory of George 
 Wulhington As we honor the mighty God of order, whom 
 Wafhington honored As we would live the life and die the 
 death of that righteous man, O let us imitate this greatest becaufe 
 be st example in his moft exemplary life. 
 
 If ever there was a people under the canopy of heaven, who had 
 reafon to be cheerfully obedient to their government, we are that 
 people. The form of our government, is of all others, the moft 
 conducive to our best interests ; and therefore the molt perfect. 
 Widely different from the liberty and fafety of our republican 
 form, moft of the nations of the world, groan under the caprice 
 and cruelty of kingly governments. That a people may be happy 
 under the adminiftration of a wise and good king, we all agree, be- 
 caufe, thank God, there have been charming inftances of it ; but 
 then alas I wife and good kings are very rare, almoft as rare as 
 Waihingtons. The pride and ambition common to man, nurfed 
 in the hot-bed of a court, and high fed on luxury and flattery, too 
 generally run up into the vile ft moniters, at once the dif grace and 
 curfe of human kind. 
 
 " When I look around me (fays the Rev. Dr. Chandler, one of 
 the ornaments both of Engliih learning and piety) on the prefent 
 kings of Europe, I am apt to aik myfelf, what is there in moft of 
 them that mould make their fubjects wiih their lives, or regret 
 their deaths ? Actuated by ambition or revenge, or funk in indo- 
 lence and pleafure, they wafte the riches of their people in the 
 moft abominable extravagance and diffipation ; or rum their fub- 
 jects into war, to the certain murder and ruin of thoufands of 
 them. And as to our own kings, fome of them involved us in all 
 the calamities of civil wars ; others impoverifhed and opprefled us 
 by illegal exactions ; and the generality of them, either by their 
 own choice, or led by wicked minifters, facrificed the national in- 
 tereft to their own accurfed ambition, revenge, and national de- 
 bauchery." 
 
 And when the ancient Jews, in evil hour, applied to God for 
 a king, he told them they did not know what they were afking 
 - for. " This," faid he, by his prophet Samuel, " will be the cha- 
 racter (meaning the general character) of the king that (hall reign 
 over you : he will take your fons to be his horfemen, and fome 
 fhall run before his chariots. And he will fet them to ear his 
 ground, and to reap his harveft. And he will take your daugh- 
 ters to make his paftry, and to be his cooks and bakers. And he 
 will take your goodlieft )-oung men, and your affes and put them all 
 to his work : and ye fhall be his fervants. And ye fhall cry out in 
 that day becaufe of your king which ye fhall have chofen unto you ; 
 and the Lord will not hear you in that day." 
 
What thanks do we not owe to God that we and our dear chil- 
 dren are not under fuch curfes ; the too frequent fruits of a king- 
 ly government ! Curfes, from which, as we have juft read, it is 
 fo exceedingly difficult to be delivered. For when once a king 
 (though not worfe in grain than other men) gets feated on a throne, 
 his fpirits are put in fuch a delicious tumult by the pomps and plea- 
 fures of royalty, that he cannot think of ever letting them go out 
 of his hands. To fecure thefe forever in his family, he raifes all 
 the money he poffibly can by taxes, and creates innumerable offices, 
 places of honour and profit, which he artfully gives to his own 
 friends and creatures. Thus he Jiecces the people to pay for their 
 own fetters. For every officer under government, from the 
 prime minifter to the tax gatherer, receiving his place from the 
 king, " eating his majefly's bread," is ready for throat- cutting if 
 he hears but a dog bark againft him. So that the poor flaves may 
 groan and cry, they and their children from generation to gene- 
 ration. 
 
 But blefled be God, the friend of America, who has given vis 
 a government under which we are not liable to fuch fufferings. 
 At the end of the war in 84, having thrown of the Britifh monar- 
 chy, we wanted a government for ourfelves. And never, fure, was 
 a nation favoured with a fairer chance to get a good one. We were 
 innocent and perfectly free : We had WASHINGTON, FRANKLIN, 
 ADAMS, JEFFERSON, HENRY, MADISON, and a great many 
 others the moft enlightened and virtuous patriots in the world. 
 We were wife enough to afk their affiftance, and they gave us a 
 pure Republican government ; that is, a government which pre- 
 ferves the fupreme power facred in our own hands, where God 
 intended it Ihould be a government which contains wholefome 
 Uws aiming equally at the happinefs of every honeft man (of the 
 poorefl peafant a-s well as John Adams) with a regular courfe of 
 law and juftice for the redrefs of grievances A government 
 which make wife provifion for amending Itself whenever neceflary, 
 which appoints an uninterrupted fucceffion of officers, in the 
 way of a free election a government which commits not the ad- 
 miniftration of fuch ineftimable blefiings to any one man, (which 
 were madnefs indeed) but to a number of men ? and not to thefe as 
 forming one body (which were as mad as entrufting it to one man) 
 but three bodies, Prefident, Senate and Houfe of Reprefentatives, 
 and thefe fo nicely balanced as to check each other in their fmalleft 
 attempts on our liberties and a government which orders thefe 
 her fervants, Prefident, Senate, and Reprefentatives, to make 
 quick returns to us of the power with which we entrufted them ; 
 the Prefident, at the end of every four years ; and the Reprefen- 
 tatives, of every two years ; and therefore does not allow them. 
 
time to hatch their infernal eggs of ambition even if they were 
 fuch Daemons as to be impregnated with them ; but ftrongly binds 
 them to their beft behaviour, that they may be beloved as Wafhing- 
 ton, and be defied again ; and obliges them to make the best laws 
 as they themfelves are fo foon to obey. 
 
 Other wretched nations, even in pafling from the flavery of one 
 tyrant to another, have been obliged to wade through feas of their 
 own countrymen's blood : but we obtained ours without any flrug- 
 gles among ourfelves ; without the lofs of a lingle drop of Ameri- 
 can blood. 
 
 Who can reflect on that gracious guardian power of America, 
 which brought us fafely through our alarming war againft Great 
 Britain, which not only enabled us to repel Lord North's attempts 
 on our liberties, but, far beyond our firfl and moft fanguine expec- 
 tations, to eftablifh ourfelves Free and Independent States ; and 
 then, without the leaft ftruggle or blood-med among ourfelves, 
 kindly fpread over our favoured heads, the heavenly canopy of an 
 excellent government, pouring down on us all the bleffings of juft 
 and equitable fociety ; fecuring to every honeft man and his fami- 
 ly, the fweet and precious fafeties of his liberty, his life, his health, 
 his character, h^s property, his religion, and in fine, of every blef- 
 iing connected with his higheft happinefs in this world, and with 
 his preparation for eternal happinefs in the next who, I fay, can 
 think of this profufion of riches, mercies conferred on our coun- 
 try, above all other countries in the world, without feeling his foul 
 oppreffed and almoft overwhelmed with afenfeof the Divine muni- 
 ficence, as Waihington exprefles it ? or without joining him in^ 
 unceafmg prayers to God, that be may continue to us the choicest to- 
 kens of bis benificence Tbat our union and brotherly love may be 
 perpetual. But, if the blefled effects refulting from order and 
 good government cannot prevail on us to join in this divine prayer, 
 let us at leaft take a view of the horrors which may refult from 
 writing and talking fo as to create parties and factions among us. 
 
 Caft your eyes over ancient Rome, while virtuous and united 
 the mighty Miftrefs of the world 1 but no fooner had the evil fpi- 
 rit of party and faction crept in among them, than the old Roman 
 fteel became as a rope of fand falling into pieces of itfelf. One of 
 thefe devoted parties fnatched up Sylla, fwearing by Pluto and the 
 Styx that he was the honefleft fellow in all Rome ; the others damn- 
 ed themfelves by Jupiter, and all the Gods, Celeftial, Tereftrial 
 and Infernal, that Sylla was a villain and not fit to hold a candle to 
 Marius. Of courfe Marius was pitied. Fluent orators mounted 
 the tud. Parchments (for they had no paper in thofe days) were 
 ftained as black as ink with Latro and Frr^ and all the Latin words 
 that flood for foape-gallows, and damned fcoundrel^ and fo on. 
 
Siich fuel as this foon blew up the flame to a pitch beyond reftramt. 
 Marius firft opened the horrid fcenc and glutted, his followers 
 with the blood and wealth of the friends of Sylla ; Sylla repaid the 
 Marian faction in the fame coin, and with intereft. In thefe unna- 
 tural contells thoufands of Roman citizens were butchered ; their 
 wives and children barbarouily turned out of doors, and their 
 eftates confifcated and fold to cram the purfes and to fatten the vices 
 of their diabolical deftroyers. Bloody battles were often fought 
 in the very ftreets : and wretched Rome mpre than once experi- 
 enced from her own citizens all the horrors of a city taken by 
 florm. 
 
 And in the hiflories of the civil wars of Great-Britain, and, here 
 lately of France, we may behold the fame horrid features of fac- 
 tion. Here are two parties, Whigs and Tories,, or Ariftocrats 
 and Democrats. A little time ago, while they had a government, 
 though a very imperfect one, they loved each other as children of 
 the fame country and conftitution, and would in a moment have 
 fought for one another with all the heroifrn of magnanimous bro- 
 thers : But now, fplit into parties and driving at different interefls, 
 they regard each other as enemies. Jealoufy and hatred, true mi- 
 crofcopes of hell, ar^ before their eyes and conceal from each all 
 the good qualities and intentions of the other ; and at the fame 
 time, to distort, magnify and blacken all their defigns and actions, 
 that they appear to each other as little better than devils. Their 
 News-Papers too, as if warm and fmoaking from the preffes of the 
 damned, lend all their fire and brimllone to feed the infernal 
 flame. " T'be Aristocrats ! (cries the paffion-choacked printer on 
 the other fide.) The Aristocrats ! A set of unfeeling Kingly Vil- 
 lains ! Monsters of Pride, who ^ould as lieve drive their gilt cha- 
 riots over a poor man, as over a dog : and would devour widows 
 bouses for a stake at an 0. E. table ! Vile miscreants, who only 
 want a kingly government that tbey may Jleece and lord it over the 
 poor /" 
 
 On the other hand, the Ariftocrat Gazette give chapter and verfe 
 for it, that ct The Democrats are. a lazy vicious race, whose poverty 
 and lice make tbem envy and bate the rich / and who will never be 
 at rest, until, bavirg trampled down religion, 4 laws, and govern- 
 ment, they are at full liberty, like wild Arabs, to rob and plunder 
 their wealthier neighbours." 
 
 Grounded now on fomething like love of public good, the bad 
 paffions of the two parties rage with redoubled fury. They feluom 
 meet in company without fierce contentions and bloody frays. 
 Duels and murders arc frequent. The devoted wretches, as they 
 pafs each other in the ftreets, can read death in one anothers dark 
 
( 73 ) 
 
 faces and glaring eyes. The horrid tragedy ripens fa ft, and tlie 
 dreadful florm is on the very eve of hurtling. Numerous ravens, 
 with ill-brooding croaks and terrifying fcreams, are feen flapping 
 their wings flow and fad, over the fated city. All night long 
 fearful noifes are heard in the air, as of groans from dying per- 
 fons ; while frightful meteors, in fhape of fiery balls, {hoot thro' 
 the gloom, leaving long hideous tracks behind them, like {Ireatns 
 of blood. In the morning, the awful roar of guns is heard in the 
 midft of the city. Trembling fiezes on the aged, while the feeble 
 fex ficken with terrors unfelt before. The men fnatch up armr., 
 and rufli, in tumultuous crowds, to the place whence the' noife 
 proceeds. Imme'nfe is the concourfe. The orators on both fides 
 get up to addrefs the eager throngs, and with bittereft abufe in- 
 flame their padions againft each other to madnefs. The fierce up- 
 roaring crowds can withhold no longer. With horrid impreca- 
 tions, with faces black with rage, and eye-balls flalliing fire, they 
 fly at each other like tygers. They plunge their knives, fwords, 
 and daggers into each others hearts. Pale and daggering, with' 
 mutual curfe-s in death, they fink to the ground. The ftreets are 
 floated with blood. The dead bodies He heaps on heaps, while 
 women and children, with wringing hands, and heart-piercing 
 cries, demand their hufbands, their fathers, and their brothers. - 
 
 Thefe, accursed Faction and Party ! Thefe lire your bloody 
 fruits ! Thus- it is, that by filling our fouls with the pafiions of. 
 the damned, you turn man into a devil to man, you 1 turn the fair- 
 eft cities into flaughter-houfes, you turn earth itfelf, the goodly' 
 creation of God, into the hell from whence you came!; 
 
 Thefe unutterable curfes of Falion and Party, rofe often on 
 the mind of WASHINGTON, and ihook his parent foul with trem- 
 bling for America. Hence it v/as, that, during the uncertainty 
 whether thele dates would adopt a Federal Government, WASH- 
 INGTON was never seen to smile / a dark gloom hung condantly on 
 his face, and his eyes oftea looked as if he had been weeping - 9 
 and hence it was that he poured out his foul, u in unceasing vows 
 to God, tbat our union and brotherly love might be everlasting."*'* 
 
 O my countrymen ! If we would partake, with ou'r WASHING- 
 TON, of thofe eternal delights which are prepared for the children 
 of peace ; let us, with him, make a covenant with our fouls to 
 fly from party fpirit, as from the bane and damnation of all Re- 
 publics ; and the only demon that can prevent favoured America 
 from riling to be the greatest and happiest among the nations. Let. 
 us all (whether Peafant or Prefident) whether for Adams or Jcf- 
 ferfon) as dear children of God, and brothers of WASHINGTON, 
 sbiui, us we would hell-firs, every word and acl that may neeulefs- , 
 }j provoke each othsr to- wrath and strife.- Thefe arc not th-/ 
 
 we anon* 
 
( 74 ) 
 
 Weapons of converfion, but, of obduracy ; they have beerf potent 
 to cut the throats of millions of our race ; but have never yet re- 
 claimed one soul from error and prejudice. 
 
 In the foregoing pages we have feen a fketch of the life of 
 Wafhington ; of him, who was the pride of America, and boaft 
 of human kind; who united in himfelf fuch a Conftellation of vir- 
 tues as sweetly affure us of Immortality of our relation to AN- 
 QELS and of our capacities for glories and felicities, that {hall 
 know no bounds. 
 
 It is hardly exaggeration to fay that WASHINGTON was pious 
 as Numa ; juil as Arillides ; temperate as Epi<5tetus 7 patriotic as 
 Regulus ; in giving public trulls, impartial as Severus ; in victo- 
 ry, modeft as Scipio ; prudent as Fabius ; rapid as Marcellus ; 
 undaunted as Hannibal ; as Cincinnatus difinterefted ; to liberty 
 firm as Cato ; and reipedlful of the laws as Socrates. Or, to 
 fpeak in plainer terms ; he was religious without fuperftition ; 
 juft without rigour; charitable without profusion ; hoipitable 
 without making others pay for it ; generous but with his own 
 money; rich without covetoufnefs ; frugal without meannefs ; 
 humane without weaknefs ; brave without raihnefs ; fuccefsful 
 without vanity ; victorious without pride ; a lover of his country, 
 but no hater of French or Engliili ; a (launch friend of govern- 
 ment, but refpe&ful to thofe who pointed out its defects with de- 
 cency ; true to his word without evaiion or perfidy ; firm in ad- 
 veriity ; moderate in profperity ; glorious and honoured in life ; 
 peaceful and happy in death. 
 
 Thus fingularly virtuous was the man, whom Heaven was 
 pleafed to felecl as his honoured inftrument to eftabliili this great 
 WESTERN REPUBLIC. And if every thing be duly confidered, 
 I truft it will appear WASHINGTON was raifed up of God as a 
 forerunner to fome mighty event. In 1774, when a dark gloom 
 hung over the fpirits of our Fathers : a gloom, occafioned by the 
 , alarm of a mighty nation coming forward, with her armies and 
 fleets, ^ {hading the Ocean) to ftrike at our deareft liberties ; then 
 it was, that the Spirit of God came mightily on WASHINGTON, 
 and raifed him up as an Enfign of Hope to our trembling country- 
 men. And when we confidsr how wonderfully this man was ena- 
 bled to inipire confidence ; infomuch that thirteen little Colonies, 
 which, a few years before, had been thrown into a panic by a 
 handful of French Indians, now headed by WASHINGTON, were 
 refolved to oppofe one of the moft formidable powers in Europe. 
 When we confider, how wonderfully he infpired Union ; infomuch 
 that all the fouls of thirteen Colonies, fo widely diftant in their 
 iituation, religion, cuftoms, and interefts, clave to him even as 
 one man, beyond all conje&ure of reafon, and all iufpicion of 
 
 kord 
 
( 75 ) 
 
 Lord North when we confider, how rniraculouily this man Was 
 preferved to us, during our long and critical ftruggle, notwith* 
 {landing the attempts (one or two of which have come to light) 
 that were made to take him from us when we confider, how 
 wonderfully he kept up the fpirit, and the Union, of thofe (rates , 
 during the' long conteft of eight years, notwithstanding the many- 
 horrors and diilrefles of war, the great want of luxuries for the 
 rich, and of neceffaries and pay for the Soldiers And, after the 
 eftabliflunent of Heaven-born freedom in our land; how wonder- 
 fully, his parental influence led the people ofthefe ftates to adopt 
 one' grand fyitem of pure Republican policy, happily uniting civil 
 liberty with effective government when, 1 fay, all this is con- 
 fidered, who but muft feel a fweet flutter of hope that great events 
 are connected with us, and that God has lent on his fervant 
 WASHINGTON, as a Day-Star to fome mighty Revolution, big with 
 bleffings to mankind, which will ere long dawn on the land where 
 WASHINGTON, was born? Perhaps, God may be about to eftab- 
 lifli here a mighty empire, for the reception of a happiness un- 
 known on earth, fince the days of blifsful Eden. An Empire, 
 where Religion fliall continue, through immemorial time, to un- 
 fold aloft her facred banner celeflial white, untorn by date viola- 
 tion, and unftained by the impious touch ofwordling priefts. An 
 empire, that fhall afford a welcome retreat to all the uncorrupt- 
 ed fons of freedom, when Liberty is forcibly driven from every 
 other realm An Empire, that fliall open a vafl Theatre for the 
 difplay of the grand tranfaclions of providential wifdom Tranf- 
 actions marked with more than human manners and characters, 
 that ftiall not relate to this or to any other nation alone That 
 iliall bear, in-ftamped upon them, the broad feal of God himfelf ; 
 either evidently pointing to, or accomplifhing the grand defigns 
 of his providence, Fulfilling ancient prophecies Leading our pof- 
 terity, happy in future days, to fee the glorious kingdom of Mef- 
 fiah, rifing by degrees out of the Revolutions and deflruction of the 
 kingdoms of this world. When nation ftiall no more lift up the ** 
 fword againft nation, nor torrents of human blood flow down from 
 ihameful variance betwixt man and man. When the creature 
 travelling in pain,fliali no more life the piteous eye, with groans 
 unutterable, to God But, when the uninjuring, the unfuffefing 
 kingdom of Chrift being come, men fliall no longer hurt nor de- 
 ftroy in the earth, butthe Leopard and Kid fliall lie down toge- 
 ther; and the young Lion and the Calf; and a little Child fliall 
 lead them When glad fongs of peace fliall warble through every 
 land, and the fruits of love fliall overfpread the earth as waters 
 cover the fea. 
 
 Who without tears of joy can think of inch a glorious day of 
 
 happmef 
 
happinefs about to dawn, e're long perhaps, on the land of WASH- 
 INGTON? Or without feeling himfelf under new andfacred obliga- 
 tions to do every thing that may invite it ? And it is in our power 
 to invite it Yes, if our country were filled with fuch men as 
 Wafhington, that glorious day would this moment fliine upon us. 
 For,whence are the fweet beams of peace and happinefs,but from 
 the fun of Virtue ? And if the fun of virtue did but gild our plains, 
 how foon would our defert rejoice and blofibm like the rofe ? Hovr 
 foon would Earth refemble Heaven ? Temperance would pour 
 her ruddy bleilings around our land. Induftry would fill our 
 barns with plenty, and caufe our profiles to burfl out with new 
 wine. Righteous dealing would make us to be refpecled and be- 
 loved of one another, while mutual affection would render our 
 fociety fwcet and harmonious as that of deareft friends and bro- 
 thers. Foreign nations, hearing that the vine of Paradife was 
 planted in our land, would haiten to feed on its delicious cluf- 
 ters. God, even our own God would give us his bleffings, the lit- 
 tle hills would clap their hands with joy, and con fen ting clouds 
 ihower down their marrow and fatnefs upon us. Since then it 
 is " righteoufnefs that exalteth a nation ;" fince the eternal de- 
 cree is paffed, that the glory of nations {hall forever rife and fall 
 with their virtues, let us then if we do indeed love our country, 
 and would have he children to be free and happy, for all genera- 
 tions i let us now, while it is called to-day, vow a vow to God, 
 that we will endeavour through life to become what Wafhingtou 
 was, in his virtues. O I let us confider that crown of glory which 
 he now wears, the bright reward of his virtues ; and that the 
 
 fame crown is prepared, the fame virtues expedled of us 
 
 Let us confider that thefe form the great errand on which we 
 were fent into this world That Heaven and earth are waiting 
 on us for this purpofe That the eyes of God and angels are fix- 
 ed on us with eager expectation And that the venerable fhades 
 of Washington, and our fathers, are anxioufly looking on us for 
 thefe virtues, to make happy this great Republic which their toil, 
 and fweat, and blood fo dearly bought. Since then, we are mo- 
 ral fokliers, fighting for an immortal prize, for pur f elves and for 
 our children ; " Let us be of good courage, and play the men for 
 pur people and for the cities of our God, and let the Lord do for 
 cur country that which feerneth him good." 
 
 THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 If the prayers of millions could have prevailed, WASHINGTON 
 would have been immortal on the earth. And if fullnefs of 
 peace, riches 'and honors, could have rendered that immortality 
 
 happy, 
 
( 77 ) 
 
 happy, WASHINGTON had been blefled indeed. But this World 
 is not the place of true happinefs. Though, innumerable are the 
 fatisfatStions, which a prudence and virtue tike WASHINGTON'S 
 may enjoy in this world, yet they fall fliort, infinite degrees, of 
 that pure unimbittered felicity, which God, the Almighty Parent, 
 has prepared in heaven for the children of bis love. 
 
 " 7 here is the land of pure delight, 
 
 Where blifsful angels reign ; 
 The glorious day ftill knows no night, 
 
 And pleafures banifli pain. 
 
 There ever blooming Spring abides, 
 
 And never with'ring flow'rs ; 
 Death like a narrow fea divides, 
 
 That happy land from ours. 
 
 Sweet fields beyond the fwelling flood, 
 
 Stand drefs'd in living green ; 
 So to the Jews old Canaan flood, 
 
 While Jordan roll'd between." 
 
 To prepare for this iramenfity of blifs, this eternity of joy, is 
 the mighty errand on which God fent us into this world. Our 
 preparation confifts in acquiring thofe great virtues, Juftice, Hu- 
 mility, and Love, which, and which alone can make us welcome 
 companions of Angels, and worthy members of their illuflrious 
 fociety. WASHINGTON had wifely fpent his life in acquiring 
 thefe immortal virtues. " He bad fought tbegoodjlgbt againit 
 
 God Lad gi 
 
 try. He bad borne the beat and burden of the day his great day 
 of duty ; And the evening (of old age) being come, the fcrvant 
 of God mud now go to receive his wages. Happy, happy WASH- 
 INGTON I If Crowns and Kingdoms could have purchased fuch 
 peace like thine, fuch fmiling joy, fuch hopes big with immorta- 
 lity ; with what begging earneftnefs, would Crowns and Kingdoms 
 have been offered by the mighty conquerors of the earth, in their 
 dying moments of terror and defpair ! 
 
 On the i4th day of December, 1799, (when he wanted but 9 
 weeks, and 2 days f being 68 years old) he rode out on his plan- 
 tation. The day was very raw and fnowy. The fame night he 
 was attacked with a violent pain and inliamation of the throat. 
 The lancet of one of his Domeitics was employed, but with no ad- 
 vantage. 
 
vantage. By times in the morning, Dr. Craik, his companion in 
 peace and war, the friend and phyfician of his youth and age, was 
 fent for. Alarmed at the leaft appearance of danger threaten- 
 ing a life fo dear to him, Dr. Craik advifed to call in, immediate- 
 ly, the confulting affiftance of his friends, the ingenious and learn- 
 ed Dr. Dick of Alexandria, and Brown of Port Tobacco. They 
 came on the wings of fpeed. They felt the awfulnefs of their 
 fituation. They knew that never again {hould they be called to 
 fight the king of terrors in defence of fuch a prize. They faw 
 the MOURNFUL GENIUS of AMERICA, with the red eyes of her 
 grief, bathed in tears, fixed on her fon ; fometimes caft on them 
 anxiofcfly afking their affiftance. The greateft of all human be- 
 ings was no\v lying low ; a life of all others the moft revered, the 
 moft beloved was at ftake. Craik, Dick and Brown, the ableft 
 GUARDS of life, were ftationed around him bending over the pro- 
 ftrate hero. If human {kill and folicitude could have availed; if 
 the fword of genius and the buckler of experience could have re- 
 pelled the blows of death, WASHINGTON had ftill lived. Defeat- 
 ed a thoufand times by their fuperior (kill, when lives lefs valua- 
 ble were contended for, Death began to fear left this great prize 
 fo long coveted fliould be fnatched from him. But he foon 
 -felt his arm invigorated by a ftrength not bis own. The great 
 hour was come, and WASHINGTON muft die. Yes his Maniionis 
 prepared above The crown of his rejoicing is bright The 
 harps of the bleffed are fining. u Let the angel of Death con* 
 duel; the foul of WASHINGTON to the feafts of Heaven." 
 
 It appears, that, from the commencement of the attack, he 
 was favoured with a prefentiment, that, he was now laid down 
 to rife no more. He took however the medicines that were of- 
 fered him, but it was' principally to oblige the long-loved partner 
 of his heart and bed. 
 
 It has been faid that a man's death is a true copy of his life. 
 This is generally the cafe with thofe who die in their fenf js. It 
 was WASHINGTON'S cafe exactly. In his laft illnefs he behaved 
 with the undaunted firmnefs of a foldier, and the calm refigna- 
 tion of a chriftian. 
 
 - The inflamation in his throat was attended with great pain, 
 which he bore with the fortitude that became him. He was, once 
 or twice, heard to fay thai, had it pleafed God, he fliould have^ 
 been glad to die a little eafier ; but that he doubted not that it 
 was for his good. 
 
 Every hour now fpread a fadder gloom over the fcene. De- 
 fpair fat on the faces of the phyficians ; for they faw that their 
 art had failed. The ftrength of the mighty was departing from 
 him ; and death, with his fad harbingers, chills, and palenefs, 
 was coining on apace. 
 
( 79 ) 
 
 Mount Vernow, which had long {hone above all families, the 
 Queen of elegant joys, was now about to fuffer a fad eclipfe ! an 
 Eclipfe, which would foon be mournfully vifible, not only through 
 the United States but throughout the world. 
 
 An awful filence prevails throughout the fpacious dwelling* 
 The big grief has fealed every lip and darkened every counte- 
 nance. His fervants are now about to lofe their long loved maf- 
 ter and protector; and his friends to bid a laft adieu to the en- 
 dearing fociety of the greateft andbeft of human kind. Their fa- 
 ces are fwollen with weeping, and torrents of bitter tears roll 
 down their cheeks. But tho' bitter, yet {hallow are their ftreams 
 of forrow, when compared with that flood of unutterable woe, 
 which overwhelms the foul of his life's dear companion. Blefs'd 
 with a foul capable of loving an angel fpirit inhabiting the nobleft 
 form, {he had given her heart and hand to her WASHINGTON in 
 early life. Forty happy years had they lived together like two 
 lovers joined in wedlock. Every year, fweet as it rolled al'ong, 
 marked .their ever-growing loves Loves, which, fed by mutual 
 tendernefs and virtue, were continually afcending with a bright- 
 er flame, nearer and nearer to their native {kies Loves, which 
 by a forty years intergrowth, were become fo incorporated, as to 
 render each a part of the others self. O ! how heart breaking !- 
 How foul rending the feparation I But the hour of feparation is 
 come ! She can keep her WASHINGTON no longer 1 He, whofe com- 
 pany was the perpetual feaft of her foul, mull now be taken from 
 her ! That voice which was fweeter to her car than the mufic 
 of fongs, {hall charm her ear no more. She fhall fpeak to him 
 but he will not anfwer. The echo of her voice will frighten her 
 own foul. That face which was welcomer to her eyes than the 
 ftreaks of the morning, {hall rejoice her eyes no more. She {lull 
 awake in the morning ; but {hall not fee him She lhallfeek him 
 early ; but {hall not find him. The place where her beloved lay, 
 will be empty : The heavinefs of her heart returns ; her tears ct* 
 grief roll down. 
 
 Great, honoured Lady ! what but the arm of the mighty God 
 of Wafliington, could have fupported thee in that difmal hour of 
 darknefs and diftrefs ! And he did fupport thee. The confola- 
 tions of religion were thine ; and her confolations are mighty. 
 Oft had thy WASHINGTON reminded thee, when the tear fwelled 
 in thine eye, and the figh of thy bofom arofe at the thought of 
 parting ; oft had he reminded thee of thofe blifsful {hores, where 
 the fouls of the virtuous, efcaped from the forrows of mortality, 
 {hall soon meet again, infinitely improved ; and there in the pre 
 i'ence of HIM WHO MADE THEM, (hall pluck and eat toge- 
 ther in communion fweet, the rich fruits of eternal life. 
 
 Sons 
 
) 
 
 Sons and Daughters of Columbia ! gather yourfelves together, 
 arouftid the bed of your fallen hero ; around the bed of him to 
 whom ' under God) you and your children are indebted for the 
 richefl bleflings of life. Whe'n Jofeph r the great prime minifter 
 of Egypt, heard that his ^ffjfcfayv^Father was fick, he haftened 
 up to fee him, and fell on his neck, and luffed him and wept. Jo- 
 feph had never received fuch fervices from Jacob, as you have 
 received from WASHINGTON. But we call you not to weep for 
 WASHINGTON. We aik you not to view thofe eyes, now funk 
 and hollow, which formerly darted their lightening-flaihes againft 
 your enemies ; nor to feel that heart, now faintly-labouring, 
 which formerly throbbed with more than mortal joys, when he 
 law the young heroes of Columbia, rufliing on in rattling fteel to 
 charge the foe ? nor to mark that arm, now feeble, which fo of- 
 ten waved the fiery circled fwordof war, pointing where the roar 
 of battle fhould begin. No, we call you not to weep but to revere. 
 
 The Great Star, lighted up of God, to lead America to free- 
 dom, is now fetting, but he fets in glory. He looks back on pad 
 life, as on a goodly field, which his own induftry, under the di- 
 vine bleffing, has it re wed thick with richeH fruits and flowers. 
 He looks forward with joy to thofe brighter fcenes, which God 
 lias prepared for the fpirits of the juft. None ever ated better up 
 to his great character, in life ; and none ever fuftained its 
 clofing icenes with more dignity and grace. The fummer even- 
 ing Iky was not more ferene and placid than his countenance ; 
 while his reafon was elevated and clear as the pure arch of heaven. 
 
 With what compofure did he endure the violence of his pains ! 
 With what expreilive compofure did he utter tby will be done ! 
 Even when the coldfweats hung on his brow, his eye fpoke com- 
 placency, and a noble philofophic joy, fat fmiling on his face. 
 
 Feeling,that the hour of his departure out of this world was at 
 hand ; he defired that every body fhould quit the room. They all 
 went out; and according to his wiih, left him with his God. 
 
 There, by himfdf, like Mofes alone on the top of Pifgah, he 
 feeks the face of God. There by himself, {landing as on the -aw- 
 ful boundary that divides time from eternity thatfeparates this 
 world from the nest, he cannot quit the long frequented haunts 
 of the one, nor launch away into the untried regions of the o- 
 thcr, until (in humble imitation of the world's great Redeemer) 
 he has poured forth into the bofom of his God, thofe flrong fenia- 
 tions, which the folemnity of his lituation naturally fuggeited. 
 
 With what angel fervour did he adore that Almighty Love, 
 which though inhabiting the heaven of heavens, yet deigned to 
 wake his Sleeping duft framed him fo fearfully in the womb 
 Buffed him on a tender mother's breast watched his heiplefs in- 
 fancy 
 
f 81 ) 
 
 faticy-^guarded his heedlefs youth preferved him from the do T 
 minion of his paffions infpired him with the love of virtue led 
 him fafely up to man and, from inch low beginnings, advanced 
 him to fuchunparallellediiiefulnefs and glory among men ! Thefej 
 and ten thoufand other precious gifts heaped on him, unaiked, 
 inanv of them long before he had the knowledge to afk for them ; 
 overwhelmed his foul with gratitude unutterable, exalted to infi- 
 nite heights, his ideas of eternal love, and bade him without fear,- 
 to reiign his departing fpirit into the arms of his redeemer God, 
 whofe mercies are overall his works. 
 
 He is now about to leave the great family of man, in which 
 he has fo long fojourned as a brother ! His cheeks are bathed with 
 tears, the yearnings of his foul are over his brethren ! How fer- 
 vently does he adore that goodnetfi which enabled him to be fo 
 ierviceable to them ! That grace, which preferved him from 
 hurting them by violence or by fraud ! How fervently does he 
 pray that the uninjuring, unsujfering kingdom of God may comc^ 
 and that the Earth may be filled witrrtheVicheft fruits of righte- 
 oufnefs and of peace. 
 
 He is now about to leave bis country! that dear {pot which 
 gave him birth that dear fpot for which he has folong watched 
 and prayed, fo long toiled and fought; and whofe beloved chil- 
 dren he has fo often fought to gather, even as a He'n gathereth 
 her Chickens under her wings. He fees them now fpread abroad 
 like flocks in goodly pa (lures ; like favored Ifrael in the land of 
 promife. He remembers how God, by a mighty hand, and by an, 
 out-ftretched arm, brought them and their fathers into this good 
 land, a land flowing with Milk and Honey ; and bleffed them 
 with the bleffings of Heaven above, and of the Earth beneath ; 
 with the bleffings of LIBERTY and of PEACE, of RELIGION and of 
 LAWS, above all other people He fees, that, through the rich 
 mercies of God, they have now the precious opportunity to make 
 their Country the GLORY of the Earth, the blessed among nations^ 
 and a refuge for the poor and for the outcafts of all lands ! Thy 
 tranfporting fight of fuch a cloud of bleffings, trembling clofe o- 
 ver the heads of his Countrymen, together with the diftreffina; 
 uncertainty whether they will put forth their hands and enjoy 
 them, lhakes the parent foul of WASHINGTON with feelings too 
 Itrong for his dying frame. The laft tear that he is ever to fhed, 
 now fteals into his eye, while a deep groan iflues from his burft- 
 ing heart. 
 
 Feeling now, that the filver cord of life is loofing, and that his 
 fpirit is ready to quit her old companion the body, he extend* 
 himfelfon his bed, clofes his eyes, for the last time, with his owii 
 bands, folds his arms decently on his breaft, then breathing out 
 
 K with 
 
with his laft parting breath, " Father cf Mercies ! Save my 
 Country Comfort the broken-hearted Partner of my Soul I and 
 take me to thyself" he fell afleep. 
 
 May that God whom thou fervedft, O WASHINGTON ! hear 
 the voice of thy prayer 1 May thy bleffings in death prevail for 
 thy country, flill above the blefoings of thy life ; even unto the 
 utmoft bounds of the everlafting hills may they defcend on Co- 
 lumbia, and on the lands where Wafhington was born ! 
 
 Loud were the burfls of grief, and many the tears that were 
 Ilied, when the fall of Wafhington was known ; but in the ear of 
 wifdovn a voice was heard from his awful {hade u Children of 
 Columbia, " weep not for me .'" My ftrcaming eyes are clofed in 
 death ; my throbbing heart fliall beat no more. With me, the 
 florins of life are past, and I am at reft But, weep for yourselves." 
 
 " The men of love and moderation fail in your land. Wrath 
 stiring gazettes are in full circulation. Jealoufies and hatreds 
 prevail. Difcontents abound. The red {'word of war hangs 
 fearfully over your country ; and the demons of pride and ambi- 
 tion will fa on' draw it down. Then fliall your enemies rejoice 
 to fee you perifli by mutual wounds, and fall an eafy prey into 
 their felfifli and cruel fnares I Children of Columbia ! Weep not 
 for me, weep for yourfelves. O that you were wife ! that you 
 did but fee, even in this your day, the things that belong to your 
 peace, before they be forever hid from your eyes"! ! 
 
 Here on angel 'wings, the brightening faint afcended. Far and 
 wide the air was filled with fragrance ; while voices more than 
 human were heard warbling through the happy regions, hymning 
 the great poffeflion towards the gates of Heaven. His glorious 
 coming was feen far off; and myriads of mighty angels haftened 
 forth, with golden harps, to welcome the honoured ftranger. High 
 in front of the fliouting hofts were feen the beauteous forms of 
 FRANKLIN, WARREN, MERCER, SCAMMEL, and him who fell at 
 Quebec, with all the virtuous patriots who on the fide of Colum- 
 bia, toiled or bled for liberty and truth. But, O ! how changed 
 from what they were when in their days of flefh, bathed in fweat 
 and blood, they fell at the parent-feet of their weeping country! 
 Not the homeliefl infant fuddenly fpringing into a foul-enchant- 
 ing Hebe Not dreary winter, deformed with ice and fnows, fud- 
 denly brightening into fpring with all her bloom and fragrance, 
 ravilhing'the fenies, could equal fuch glorious change. O where 
 are now their wrinkles and grey hairs ? Where their ghaftly 
 wounds and clotted blood ? Their forms are of the flature of 
 angels. Their robes are like the morning cloucis ftreaked with 
 waving.gold. The ftars of Heaven, like crowns glitter on their 
 heads. Immortal youth, celestial rofy red, fits blooming on their 
 
 cheeks ; 
 
cheeks ; while infinite benignity and love'beam from their eyes. 
 Such were the forms of thy fons, O Columbia 1 fuch the brother 
 band of thy martyred faints, that now poured forth from heaven's 
 wide opening gates, to meet thy WASHINGTON; to mee't their 
 beloved chief, who, in the days of his mortality, had led their 
 embattled fquadions to the war. At the fight of him, even thefe 
 blessed spirits feem to feel new raptures ; and to look more daz- 
 zlingly bright. In joyous throngs they pour around him ; they 
 devour him with their eyes of love ; they embrace him in tranf- 
 ports of tendernefs unutterable ; while, from their rofeate cheeks, 
 tears of joy, fuch as Angels weep, roll down. 
 
 Oppreffed with exquifite blifs of such honours paid for a mo- 
 ments virtue on earth, he turned haftily around ; he fought once 
 more to exhort his countrymen to virtue ; to union ; and to love. 
 But it' could not be this dark planet, this bedlam of the uni- 
 verfe is feen no more. Millions of mighty worlds roll between. 
 In silent extacy be adores. " Happy ioul," the fhining hoft ex- 
 claims, u happy foul, this is but the' beginning of thy joys." 
 Then on they l$d him with fliouts, and with rapture-fvvelling 
 ftrains of ten thbufand thoufand harps, to the throne of God ; 
 whence, from a cloud of gold, fweeter than mufic, the almighty 
 voice was heard, u Servant of God, well done ! faithful has been 
 thy warfare on earth ! for the sorrows of a moment receive now the 
 joys of 'eternity ." 
 
 All that followed, was too much for the over-dazzled eye of 
 imagination. She was feen to return, her fnowy bofom quick 
 panting, and with the difordered looks of a fond mother near 
 fwooning, at fudden fight of a long abfent fon, now raifed to 
 kingly honours. She was heard paflionately to utter, with palms 
 and eyes lifted to Heaven. u who can count the stars ofjacob^ 
 or number the fourth part of the bleflings of Israel? O let me 
 die the death of WASHINGTON, and let my latter end be like 
 his." 
 
 Thou great and honored lady I who fitteft alone and darkling 
 in thy houfe of mourning. Suffer me, who, in common with ail 
 America, look up to thee with filial affeclion, as to the dear last 
 remaining part of all that lives of our WASHINGTON on the 
 earth ; fuffer me to entreat thee to be comforted. What eouldft 
 thou have desired for thy Wafhington, of riches, honours, and 
 ufefulnefs in life, of peace and hope in death ; of glory, honour, 
 and immortality in heaven, -which God has not heaped on him ? 
 What could heaven and earth, what could God, angels and men 
 have done more for him than has been done? fince God has giv- 
 en ihee much, for thy beloved he requires much, even the ac- 
 ceptable facrifice of thy gratitude and refignation. 
 
 But 
 
But" that infinite wifdom forbids, foon would thy Wafliingtaa, 
 at % theTolemn midnight hour, glide into thy chamber like one of 
 thofe flaming fpirits which watch, unfeen, the (lumbers of the 
 juft. Soon would he draw afide thy curtain, and looking on thee 
 as pitying angels look on weeping faints, would fay u O Mar- 
 tha! O my beloved friend I why doft thou mourn for me ? In the 
 days of my trial I Was faithful to Heaven, to love, and to thee j 
 and I am happy, happy beyond all that thou canft think or afk. 
 God has taken me away forever from the evils of life, from the 
 evils of fad-declining age, and the ftill greater evils, of feeing 
 thine or my country's woes. God has wiped all tears from mine 
 eyes ; wouldft thou, with cruel kindnefs, bring me back to this 
 valley of tears ? I breathe in regions of eternal light and ///>, 
 wouldft thou recall me to this land of darknefs and of death? 
 Oh! my beloved friend! my Martha! my wife! Exalt thy 
 thoughts to eternity, and finifli with joy, that fliort tafk of duty, 
 that now remains to thee. Yet a little while, and we {hall meet 
 again ; we fliall meet to renew that love that {hall never know an 
 end, and to celebrate thofe nuptials which fliall laft forever." 
 
 Blefled above women! Thou waft, for forty years, the loving 
 and beloved companion of our WauYington. Even in the largeft 
 company, thy converfe, often fondly fnatched, was ftill the moft 
 endearing to him, and a feat by thy iide the moft delightful. His 
 children will not fuffer their father's fide to be widowed. Soon 
 as thy days are numbered, with pious hands, they will place thee 
 by his lide. Then will the tears of millions flow. Yes, Dear 
 honoured pair ! The tears of your countlefs children fliall water 
 your tomb. The gorgeous monument, with time-defying gran- 
 deur, fliall arife, fpeaking Columbia's gratitude ; and the eyes of 
 generations, yet unborn, fliall read of your deeds, your VIRTUES, 
 and your LOVE They fliall read, while the tender forrow rolls 
 down their penfive cheeks, 
 
 Here lie, interred, all that could die 
 
 of 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 and 
 
 MARTHA, his Wife. 
 They were lovely in Life, and in Death, 
 
 They were not divided, 
 Heirs of Immortality ! Rejoice For their Virtues, 
 
 their Honours, maybe yours. 
 " Honor and fliame from no condition rife, 
 a A61 well your part, there all the honour lies. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
WASHINGTONIANA: 
 
 A 
 
 COLLECTION OF PAPERS 
 
 RELATIVE TO THE 
 
 DEATH AND CHARACTER 
 
 OF 
 
 General George Washington^ 
 
 WITH A CORRECT COPY OF HIS 
 
 Laft Will and Teftament; 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED 
 
 His Legacy to the People of America^ 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 TO RECORD THE ACTIONS' OF THE DEAD FOR THE 
 FIT OF THE LIVING. 
 
 FROM THE BLANDFORD PRESS, 
 
 AND 
 
 nr ROSS & DOUGLAS, PETERSBURG R> AND ET 
 
 BOOKSELLERS IN VIRGINIA. 
 
t, 
 e\ 
 v: 
 
 Wi 
 
 O 
 ci 
 
 t' 
 
TO 
 
 THE CITIZENS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, 
 The Country of Washington, 
 
 THIS 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 is 
 
 RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 
 (zdtioro* 
 ; 
 
ODE. 
 
 HOW happy he, who finks to reft, 
 By all regretted, lov'd, and bleft ! 
 For him th' affli&ed melts in woe, 
 For him the widow's tears ihall flow ; 
 For him the orphan's pray'rs mail rife, 
 And waft his fpirit to the fkies ! 
 To deck his grave, fhall Virtue bring 
 Th' earlieft tribute of the fpring; 
 And Friendmip, weeping, ihall repair 
 To plant her mournful cyprefs there ; 
 V/hilft in our hearts we'll raife a tomb, 
 Round which immortal wreaths fhall bloom! 
 
 Then let FUATERNAL Love attune the lyre, 
 And fnatch a ray of Genius' facred fire ; 
 Whilft the fad ftrain, in foft and folemn lays, 
 Dwells on his merit, and records his praife ; 
 Let the full chord to yon blue ajrch arife, 
 ' Our WASHINGTON'S tranflated to the fkies !" 
 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 J[T having been fuggefted to the Editors, to print 
 an Edition of General WASHINGTON'S Will, it 
 occurred to them, that to accompany it with cer- 
 tain papers in the form of a journal, or narrative, 
 of the various circumftances attending the death, 
 and illuftrative of the character of, that celebrated 
 Perfonage, would make the publication more ac- 
 ceptable, certainly much more ufeful to his country- 
 men. 
 
 Accordingly they here refpedfully prefent to 
 the Public, a fmall Collection, which, altho' too 
 haftily executed, they hope, appears in fuch a fhape 
 as may be thought not unworthy of prefervation in 
 the Book-cafe or the Library, for the purpofe of 
 pccafionally referring to, either as a Remembran- 
 cer, or an Inftruftor. 
 
 But, as they advanced in the work, they per- 
 ceived the magnitude of the undertaking This, 
 therefore, is only a fpecimen of what they think 
 fliould be executed on a larger fcale. The mate- 
 rials are abundant, but they want feledion and ar- 
 rangement Every thing performed, or written, 
 ^WASHINGTON, is eftimable, and ought to be 
 
 pre- 
 
r vi 3 
 
 preferved i whilft every thing faid o/him, however 
 well meant, is not, it muft be confefled, of equal 
 importance. * From the heterogeneous mafs, a 
 bold, a difcrlminating, and an impartial hand might 
 produce a volume of the moft interefting nature 
 it would be a rich and valuable difplay of fmgular 
 virtue on one fide, and of univerfal veneration on 
 the other. 
 
 Such a compilation would contradicl the dogmas 
 of certain Churchmen, " that all men by nature 
 are corrupt" It would do more ; it would falfify 
 the injurious aflertion of certain European States- 
 men, " that there is neither Republican virtue, nor 
 Republican gratitude !" 
 
 If General WASHINGTON had never written 
 any thing elfe than his Will, that, alone, muft have 
 raifed him high in the eftimation of his Country. 
 Divefted of technical terms, and profeflional forms, 
 in this interefting inftrument, he bequeaths his large 
 property, in a variety of items, with all the pre- 
 cifion of a profound Civilian, clothed in the lan- 
 guage of an accomplifhed Scholar And, his pro- 
 vifion for the future inftruction of the youth of A- 
 merica, whiift it demonftrates the goodnefs of his 
 heart, proves the fmcerity of his'patriotifm. If 
 any of his countrymen ever fufjfedted, or affected 
 to fufpeft, the purity of his motives, let them read 
 
 his 
 
 * Wafliington, like every other great, or fortunate man, had his 
 flatterers And it is obfervable, that forae of his moft unqualified Eu\ 
 logists latterly, were, formerly, enemies both to him &nd his caufe* 
 
E /" r 
 
 his Will, and they will be convinced of their mif* 
 take, or afhamed of their fufpicion. 
 
 To render this Collection ftili more ufeful and 
 important, the Editors have added PrefidentW AS H- 
 INGTON'S Farewell Addrefs on his retiring from 
 all public employments This may emphatically 
 be called " The Father's Legacy to his Children,'" 
 never, it is hoped, to be forgotten or contemned by 
 the fons of Columbia. Let it be written in cha- 
 racters of gold, and hung up in every houfe ; let 
 it be engraven upon tables of brafs and marble, 
 and, like the facred Law of Mofes, be placed in 
 every Church, and Hall, and Senate Chamber of 
 this fpacious Continent, for the inftrucYion not 
 only of the prefent, but of all future generations 
 of Americans. 
 
 To this truly interefting Paperevery line of 
 which contains a ufeful precept, or an imp3rtant 
 truth we have prefumed to add a few Notes but 
 its belt commentary, its moft ufeful expofition, will 
 be the Hiftory of England, that rich and inexhauft- 
 ible mine of amufement and inftrucYion. * 
 
 The 
 
 From a clofe and impartial examination of the hiftory, the laws, 
 and the conftitution of that wbnderful Nation, ahnoft every thing nc- 
 ceffary to human knowledge may be obtained. And many obvious 
 teafons point out the neceffity of both the Governors and the People 
 of thefe States keeping a watchful eye upon the motions of that pow- 
 erful and ambitious Government,! whether it be to avoid her political 
 vices, .or to imitate her national virtues. It 
 
 t As Vanity is the fault of individuals, ambition is the vice of na- 
 tions. Greece made conquers in Afia, and Rome fubdued the world 
 We ourfelves have feen republican France, forgetting juftice and her 
 wn principle, ravaging and bartering the neighbouring nations; ?xjd 
 
 Eng- 
 
t vin ] 
 
 The Preacher hath faid, " that in every thing 
 there is a moral" Here, in the death of this great 
 and fortunate Man, there is a linking one It fhews 
 that neither riches, nor rank, nor fame, can fave 
 from the grave, to which we are all haftening but 
 it aifo fhcws, how much virtue, and the recollec- 
 tions of a weil-fpent life, can afluage the pangs of 
 difeafe, and fweeten the bitternefs of death. It is 
 'true, we cannot all be commanders of armies, or 
 rulers of nations ; but every man, by induftry, eco- 
 nomy, and integrity, can be a ufeful member of 
 fociety every man, by the exercife of thefe vir- 
 tues, can be a Wajhington in his own circle. 
 
 And 
 
 It cannot, therefore, be thought improper to advife the American 
 
 reader to be cautious of the Hiftorian he takes up for perufal It 
 
 unfortunately happens, that what is ufually called the beft Hiftory of 
 England, was written by an avowed Tory and a profefied enemy to 
 Revelation ! The inquifitive reader will, in general, find the truth to 
 be between Hume the Monarchist and Macaulay the Republican. Both 
 books are neceflary ; the one for purity of ftyle, the other for a ilate^ 
 irent of fa&s. The temperate Clarendon on one fide, and the Whig 
 Bilhop (a fcarce article among Churchmen) Eurnet, on the other, 
 fhould both be confulted. Rapin, a Frenchman, as far as he comes, is 
 a refpe<5lable authority. Smollet, a Scotchman, including the reign of 
 George II. relates many intercfting occurrences in bold and nervou.i 
 language. And, for the eventful reign of George III. Betfham, as 
 jret, ftands at the head of a long lift of Writers. 
 
 There are many other Engiifh Hiftorians, but the above, according 
 
 to our prefent recolkaion, are the moft effential. 'Henry's Hiftory 
 
 of Great Britain, and Neal's Hiftory of the Puritans, are both necef- 
 fary books for the Library the firft gives an amufing account of an- 
 cient Engiifh and Scotch manneib the fecond will give the people of 
 this country an idea of that hatefi;! thing, Church perfecution. 
 
 England, under the pretext of commerce, wHhes to fubje& both Afia 
 and America to her dominion Thefe are all leffbns to this govern- 
 ment and people One party in this country withes that France was 
 
 overwhelmed ; another, that England was annihilated Miftaken, un- 
 thinking men ! The fafety of thefe jarring States lyes in having the 
 two rival nations fo equally balanced, that neither ftiall predominate. 
 
 
I ix ] 
 
 And ye, VIRGINIANS, who juftly boaft that 
 WASHINGTON is your Countryman whether ye 
 be legiflators of the people, fathers of children, or 
 mailers of fervants obey his precepts, follow his 
 example, and behold by what means he attained 
 the fummit of Fame and Fortune. And, if the 
 folemn warning of an ancient Philofopher be ne- 
 ceflary as a ftimulus, liften to one who felt and la- 
 mented the fatal effects of vice, licentioumefs, and 
 anarchy ; who, when he faw the Roman Republic 
 become the prey of craft and ambition, cried, " I 
 " now perceive, that a people without virtue may 
 " attain Liberty, but, without virtue, they cannot 
 
 /* /* * 
 
 *' preferve it, ' 
 
 
 !n 
 
 
 
rr SKETCH 
 
 HUMBLY OFFERED BY WAY OF 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 GrEORGE WASHINGTON, we are informed, was 
 born on the 22d of February 1732, in Stafford County ia 
 the State of Virginia, and was the third fon of Auguftus 
 Wafh'mgton ; he was the fecond fon of a fecond marriage. 
 It does not appear that his education was either clafll- 
 cal or very extenfive ; a knowledge of the Engfifli lan- 
 guage, with a portion of Geography and the Mathema- 
 tics, feem to have been the whole of his juvenile improve- 
 ments. Altho' his grammatical inftru&ions could not b 
 very accurate, he, notwithflanding, attained, by dint of 
 flu<ty and obfervation, a proficiency in the writing of 
 Engltfh, fmocth, uniform, and even elegant, that has 
 extorted the approbation of the moft faftidious Critics. 
 And he is an eminent proof, that a man may become an 
 able Genera! * without having read Cefar in the original, 
 and a profound 1 Politician without having flodied either the 
 Greek or Roman Authors. After 
 
 * It Is related as an interefting fa&, derived from refpeftable au- 
 thority, f that when only 15 years of age, he difcovered fo ftrong a 
 propenfity to a martial life, that his father had refolved to place him 
 in the naval fervice of England; but that, at the earneft entreaties of 
 
 his mother, this dellination was relinquiftied. If this intention hud 
 
 been fulfilled, it is probable, that Wafhington would have fought a- 
 gainst America, not for her. And we may exercife our imagina- 
 tion in conje&uring, what would have been the iffue of the American 
 
 war in fuch a cafe ? But no doubts will be entertained on this fub- 
 
 jecl, if we give a believing ear to the high-flown rhapfodires of certain 
 Eulogists, who feem determined " to praife without meafure, and 
 without bounds !" When 
 
 } See Major JackJfon's Eulogiwm, 
 
After having o.btained fuch an education as his oppor- 
 tunities afforded, Mr. Wafhington, it is faid, aaually com- 
 menced his career in life by becoming a Surveyor, in which 
 profeflion he was noted for his induftry, regularity, and 
 integrity. By a fleady adherence to thefe wife maxims in 
 all the occupations of his life, by regular degrees, he ex- 
 alted himfelf to the higheft pinnacle of Fame. 
 
 In -the year I 753, Mr. Washington was called into a 
 new and hazardous employment. The French and Indi- 
 ans making dreadful depredations upon the weftern fron* 
 tiers, Governor Dinwiddie, cbferving his fpirited but fa- 
 gacious deportment, appointed him to open a negociation 
 of peace with the French General. After a dangerous 
 and fatiguing journey, he executed his commiflion with fo 
 much fidelity and judgement, that he received the unani- 
 mous thanks of the Governor and Council for his able and 
 judicious conduct. 
 
 But the French, notwithstanding their profeflions of 
 peace, continued their encroachments It was then thought 
 neceflary to prepare for war ; Mr. Wafhington was ap- 
 pointed a Major in the Virginian forces, and he was foon 
 after placed ajt the head of a regiment of aboui 400 men.' 
 With this fnaall body, he maintained a brave but unequal 
 conflict with an enemy three times his number, till, at 
 length, at a place called the Little Meadow, after fuftain r 
 ing many fierce attacks, and killing, above 200 of his af- 
 failants, he furrendered to the Count de Villars, who ap- 
 pjauded his gallantry, and allowed him to retire with all 
 the honours of war. In 
 
 When all our Christian prejudices are completely fubdued, when 
 the reign of Theocracy (Mr. Gibbon's elegant Mythology !) fhall re- 
 turn, and th^tt the Americans fhall have erected THEIR Pantheon, we 
 
 Jcnow no man fo defending a ftatue as Wafhington Stich is our 
 
 opinion of him, that we would put him in the fcale againft a legigjj 
 $/ Kings and Emperors, either ancient or modern J 
 
* 
 
 In I755> Col.Wafhington was fummoned to accom- 
 pany Gen. Braddock in his military progrefs by the \\a-y 
 of Will's Creek to Fort du Quefne (now Pittfburgh). 
 The haughty General defpjfed the cautious councils of 
 the American foldier, * and, on the fatal 9th of July, he 
 fell into an ambufh laid for him by the French and Indi- 
 ans Every reader knows the calamitous effe&s of Brad* 
 dock's obflinacy; and that Washington, with his brave 
 Virginians, faved the remains of the Britifh army from 
 biflant death or a cruel captivity. 
 
 |n 1759, Col.Wafhington reiigned his military em- 
 ployments, and entered into the marriage (late f with the 
 widow of Mr. Curtis, with whom he obtained a very con* 
 ftderable eftate. He was now called to the Aflembly, 
 where he ferved his country in a civil capacity. 
 
 In- the year 1775, began that ever memorable conteft, 
 which feparated the then Colonies from the Mother 
 Cqpntty, and in which Gen. Wafliington acted fo confpi- 
 cuous* a part The interefting particulars of this feven 
 
 years 
 
 * Gen. Braddock held the American officers and foldiers in great 
 contempt ; and when Col. Wafhington refpeflfully fuggefted the ne- 
 , cffity of caution in the prefence of a crafty and fanguinary enemy, 
 " High times (he indignantly cried) high times, by G d, when 3 
 " young Buckfldn prefumes to teach a Britim General !" The almoft 
 inftant death of this Britifli General and about 1200 of his men, was 
 the confequence of his pride and temerity. 
 
 f Wafliington had no children If he had, may we hazard a con- 
 je&ure, or a queflion, by afking, If it had been othenvife, whether he 
 \vould have fhewn the fame difintereftednefs in all his political a&ions, 
 
 and what might not a favourite fon have biafed him to do ? Let us 
 
 think of the fond and partial afleaions of a father let us confider 
 human nature and let us look at the hiftory of the world Or, what 
 might not the enthufiaftic admiration of the American people, prompt- 
 ed by fa&ious and defigning men, at certain feafous, have grantee! to 
 
 the fon of their favourite General ? Let us pioufly believe, that the 
 
 Supreme Difpofer of all things has ordered cvii this circuinilance fb? 
 fye general good* 
 
t 
 
 years' hiflory are known, or ought to be known, by every 
 American Citizen., and need not be here repeated Walh- 
 ington has been juftly compared totheRomanFabius; but, 
 his bold and fuccefsful enterprise at Trenton, which form- 
 ed the crifis of the war, and eventually fealed the Inde- 
 pendence of America, fliewed, that, when occafion offered, 
 he could act with the promptitude and firmnefs of Camil- 
 Jus The capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army, which 
 was effected with great fkill and addrefs, eftabliftied his 
 military fam,e, and put a period to the conteft. 
 
 At the conclufion of the war, Gen. Walhington ^ave 
 to the admiring world a g'orious example of virtue and 
 felf denial, by refigning his military command into the 
 hands of Congrefs, which then fat at Annapolis. * Dif- 
 daining the abufe of power, and actuated by the principles 
 of true honour, he did not create himfell a rote^r, a- 
 Dictator, or a Conful, but, dutifully bowing to the legal 
 authority of his Country, he once more became a prh^rte; 
 Citizen, and betook himfelf to the peaceful fhaderof a 
 virtuous retirement. 
 
 When the firft form of general government that had 
 been adopted for thefe States, was found to be weak and 
 ineffectual, George Wafhington again came forward at 
 the call of his Fellow Citizens, arvd \vs one of thofe men 
 who contrived and carried into execution that fyftem of 
 Union and Power, which has fince proved fo beneficial, 
 and over which he was twice unanimoufly elected to pre- 
 fide But the various circumftances which have marked 
 his Presidency, are too recent and too well known to re- 
 quire any notice dr comment in this brief Abitract, 
 
 In 
 
 * It is much to be regretted, that no Painter ever forced and 
 executed tlie defign of perpetuating this truly interefting fcene a 
 fceue vaftly more important than many, ev all of them, tlt^t have lately 
 beer, puffed off upon the public, 
 
In no one thing has the world been fo much deceived, 
 as in the article of what is commonly called Great Men 
 Almoft all of them, upon a nearer and clofer examination, 
 have been found to be, either great knaves or great rob- 
 bers! Not fo the Man whofe character we are now at- 
 tempting to delineate -Whether in public or in private, 
 HE was (till the fame ; and in that humble, but ufeful and 
 honourable employment, a FARMER, he pointed the way 
 to Fortune, v as, in his public capacities, he had pointed the 
 way to Fame ; eminently proving, in his own pei fon, the 
 difference between a fyftcm of induftry, economy, and me- 
 thod, and a courfe of gambling, diflipation, and licenti- 
 pufnefs, 
 
 By his regular and economical conduct, Mr. Wafhing- 
 tc became the mod extenfive and opulent Farmer on the 
 continent. He had about 9000 acres of land attached to 
 his feat of Mount Vernon, where he combined theory 
 with pra&ice, and, by fucceflive improvements, rendered 
 his grounds highly productive ; he is faid to have raifed in 
 one year, 8000 buftiels of wheat, and 10,000 buftiels of 
 corn, Including his houfehold fervants, and thofe who 
 worked upon the farm, he daily maintained about IOQO 
 perfons, all of \vhom moved and acted according to the 
 rules of a ftrict but beneficent fyftem Like a well regu- 
 lated clock, the whole machine moved in perfect time and 
 order The effects were, that he was completely inde- 
 pendent, and died pofiefied of a property worth afyove a. 
 million of dollars. 
 
 With a tali majeftic perfon, and a manly countenance, 
 he had a flrong but well governed mind His perceptions 
 were not quick, but, when once he did take a pofition, it 
 tvas generally well chofen, and firmly adhered to Nei- 
 ther wit nor vivacity brightened his features ; it vras a 
 face of care, of thought, and of caution ; all was calmnefs 
 
 and 
 
f *v I 
 
 and deliberation Wafhington's great forte was priidence, 
 or difcretion ; it covered him like a fhield in the ,hour of 
 danger, and it was his fure guide in the day of* profperity - 
 by this fingle talent, he acquired all his wealth, and obtained 
 all his celebrity. Whilft he fulfilled all the relative du- 
 ties, he was obedient to every temperate rule and every 
 moral principle ; and knowing its vaft importance both to 
 individual and national happinefs, he paid a proper refpect 
 to all the obfervances of Religion. 
 
 Shall we conclude this Sketch by faying, that Wafh- 
 ington was an all-perfect character? No Perfection is 
 not the lot of human nature, or of any created thing 
 Even the Sun has his fpots But who fhall now, with 
 peevifh and uncharitable fcrupulofity, endeavour to fearch 
 for faults in a picture, where the beauties fo far out-num- 
 ber the blemifhes ? And how (hall WE judge of his weak- 
 nefles, when thofe who were neareft to his perfon, were 
 at a lofs hew to diftinguifh them ? -Has he been ac- 
 cufed of parfimony? It was economy, that neceflary 
 quality to every man, by which he obtained that greatd! 
 of all earthly bleflings, independency he dki not, like 
 Cefar, attain the fummit of power by a profufe and artful 
 diftribution of his own and tys country r s treafure, to catch 
 the popular applaufe, and then feat himfelf in the Dicta- 
 tor's chair.- Was he proud ? -His pride was a necef- 
 
 fary dignity of foul, that fet him above little things and 
 
 mean actions, and kept even fycophants at a diftance. 
 
 But, the Britifh Treaty, that worfe than Pandora's Box 
 to America ? When the beft friends of America are di- 
 vided in opinion, and when the ablcft politicians cannot de- 
 cide, the queftion muft be left to the experience of Pof- 
 terity, who, when Prejudice or Partiality fhall no longer 
 bliod or miflead, will pronounce a true judgement - 1 
 " When Faaion is mute, Juftice fhall hold the fcales." 
 
*& POST-SCRIP?. 
 
 Metfiinks I hear the Critics at the foot of the CapitO- 
 Une Mount fuperciHoufly exclaim " Ha ! Mr. Printer, 
 how did you contrive to prefs the Ana into your fervice in 
 the little provincial town of Peter(burgh? Aft you go- 
 ing to turn dauber atfo?" 
 
 Gentlemen, be pleafed to lifien to a few words by 
 way of explanation /Fair words, Citizens; and if you 
 don't like our picture, you need not buy it. 
 
 Ana is a Latin termination, frequently adapted in the 
 titles of books- Am, or Books in Ana, are collections of 
 fnemcrabie fayjngs, or valuable writings, of perfons of 
 wit or learning in different countries and different ages- 
 Thus, the Greeks had their Socratiana y the Italians their 
 Scatigeriaria, the Germans their Lielnitziana, the French 
 their VoHarlana^ and the Englffh their Jofaforiiana, and, at 
 this moment, their Plndariana Why then may not the 
 Americans have their Wafiingtoniana ?* Wafhington was 
 not indeed a man of wit " a Wit's a feather, and a Chief ? a 
 a rod" (you'll find the reft of it in the book) luckily for 
 his countrymen if his countrymen will have the wit to 
 make a good life of the example he was a man of virtue. 
 
 In HIM, the new triumphantly challenges the old 
 
 world for a parallel f He did not pafs the Rubicon 
 and enfiave his country, like Cefar he did not abjure hi* 
 religion to obtain a .kingdom, like Henry the Fourth 
 neither ambitious nor hypocritical, he did not overturn a 
 rifmg Republic, [ike Cromwell nor did he create himfelf 
 a Dictator for ten years, like Buonaparte. V. 
 
 * The doings, and Takings, and writings of Dr,Franklin a genius 
 of another caft^-are, perhaps, more exa&ly fuited to the Aria.ln fu- 
 tute times, the reputation of this wonderful man will ftand high with 
 the -vvnole civilized world, if the world does not take a retrograde mo- 
 ttoni, _ Fortunate America! to have two fuch great Men to guide 
 and .inftruft you in your political infancy Criminal America! if you 
 forget or contemn the Ihining lights of two fnch brilliant luminaries. 
 
 f See the excellent Addrefs of the Senate to the Prefident, p. 16. 
 
 \ 
 
Collectanea Wq/hmgtontana ; 
 
 O R, 
 
 PAPERS 
 
 RELATIVE TO THE DEATH OF 
 
 tr aatiMia 
 
 ALEXANDRIA, Dec. 16", 1800. 
 
 IT is our painful duty Erft to announce to our country, 
 and to the world, >the death of General GEORGE? 
 WASHINGTON. This mournful event occured laft Sa- 
 turday evening about 1 1 o'clock ; he died after a fevere 
 illnefs of only 23 hours. The diforder which caufed his 
 death is called by fome the Croupe, by others an inflam-* 
 matory Quinfey, a difeafe lately fo mortal among children 
 in this place, and, I believe, not until this year known to 
 attack perfons in the years of maturity. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 19. 
 
 On Saturday the i4th inft. died at his feat in Virginia, 
 General GEORGE WASHINGTON, Commander in Chief 
 of the Armies* and late Prefident of the Congrefs, of the 
 United States of America mature in years, covered with 
 glory, and rich in the aflTe&ions of a free people and the 
 admiration, of the whole civilized world. 
 
2 COLLECTANEA 
 
 When men of common chara&er are fwept from the 
 theatre of life, they die without the tribute of public con- 
 cern, as they had lived without a claim to public efteem 
 But, when Perfonages of great and exalted worth are fum- 
 mpned from this fublurary fcene, their death calls forth a 
 burft of general regret, and invigorates the flame of public 
 gratitude. In obedience, therefore, to the united voice of 
 their Country, the Poet, the Orator, and the Uiftorian, 
 \vill combine to do juftice to the character of this illuftri- 
 ous PATRIOT ; whihl: tfie ingenious labours of the Sculp- 
 tor, the Statuary, and the Painter, will unite in perpetu- 
 ating the virtues of THE MAN OF THE AGE. 
 
 Mourn, COLUMBIA, mourn! Thy Father and Pro- 
 tector kno more ! Mourn, Reader, of whatever kindred, 
 tongue, or clime thou be, tJiy Friend, the Friend of Man 
 and of Liberty, is gone ! The Hero, the Sage, the Patri- 
 ot, this glorious emanation of the Deity, is carried back to 
 the bofom of his God! The recording Angel has enre- 
 giftered his virtuous deeds in Heaven, and the name of 
 WASHINGTON will live for ever ! 
 
 From Vernon r s Mount, behold, the fievo rifeT 
 Refplendent Forms attend him thro' the Ikies ! 
 The (hades of war-worn Veterans round him throng-, 
 And lead, emvrapt, their honour'd Chief along ! 
 A laurel wreath th' immortal WARREN bears, 
 An arch triumphal MERCER'S hand prepares;. 
 Voung LAURENCE, et& th' avenging bolt of war, 
 With port majeiiic guides the glittering car ; 
 MONTGOMERY'S godlike form dire&s the \vay r 
 And GREEN unfcjds the gates of endlefs day; 
 Whilft Angels, " trumpet tongu'd," proclaim thro' air, 
 Due Honours for THZ FIRST or MEN prepare \ 
 
N IAN A- 3 
 
 \ 
 
 A Gentleman, who is returned from Mount VcnMi^ 
 
 has furniflied us with the foljowing particulars relative to 
 the death of General WASHINGTON ; 
 
 " The Genera^ a little before his death, had begun 
 feveral improvements on his farm. Attending to fame of 
 tliefe, he probably caught his death. He had in contem- 
 plation a gravel walk on the banks of the Potomack ; be- 
 tween the walk and the river there was to be a fiih pond. 
 Some trees were to be cut down, and others preferved. 
 On Friday, the day before he died, he fpent fome time 
 by the fide of the river, marking the former. There 
 came a fall of f now, which did not deter him from his. 
 purfuit, but he continued till his neck and hair were quite 
 covered with fnow. He fpent the evening with Mrs. 
 Washington, reading the news- papers, which came by 
 the mail that evening ; he went to bed as uftial about nine 
 o'clock, waked up in the night,and found himfelf extremely 
 unwell, but would not allow Mrs. Wafbington to get 
 up, or the fervants to be waked. In the morning, find- 
 ing himfelf very ill, Dr. Craik, of Alexandria, wasfent 
 for. Soon after his arrival the two confulting phyficians 
 were called in, but all would not avail. On Saturday he 
 died. He faict to Col. Lear, a littfe before his death, 
 " bury ine deceritty, and not till two days after rriy de- 
 ceafe." To Dr. Craik he faid, " I die a very hard 
 death-, but I am not afraid to die." -Before he breathed 
 B 2 his 
 
 We diflike this expreflion, as being one often applied to perfons 
 of a very different description from the iljuftrious Character v.'hom we 
 all admire.lf the expreffion is literally related, the General meant, 
 th^t the pains of death were acute and-d4Si=eiHflg but, rrmrk the rioble 
 
4 COLLECTANEA 
 
 his laft, he laid himfeif on his back, placed his hands be- 
 fore him, and clofed his own mouth and eyes. 
 
 tc The General has kept a journal, containing a minute 
 detail of every circumftance of his public life, for thefe 
 many years pad, which no doubt will contain many (ketch- 
 es of the American revolution ; hut the public prints are 
 inaccurate when they fay he has left a profcfled history. 
 This journal, with all his papers, which are very volu- 
 minous, and his library, of about 1 500 volumes, he has 
 left to Judge Bufhrod Washington, his nephew. No one 
 in the United States will make, I prefume, a more judi- 
 cious difpofal of the papers than the Judge. He is a 
 man whofe natural talents are great, and acquirements af- 
 tonifhing. By intenfe fludy he has deftroyed one eye, 
 and is threatened with the lofs of the other. To him a- 
 Jone did the General think proper to leave'the documents 
 of his biography, and from him alone ought we there-* 
 fore to expe<5t an accurate hi (lory of his life," 
 
 <To the Printers cf the ALEXANDRIA News-paper. 
 
 PRESUMING that fome account of the late illnefs and 
 <k-ath of General WASHINGTON, will be generally in- 
 tercfling, and particularly fo to the profeffors and practi- 
 tioners of Medicine throughout America, we rcqueft you 
 to pubiiili the following ftatement. JAMES CR41K, 
 
 ELISHA C. DICK, 
 Some 
 
 confidence of Christian virtue, the glorious reward of a life well fpent ; 
 "I AM NOT AFRAID TO DIE ! "Here the Reader will recoiled 
 the memorable faying of Mr. Addifcn, when en bis death-bed; " Be* 
 kdd (&id he) /jo7v a CHRISTIAN dies.'" 
 
NA. $ 
 
 SOME time in the night of Friday the 131!} inft. hav? 
 ing been expofed to a rain on the preceding day, General 
 \\ T amington was attacked with an inflammatory aSfecYion 
 t>f the upper part of the wind-pipe, called in technical lan- 
 guage, Cynanche Tr ache alls. The difeafe commenced with 
 a violent ague, accompanied with fome pain in the upper 
 and fore part cf the throat, a fenfe- of ftri&ure in the 
 fame part, a cough, and a difficult rather than painful de- 
 glutition, which were focn fuccctded by fever and a 
 quick and laborious refpiration. The neceiTity of bleed 
 letting fuggefting itfclf to the General, he procured < 
 bleeder in the neighbourhood, who took from his arm iii 
 fcbe right, twelve cr fourteen ounces of blood : He would 
 not by any means be prevailed upon by the family to find 
 ibr the attending phyfician till the following niorningy >kiho 
 arrived at Mount Vernon at. about eleven o'clock on Sa- 
 turday. Difcovering'the cafe to be highly alarming, and 
 fcrefeeing the fatal tendency of the difeafej two coniult- 
 ing phyficians were immediately fent for, who arrived,- 
 one at half after three, the ether at four o'clock in the 
 afternoon : In the interim were employed two copious 
 bleedings, a blifter was applied to the part affected, 1 wo 
 moderate dofes -of calomel were given, and an injection 
 was adrniniftered, which operated on the lower inteftine ; 
 but all without any perceptible advantage ; ths refpira- 
 tion becoming ftill more difficult and difireffing. 
 
 Upon .the arrival of the fir ft of the confuliing phyfici- 
 ans, it was agreed, as there were yet no figns of accu- 
 mulation in the Bronchial veflch of the lungs, to try the 
 jefult of another bleeding, when about thirty-two oun- 
 
< COLLECTANEA 
 
 ces of blood were drawn, without the fmalleft apparent 
 alleviation of the difeafe. Yaponrs of vinegar and water 
 were frequently inhaled, ten grains of calomel were giv- 
 en, fucceeded by repeated dofes of emetic tartar, amount- 
 ing in all to five or fix grains, with no other effect than a 
 copious difcharge from the bowels, The powers of life 
 feemed now manifeftly yielding to the force of the difor- 
 der. BliAcrs were applied to the extremities, together 
 with a cataplafm of bran and vinegar to the throat. 
 Speaking, which was painful from the beginning, now be- 
 came almoft impracticable , refpiration grew more and 
 more contra&ed and imperfect, tilf half after eleven 
 o'clock, on Saturday night, retaining the full pofleflictnt 
 of his intellefr, when he expired without a ftruggle. 
 
 He was fully irnpreffed, at the beginning of "his com- 
 plaint, as well as throtigh every fucceeding ftage of it, 
 that its conclufton would be mortal ; fubmittmg to the 
 feveral exertions made for his recovery, rather as a duty, 
 than from any expectation of their efficacy. He confid- 
 ered the of etations of death upon his fyftcm as coeval with 
 the difeafe ; and feveral hours before his deceafe, after 
 repeated efforts to be underftood, fucceeded in expreiTing 
 a deHre, that he might be permitted to die without inter- 
 ruption. 
 
 During the fnort period of his illnefs, he ceconomifed 
 his time, in the arrangement of fuch few concerns as re- 
 quired his attention, with the utmo{l ferenity, and anti- 
 cipated his approaching diflblution with every demon- 
 ilration of that equanimity, for which his whole life has 
 been fo uniformly and Angularly confpicucus, 
 
 The 
 
f 
 
 The fignature of Doctor Guftavus Brown, of Port 
 Tobacco, who attended as confulting Fhyfician, on ac- 
 count of the remotenefs of his reficience from the place, 
 feas not been procured to the foregoing ftatement. 
 
 JAMES CRAIK, 
 Attending Phyfaton* 
 
 ELISHA C. DICK. 
 Ccnfuhing Ptyftcian. 
 
 GEORGE-TOWN, Dec. 20. 
 
 On Wednefday lad the mortal part of 
 THE GREAT-r^the Father of his Country, and the Friend 
 of Man was configned to the filent tomb with folcmn 
 honours and funeral pomp. 
 
 A multitude of people, from many miles round, afTtm- 
 bled at Mount Fernon, the choice abode and laft earthly 
 refidence of its illuflrious Chief. There were the groves, 
 the fpacious avenues, the beautiful fcenery, the noble man- 
 fion but, alas ! its augufi inhabitant was gone! his body 
 indeed was there, but his foul was fled! 
 
 In the long and lofty portico, where oft the Hero walked 
 in all his virtuous glory, now lay the ihrouded corpfe.- 
 The countenance, {till compofed and ferene, feemed to ex- 
 prefs the dignity of that fpirit which fo lately actuated the 
 lifelefs form There, thofe who paid the lad fad honours 
 to the Benefactor of his C9untry, took a laft, fad farewell. 
 
 Near the head of the coffin were infcribed the words 
 &wgeadjudic\um\ about the middle, Gloria Deo ; and, 
 on the filver plate, General George Wajbwgtvn departed this 
 Life \^tli Dec. 1799^ M 68. 
 
 Be- 
 
COLLECTANEA 
 
 Between 3 and 4 o'cock, the found of artillery frdxrf a 
 vefiel in the river firing minute guns, aroufed all our fcr- 
 rowful feelings the body was moved, and a band of mufic 
 with mournful melody, melted the foul into all the ter.der- 
 refs of woe.- T^e proceffion marched in the following 
 crdtr: 
 
 Cavalry, Infantry, and Guard, with arms reverfedj 
 Mufic $ 
 Clergy 
 
 The Generals horfe, wilh his faddle, holder;;, and piftok; 
 Col. Sims, f n ") Col. Gilpin, 
 
 Ramfay, J *3 C Marftelier, 
 
 ^ayne, [ | j Littles 
 
 Mourners ; 
 
 Mafonic Brethren ; 
 
 And, Citizen^. 
 
 When the proceifion arrived at the bottom of the lawn, 
 on the banks of the Potomac k, where the family vault is 
 placed, the cavalry halted, and the infantry marched to- 
 wards the mount and formed in lines ; the Clergy, the 
 Mafonic Brethren, and the Citizens, defcended to the vault, 
 where the Church funeral fervice was performed. 
 
 Three general difcharges by the artillery, cavalry, and 
 infantry, paid the lad tribute of refpecl: to the entombed 
 Commander in Chief of the American Armies. 
 
 The Sun was now fetting Alas, the Son of Glory was 
 fct -No, the.irame of WASHINGTON will live for ever ! 
 
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS. 
 
 HOUSE of REPRESENT ATI?VES. 
 
 Wednesday, Dec. iS. 
 
 This morning General Marshall came into the Houfe 
 apparently much agitated, and addrefied the Speaker 
 in the following words : 
 
 66 Sir, information lias been juft received, that our illuf- 
 trious Fellow Citizen, the Commander in Chief of the 
 American army, and the late Prendent of the United States, 
 is no more. Altho' this diftreifing intelligence is not cer- 
 tain, there is too much reafon to believe its truth. 
 
 "After receiving information of a national calamity fo 
 heavy and afflicting, the Houfe of Reprefentatives can be 
 but ill fitted for public bufmefs. I move you, therefore, 
 that we adjourn." 
 
 The Houfe immediately adjourned as did the Senate. 
 
 Yhurfday) Dec. 19. 
 
 Mr. Marshall addrefled the Chair as follows : 
 " Mr. SPEAKER The melancholy event which was 
 yefterday anounced with doubt, has been rendered but too 
 certain. Our WASHINGTON is no more! The hero, the 
 fage, and the patriot of America the man on whom, in 
 times of danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes were 
 placed, lives now, only in his own great a&ions, and in 
 the hearts cf an afie&ionate and afflicted people. 
 
 "If, Sir, it had even not been ufual, openly to teftify 
 for the memory of. thofe whom Heaven had fe- 
 
50, COLLECTANEA 
 
 Je&ed as its inftruments, for difpenfing good to men, yet, 
 iuch has been the uncommon worth, and fuch the extra- 
 ordinary incidents, which have marked the life of him, 
 
 whole lofs we all deplore, that the whole American na- 
 * * 
 
 tion impelled by the fame feelings, would call with one 
 voice, for a public manifcftation of that forrow which is 
 fo deep atid fo univerfal. 
 
 t <c More than any other individual, and as much as to 
 one individual was poflible, has he contributed to found 
 (his our wide fpreading Empire, and to give to the weftern 
 World its independence and freedom. 
 
 " Having efiefted the great object for which he was 
 placed at the htad of our armies, we have feen him con- 
 verting the fword into the plough-fhare, and voluntarily 
 finking the Soldier in the Citizen. 
 
 " When the debility of our Federal fyftem had become 
 manifed, and the bonds, which connected the parts of this 
 vaft continent, were difibtving, we have feen him the 
 Chief of thofe Patriots who formed for us a ConMitution, 
 which by preferving the Union, will, I truft, fubftantiate 
 ami perpetuate thofe bleflings which our Revolution had 
 promifed to beftow. 
 
 <t In obedience to the general voice of his Country, 
 calling en him to prefide over a Great People, we have 
 feen him once more quit the retirement he loved, and, in 
 a ieafon more Urormy and tempeftuous than war itfelf, 
 with calm and wife determination, purfued the true inte- 
 refts of the Nation, and contribute, more than any other 
 could contribute, to the eftablifliment of that fyflem of 
 policy, which will, I trnft, yet preferve our peace, our 
 honour, and our independence. 
 
WJSH1NGTQNIANA. it 
 
 "Having been twice unanimoufly chofen the Chief 
 Magiftrate of a Free People, we fee him, at a time when 
 his re-election with univerfal fuflrage could not be doubt*' 
 eil, affording Jo the world a rare inftance of moderation, 
 by withdrawing from his high ftation to the- peaceful walks 
 
 * 
 
 cf private life. 
 
 '* However the public confidence may change, and the 
 public affetlions fluctuate with refpeQ: to others, yet, with 
 refpet to him, they have, in war and in peace, in public 
 apd in private life, been as fteady as his own firm mind, 
 and as conftar.t as his own exalted virtues. 
 
 " Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay the kft tribute of re- 
 fpecl: and affection to our departed FriendLet the Grand 
 
 
 
 Council of the Nation difplay fhofe femiments which the 
 Nation fcels.^ -For this purpofe, I hold in my hand fome 
 Refolutions, which I take the liberty of offering to the 
 Houfe." , 
 
 ]Vlr. MarH)all having handed his Refolutions to the 
 Clerk, they were read, and unanimoufly agreed to as 
 follows, viz. 
 
 T> r, , - TT r 
 
 RESOLVED, That this Houfe v/ill \vaiton the Prefident 
 of the United States, in condolence of this mournful event, 
 
 RESOLVED, That the Speaker's chair be (hrouded with 
 black, and that the Members gncl .Officers of the Hou,f<? 
 wear black during the J5e{fy>n. 
 
 RESOLVED, That a Committee, in conjunction with 
 one from the Senate, be appointed to confidcr on the mo(l 
 fuifcable manner of paying hpnour to the memory of the 
 MAN, frft in war, "fir ft in peace, and fir (I in the hearts 
 
 r , . ^ 
 W his vountryrnen. 
 
 C z h 
 
14 COLLECTANEA 
 
 A meflage from the Prefident was received, communi- 
 cating a-Letter from Tobias Lear, Efq. private Secretary 
 to General Washington : 
 
 THE Letter herewith tranfmitted will inform you, that 
 it has pleafed Divine Providence to remove from ibis life, 
 our excellent fellow citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON, by 
 the purity of his character, and a lorg ftries of fervices to 
 his Country, rendered illuftrious through the world. Ij re- 
 mains for an afTe&ionafe and grateful People, in whcfe 
 hearts he can never die, to pay fuitable honour to his me- 
 mory. JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 SIR, Mount Vcrnon, Dec. 1 5, 1 799. 
 
 " I T is with inexpreflible grief, that I have to an- 
 nounce to you, the death of the great and good General 
 WASHINGTON. He died laft evening between 10 and 
 1 1 o'clock, after a fliort illnefs of about 24 hours. Hifc 
 diforder was an inflammatory fore throat, which proceeded 
 from a cold, of which he made but little complaint on Fri- 
 day. On Saturday morning about 3 o'clock he became ill. 
 Dr. Craik attended him in the morning, and Dr. Dick of 
 Alexandria, and Dr, Brown of Port Tobacco, were foon 
 after called in. Every medical afTiflance was offered, hut 
 without the defired effect. His laft fcene correfponded 
 with the whole tenor* of his life Not a groan nor a Com- 
 plaint efcaped him in extreme Hiflrefs With perfect re- 
 fignation, and in full pofleffibh of his reafon, he clofed his 
 well fpent life. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. %* LEAR" 
 
 3te Fvefident of the United States, 
 
WASHING? QW I AN A 
 
 Generals Marflial! and Smith were appointed to wait on 
 the Prefident, to know at v/hat time it woujd.be Conveni- 
 ent to receive the Houfe. 
 
 Generals Marfhal! and Smith having watted on ths 
 Prefident with the .firft Refelution, reported, That the. 
 Prefident would be ready to receive them at one o'clock 
 this day. The Houfe accordingly waited on him. 
 
 The Speaker addrefled the Prefident in the following 
 v/ords : 
 
 SIR, The Houfe of Reprefentatives, penetrated with 
 a deep fenfe of the irreparable lofs fufiained by the Nation, . 
 by the death of that great and gocd Man, the iHuflricus 
 and beloved WASHINGTON, wait en you, Sir> to cxprefs 
 ifccir condolence on this melancholy event. jpf 
 
 To which the Prefident made the following anfwer : , 
 
 . 
 , Gentlemen of the Houfe of Representatives, 
 
 , I Receive with great refpecl and aijecticn, the condo- 
 lence of the Hcjife of Reprefentatives ojn the mefoncholy. 
 and afflicting event in the death of the rnofl illuflrSous and 
 beloved perfonage which this Country ever produced. I 
 fympathize with you with the nation, and withoo,d 
 men ihro* the world^ in this irreparable. lofs fudained by us 
 ail. JOHN AD Am. 
 
 A rnefTage from the Senate announced their concur- 
 rence to the Refolution appointing a joint Committee; 
 and that 7 Members were appointed on their part - 16 
 were appointed from this Houfe. 
 
i* COLLECTANEA 
 
 Monday, Dec. 23. 
 
 Mr. Marfliall made a report from the joint Committee 
 appointed to confider a fuirable mode of commemorating 
 *le death of General Washington. 
 
 He reported the following Refolutions : 
 
 Refolved by the Senate and Houfe of Representatives 
 of the Uoiteji States of America, in Congrefs Aflembled, 
 That a marble monument be ere&ed by the United States 
 at the Capitol of the city of Wafhington, and that the fa^ 
 imly of General Wafliington, be requeued to permit his 
 beefy to be dcpofued under it ; and that the monument be 
 fo deilgned as to commemorate the great evtnts of hi$ 
 military and political life. 
 
 And be it further refofved, That there be a funeral 
 proceffion from Cangrefs Hall, to the German Lutheran 
 Chnrch, 'in memory of Gen. George Wafliington, on 
 Thurfday the 26th inft. and that an oration be prepared 
 at the reqireft of Corgrcfs, to be delivered before both 
 Houfes that day ; and that the Frefident cf the Senate, 
 and Speaker of the Hoiife of Reprefentatives, be defired 
 to requeft one of the Members of Congrefs to prepare 
 ami deliver the fame. 
 
 And be it further refolved, That it be recommended to 
 the people of the United States, to wear crape on their 
 left arm as mourning, for thirty days. 
 
 And be it further refolved, That the Frefident of the 
 Unit-ed States, be rerjrtefted to direcl a copy of thefe Re- 
 foluiions to be tranfmitted to Mrs. Wafhington, alluring 
 her of the profound refpect Congrefs will ever bear to he? 
 jwfon and chara&er, cf their condolence on the late afTe&- 
 
 ing 
 
WASHINGTONIANA. *$ 
 
 ing difpenfation of Providence, and entreating her a(Tent 
 tcr the interment of the remains of General Washington, 
 in the manner cxprefied in the firfl Refolution, 
 
 And be it further refolved, That the Prefidcnt of the 
 United States be requested to iffue his Proclamation, noti- 
 fying to the People throughont the United States the re- 
 commendation contained in the third Refolution. 
 
 Thefe Refoludons pafTed both Homes unanimoufiy. 
 Friday, Dec. 26. 
 
 General Marfliall faid, that Congrefs having attended 
 an oration delivered, at their requeft, on account of the 
 deatn of General Waihington, he prefumed it would be 
 their wiPn, as it was his, that fome fentiment of refpet and 
 approbation ihould be exprefled on the occafion; hethere- 
 fbre made the following motion, which was unanhnoufly 
 Agreed to, vir,. 
 
 The Houfe of Reprefentatives, highly gratified with 
 the manner in which Mr. Lee has performed the fervice 
 afllgned to him, to deliver an oration on the death of 
 .General GEORGE WASHINGTON, and ojefirous of com- 
 municating to their Fellow Citizens, thro* the medium of 
 the prefs, thofe fentiments of refpect for the chara&er, of 
 gratitude fo'r the fervices, and of grief for the death of that 
 illuflrious Perfonage, which, felt by all, have, on this me- 
 lancholy occafion, been fo well expreOed : 
 
 RESOLVED, That the Speaker prcfer.t the thanks of 
 this Houfe to Mr, Lee, for the Oration delivered by him 
 to both Houfes of Congrefs on Thurfday the 26~th inlr. 
 and requeft that he will permit a cspy thereojf to be taken 
 Cor publication. 
 
TlS 
 
 Monday, the Senate fent the following Letter of 
 Condolence to the Prefident of the United States, by a 
 Committee bf its Members: 
 
 *To the PRESIDENT of the- UNITED STATES. 
 
 T H E Senate ef the United States refpeftfully take 
 leave, Sir, to exprefs to you their deep regret for the lo(V 
 their Country fuftains in the death of General GEORGE 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 This event, fi> diitreffing to all our Felfow Citizen?, 
 muff be peculiarly heavy to you, who have long been af*. 
 fachtej with him in Deals of Patriot ifm. Permit us, Sir", 
 to mingle our tears with, yours -on this occafion it is man- 
 ly to weep. To lofe fuch a Man, at fuch a erifis, is no 
 common calamity to the world our Country incurrit 
 her Father. The Almighty Difpofer of human events 
 has taken from us our greatefl: benefactor and ornament- 
 It becomes us to fubrnit with reverence to HIM who 
 * e maketh darknefs his pavilion," 
 
 With patriotic pride, we review the life of our 
 WASHINGTON, and compare him with thofe of other 
 countries, who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient 
 and modern names are diniimfhed before him, ' Greatnefs 
 snd guilt have too often been allied ; but his fame is \vhiter 
 than it is brilliant. The deftroyers of nations ftocd abafli- 
 ed at the maje/ly of his virtue. It reproved the intempe- 
 rance of their ambition, and darkened the fplendour of 
 victory. The fcene is clofed, and we are no longer anxi- 
 ous lead misfortune &culd fully his glory ; he has travel- 
 led on to the end of his journey, and carried with him an 
 
 in- 
 
iVA S H INGTO NIA N A. * 7 
 
 facreafing weight of honour; he has depofited it fafely, 
 -where' Misfortune cannot tarnifh it* where Malice cannot 
 biaft it. Favoured of Heaven, he departed without ex- 
 hibiting the weaknefs of humanity ; magnanimous in death, 
 the darknefs of the grave could not obfcure his brightrtefs. 
 
 Such was theMan whom we deplore. Thanks to God, 
 his glory is confummated - WASHINGTON yet lives on 
 earth in his fpptlefs example- his fpirit is in Heaven ! 
 
 Let his Countrymen cWifecrate the memory of the 
 heroic General, the patriotic Statefman, and the virtuous 
 Sage : let them teach their children never to fcrget, that 
 the Truits of his labours and his example afe their In~ 
 her it one e. 
 
 Tfie PRESIDENT'/ ANSWER. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Senate, 
 
 I Receive, with the mod refpe&ful and affectionate 
 fentiments, in thid impreflive Addrefs, the obliging expref- 
 fions of your regret, for the lofs our (Jountry hasfuftain- 
 cd, in the death of her moft edeemed, beloved and admir- 
 ed Citizen. 
 
 In the multitude of rhy thoughts and recollections on 
 this melancholy event, you will permit me to fay, that 
 I have feen. him in the days of adverfity, in Tome of the 
 fcenes of his deepefl diftrefs, and mofl trying perplexities ; 
 1 have alfo attended him in his bigheft elevation, and moft 
 profpercus felicity, with unifornTadmiration of his wif- 
 liom, moderation, and conftancy. 
 
 Among all our original aflbciates < in that memorable 
 of the Continent in 1774, which firft exprefTed the 
 D So- 
 
tff I COLLECTANEA 
 
 SOVEREIGN WILL OF A FREE NATION IN AMERICA, 
 lie was the only one remaining in the GeneralGovemr.ent. 
 Although witli a conftitution more enfeebled than his, at 
 an age when he thought it necefTary to prepare for retire- 
 ment, I feel my fell" alone, bereaved of my laft brother ; 
 yet I derive a ftrong confolation from the unanimous dif- 
 pofition which appears in all ages and clafTes, to mingle 
 their forrcws with mine, on this common calamity to the 
 world. 
 
 The life of cur WASHINGTON cannot fufler by a 
 comparifon with thofe of other countries, who have been 
 moft celebrated and exalted by Fame. The attributes and 
 decorations of Royalty, could only have ierved to ecliplc 
 the rvfajefty of thofe virtues which made him, from being 
 * modeft Citizen, a more refplendent luminary. IViisfor- 
 tvme, had he lived, could hereafter have fuilied his glory 
 only with thofe fuperficial minds, -who, believing " that 
 chara&ers and'acTions are marked by fuccefs alone," rare- 
 Jy deferve to enjoy it. Malice could never blafl his honor, 
 and Envy made Him a fingular exception to her unive-rfal 
 ru ] e For himfrlf he had lived enough to Life and to 
 dory For his Fellow Citizens, if their prayers could 
 luve'been 'anfwered, he would have been immortal For 
 tne, his departure is at a moil: unfortunate moment. Trial- 
 ing, however, in the wife and righteous dominion cf [TO-, 
 vidence over the paffions of men, and the .refults of their 
 councils and 'actions, as well as over their lives, no thing- 
 remains for me but humble refignation, 
 
 His example is now complete, and it will teach wif- 
 dcm and virtue -to Magiftrates, Citizens, and Men, not 
 only in the preient.age, but in future -generations, as long 
 as our hiftory fliall be read If a Trajan found a Pliny, a 
 Marcus Aurelius can never want biographers, eulogUUJ 
 or hiftorians. ~JOHN ADAMS, 
 
 United States, a^d Dec. 1 799, 
 
On Monday the 8th of January, the Prefident fent thq 
 following Letters to CcngrcTs : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Senate, and 
 
 Genthmen / M? Honfe of Reprtfentafiver, 
 
 I N compliance with the requefl in one of the Refolutionf 
 (fCcngrefs of the 2 \jl of December la ft 9 I tranf milled a 
 fopy ofthojje RefoJut'ions by my Secretary , Mr. Shaw, to Mrf. 
 Waftington, ajffuring her of the profound refpcR Congrefs 
 witt ever bear to her perfon and character of their condol- 
 ence in the late affljfling difpenfation of Providence, and en* 
 treating her affent to the interment of the remains of General 
 GKORGE WASHINGTON in the manner exprejfed in the 
 frjl Refolution. J!s the fennimentf sf that virtu'AtsJLady, 
 not lefs beloved by this Nation, than foe is at prefent greatly 
 affiicled, can n$ver be fo well expreffed as in her own words, 
 1 tranfmit to Congrefs her original Letter, 
 
 It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to make any 
 comments upon it But there can be no doubt, that the Nation 
 at large, as well as all the branches of the Government, wilt 
 be highly gratified by any arrangement which may diminijb 
 the facrifice /he makes of her individual feelings, 
 
 United States, Sth Jan. j 800, JOHN AD MIS, 
 
 Mrs. WASHING TON'S LETTEK. 
 
 SIR, Mount Fernm, ^\Jl Dec. I 799, 
 
 WHILE I fed, with keenefl anguifc, the late dlfpcnfa.- 
 tions of Divine Providence^ / cannot be infenfible to the 
 mournful tribute of refpeft and veneration which are paid to 
 the memory of my dear deceafed Hufband^ and, as his beft 
 fervices and mojl anxious wifbes were always devoted to the 
 welfare and hdppinefs of his Country, to know that they were 
 truly appreciated, and gratefully remembered 9 affords no in- 
 confiderable confolation. 
 
 Taught by the great example which 1 have fo long fiad 
 before me 3 never to opp'fe my private wifics to the fnblif 
 
 D 2 w/// 
 
so COLLECTANEA 
 
 I niujl confent to the rcquefl made by Congrefs, ivhhft 
 you have had the gocdnefs to transmit t* me and) in dc,in(r 
 this, I need not, I can nrt fay, 'what a facrijice of individual 
 feeling 1 make to a fenfs cf public duty . 
 
 . With grateful acknowledgements and unfeigned thanks for 
 the perfonal refpefl and evidences of condolence exbreffed by 
 Congrefs and Tourfelf, I remain very rejpefifully^ 
 Sir, your mojl obedient and humble fervaitf, 
 
 MARTHA WASHINGTON* 
 The Prudent of the United States. 
 
 ARMT DEPARTMENT. 
 
 THE Prefident, with deep regret, announces to the 
 Army the death of its beloved Chief, General GEORGE 
 WASHINGTON. Sharing in the grief which every heart 
 rrmft feel for fo heavy and afflicting a public lofs, and de- 
 firous to exprefs his high fcnfc of the vaft debt of grati- 
 tude which is due to the virtue, talents, and ever memor- 
 able fervices of the illuftrious deceafed, he directs that fu- 
 Jieral honours be paid to him at all the Military flations, 
 and that the Officers of the Army, and of the feveral Corps 
 of Volunteers, wear crape on the left arm by way of 
 mourning for fix months. Major General Hamilton will 
 give the neceflary orders for carrying into effect the fore- 
 going directions. 
 
 Given at the War Office of the United States in Phi- 
 ladelphia this jpth day of December, A.D. 1799, 
 and in the 24th year of the Independence of the , 
 faid States. 
 
 By command of the Prefident, 
 
 JAMES M'HENRY, 
 Secretary of War* 
 
 NAFT DEPARTMENT. 
 
 THE Preficlent, with deep affliction, announces to the 
 , and to the Marines, the death of cur beloved fei- 
 
WASHING TO N I A NA. 21 
 
 low-citizen GEORGE WASHINGTON, Commander of 
 our Armies, and late Prefident of theTJnited States; but 
 rendered mure illuftrious by his eminent virtues, and a 
 long feries of the moft important fervices, than by the 
 honours which his grateful Country delighted to confer 
 upon him. Defirous that the Navy and Marines fhould' 
 exprefs, in common with every other defcription of A- 
 rnerican Citizens, the high fenfe which ail foel of the lofs ' 
 our Country has fuftaineti in the death of this good and 
 great Man ; the Prefident dire&s, that the veflels of the 
 Navy, in our own and foreign ports, ,bc put in mourning, 
 for one week, by wearing their colours half-maft high ; 
 and that the Officers of the Navy, and of the Marines, 
 \year crape on the left arm, below the elbow, for fix 
 months. r-2o/ Dec. 1 799. 
 
 SEN. STODDERT.^ 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 27. 
 
 Yefterday, purfuant to arrangements previoufly made, 
 a Funeral Prcceflton, in honour of our late Commander in 
 Chief and Prefident, took place in this city. 
 
 The military, &c. having aflembled at the StateHoufe 
 and formed in line, to receive the Bier, about 12 o'clock, 
 the procefTion moved along Fifth to Walnut-flreet, down 
 Walnut to Fourth-ilreet, and thence forward to Zion 
 Church in folemn order [Here follows the particulars of 
 the procefllon ] 
 
 The front of the proceflion having reached its pofition, 
 it opened to the right and left and halted, (leaning on re- 
 verfed arms) for the purpofe of admitting the Clergy, c. 
 the mufic playing a dead march, the bells tolling, and mi" 
 nute guns firing during the whole of the ceremony. 
 
 Having arrived at the Church, the Bier was conveyed 
 to the centre of the middle aide. Here the ceremonies 
 commenced with foft and folemn mufic ; the Right Rev. 
 PifhopWhite read fuitable prayers j and, after a fhort paufe, 
 
aa % COLLECTANEA 
 
 an elcquent Oration, was delivered, with great emphafo 
 and elegance, by Major General Herry Lee, a Member 
 of the Houfe of Representatives from the State of Virginia, 
 At the conclufion of the Oration, vocal and inftrumental 
 mufic, in honour of the departed Hero, excited a flrong 
 and afle&ing fenfibility. After which the Bier was taken 
 from the Church, and three vollies being fired over it, con- 
 cluded the ceremonies, of the day. 
 
 RICHMOND, Dec. 24. 
 
 The death of General Wafliington has been attended 
 \vitVi every mark of fincere regret, which fo melancholy 
 an event was naturally calculated to excite in the heart of 
 every true American. 
 
 On the receipt of the aflecYmg intelligence, both Houfes 
 of the Ltgiflature immediately adjourned, after having en- 
 tered into a refolution for each Member to wear a badge 
 of mourning during the remainder of the Seffion. In the 
 evening, minute guns were fired by Capt. Myers's Com- 
 p*ny of Artillery, whilrt "the Church bells toll'd the 
 <freadful truth I" The venerable Society of Cincinnati 
 paid due refpecl to his memory as a member, and as the 
 pride of their Order, by unanimously agreeing, to wear a 
 bJack crape for three months In fhort, that mark of ef- 
 teem was exhibited by almoft every Citizen. 
 
 On Sunday, a grand Funeral ProcefTicn, ccmpofed of 
 the Legiflative Body, the Council of State, the Mafonic 
 Societies, and a large concourfe of the moil refpeclable 
 Ctti/ens, folemnly marched to the doleful found of bells to 
 the Capitol, where an excellent difcourfe upon the occa- 
 fion was delivered by the Rev. John D. Blair. 
 
 PETERS % BURGH, Dec. 31. 
 
 Agreeably to a recommendation of the Common Hall 
 of this Town, Sunday tail was obferved as a day of folemn 
 humiliation for the lofs of our friend and benefactor, Gen- 
 ral GEORGE WASHINGTON. A general anxiety was. 
 
 ex- 
 
WASHING? ON I AN A. 
 
 txclted among the inhabitants to pay this tribute of 
 to the memory of our beloved Countrymen, but 
 heavy rains prevented many from joining in tbe folemnities 
 of the day. 
 
 A difcharge of 16 cannon, at minute intervals, begirt 
 at fun-rife. At mid-day, a gun was fired to notify that 
 the people were aflfembled at the Mafon's Hall ; after 
 which, the Company of Artillery marched to BlandiW?, 
 fired a gun, and then jproceeded to the top of Blandford 
 Hill, where they commenced the difchargeof 68 minrtre 
 guns, at which time the Citizens aflcmbled at the HaH, 
 arid formed a procefiion to the Church in the following 
 order, vi?,. the Militia Cavalry Mufic the United States 
 troops the Clergy the Mayor and Commonalty the 
 Mafonic' Brethren and, Citizens. 
 
 On arriving at the Church, the Cavalry formed to the 
 right, and the United States troorw to- the left, when the 
 Clergy, Mayor arid Commonalty, Mafonic Brethren, and 
 Citizens, followed by the Military, entered the Church. 
 
 Divine Service was performed by the Rev. Andrew 
 Syme, afiifted by the Rev. Wm. Harrifon, and the Rev. 
 John C.Ogden. A very feufible and well-adapted drf- 
 courfe was then delivered with gre^it feeling and fervency 
 by Mr. Syme from Pfalm cxir, 6, c ' the Righteous {hall 
 be in everlafong remembrance." Several anthems w-ere 
 well fung by a fociety of Gentlemen. 
 
 After Divine Service, the proceflion was again formcd* 
 and returned to the Mafon's Hall, when the company re-; 
 tired, each man to his home. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, DSC. 24: 
 
 The Theatre, laft evening, joined in the public tefli- 
 mony of regret for the lofs of the Hero of America, *T he 
 Houfe (which was extremely full) difptayed a fcene calcu- 
 lated to imprefs the mind ^with ths utmoft folemnity, of 
 forrow. The pillars fupporling the bi?XGs \vere encircled 
 w;h black crape ; tke chandajiers ^ ere decorated w.ith the 
 
4 COLLECTANEA 
 
 infigriia of woe, and the audience, particularly the ferriale 
 y>art of it, appeared in mourning. At 7 o'clock, the band 
 ftnick up Washington's March ; after which a folemri 
 dirge was performed, when the curtain (lowly rifing, dif- 
 covered a Tomh in the centre of the flage in the Grecian 
 fiile of architecture, fupported by truffes. In the centre 
 cf it was a portrait of the General, encircled by a wreath 
 of caken leaves ; under the portrait, a fwprd, fhield, and 
 helmet, and the colours of the United States, The top 
 was in the form of a pyramid, in the front of which ap- 
 peared the American Eagle, holding in her beak a fcroll, 
 on which was infcribed, A NdtMs Tears /The fides of 
 the dage were decorated with black banners, containing 
 the names of the different States of the Union, in golden 
 letters, and over which mourning trophies were fufpended. 
 -A Monody was recited by Mr. Wignel), accompanied 
 by fcleinn Airs; and the tragedy of the RpMAr.FATHE.R 
 concluded the bufmefs of the evening. 
 
 AIRS fN THE MONODY. , 
 
 I. Slowly ftrike the felernn bell, 
 Nature found thy deepeft knell ; 
 Power of Mufic, touch the heart, 
 Na'aire tb^re will do her part. 
 
 - God of Melancholy, come, 
 Peniive o'er the Hero's tomb; 
 In faddeft ftrains his lofs deplore, 
 With piercing cries rend ev'ry fhore, 
 For WASHINGTON is now no more! 
 
 II. Glory, bring thy faireft wreath, 
 Place it on thy Hero's urn; 
 Mercy, in foft accents breathe, 
 
 " He never made this bofom mcui'u!'* 
 . Ev'ry Virtue here attend, 
 Bending o'er his facred earth ; 
 Gratitude, thy influence lend, 
 Make us feel his mighty worth ! 
 311. Hold not back the facred tear, 
 Give to him the figh fmcere, 
 
 Who, living, liv'd for all. - 
 Srow, ' take the fclemrf hour, 
 Proftrate to thy melt ing pow^r, 
 
 .Let hnrnble mortals fall. 
 Come, fable Goddefs, "take the for?, 
 DP voted to thy dark controul ; 
 C'-me, take our hearts, and prefs thera deep* 
 Angel-s may joy, but MUI mufl weep I 
 
BY AUTHORITY. 
 
 A PROCLAMATION by the Prefident of the United States of 
 
 AMERICA. 
 
 WHEREAS the Congrefs of the United States have thit 
 day refolded, " 'That it be recommended to the People of the 
 United States to affemble on the 22d Jay of February next, 
 in fuch numbers and manner as may be convenient, publicly to 
 teflify their grief for the death of General GEORGE WASH- 
 INGTON, by fwtable eulogies, orations^ and difcourfes, or 
 by public prayers ;" and, " that the President be requefted 
 to iffue a Proclamation for the purpofe of carrying the fore- 
 going Rcfolution into cffeft :" Now therefore, I JOHN 
 ADAMS, President of the United States of America, do 
 hereby proclaim the fame accordingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and the feal of the United States, at 
 Philadelphia, the 6t/i day of January in the year of 
 our Lord \ 800, and of the Independence of the faid 
 States the 2 4 //5. JOHN ADAMS, 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 24. 
 
 On Saturday lad, the 22d inft. being appointed a day 
 of mourning throughout the United States for the death of 
 our beloved Chief, GEORGE WASHINGTON, the fame 
 was refpectiully obferved in this city, 
 
 P At 
 
26 COLLECr/lNEA 
 
 At 1 1 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Carr delivered a hatitf- 
 fome eulogium on the character of the illuftrious Patriot, 
 to a crouded audience, in the Catholic Church in South 
 Fourth-ftreet. 
 
 At 1 2 o'clock, the Society of Cincinnati aflembled at 
 the State-houfe, and proceeded to the German Lutheran 
 Church in North Fourth-ftreet, preceded by other bodies 
 in the following order : 
 
 The firft troop of Volunteer Cavalry difmounted \ 
 Mufic, in mourning ; 
 
 The Artillery ; 
 
 General Macpherfon ; 
 
 Company of Grenadiers; 
 
 Mufic, playing Wafhington's March ; 
 
 Germantovvn Light Infantry ; 
 The fecond Troop of Cavalry ; 
 The Society of the Cincinnati ; 
 Officers of the Army and Navy ; 
 
 And, Officers of the Militia. 
 
 Having reached the Church, the whole, procefllon en* 
 tered; and, after folemn vocal and inftrumental mufic, and 
 prayers by the Rev. Dr. Rogers, a very eloquent oration 
 on the life and character of the departed Hero, was de- 
 livered by Major Wm. Jackfon, one of the Members of 
 the Society of Cincinnati, to the entire fatisfa&ion of a 
 very numerous and refpectable audience. 
 
 MASONIC PROCESSION. 
 
 The Ancient Society of FreeMafons, of which General 
 Wafhington was a much honoured brother, formed their 
 proceflion at the State-houfe, and moved, at i o'clock, 
 thro' the principal flreets to Ziou Church, in the follow- 
 ing order : 
 
$7 
 
 Tyler, with drawn fword ; 
 Entered Apprentices, two and two; 
 
 Fellow Crafts, two and two; 
 ' Matter Mafons, two and two ; 
 Deacons, with wands tipt with filver ; 
 
 Secretary and Treafurer ; 
 
 Wardens ; 
 
 Paft Matters, two and two ; 
 Matter. 
 
 After the Subordinate Lodges, 
 The GRAND LODGE, preceded by Mufic ; 
 
 Grand Tyler, wkh drawn fword $ 
 
 Twelve Pad Matters, their wands tipt with filver j 
 
 Grand Sword-bearer, with drawn fword ; 
 
 Grand Secretary, with a fcroH ; 
 
 Grand Treafurer ; 
 
 Grand Wardens, bearing their columns ; 
 
 Three lights extinguished, borne by three Pad Matters ; 
 
 Jloly Bible and Square and Compafs, borne by a PaftMafter ; 
 
 Rev. Divine, fupported by two Pad Matters ; 
 
 Grand Matter, and Deputy Grand Matter; 
 
 Grand Purfuivant, with drawn fword ; 
 
 Four Deacons of the Grand Lodge, bearing wands tipt 
 with gold. 
 
 In the centre of the proceilion was exhibited a Morm^ 
 rnent in honour of Wafhington, borne by four PaftMafters ; 
 its bafe white marble, infcribed Wafhington Lodge, No. i, 
 fupporting a golden Urn, furmounted with an Eagle, his 
 -wings expanded, and holding in his beak a fcroll, in the 
 figure of a heart, with a fuitable infcription. 
 
 The proceflion having arrived at its deftination, opened 
 to the right and left, when the Grand Lodge, &c. entered 
 the Church, where an elegant and pathetic eulogium was 
 pronounced by the Rev. Samuel Magaw, D.D.to a very 
 Crouded and fplendid audience. 
 
 E 3 
 
at COLLECTANEA 
 
 BALTIMORE, Feb. 24. 
 
 Conformably to the recommendations of the Executive 
 of the United States as well as of this State, Saturday was 
 obferved in this city as a day of mourning, humiliation and 
 prayer, for the death of the illuftrious Patriot, General 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. All houfes of bufinefs and a- 
 mufernent were clofed the noify hum of induflry ceafed, 
 and during the whole day, the mofl: devout attention to 
 public worfhip teftified a high and juft veneration for the 
 memory of the deceafed. The 22d of February, which we 
 were wont to celebrate for the birth, difplayed unfeigned 
 mourning and univerfal forrow for the lofs of our friend 
 and father. Truly might it be faid that our joy was turn- 
 ed into mourning that a mightyChief was fallen in Ifrael ! 
 
 We pretend not to condemn the fplendid pomp of woe, 
 exhibited in many places on this occafion by military or 
 other proceffions but we were pleafed to obferve all ranks, 
 ages and fexes, mingle together in undiftinguifhed groupes, 
 and, clad in fuitable habiliments of woe, throng the tem- 
 ples of the Mod High, and hang with rapturous admira- 
 tion on the divine fervices of the day. Never did the pul- 
 pit exhibit more piety, patriotifm, talents and dignity- 
 never had prayers, adapted to the occafion, patriotic, pi- 
 ous and fervent, a better effed on fympathifing aflemblies 
 .never were eulogiums liftened to with fuch eager atten- 
 tion, by enraptured and crowded audiences, who feemed 
 to fay, fpeak, fpeak, thou canft not call him good enough I 
 as on this occafion, where, in every cafe we know or have 
 learnt of, the glowing pencil of Raphael, the fire of De- 
 mofthenes and the eloquence of Cicero, were happily join- 
 ed in pourtraying the life and character, military and civil, 
 pf the great, the inimitable, the godlike WASHINGTON ! 
 
 RICH- 
 
WASHINGTON I ANA. 29 
 
 RICHMOND, Feb. 25. 
 
 Saturday lafl being the day ordered by Gen. Pinckney 
 to pay funeral honours to the memory of the illuftrious 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, late General of the Armies of 
 the United States, they were peformed under the direction 
 of Lieut. Col. Bentley of the yth Regiment, in a manner 
 that excited the admiration of every beholder. Befides 
 the number of perfons who joined the proceffion, which 
 mutt have exceeded 1000, there could not be lefs than 
 5000 fpeSators. 
 
 At day- break, 16 cannon were fired by Capt. Myers's 
 Artillery, and half-hour guns till fun-fet Minute guns 
 were fired during the proceffion and ceremonial. 
 
 At 12 o'clock, the Bier was received by the troops in 
 line, with prefented arms, and colours faluting. The pro- 
 ceflion began in the Capitol fquare, and proceeded to the 
 Church on the hill in the following order : 
 
 Capt. Auftin's troop, drawn fwords with black crape; 
 Capt.Richardfon's light infantry and Capt.M'Rae's 
 
 grenadiers, arms reverfed; 
 
 Drums and Fifes muffled, playing the Dead March j 
 
 The General's horfe drefled in black ; 
 
 Band of Mufic and Singers; 
 
 The Clergy and Orator ; 
 Col. Vandewall, f 3 ") Col. Gamble, 
 
 Heath, I J Gen. Wood; 
 
 (Carried by four Serjeants) 
 
 The Cincinnati ; 
 
 The Executive ; 
 
 The State Judiciary ; 
 
 The 7th Regiment of the United States; 
 
 The 
 
|P COLLECTANEA 
 
 The Civil Officers of the Federal Government $ 
 
 The Corporate Body of the City of Richmond ; 
 
 Officers of the Army and Militia not on duty; 
 
 Mafonic Societies ; 
 
 Citizens. 
 
 When the Cavalry arrived at the place appointed (op* 
 pofite the fpot reprefenting the place of interment) the 
 \vhole line halted ; the platoons preceding the Bier wheel- 
 ed and formed in line ; the cavalry drcfted with the rear 
 rank; and the light infantry and grenadiers faced inwards 
 arms reverfed. 
 
 The Bier, with the band of mufic and fingers, the 
 Clergy and Orator in front, pafled through the open ranks 
 \vhh folemn mufic to the place of interment ; the rear of 
 the procefiion pafled through in like manner. 
 
 The Bier being placed on the fpot reprefenting ths 
 place of interment, the pall bearers, chief mourners, Exe- 
 cutive and Judiciary, ranged in a line at each end of the 
 Bier; the pall bearers and chief mourners at the head, 
 the Executive and Judiciary at the foot. 
 
 The grenadiers and infantry reverfed arms, the front 
 rank facing to the right about, and rear rank clofed to the 
 front ; the whole was then faced to the right, and marched 
 on (mufic playing the Dead March) between the columns 
 of platoons and cavalry, until they encircled the Bier ; 
 they then turned to the front, halted, and refted on their, 
 arms during the ceremony. 
 
 An oration was now delivered by the Rev Mr. Blair ; 
 then folemn mufic, both vocal and inftrumental; after 
 . -which three vollies were fired over the Bier. 
 
 The ceremonial being ended, the whole was again put> 
 in motion, the mufic playing Wafhington's March, and 
 the proceifion returned to the fcjuare of the Capitol. 
 
 PETERS- 
 
WASHINGTON I ANA. 51 
 
 PETERSBURG^ Feb. 25. 
 
 Saturday lad, being the day appointed by the Federal 
 Government, for the people of the United States publicly 
 to teflify their grief for the death of their beloved fellow- 
 citizen, General GEORGE WASHINGTON, a very nume- 
 rous and refpe&able congregation aflembled at Blandford 
 Church for that purpofe. 
 
 Prayers were read by the Rev. And. Syme, affifted by 
 the Rev. Wm. Harrifon After which, the audience (by- 
 particular requeft) were addrefled in a fenfible difcourfe by 
 
 Geo. K.Taylor, Efq. After giving a rapid flcetch of 
 
 the General's early life, and then thofe great and ever- 
 memorable actions which afterwards, under the guidance 
 of Divine Providence, marked him as the founder and pro- 
 tector of AMERICAN LIBERTY, Mr. Taylor wifely re- 
 commended to his auditors, et that fmce "WASHINGTON 
 was no more, and that they could not derive benefit from 
 his perfonal example, to follow his excellent advice. Let 
 every family, and every man, attentively perufe, and con- 
 flantly keep in view, his Farewell Addrefs. Whilft the 
 principles there inculcated are fteadily purfued, the Ame- 
 ricans may preferve their country in peace and profperity, 
 and fecure their rights both civil and political party difcord 
 and angry contentions will ceafe, local prejudices will give 
 way to the general good, and every Citizen will fed the 
 virtues of a WASHINGTON in his own breaft." 
 
 Mr. Taylor concluded his difcourfe with a well timed 
 admonition to his hearers, to copy the piety ami refpc~t 
 for Religion which pervaded and dignified all the actions of 
 the illudrious PATRIOT Ke particularly exhorted " the 
 young men of the prefent day," not to indulge either a real 
 or affe&ed contempt for all religious opinions and duties ; 
 
 a con- 
 
3*. WASHINGTON IAN A. 
 
 aconduft which will inevitably be ruinous to themfelve:^ 
 and, finally, be deftruaive of the liberty and happinefs of 
 their Country.* 
 
 * This oration, or difcourfe, lafted about 40 minutes Mr.Taylor 
 modeftly declined an application to let it appear in print. 
 
 [Befide the articles inferted in this Colieftion, there vere fer- 
 itums, orations, or proceffions, inBolton, New York, Baltimore, Nor- 
 folk, Charleftown, and every city and town in the United States, all 
 expreffive of the deep and heart-felt veneration in which the Amen* 
 can people held their beloved Friend and Fellow Citizen.] 
 
 * The following beautiful Poem was written by Dr. AIKEN (au- 
 thor of feveral veiy refpeclable books) an Englifnman, and J'efiding 1 
 in England who, when Republicanism is become a theme of re- 
 proach, and when the Sovereigns of Europe are ftraining every 
 nerve to eradicate it from the face of the earth, boldly dared to 
 celebrate the virtues of the Republican Sage and Hero of America ! 
 
 To HIS EXCELLENCY GEOHGE WASHINGTON, 
 President of tie United States of America. 
 
 of that Pyramid, whofe folid bafe 
 Refts firmly founded on a Nation's truft, 
 Which, while the gorgeous palace finks in dull, 
 Shall Hand fublime, and fill its ample fpace : 
 ELECTED CHIEF OF FREEMEN! Greater far 
 
 Than Kings, whofe glittering parts are fix'd by birth 
 NanVd by thy Country's voice for long-try 'd worth, 
 Her crown in peace, as once her fhield in war! 
 
 Deign, WASHINGTON, to hear a British lyre, 
 That ardent greets thee with applaufive lays, 
 And to the PATRIOT HSRO homage pays. 
 O, would the Mufe immortal flrains infpire, 
 That high beyond all Greek and Roman fame, 
 Might foar to times unborn, thy purer, nobler Nane! 
 
His La/I Will and Tejlament. 
 
 VIRGINIA, Fairfax 
 
 J, GEORGE DENE ALE, Clerk of Fairfax County Court, do Cer- 
 tify, That tfiefub/eqitent Copy of the La.fi Will and Teftame nt of 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, decea/ed, late Prefident of the 
 United States cf America, with the Schedule annexed, is a 
 true Copy from the Original recorded in my Office. 
 
 In Teftrmony whereof, I have hereunto fct my Hand this 
 z^d da,y of January 1800. 
 
 GEO. DENEALE, C.F.C* 
 
 IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. 
 
 1 GEORGE WASHINGTON of Mount Vermn, a 
 Citizen of the United States, and lately Prefident of the 
 fame, Do make, ordain, and declare this Inftrument, which 
 is written with my own hand, and every page thereof fub- 
 fcribed with my name*, to be my LAST WILL AND 
 TESTAMENT, revoking all others. 
 
 Imprimus All my debts, of which there are but few, 
 and none of magaitude, are to be punctually and fpeedily 
 paid ; and the legacies herein after bequeathed, are to be 
 difcharged as foon as circumftances will permit, and in the 
 manner directed. 
 
 Item To my dearly beloved wife Martha Wafinngton, 
 I give and bequeath the ufe, profit, and benefit of my whole 
 cflate, real and perfonal, for the term of her natural life, 
 except fuch parts thereof as are fpecially difpofed of here- 
 
 F after 
 
 In the original manufcript, George Washington's name is writ- 
 ten at the bottom of every page. 
 
34 HIS LASr WILL 
 
 after. My improved lot in the town of Alexandria, fitct' 
 ated on Pitt and Cameron-ftreets, I give to her and her 
 heirs for ever ; as I alfo do my houfehold and kitchen fur- 
 niture of every fort and kind, with the liquors and grocer- 
 ies which may be on hand at the time of my deceafe, to 
 be ufed and difpofed of as me may think proper. 
 
 Item Upon the decafe of my wife, it is my will and 
 defire, that all the {laves which I hold in my oivn fight % 
 fhall receive their freedom. To emancipate them during 
 her life, would, tho' earneftly wifhed by me, be attended 
 with fuch infuperable difficulties on account of their rnter- 
 rnixture by marriages with the dower negroes, as to excite 
 the mod: painful fenfations, if not difagreeable confequen- 
 ces to the latter, while both defcriptions are in the occu- 
 pancy, of the fame proprietor, it not being in rny power, 
 under the tenure by which the dower negroes are held, to 
 manumit them. And whereas among thofe who wiif re- 
 ceive freedom according to this devife, there may be forne 
 who, from old age or bodily infirmities, and others, who, 
 on account of their infancy, will be unable to fupport them- 
 ielves, it is my will and defire, that all who come under 
 the firtt and fecond defcription, fhall be comfortably cloth- 
 ed and fed by my heirs while they live ; and that fuch of 
 the latter defcription as have no parents living, or, if liv- 
 ing, are unable or unwilling to provide for them, (hall be 
 bound by the Court until they dial I arrive at the age of 
 25 years ; and in cafes where no record can be produced, 
 whereby their ages can be afcertained, the judgement of 
 the Court, upon its own view of the fubjecl, (hall be ade- 
 quate and final. The negroes thus bound, are (by their 
 matters or miftrefies) to be taught to read and write, and 
 be brought up to feme ufeful occupation, agreeably to the 
 laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia providing for the 
 
 fup- 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 35 
 
 fupport of orphan and other poor children. And I do 
 hereby exprefsly forbid the fale or tranfportation out of 
 the faid Commonwealth, of any (lave I may die poflefled 
 of under any pretence whatfoever. And I do moreover 
 moft pointedly and moft folemnly enjoin it upon my Exe- 
 cutors hereafter named, or the furvivor of them, to fee 
 that this claufe refpedting flaves, and every part thereof, 
 be religioufly fulfilled at the epoch at which it is diretled 
 to take place, without evafion, negler, or delay, after the 
 crops which may then be on the ground are harvefled, 
 particularly as it refpecls the aged and infirm ; feeing that 
 a regular and permanent fund be eftablimed for their flip- 
 port, as long as there are fubjeh requiring it, not trufting 
 to the uncertain provision mac-le by individuals. And, to 
 my mulatto man William (calling himfelf Wm.Lee] I give 
 immediate freedom, or, if he mould prefer it (on account 
 of the accidents which have befallen him, and which have 
 rendered him incapable of walking or of any a&ive em- 
 ployment) to remain in the fituation he now is, it (hall be 
 optional in him to do fo ; in either cafe, however, I allow 
 him an annuity of 30 dollars during his natural life, which 
 fliall be independent of the victuals and clothes he has been 
 accuftomed to receive, if he chufes the laft alternative ; 
 but in full with his freedom, if he prefers the fir ft ; and 
 this I give him as a teftimony of my fenfe of his attachment 
 to me, and for his faithful fervices during the Revolution- 
 ary War. 
 
 Item To the Truftees (Governors, or by whatfoever 
 other name they may be defignated) of the Academy in 
 the town of Alexandria, I give and bequeath, in trull, 
 4000 dollars, or, in other words, 20 of the (hares which I 
 hold in the bank of Alexandria, towards the fupport of a 
 Free School, eflablifhed at, and annexed to, the faid Aca- 
 for the purpofe of educating orphan children, or the 
 
 chil- 
 
36 HIS LAST WILL 
 
 children of fuch other poor and indigent perfons, as are 
 unable to accomplifh it with their own means, and who, 
 in the judgement of the Truftees of the faid Seminary, are 
 bed entitled to the benefit of this donation. The afore- 
 ^faid 20 (hares I give and bequeath in perpetuity ; the divi- 
 dends only of which are to be drawn for, and applied by 
 the faid Truftees, for the time being, for the ufes above- 
 mentioned; the (lock to remain entire and untouched, 
 unlefs indications of failure of the faid bank (hould be fo 
 apparent, or a difcontinuance thereof, fhould render a re- 
 moval of this fund neceflary. In either of thefe cafes, the 
 amount of the (lock here devifed is to be vefted in fome 
 other bank, or public inftitution, whereby the intereft may 
 with regularity and certainty be drawn and applied as a- 
 bove. And, to prevent mifconception, my meaning is > 
 and is hereby declared to be, that thefe 20 fliares are in 
 lieu of, and not in addition to, the icool given by a miflive 
 letter fome years ago, in confequence whereof, an annuity 
 of 50!. has fmce been paid towards the fupport of this 
 inftitution. 
 
 Item Whereas by a law of the Commonwealth of 
 Virginia, enafted in the year 1785, the Legiflature thereof 
 \vas pleafed (as an evidence of its approbation of the fer- 
 vices I had rendered the public during the Revolution, 
 and partly, I believe, in confideration of my having fug- 
 gefled the vaft advantages which the community would 
 derive from the extenfion of its inland navigation under 
 Xegiflative patronage) to prefent me with 100 fhares of 
 TOO dollars each, in the incorporated Company eflablifhed 
 for the purpofe of extending the navigation of James River 
 from the tide- water to the mountains; and alfo with 50 
 fh ares of rool fterling each in the corporation of another 
 Company likewife eftabliihed for the fimilar purpofe of 
 
 open- 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 37 
 
 opening the navigation of the river Potomac from the tide- 
 water to Fort Cumberland ; the acceptance of which, al- 
 tho' the offer was highly honourable and grateful to my 
 feelings, was refufcd as inconfiftent with a principle which 
 I had adopted, and had never departed from namely, not 
 to receive pecuniary compenfation for any fervices 1 could 
 render my Country in its arduous druggie with Great Bri- 
 tain for its rights, and becaufel had evaded fimilar propo- 
 fitions from other States in the Union : Adding to this re- 
 iufal, however, an intimation, that, if it Ihould be the 
 pleafure of the Legiflature to permit me to appropriate 
 the faid (hares to Public Ufcs^, I would receive them on 
 thofe terms with due fenfibility ; and this it having con- 
 fen-ted to, in flattering terms, as will appear by a fubfequent 
 law and fundry refolutions, in the mod ample and honour- 
 able manner I proceed, after this recital, for the more 
 correct underftanding of the cafe, to declare, That as it 
 has always been a fource of ferious regret with me, to fee 
 the youth of thefe United States fent to foreign countries 
 for the purpofes of Education, often before their minds 
 were formed, or they had imbibed any adequate ideas of 
 the happinefs of their own, contracting, too frequently, 
 not only habits of difiipation and extravagance, but princi* 
 pies unfriendly to Republican Government, and to the true 
 and gen-iine Liberties of Mankind 9 which, thereafter, are 
 rarely overcome For thefe reafons, it has been my 
 ardent wifh to fee a plan devifed, on a liberal fcale, which 
 would have a tendency to fpread fyftematic ideas through 
 all parts of this riling Empire, thereby to do away local 
 attachments and (late prejudices, as far as the nature of 
 things would, or indeed ought to admit from our national 
 Councils. Looking anxioudy forward to the accompliOi- 
 m.ep.t of fo defirable an object as this is (in my eflimation) 
 
 my 
 
S S JUS LAS? WILL 
 
 my mind has not been able to contemplate any plan more 
 likely to effea the meafure, than the ' eftablilhment of a 
 UNIVERSITY in a central part of the United Slates, to 
 which the youths of fortune and talents from all parts 
 thereof might be fent for the completion of their educa- 
 tion in all the branches of polite Literature, in the Arts 
 and Sciences, in acquiring knowledge in the principles of 
 Politics and good Government, and, as a matter of infi- 
 nite importance in my judgement, by aflbciating with each 
 other, and forming frkndftnps in juvenile years, be enabled 
 to free themfelves, in a proper degree, from thofe local 
 prejudices and habitual jealoufies which have juft been 
 mentioned, and which, when carried to excefs, are never- 
 failing fources of difquietude to the public mind, and preg- 
 nan{ of mifchievous confcquences to this country. Under 
 thefe impreflions, fo fully dilated, 
 
 ItemI give and bequeath, in perpetuity, the 50 (hares 
 which I hold in the Potomac Company (under the afere- 
 faid Acts of the Legiflature of Virginia) towards the en- 
 dowment of a UNIVERSITY, to be eftablifhed within the 
 limits of the Diftrid of Columbia, under the aufpices of 
 the General Government, if that Government fhould in- 
 cline to extend a foftering hand towards it; and until fuch 
 Seminary is eftablifhed, and the funds arifingon thefe (hares 
 fhall be required for its fupport, my further will and de- 
 fire is, that the profit accruing therefrom, (hall, whenever 
 the dividends are made, be laid out in purchafing (lock in 
 the Bank of Columlia, tor feme other bank, at the difcre- 
 tion of my Executors, or by the Treafurer of the United 
 States fr-r the time being, under the direction of Congrefs, 
 provided that honourable Body mould patronize the 
 meafure; and the dividends proceeding from the purchafe 
 
 of fuch flock are to be vetted in more flock, and fo on, 
 
 until 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 33. 
 
 until a fum adequate to the accomplishment of the objecl 
 is obtained, of which I have not the fmalleft doubt before 
 many years pafs away, even if no aid or encouragement is 
 given by legislative authority, or from any other fource. 
 
 ft em T he hundred fhares which I hold in the James 
 River Company, I have given, and now confrm, in per- 
 petuity, to and for the ufe and benefit of Liberty Hall A- 
 cademy, in the County of Rockbridge, in the Common- 
 wealth of Virginia. 
 
 Item I releafe, exonerate, and difcharge the eflate of 
 my deceafed brother, Samuel Wnjbington, from the pay- 
 ment of the money which is' due to me for the land I fold 
 to Philip Pendleton (lying in the county of Berkeley), who 
 afligned the fame to him, the faid Samuel, who, by agree- 
 ment, was to pay me therefor : And whereas by feme 
 contract (the purport of which was never communicated 
 to me) between the faid Samuel and his fon Thornton W&Jk- 
 ington, the latter became poflefled of the aforefaid land, 
 without any conveyance having paflTed from me, either to 
 the faid Pendletw, the faid Samuel, or the faid Thorntcn, 
 and without any confederation having been made, by which 
 negleft, neither the legal nor equitable title has been ali- 
 enated, it refts therefore with me, to declare my intentions 
 concerning the premifes; and thefe are, to give and be- 
 queath the faid land to whomfoever the faid Thorn. V/efo- 
 ington (who is alfo dead) devifed the fame, or to his heirs 
 for ever, if he died inteftate, exonerating the eftate of the 
 faid Thvrntm, equally with that of the faid Samuel, from 
 payment of the purchafe money, which, with intereft, a- 
 greeably to the original contract with the faid PendletGtt 9 
 would amount to more than i.oool. And whereas two 
 other fons of my faid deceafed brother, Samuel, namely, 
 George Stepfoe pyafiingion and Lawrence Augujllne 
 
40 HIS LAST WILL 
 
 ington, were, by the deceafe of thofe to whofe care thc v 
 were committed, brought under my protection, and, in 
 confequence, have occafioned advances on my part for 
 their education at college and other fchools, and for their 
 board, clothing, and other incidental expences, to the a- 
 mount of near 5000 dollars, over and above the Turns fur- 
 nifihed by their etlate, which fum it may be inconvenient 
 for them or their father's eftate to refund I do, for 
 thefc reafons, acquit them and the faid eftate from the 
 payment thereof, my intention being, that all accounts 
 between them and me, and their father's eftate and me, 
 fhall ftand balanced. 
 
 Item~ The balance doe to me from the eftate of Ear' 
 thotomew Dandridgc, deceafcd (my wife's brother) and 
 on the firfl: day of October 179$, to 
 appear by an account rendered by his de- 
 ceafed fon, John Dandridge, who was the acting executor 
 of his father's will) I releafe and acquit from the payment 
 thereof. And the Negroes (then 33 in number) formerly 
 belonging to the faid eftate, who were taken in execution, 
 fold, and purchafed in on my account, in the year , 
 and ever fmce have remained in the poffefllon and to the 
 life of Mary, widow of the faid Bart. Dandridge, with 
 their increafe, it is my will and defire, fhall continue and 
 be in her poffeffion, without paying hire, or making com- 
 penfation for the fame, for the time part or to come, dur- 
 ing her natural life ; at the expiration of which, I direct, 
 that all of them who are 40 years old and upwards, fhall 
 receive their freedom ; all under that age and above 1 6, 
 fhall ferve 7 years, and no longer ; and all under 16 years 
 (hall ferve until they are 25 years of age, and then be free. 
 And to avoid difputes refpe&ing the ages of any of thefe 
 Negroes, they are to be taken into the Court of thcCounty 
 
 tnolomeiv jJandru, 
 
 _ 
 
 which amounted, 
 425!. (as will apj 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 41 
 
 in which they refute, and the judgement thereof, in this 
 relation, (hall be final, and record thereof made, which 
 may be adduced as evidence at any time thereafter, if 
 difputes mould arife concerning the fame. And I further 
 direft, that the heirs of the faid Bart. Dandridgs (hall, 
 equally, (hare the benefits arifmg from the fervices of the 
 faid negroes, according to the tenor of this devife, upon 
 the deceafe of their mother. 
 
 Item If C&arles Carter, who intermarried with my 
 niece Betty Lewis, is not fufficiently fecured in the title to 
 the lots he had of me in the town of Frederidhurg, it i-S 
 my will and defire, that my Executors (hall make fuch 
 conveyances of them as the law requires to render it per* 
 
 Item To my nephew William Augujllne Waft/ington, 
 and his heirs (if he mould conceive them to be objects 
 worth profecuting) a lot in the town of Manchefter (op- 
 pofite to Richmond) 'No. 265, drawn on my fole account, 
 and alfo the tenth of i or 200 acre lots, and two or three 
 half-acre lots, in the city and vicinity of Richmond, drawn 
 in partnermip with nine others, all in the Lottery of the 
 deceafed Wm. Byrd, are given; as is alfo a lot which I 
 purchafed of John Hood, conveyed by Wm. Willie and 
 Sam. Gordon, truftees of the faid John Hood, numbered 
 1 39, in the town of Edinburgh, in the county of Prince 
 George, flate of Virginia. 
 
 Item To my nephew BufhrodWafliington, I give and 
 bequeath all the papers in my poflefllon which relate to 
 my civil and military adminiflration of the affairs of this 
 Country; I leave to him alfo fuch of my private papers 
 as are worth preferving ; and, at the deceafe of my wife, 
 and before, if (he is not inclined to retain them, I give and 
 bequeath my library of books and pamphlets of every 
 Vind. G 
 
4* HIS LAST WILL 
 
 Item Having fold lands which I poflefied in the flai'? 
 of Pennfylvania, and part of a tract held in equal right 
 with George Clinton, late Governor of New York, in the 
 {late of New York; my Chare of land and intereft in the 
 Great Difmal Swamp, and a tract of land which I owned 
 in the county of Gloucefter with-holding the legal titles 
 thereto, until the confideration-money would be paid 
 and having moreover leafed, and conditionally fold (as will 
 appear by the tenor cf the faid leafes) all my lands upon 
 the Great Kenhawa, and a tract upon Difficult Run in the 
 county of Loudon, it is my will and direction, that when- 
 foever the contracts are fully and reflectively complied 
 with, according to the fpirit, true intent, and meaning 
 thereof, on the part of the purchafers, their heirs or affigns, 
 that then, and in that cafe, conveyances are to be made, 
 agreeable to the terms of the faid contracts, and the money 
 ariftng therefrom, when paid, to be vefled in bank ftcck ; 
 the dividends whereof, as of that alfo which is already 
 \efled therein, is to inure to my faid wife during her life, 
 but the flock itfelf is to remain arid be fubject to the ge- 
 neral diflribution hereafter directed. . 
 
 lt em T 'o 'ihzEarl of Buchan Ire-commit " the Box 
 made of the Oak that fheltered the brave Sir Wm Wallace 
 after the battle of Falkirk," prefented to me by his Lord- 
 fhip in terms too flattering for me to repeat, with a re- 
 queft " to pafs it, on the event of my deceafe, to the man 
 in my country who mould appear to merit it beft, upon 
 the fame conditions that have induced him to fend it to 
 1T ie." Whether eafy or not, to felect THE MAN who 
 mi^ht comport with his Lordmip's opinion in this refpect, 
 is not for me to fay; but conceiving that no difpofition of 
 this valuable curiofity can be more eligible than the re- 
 commitment of it to his own cabinet, agreeably to the ori- 
 ginal 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 43. 
 
 ginal defign of the Goldfmi'ths' Company cf Edinburgh, 
 who prefented it to him, and, at his requeft, confemeci 
 that it (hould be transferred to me 1 do give and bequeath 
 the fame to his Lordlhip; and, in cafe of his'deceaCe, to 
 his heir, with my grateful thanks for the diftinguilhed:hon- 
 our of prefenting it me, and more efpecially for the fa- 
 vourable fentiments with which he accompanied it. 
 
 lt em , To my brother, Charles Wafoington, I give and. 
 bequeath the gold-headed Cane left me by Dr. Franklin, 
 in his will. I add nothing to it, becaufe of the ample 
 provifion I have made for his ifiue. To the acquaintances 
 and friends of my juvenile years, Lawrence Wafiingtm 
 and Robert Waftitgton, of Cliotanck, 1 give my other two 
 gold-headed Canes, having my arms engraved on them ; 
 and to each (as they will be nfeful where they live) I leave 
 one of the Spy GlafTes, which conftituted part of ray. 
 equipage during the late war. To my compatriot in arms 
 and old and intimate friend, Dr. Craik, I give my Bureau 
 or, as the Cabinet Makers call it, Tambour Secretary) 
 and the circular Chair an appendage cf my Study. To 
 Dr. David Stuart, I give my large Shaving and DreiTing 
 Table, and rny Telefcope. To the Reverend, now Bry- 
 an Lord Fairfax, I give a Bible, in three large folio vol- 
 umes, with notes, prefented to me by the P,t, Rev. Tfo- 
 inas Wilfon, Bjfhop of Sodor and Man. To General De 
 la Fayette, I give a pair of finely wrought Steel Piftols, . 
 taken from the enemy in the Revolutionary War. To my 
 Sifters in Law, Hannah Wajbington and Mildred Wajhington 
 to my friends Eleanir Stuart, Hannah Wafhingtcn, of 
 Fairneld, and Elizabeth Wajbington of Hayfield, I give, 
 each, a Mourning Ring of the value of 100 dollars. 
 Thefe bequefls are not made for the intrinfic value of 
 ttjem, but as nnementcs of my etlccm and regard. To 
 
 G 2 TV 
 
44 HIS LAST WILL 
 
 Tobias Lear, I give the life of the farm v/hich he now hold*, 
 in virtue of a leafe from rne to him and his deceafed wife 
 (for and during their natural lives) free from rent during 
 }is life ; at the expiration of which, it is to be difpofed of 
 as is herein after dire&ed. To Sally B. Hay me (a diftant 
 relation of mine) I give and bequeath 300 dollars. To 
 Sarah Green, daughter of the deceafed Yhomas Bifbop, and 
 to Ann Walker, daughter of John Alton, alfo deceafed, I 
 give each 100 dollars, in confederation of the attachment 
 of their fathers to me, each of whom having lived nearly 
 forty years in my family. To each of my Nephews, 
 William Augufline Wafbingtvn, George Lewis, George Step- 
 is* Wafhington, Bufirod Wafiingtsn, and Samuel Wajbing- 
 tori, I give one of the Swords, or Cutteaux, of which I 
 may die pofTefTed ; and they are to choofe in the order 
 they are named. Thefe fwords are accompanied with an 
 injunction, not to unfheath them for the purpofe of med- 
 ding blood, except it be for felf- defence, or in defence of 
 their Country and its Rights ; and in the latter cafe, to 
 keep them unfrieathed, and prefer falling with them in 
 their hands to the relinquifhment thereof. 
 
 AND NOW, having gone through threfe fpecific Devi- 
 fes, with explanations for the more corred understanding 
 of the meaning and defign of them, I proceed to the dif- 
 tribution of the more important parts of my Eftare, in 
 manner following : 
 
 Firjl To my nephew, Bufirod Wafbington, and his 
 heirs, (partly in confideration of an intimation to his de- 
 ceafed father, while we were bachelors, and he had kindly 
 undertaken to fuperintend my eftate during my military 
 fervices in the former war between Great Britain and 
 France, that if I fhould fall therein, Mount Vernon, then 
 3efs extenfive in domain than at prefent. fticuld become 
 
 -..'.- * * 
 
 his . 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 45 
 
 his property) I give and bequeath all that part thereof 
 \vhich is comprehended within the following limits, viz. 
 Beginning at the ford of Dogue Run- near my mill, and 
 extending along the road, and bounded thereby, as it now . 
 goes and ever has gone fince my recollection of it, to the 
 ford of Little Hunting Creek, at the Gum Spring, until it 
 comes to a knowl oppofae to an old road which formerly 
 pafifed through the lower field of Muddy-hole Farm, at 
 which, on the north fide of the faid road, are three red or 
 Spaniih oaks marked as a corner, and a (lone placed 
 thence by a line of trees to be marked rectangular, to the 
 back line or outer boundary of the tracl: between Tho. 
 Mafon and myfelf thence .with that line eaftcrfy (now 
 double ditching, with a poft-and rail fence thereon) to the 
 run of Little Hunting Creek thence with that run, which 
 is the boundary between the lands of the late H..Peake 
 and me, to the tide water of the faid creek thence by 
 that water to Potomac River thence with the river to 
 the mouth of Dogue Creek and thence with the faid 
 Dogue Creek to the place of beginning at the aforefaid 
 ford; containing upwards of 4000 acres, be the fame more 
 or lefs, together with the Manfion Houfe, and all other 
 buildings and improvements thereon. 
 
 Second In confuleration of the confanguinity between 
 them and my wife, being as nearly related to her as to my-> 
 felf, as on account of the affection I had for, and the obli- 
 gation I was under to, their father, when living, who, from 
 his youth, had attached himfelf to my perfon, and follow- 
 ed my fortunes through the vicifiitudes of the late Revo- 
 lution, afterwards devoting his time to the fuperintendance 
 of my private concerns for many years, whilft my public 
 employments rendered it impracticable for me to do it my- 
 felf, thereby affording me eflential favices, and always 
 
 per- 
 
A& HIS LAST WILL 
 
 performing them in a manner the moft filial and refpeQ:" 
 ful For thefe reafons, I fay, I give and bequeath to 
 George Fayette Wafbington and Lawrence Angujlinc Wafting- 
 tan, and their heirs, my eftate eaft of -Little Hunting 
 Creek, tying on the river Potomac, including the farm 
 of 360 acres, leafed to Tobias Lear, as noticed before, 
 and containing in the whole, by deed, two thoufand and 
 twenty-feven acres, be it more or lefs ; which faid eflate 
 it is my will and defire, mould be equitably and advantage- 
 oufly divided between them, according to quantity, quality, 
 and other circumftances, when the youngeft fhall ha\e ar- 
 rwed at the age of 21 years, by three judicious a*id dif- 
 interefted men ; one to be chofen by each of the brothers, 
 and the third by thefe two. In the mean time, if the ter- 
 mination of my wife's intereft therein mould have ceafed, 
 the profits arifing therefrom are to be applied for their 
 joint ufes and benefit. 
 
 'Third And whereas it has always been my intention, 
 fmce my expectation of having iflue has ceafed, to confider 
 the grand-children of my wife, in the fame light as I do my 
 own relation?, and to acl: a friendly part by them, more ef* 
 pecially by the two whom we have raifed from their ear- 
 lieft infancy namely, Eleanor Park Cuftis, and George 
 WvJhintrUn Park Cuflis. And whereas the former of thefe 
 hath lately intermarried with Lawrence I^ewis t a fon of my 
 deceafed filler, Betty Lewis, by which union the induce- 
 ment to provide for them both has been increafcd, Where- 
 fore I give and bequeath to the faid Lawrence Lewis and 
 Eleamr Park Lewis, his wife, and their heirs, the refidue 
 of my Mount Vernon eftate, not already devifed to my 
 Nephew, Bufirvd Wafhington, comprehended within the 
 following defcription, viz. All the land north of the road 
 leading from the ford of Dogue Run to the Gum Spring, 
 
 as 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 47 
 
 as defcrlbed in tbe devife of the other part of the tract to 
 Buforod Wafiingtcn, until it comes to the ftone and three 
 red or Spanifh oaks on the knowl ; thence with the rectan- 
 gular line to the back line (between Mr. Mafon and me) 
 thence with that line wefterly along the new double ditch 
 to Dogue Run by the tumbling dam of my mill ; thence 
 with the faid run to the ford afore mentioned ; to which 
 1 add all the land I pofiefs weft of the faid Dogue Run and 
 Dogue Creek, bounded eafterly and foutherly thereby ; to- 
 gether with the mill, diftillery, and all other houfes and 
 improvements on, the prernifes; making together about 
 2000 acres, be it more or lefs. 
 
 Fourth Actuated by the principle already mentioned 
 I give and bequeath to George IVajlingtQn Park Cujth y the 
 grandfon of my wife, and my ward, and to his heirs, the 
 tract I hold on Four Mile Run, in the vicinity of Alexan- 
 dria, containing 1200 acres, more or lefs, and my entire 
 fquare, No, 21, in the city of Wafhington. 
 
 Fifth All the reft and refidue of my eftate, real and 
 perfonal, not difpofed of in manner aforefaid, in whatfoe- 
 ver confiding, wherefoever lying, and wherefoever found, 
 (a Schedule of which as far as is recollected, with a reafon- 
 able eftimate of its value, is hereunto annexed) I defirc 
 may be fold by my Executors, at fuch times, in fuch 
 manner, and on fuch credits (if an equal, valid, and fatif- 
 factory distribution of the fpecific property cannot be made 
 without) as in their judgment {hall be mofl conducive to 
 the intereft of the parties concerned, and the monies arif- 
 ing therefrom to be divided into 23 equal parts, and appli- 
 ed as follows, viz. To William Augufiine Wafbln^tm^ 
 EHxabeth Spotfaood, Jane Thornton^ and the heirs of Ann 
 A fit on, fon and daughters of my deccafed brother Auguf- 
 tine WdfiinitQn, \ give and bequeath four parts, that is, one 
 
 part 
 
4 3 HIS LAST WILL 
 
 'part to each of them : To Fielding Lewis, George 
 Robert Lewis, Howell Lewis, and Betty Carter, fons and 
 daughter of my deceafed fifler Betty Lewis, I give and be- 
 queath five other parts, one to each of them .* To George 
 Steptoe Wafiington, La-Mr ence A. Wafcington, Harriot Parks % 
 and the heirs of Thornton Wajbington, fons and daughter of 
 my deceafed brother Samuel Wafkington, I give and be- 
 queath the other four parts, one part to each of them i 
 To Carbin Wajbington, and the heirs of Jane Wafljington, 
 fbn and daughter of my deceafed brother John A. Wafo- 
 tngton, I give and bequeath two parts, one part to each of 
 them: To Samuel Wafoington^ Frances Ball, and Mildred 
 Hnmmond, fon and daughters of my brother Cha. Wafiing- 
 toi:, I give and bequeath three parts, one part to each of 
 them ; and to Geo. F. Wafrington, Cha. Aug. Wajlington t 
 and Maria Wajbingtvn, fons and daughter of my deceafed 
 nephew, Geo. A Wafiin^ton, I give one other part, that is, 
 to each a third of that part : To Eliz. Park Law, Martha. 
 Park Peter, and Eleanor Park Lewis, I give and bequeath 
 three other parts, that is, a part to each of them : And, 
 to my nephews, Bujhrod Washington and Law. Lewis, and 
 to my Ward, the grand-Ton of my wife, I give and be- 
 queath one other part, that is, a third thereof to each of 
 them. And if it (hould fo happen, that any of the per- 
 fons whofe names are here enumerated (unknown to me) 
 fhould now be dead, or fhould die before me, that in ei- 
 ther of thefe cafes, the heirs of fuch deceafed perfons (hall, 
 notwithftanding, derive all the benefits of the bequeft, in 
 fame manner as if he or (he was actually living at the time. 
 And, by way of advice, I recommend to my Executors 
 not to be precipitate in difpofing of the landed property 
 (therein directed to be fold) if from temporary caufes the 
 fale thereof (hould be dull ; experience having fully evin- 
 ced 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 
 
 f *d, that the price of land, efpecially above the falls of the 
 rivers and on the weftern waters, have been progreHively 
 rifing and cannot be long checked in its increafing value. 
 And I particularly recommend it to fuch of the Legatees 
 (under this claufe of my will) as can make it convenient, to 
 take each a il.are of my flock in the Potomac Company, in 
 preference to the amount of what it might fell for being 
 thoroughly cbnvinced myfelf, that no ufes to which the 
 money can be applied, will be fo productive as the tolls 
 arifmg from this navigation when in full operation (and 
 this from the nature of things it muft be ere long) and 
 more efpecially if that of the Shenandoah is added thereto. 
 The Family Vault at Mount Vernon, requiring re- 
 pairs, and being improperly fituated befides, I defire thfct 2 
 new one of brick, and upon a larger fcale, may be built at 
 the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard inclo- 
 fure, on the ground which is marked out In which my 
 remains, with thofe of my deceafed relations (now in the 
 old Vault) and fuch others of my Family as may chufe to 
 Kb entombed there, may be depofited. And it is my ex- 
 prefs defife, that my corps may be interred in a private 
 manner, without parade or funeral oration. 
 
 Laft/yl conftitute and appoint my dearly beloved wife 
 Martha Washington, my Nephews, William Augufilne. 
 Washington, Biforod Wajhingtcn, George Steptoc Wajhingtw, 
 Samuel Wajbington* and Lawrence Leivis, and my Ward, 
 George Washington Park Curtis (when he (hall have arriv- 
 ed at the age of 20 years) Executrix and Executors of this 
 mv WILL and TESTAMENT In the conftru&ion of 
 which, it will readily be perceived, that no profeflional 
 character has been consulted, or has had any agency in 
 the draught ; and, that although it has occupied many of 
 my leifure hours to digefl, and to throw it into its prefer.t 
 
 H form 
 
jo HIS LAST Witt 
 
 form, it may, notwithftanding, appear crude and incor* 
 reel but having endeavoured to be plain and explicit in 
 all the Devifes, even at the expence of prolixity, perhaps 
 of tautology, I hope and truft, that no difputes will arife 
 concerning them; but if, contrary to expectation, the cafe 
 fhould be otherwife from the want of legal expreifion, or 
 the ufual technical terms, or becaufe too much or too lit- 
 tle has been faid on any of the Devifes to be confonant 
 with law, my Will and Direction exprefsly is, that all 
 difputes (if unhappily any (hould arife) (hall be decided by 
 three impartial and intelligent men, known for their pro- 
 bity and good underftanding two to be chofenby the dif* 
 putants, each having the choice of one, and the third by 
 thofe two which three men thus chofen (hall, unfettered 
 by law or legal conftrucYions, declare the fenfe of the tef- 
 tator's intentions; and fuch decifion is, to all intents and 
 purpofes, to be as binding on the parties as if it had been 
 given in the Supreme Court of the United States. 
 
 IN WITNESS of all and each of the things herein con- 
 tained, I have fet my Hand and Seal, this ninth Day 
 of July, in the Tear one thoufand fiven hundred and 
 
 ninety * and of the Independence cf the United 
 
 States the twenty-fourth. 
 
 2f tf 
 
 * It appears the Teftator omitted the Word nine. 
 
 
AND rESTJMENT. 
 
 4 SCHEDULE of PROPERTY comprehended In the fore^ 
 going WILL, vutjck is dire fled to be Sold, and fim? oj // 
 // condt tonally Sold j with defcriptivs and explanatory Ncte$~ 
 relative thereto. 
 
 IN VIRGINIA, 
 
 Loudon County, Difficult Run, 
 Loudon & Fauqmer, Afhby'sBent 
 
 Chattin'sRun 
 Berkley, S. fork of Bullfe-in 
 
 Head of Evans's m. 
 
 In Wormly's line 
 
 2236 20 44>7 2 c 
 
 Frederick, bo't from Mercer, 571 20 ^1,420 d 
 
 Hampfhire, on Potomac river aboveB; 240 15 3?6oo e 
 
 Glcucefter, on North river, 400 about 3,600 / 
 Naniemond, near Suffolk, one-third 
 
 of 1119 acres, 373 8 2,984 
 
 Great Ditmal Swamp, my dividend? about 20,000 b 
 Ohio river, Round Bottom, 587 
 Little Kenhawa, 2314 
 
 tores. 
 
 Price.' 
 
 Dolls. 
 
 300 
 
 
 6,6.66 & 
 
 2481 
 
 10 d. ' 
 
 24,^00 , 
 
 88$ 
 
 8 
 
 - 7,080 * 
 
 1600 
 
 
 
 453 
 
 
 
 #3 
 
 
 
 Sixteen miles lower down 
 Oppofite Big Bent 
 
 2901 
 2448 
 4395 
 
 GREAT 
 
 Near the North Weft 
 Ealt fide above 
 Mouth of Cole river 
 Oppofite thereto 
 Burning Spring 
 
 9744 
 KENHAWA 
 
 10,000 
 7276 
 
 2000 
 2950 
 125 3075 
 
 Charles County 
 Montgomery do. 
 
 Great Meadows 
 Mohawk river 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 600 
 
 519 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Dollars, 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 Pn 
 
 234 < 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 about 1000 ( 
 NORTH WEST TERRITORY, 
 
 Little Miami 
 
 Ditto 
 
 I>itto 
 
 97>44P 
 
 200,000 k 
 
 3,600 / 
 6,229772 
 
 1,404 n 
 
HIS LAST WILL 
 
 Hough Creek 
 Ditto adjoining 
 
 KENTUCKY. 
 
 3000 
 
 iOOO 
 
 Dolls. 
 
 LOTS, viz. CITY or WASHINGTON. 
 Two near the Capitol, Square 634, cofl 963 dollars, 
 
 and with buildings, 15,000 / 
 
 No. 5, J2, 13, and 14, the three lad water lots on 
 .the Eaflern Branch, in Square 667, containing 
 together 34,438 fquare feel, at 12 cents, 4> 1 3 J s 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 Corner of Pitt and Prince-itreets, half an acre laid 
 out into buildings, three or four of which are 
 let on -ground-rent at ^dollars per foot, 4000 / 
 
 WINCHESTER. 
 A lot iu the town of half an acre, and another in 
 
 the commons of about fix acres, fuppofed 400 
 
 BATH, or Warm Springs. 
 Two well fituated, and ha'd buildings fo the a- 
 
 inount of 150!. 800 "Uf 
 
 STOCKUNITED STATES. 
 Six per Cents 3746 
 
 Do. Deferred 1873 
 
 Three per Cents 2946 2500 ~ - 6,246 x 
 
 POTOMAC COMPANY. 
 Twenty-four fhares coft each lool. fterling 10,666 y 
 
 JAMES RIVER COMPANY. 
 Five fhares each coft 100 dollars 500 z 
 
 BANK OF COLUMBIA. 
 One hundred and feventy fhares 40 dollars each 6,800 J 
 
 BANK OF ALEXANDRIA. 
 JSefides 20 fhares to the Free School five looo J. 
 
 STOCK, LIVING, viz. 
 One covering horfe, 5 carriage horfes, 4 riding do, 
 
 " 6 brood mares, 20 working horfes and mares, 2 
 covering Jacks', and 3 young ones, 10 fhe afTes, 
 42 working mules, 15 younger ones, 329 head of 
 }iorned cattle, 640 head of. fheep, and a large 
 itock of hogs, the precife number unknown - 
 
 . $& ' My Manager has eflimated this Live Stock 
 at 7000!. but I fhall let it down, in order to make 
 5, round fum, at *5i&53 
 
 Aggregate Amount . 530,000 
 
AND TESTAMENT. 53 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 a This tract, for the uze of it, is valuable, more for its 
 fuuation thaa the quality of its foil, though that is good for 
 farming, with a coufiderable proportion of ground that might 
 yery eafily be improved into meadow, it lies on the great 
 road from the city of Washington, Alexandria, and Georgetown, 
 IP Leelburg and Winchefter, at Difiicult Bridge, 19 miles from 
 Alexandria, lefs from the City and Georgetown, and not more 
 than 3 from Matildaville, at trie Great Falls of Potomac. 
 There is a valuable feat on the premifes, and the whole is con- 
 ditionally fold for the fum annexed in the Schedule. 
 
 b What the felling prices of lands in the vicinity of thefe 
 two tracts are, I know not; but compared with thole above 
 the Ridge, and others below it, the value annexed will ap- 
 pear moderate a lefs one would not obtain them from me. 
 
 c The furrounding land, not fuperior in foil, fituation, or 
 properties of any fort, fclis currently at from zo to 30 dollars 
 aa acre. The loweft price is affixed to thefe. 
 
 d The obiervations made in the laft Note apply equally to 
 this tract, being in the vicinity of them, and of fimihr qua- 
 lity, altho j it lies in another county. 
 
 e This tract, tho' fmall, is extremely valuable. It lies on 
 Potomac River, about 12, miles above the town of Bath (or 
 Warm Springs), and is in the ihapc of a horfe-ihoe, the river 
 running almoft around it ; 200 acres of it are rich low grounds, 
 with a great abundance of the largeft and fineit walnut trees, 
 which, with the produce of the foil, might (by means of the 
 improved navigation of the Potomac) be brought to a fhippirfg 
 port with more eafe, and at a fmaller expeace, than that 
 which is tranlportcd 30 miles only by land. 
 
 f- This tract is of fecond-rate Gloucefter low grounds. It 
 has no improvements thereon, but lies on navigable water, a- 
 bounding in fifli and oyfters. It was received in payment of a 
 debt (carrying interest) and valued, in the year 1789, by an 
 impartial gentleman, at Sool. N. B. It has lately been fold, 
 and there is due thereon a balance equal to what is annexed in 
 the Schedule* 
 
 g Thefe 373 acres are the third part of undivided parchafes 
 made by the deceafed Fielding Lewis, Tho. Walker, and my- 
 felf, on full conviction that they would become Valuable. The 
 land lies on the road from Suffolk to Norfolk, touches (if I am 
 roc miflaken) fome part of the navigable water of Nanfemond 
 River ; the rich Difmal Swamp is capable of great improve- 
 p&uty and, from its iltuation, inuft become extremely valuable. 
 
 Thefe 
 
54 HIS LA-ST WILL 
 
 h This is an undivided intereft v/hich I held in tlie Great 
 Biimai Swamp Company, containing about 4000 acres, vmh 
 ray part of the plantation and ftcck thereon, belonging to the 
 Company, in the faid Swamp. 
 
 / Thefe feveral traces of land are of the firft quality on the 
 Ohio R-iver, in the parts where they are iituated, being al~ 
 jnort, if not altogether, river bottoms. The fmalleft of theie 
 trails is acltially fold at 10 dollars an acre, but the* confidera- 
 t'ion therefor not received. The reft are equally valuable, and 
 \vill {HI as t'gh, efpecially that which lies juft below the Lit- 
 tle Kenhawa, and is oppotitc to a thick iettlement en the weft 
 ftde of the river. The four tracts have an aggregate breadth 
 upon the river of 16 miles^ and are bounded thereby that uii- 
 
 Thcfe tradls are iituated upon the Great Kenhawa R.iver, 
 and the h'rft four are bounded thereby for more than 40 miles. 
 It is acknowledged by all who have ieen them (and of the tract 
 containing 10,990 acres, which I have been on myfelf, I can 
 alien) thac there is no richer or more valuable land in all that 
 region They are conditionally fold for the lum mentioned in 
 the Schedule, that is, 200,000 dollars ; and if the terms of 
 that fale are not complied with, they will command confider- 
 abiy more. The tract, of which the 125 acres is a moiety, 
 Avas taken up by General Andrew Lewis and myfelf, for, and 
 on account of, a bitumenous i'pring which it contains, of fo in- 
 flammable a nature, as to burn as freely as fpirits, and is as 
 Dearly difficult to extinguish. 
 
 / I am but little acquainted with this land, altho' I have 
 once been on it. It was received (many years fince) in dii- 
 charge of a debt due to me from Daniel J. Adams, at the va- 
 lue annexed thereto, and mud be worth more. It is very 
 level, and lies near the river Potomac, 
 
 m This tracl: lies about 30 miles above the city of Wafh- 
 ington, not far from Kittodlan. It is good farming land, and, 
 by thofe who are well acquainted with it, I am informed that 
 it would 'fell at i i or 15 dollars per acre. 
 
 n This laud is valuable on account of its local Mtuation and 
 other properties. It affords an exceeding good ftand on Bra- 
 dock's Road from Fort Cumberland to Pittfburg ; and, befides 
 a fertile foil, poiTefies a large quantity of natural meadow, fit 
 for the "fcythe. It is diiiinguiihed by the appellation of the 
 GreatTvIeadows, where the iirit action with the French^ in the 
 year 1754, v.as fought. 
 
 This 
 
AND TEST A ME XT. 55 
 
 This is the moiety of about 2000 acresj which remain 
 Unfold, of 6071 acres on the Mohawk River (Montgomery 
 county), in a patent granted to Daniel Cox, in the town'hipof 
 Coxborough and Carolan, as \vill appear by deed from Mar. 
 Willet and wife to George Clinton (late Governor of N. York) 
 and m.yfelf. The latter tales have been at 6 dollars an acre, 
 and what remains unfold will fetch that or, more, 
 
 p The quality of thefe lands and their fituation, maybe 
 known by 'the Surveyor's Certificates, which are filed along 
 with the patents. They lay in the vicinity of Cincinnati ; one 
 tract near the month of the Little Miami, another 7, and the 
 third 10 miles up the fame. I have been informed, that they 
 will readily command more than they are edimated at. 
 
 q For the defcription of thefe tracts in detail, fee General 
 Spotfwood's letters, filed with the other papers relating to 
 them. Befides the general good quality of the land, there is 
 a- valuable bank of iron ore thereon, which, when the ftttle- 
 irient becomes more populous (and fettlers are moving that \vay 
 very fad) will be found very valuable, as the Rou^h Creek, a 
 branch of Green River, affords ample water for furnaces and 
 forges. 
 
 LOTS, viz. CITY OF WASHINGTON, 
 
 r The two lots near theCapitol, in Square 634,'coft me 963 
 dollars only, but in this price I was favoured, on condition that 
 I fhould build two brick houies, each three dories high ; with- 
 out this reduction, the felling prices of thefe lots would have 
 cod me about 1350 dollars. Thefe lots, with the buildings 
 thereon, when completed, will ftand me ia IJOOQ dollars at 
 leaft. 
 
 s Lots No. 5, 12, 13, and 14, on the EaAern Branch, are 
 advantageoufiy ficuated on the water; and altho' many lots 
 much lefs convenient have fold a great deal higher, I will rate 
 thefe at 12 cents the fquare foot only, 
 
 ALEXANDRIA. 
 
 / For this lot, tho ? unimproved, I have refufed 3.700 dol- 
 lars. It has fmce been laid off into proper fized lots for bujlding 
 on, three or four of which are let on-pround-nent forever, at 3 
 dollars a foot on the ftreet ; and tin's price is alvcd for both 
 fronts on Pitt and Prince-ftreets. 
 
 WINCHESTER. 
 
 u As neither the lots in the To\vh or Common ha\ r c an? 
 improvements on them, it is not eafy to fix a price ; but as 
 both are well fituated, it is prefnmed the price annexed to 
 them in the Schedule is a reafoiiable valuation. 
 
 The 
 
5 <> HIS LAST WILL 
 
 BATH. 
 
 "j,< The !ors in Rath (tsvo adjoining) cofl: me, to the bed of 
 my recollection, between 50 and 6ol. twenty years ago, and 
 the buildings thereon i;;Ol. more. Whether property there 
 has increafed or decreafed its value, and in what condition the 
 hjuufes are, I am ignorant, but fuppoi'e they are not valued 
 too high. 
 
 STOCK, 
 
 x Thefe are the Turns which are Anally funded, and tho* 
 no more in the aggregate than 7,566 dollars, liand me in at 
 lead io,oocU Virginia money ; being the amount of bonded 
 anJ other debts di:e to me, and difcharged during the war, 
 v.'hen money had depreciated in that rate ^ and was fo fet- 
 tled by public authority. 
 
 y The value annexed to thefe {hares is what they have ac- 
 tually coit .me, and is the price affixed by Law ; and alr.ho' the 
 prefent felling price is under par, my advice to the Legatees 
 (for \vhofe benefit they arc intended, efpecially thofe who can 
 aiFord to lie out of the money) is, that each fhould take and 
 hold one there being a moral certainty of a great and in- 
 creafing .profit arifing from them in the courfe of a few years, 
 
 z It is fuppofed that the Shares in the James River Com- 
 pany mull alfo be productive but of this I can give no deckl- 
 c*d opinion, for want of more accurate information. 
 
 + Thefe are the nominal prices of the fhares in the banks 
 of Alexandria and Columbia ; the felling prices vary according 
 to circumftances but as the ftockufually divides from 8 to 10 
 per cent, per ann. they rnuft be worth the former, at Jeaft, fo 
 long as the banks are conceived to be fecure, aJtho' circuni- 
 ftances may fometimes make them below it. 
 
 The value of the Live Stock depends more upon the quality 
 than quantity of the different fpecies of it and this again upon 
 the demand and judgement, or fancy of purchafers. 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON^ 
 
 frlpunt Vernen-) tyh July 1/99. 
 
ti'ASHINGTONIANA, 
 
 iTftt? following Article will be found not only hijlorically 
 , but alfo a necejjary elucidation of that part of the Will 
 which mentions the Box made of the Ouk that faltered Sir 
 WILLIAM WALLACE, the Champion of Scotland (fee p* 
 4z) M which isfeen -with -what ckaratteri/iical prudence and 
 addrt'fs, the General declines complying "With Lord Buchan^s^ 
 requtfty *' to leave it to the Man whom HE Jlull think the moft 
 worthy of receiving it." // will contradict the prevailing idea 
 in this Country, that Scotchmen are naturally, hoflile to Li- 
 berty ; it will fhewy that even among the Ariftocracy of their 
 ancient Kingdom, WASHINGTON had his admirers; and it 
 'will demonftrate, u that in every clime , and in every region, 
 " homa.ge is paid to Virtue.^ 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 4, 1792. 
 
 On Friday laft was prefented to the Prefident of the 
 United States, GEORGE WASHINGTON, a Box, elegantly 
 mounted with filver, and made of the celebrated oak tree 
 that flickered the patriotic Sir WILLIAM WALLACE of 
 Scotland, after the unfortunate battle of Falkirk about the 
 year 1300. This very curious and chara&eriftical pre- 
 fent is from the Earl of Buchan, by the hand of Mr. 
 Archibald Robertfon, a Scotch gentleman, and a portrait 
 painter, who arrived in America fome months ago. The 
 Box was prefented to Lord Buchan by the Goldfmiths* 
 Company of Edinburgh,; from whom his Lordfhip re- 
 quefted, and obtained leave, to make it over to the Mart 
 \vhom he deemed more deferving of it than himfelf, and 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON was the Man. 
 
 We further learn, that Lord Buchan has requeued of 
 the Prefident, that, on the event of his deceafe, he will 
 confign the Box to that Man, / this Country, who mall 
 appear, in his judgement, to merit it bed, upon the fame 
 confiderations that induced him to fend it to America. 
 [See the Will, p. 42.] 
 
 J Upon 
 
5* 
 
 Upon the Box, which is curioufly wrought, is a filver 
 plate with the folio wiiig infcription : " Prefented by the 
 " Goldfmiths of Edinburgh to David Stetvart Erftir.c, Earl 
 " of Buchan, with the Freedom of their Corporation) by their 
 " Deacon A. D. 1792." 
 
 Copy of the LETTER from Lord BUCK AN to General 
 WASHINGTON, accompanying the Box. 
 
 " SIR, Dryburgh Abbey, June 28, I 791. 
 
 " I Had the honour to receive your Excellency's letter, 
 relating to the advertifement of Dr. Anderfon's periodical 
 publication, in the Gazette of the United States ; which 
 attention to my recommendation I feel veVy fenfibly, and 
 return you my grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 '"In the 2iftNo. of that Literary Mifcellany, I in- 
 fcrted a monitary paper refpe&ing America, which I flat- 
 ter myfelf, may, if attended to on the other fide theAtlan- 
 tic, be productive of good confequences. 
 
 " To ufe your own emphatic words, " May that Al- 
 mighty Being who rules over the Univerfe who prefides 
 in the Councils of Nations and whofe providential aid 
 can fupply every human defect, confecrate to the Liber- 
 ties and Happinefs of the American people, a government 
 inftituted by themfelves for public and private fecurity, up- 
 on the bafis of Law and equal adminiflration of Juftice, 
 preferving to every individual as much civil and political 
 freedom as is confident with the fafety of the Nation"- 
 And may HE be pleafed to continue your life and ftrength 
 as long as you can be in any way ufeful to your Country ! 
 
 " 1 have entrufted this (heet inclofed in a Box, made of 
 the Oak that flickered our Great Sir William Wallace, 
 after the battle of Falkirk, to Mr. Robertfon, of Aber- 
 deen, a Painter, with the hope of his having the honour 
 
 of 
 
WASHINGrONIANA. 59 
 
 cf delivering it into your hands ; recommending him as 
 an able Artift, feeking for fortune and fame in the New 
 World. This box was prefented to me by the Goldfniiths* 
 Company at Edinburgh, to whom, feeling my own un- 
 worthinefs, to receive this magnificently fignificant prefent, 
 I requeued and obtained leave to make it over to the man 
 in the world to whom I thought it moft juftly due. Into 
 your hands I commit it, requefting of you to pafs it, on 
 the event of your deceafe, to the Man, in your own 
 country who (hall appear to your judgment to merit it 
 beft, upon the fame confiderations that have induced me to 
 fend it to your Excellency. 
 
 "I am, Sir, with the highefl efteem, 
 Your Excellency's moft obedient 
 
 And obliged humble fervant, BUCHAN. 
 f( General WASHINGTON, Prefident ") 
 of the United States of America." J 
 
 " P. S. I beg your Excellency will have thegoodnefi 
 to fend me your Portrait, that I may place it among thofe 
 I mod honour, and I would wifh it from the pencil of Mr. 
 Robertfon. I beg leave to recommend him to your coun- 
 tenance ; as he has been mentioned to me favourably by 
 my worthy friend, Profeflbr Oglvie, of King's College, 
 Aberdeen" 
 
 Two LETTERS from General WASHINGTON to Lord 
 BUCHAN. 
 
 " M Y LORD, Philadelphia, May i , 1792. 
 
 "I mould have had the honour of acknowledging foon- 
 cr the receipt of your letter of the 28th of June laft, hadf 
 I not concluded to defer doing it till I could announce to 
 you the tranfmiflion of my portrait, which has jufl been 
 foifhed by Mr, Robertfon (of New-York) who has alfq 
 
 I a yn- 
 
6o IV A S HING T NIA NA. 
 
 undertaken to forward it. The manner of the execution 
 of it does no difcredit, I am told, to the artift, of whcfe 
 fkill favourable mention has been made to me. I was fur- 
 ther induced to entruft the execution of it to Mr. Robert- 
 fon, from his having informed me that he had drawn oth- 
 ers for your Lordihip, and knew the fize which befl fuited 
 your collection. 
 
 " I accept, with fenfibility and with fatisfaclion, the 
 fignificant prefont of the box which accompanied your 
 Lordfhip's letter. 
 
 - " In yielding the tribute due from every 1 ver of man- 
 kind to the patriotic and heroic virtues of which it is com- 
 memorative, I eftimate, as I ought, the additional value 
 which it derives from the hand that fent it, and my obli- 
 gation for the fentiments that induced the transfer. 
 
 <e I will, however, afk, that you will exempt me from 
 the compliance with the requeft relating to its eventual def- 
 tination, 
 
 " In an attempt to execute your wilh in this particular, 
 I fhould feel embarraiTment, from a juft comparifon of 
 relative pretenfions, and fear to rifk injuflice by fo marked 
 a preference. 
 
 " With fentiments of the the trueft efleem and 
 confideration, I remain your Lordfliip's moft 
 
 obedient fervant, G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 Earl of Buchan. 
 
 "My LORD, Philadelphia, April 22, T 793. 
 
 " The favourable wifles which your Lordihip has cx- 
 prefled for the profperity of this young and rifing country, 
 cannot but be gratefully received by all its Citizens, and 
 every lover of it ; one mean to the contribution of which, 
 and its happinefs, is very judicioufly pourtrayed in the fol- 
 lowing words of your letter, " To be little heard of in the 
 
 great 
 
WASHING? ON! AX A. 61 
 
 great world of politics." Thefe words, 1 can affare ycur 
 Lordfhip, are exprciTive of my fentimenis on this head ; 
 and I believe it is the fincere wifh of United America, to 
 have nothing to do with the political intrigues or the Bab- 
 bles of European nations; but, on the contrary, to ex- 
 change commodities, and live in peace and amity with all 
 the inhabitants of the earth ; and this I am perfuaded they 
 will do, if rightfully it can be done. To adminifier juflice 
 to, and receive it from every power they are connected 
 with, will, 1 hope, he always found the moil prominent 
 feature in the Administration of this Country ; and I flat- 
 ter myfelf that nothing fliort of imperious necefllry can cc- 
 cafion a breach with any of them. Under fuch.a fyflem, 
 if we are allowed to purfue it, the agriculture and mecha- 
 nical arts the wealth and population of thefe States, will 
 increafe with that degree of rapidity, as to baffle all cal- 
 culation ; and mud furpafs any idea your Lord < ip can, 
 hitherto, havt entertained on the occafion. 
 
 " To evince that our views (whether realized or not) 
 are expanded, I take the liberty of fending you the plan of 
 a new City, fituated about the centre of the union of 
 thefe States, which is defigned for the permanent feat of 
 theGovernment ; and we are this moment deeply engaged, 
 and far advanced in extending the inland navigation of 
 the river (Potomac) on which it (lands, and the branches 
 thereof, through a tract of as rich country for hundreds of 
 miles, as any in the world. Nor is thrs a folitary inftance 
 of attempts of the kind, altho* it is the only one which Is 
 near completion, and in partial ufe. .Several other im- 
 portant ones are commenced, and little doubt is entertain- 
 ed, that in ten years, if left unciiflurbed, we (hall open a 
 communication by water with all the Lakes north ward and 
 wedward of us with which we have territorial connec- 
 Jjons j and an inland navigation, in a few years more, may 
 
 be 
 
62 lyASPIING'TONIANA. 
 
 ke carried into effeft from Rhode Ifland to Georgia, part- 
 ly by cuts between the great Bays and Sounds, and partly 
 between the iflands and the main, from Albemarle Sound 
 to St. Mary's river. To thefe fliould be added, the 
 creation of bridges over rivers, and the making of turn- 
 pikfe-roads, as further indications of improvements. 1 ' m 
 
 A SCOTCH HISTORICAL NOTE. 
 
 *^* The Scottish reader turns with laudable avidity to 
 the interesting (lory of Sir WILLIAM WALLACE, the De^ 
 fender of his Country, and, even in the dark days of Igno? 
 rauce and Superfiition, the Champion of "Liberty. Making 
 due allowance for national partiality and exaggeration, the 
 leading circumftances of the ftory are founded on a remark* 
 able portion of Britifh hiflory ; and, by the variety of its 
 martial incidents, when the romantic fpirit of Chivalry ap- 
 peared in all its glory, innocently amufes the fancy, whilft 
 it ufefully enlarges the understanding. 
 
 About the latter end of the I3th Century, Edward the 
 Firfl of England, having fet up a pretence to the Scottifli 
 crown, invaded that country with a great army, committing 
 every ki.nd of rapine and devaluation, which ib legibly and 
 fearfully cbaraeterife thefe fcourges of the human race, call- 
 ed Cotiqutrorsi When the people had nearly all been fubdu- 
 ed, WALLACE arofe, and, with a few followers, endeavour- 
 ed to refcue his unfortunate country from bondage and op- 
 preffion ; he bravely fought and ilruggled, with various fuc- 
 ccfs, until he was betrayed by fome of the Arnolds of that 
 day, and put into the hands of his blood-thirfty enemies, who 
 carried him to London, and there put him to a cruel and 
 ignominious death. * 
 
 What Wallace began, Bruce completed By the decifive 
 battle of Bannockburn, in the year 1314, he freed his coun- 
 try from the yoke of England, and obtained the crown as 
 the reward of his valour. ROBERT BRUCE, even at this 
 day, is defervedly a favourite of his nation ; unqueftion- 
 ably he was the ableft Monarch that ever fwayed the Scot* 
 tiih fceptre; and he may, with fome propriety, be called 
 
 the 
 
iheWaflungtoJi of Scotland, becaafc he was fucccfsfu!. If our 
 Wafhington had been unfuccefsful, had fallen a victim roEng- 
 rifh vengeance, and had faffered a fliameful death, thc-n Lord 
 Buchan's parallel had been complete with refpect to Wallace 
 Wafliington himfelf, for a time, was in danger of the 
 block or the gibbet Wafhington defeated would have been 
 a traitor; but, Wafhington victorious, became a Hero 
 Such is the wonderful effect of fuccefs in the eyes of the giddy- 
 unthinking multitude, that " it marks a Rebel, or it dubs a 
 
 King!" 
 
 What the fword of Edward could not achieve in the I3th 
 Englilh gold has fully effected in the iyth Century The 
 Nobles of Scotland no longer contend for the independency 
 of their Country ; -^ they have transferred their allegiance 
 from the Stewarts to the Guelphs ; they are dwindled into 
 Lords of the Bed-chamber, and Grooms of the Stole, and Ser- 
 vants of the Houfebold of the Elector of Hanover ; and an- 
 cient Caledonia is become an obfcure province, fubject to the 
 pride and the power of England ! 
 
 Hiftory pure, impartial hHlory is no refpecter of per- 
 fons or of nations And an American obferver will not be 
 milled either by Englilh, or Scotch, or French partialities. 
 
 R. 
 
 * This atrocious a& was afterwards exceeded, in a ten-fold de- 
 gree, by the long-premeditated and treacherous murder of the beauti- 
 ful Queen Mary, under the orders of her implacable rival Queen Eliz- 
 abeth. Taking in all the circumftances of this tragical itory, it is 
 one of the heft authenticated, and moil aflefting, that is recorded in 
 Hiftory. An Engliihman dwells with rapture on the glorious deeds 
 of the " good Queen Befs," as he calls her; and, among her other 
 qualities, he will ferioufly praife her cliaility ! But what will not 
 JohnBull do, or fay, when once he " takes a notion ?" HerRoyalMa- 
 jefty of England, it muft be owned, had not quite fo many lovers as 
 her late Imperial Majefty of Ruflia, b\it (he had enough to prove, that 
 fhe was poffeflbi of very violent and ungovernable paffions. And it 
 is a fad not to be pafled over in filence, that from this afTumed virtue 
 of the Englifli Queen was given the prefent name of this State, Vir- 
 ginia ! Perhaps the prefent generation of Virginians will admire the 
 ritnefs of this iignincant appellation certainly they will wonder at 
 the curious, oftentimes ridiculous circumftances, which move and di- 
 re& even the moft ferious affairs of this verfatile world ! 
 
 f Some years ago, the Earl of Buchan (who is elder brother to the 
 celebrated Counfellor Eilkine of London) aftlamed of the degenerocy 
 of his brother Lords, attempted to reilvain the bare-faced interfer- 
 ence of the Minifter in the eledicn of the 16 Peers but he foon 
 found, that the fmall remnant of Scottifh independency was* but A 
 feeble match for the golden influence of the Englifh Treafury. 
 
The Fathers Legacy to his Country i 
 
 BEING 
 
 The ADDRESS of GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 "jjhen Prefid^nt of the UNITED STATES, on declining le~ 
 ing considered a Candidate for their future Suffrages. 
 
 DEAD HE TE'f SPEAKEfH." 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Friends and -Fellow Citizens, 
 
 1 HE period for a new eie&ion of a Citizen to adrnini- 
 fier the Executive Government of the United States, be- 
 irg not far diftant, and the time a&u'alty arrived when 
 your thoughts mud be employed in defignating the pcrfon 
 \vho is to be cloathed with that important truft, it appears 
 to me proper, efpecially as it may conduce to a more dif- 
 tint expreffion of the public voice, that I (Tiould now ap- 
 prife you of the refolution I have formed, to decline being 
 considered among the number of thofe out of whom a 
 choice is to be made. 
 
 I beg you, at the fame time, to do me the juMice to be 
 aiTured, that this refolution has not been taken without a 
 ftrifc regard to all the confiderations appertaining to the re- 
 lation which binds a dutiful Citizen to his Country, and 
 that, in withdrawing the tender of fen ice which filencein 
 rny fitnaticn might imply, 1 am influenced by no diminu- 
 tion of zeal for your future interefl ; no deficiency of 
 grateful refpeQ: for your paft kindnefs but am fupported 
 by a full conviction. that the ilep is compatible with both. 
 The acceptance oF, and continuance hitherto in, the of- 
 fice to which your fuflrages have twice called me, have 
 
 bsen 
 
W tJfi' COUNTM. 6$ 
 
 uniform facrifice of inclination to the opinion of du- 
 ty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your- defrre. 
 I conftantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier 
 in my power, confidently with motives, which I was not 
 at liberty to difregard, to return to that retirement from 
 which I had been reluctantly drawn. The ftrength of my 
 inclination to do this, previous to the laft election, had even 
 led to the preparation of an addrefs to declare it to you ; 
 but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical 
 pofture of affairs with foreign Nations, and the unanimous 
 advice of perfons entitled to my confidence, impelled me 
 to abandon the idea. 
 
 I rejoice that the ftate of your concerns, external as 
 well as internal, no longer renders the purfuit of inclina- 
 tion incompatible with the fentiment of duty or proprie- 
 ty : And am perfuaded whatever partiality may be re- 
 tained for my fervices, that in the prefent circumftances of 
 our Country, you will not difapprove my determination to 
 retire. 
 
 The impreflions with which I firft undertook the ardu- 
 ous truft, were explained on the proper occafion. In the 
 difcharge of this truft, I will only fay, that I have with 
 good intentions, contributed towards the organization and" 
 adminiftration of the Government, the bed exertions of 
 which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not uncon- 
 fcious, in the outfet, of the inferiority of my qualifica- 
 tions, experience, in my own eyes, perhaps flill more in 
 the eyes of others, has ftrengthened the motives to diffi- 
 dence of myfelf : And every day the increafing weight of 
 years admoniflies me more and more, that the made of re- 
 tirement is as necefiary to me as it will be welcome. Sa- 
 tisfied that if any circumftances have given peculiar value 
 to my fervices, they were temporary, I have the confola- 
 
 K tiony 
 
66 HIS L 
 
 t-ion to believe, that while choice and prudence invite 
 to quit the political fcene, patriotifm 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 beloved country, for 
 the many honours it has conferred upon me ; and ftill more 
 for the ftedfaft confidence with which it has fupported me ; 
 and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of mani- 
 fefting my inviolable attachment by Cervices faithful and 
 perfevering, though in ufefulnefs unequal to my xeal. If 
 benefits have refulted to our country from thefe fervices, 
 let it always be remembered to our praife, and as an in- 
 ftructive example in our annals, that under circumftances 
 in which the paflions, agitated in every direction, were li- 
 able to miflead, amidfl appearances fometimes dubious 
 vicitfitudes of fortune, often difcouraging in fituations, in 
 which not unfrequently want of fuccefs has countenanced 
 thefpirit of criticifm the conflancy of your fupport was 
 the effential prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the 
 plans, by which they were effected. Profoundly penetra- 
 ted with this idea, I (hall carry it with me to my grave, as 
 a ftrong incitement to uneeafmg vows, that Heaven may 
 continue to you the choiceft tokens of its beneficence that 
 your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual that 
 the free Confritution, which is the work of your hands, 
 may be facredly maintained that its adminiftration irt 
 every department may be ftamped with wifdom and vir- 
 tue That, in fine, the happinefs of the people of thefe 
 States, under the aufpices of Liberty, may be made com- 
 plete, by fo careful a prefervation and fo prudent a ufe of 
 this blefling, as will acquire to them the glory of recom- 
 mending it to the applaufe, the affection, and adoption of 
 every nation which is yet a ftranger to it. 
 
r0 HIS COUNTRY. 67 
 
 Here, perhaps, I ought to ftop. But folicitude for 
 your welfare, which cannot end but with my lite, and the 
 apprehenfion of danger natural to that foiicitude, urge me, 
 on an occafion like the prefent, to offer to your folemn 
 contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent re- 
 view, forae fentiments which are the rcfult of much reflec- 
 tion, of no inconfiderable observation, 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 free- 
 dom, as you can only feel in them the difmterefted warn- 
 ings of a parting friend, who can poffibly have no perfonal 
 motive to bias his counfeh Nor can I forget, as an encou- 
 ragement to it, your indulgent reception of my fentiments 
 on a former and not diffimllar occafion. 
 
 Interwoven as is the love of Liberty with every ligament 
 of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necefTary 
 to fortify or confirm the attachment. 
 
 The unity of government which conftitutes you one 
 people, is alfo now dear to you. It is jufljy fo; for it is 
 a main pillar in the edifice of youF real independence, the 
 ftipport of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; 
 of your fafety; of your profperity ; of that very Liberty 
 which you fo highly prize. But, as it is eafy tp forefee, 
 that from different caufes and from different quarters, 
 much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to 
 weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth ; as this 
 is the point in your political fortrefs, againft which the 
 batteries of internal and external enemies will be mod con- 
 ftantly and actively (though often covertly and infiduoufly) 
 directed, it is of infinite moment that you fiiould properly 
 eftimate the irnmenfe value of your national union, to your 
 collective and individual happinefs; that you fhould che- 
 fjfh a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it ; 
 
65 HIS LEGACr 
 
 accuflcming yourfelves to think and fpeak of it as of the 
 palladium of your political fafety and profperity, watching 
 for its prefervation with jealous anxiety ; difcountenancing 
 whatever may fuggeft even a fufpicion that it can in any 
 event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the 
 firft dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of 
 our country from the reft, or to enfeeble the facred ties 
 which now link together the various parts. 
 
 For this you have every inducement of fvmpathy and 
 intereft. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common coun- 
 try, that country has a right to concentrate your afTeaions. 
 The name of American, which belongs to you in your na- 
 tional capacity, muft always exalt the juft pride of patriots 
 ifm, more than any appellation derived from local difcrimir 
 nations. With flight (hades of difference, you have the 
 fame religion, manners, habits and political principles. Yoij 
 have in a common caufe fought and triumphed together ; 
 the Independence and Liberty you poflefs are the work of 
 ijoint councils, and joint efforts, of common dangers, fuf-* 
 ferings and fuccefles. 
 
 But thefe confiderations however powerfully they acl-y 
 clrefs themfelves to your fenfibility, are greatly outweigh- 
 ed by thofe which apply more immediately to yourinterefL 
 Here every portion of our country finds the moft com-* 
 manding motives for carefully guarding and preferving the 
 union of the whole. 
 
 The North, in an unreftrained intercourfe with the 
 South, protected by the equal laws of a common govern- 
 ment, finds, in the productions of the latter, great additional 
 refources of maritime and commercial enterprize, and pre- 
 cious materials of manufacturing induftry The South, in 
 the fame intercourfe, benefiting by the agency of the North, 
 fees its agriculture grow ? and its commerce expand. Turn- 
 ing 
 
HIS COUWRT. eg 
 
 ing partly into its own channels the Teamen of the 
 it finds its particular navigation invigorated and while it 
 contributes in different ways, to notiriftt and increafe the 
 general mafs of the national navigation, it looks forward 
 to the protection of a maritime ftrength, to which itfelf is 
 unequally adapted. The Eafl in a like intcrcourfe with 
 the Weft, already finds, and in the progreflive improve- 
 ment of interior communications, by land and water, will 
 more and more find a valuable vent for the commodities 
 which it brings from abroad, or manufactures at home. 
 The Weft derives from the Eaft fupplies requifite for its 
 growth and comfort and what is perhaps of ftill greater 
 confequence, it muft of neceffity owe thefeaire enjoyment 
 pf indifpenfabie outlets for its own productions, to the 
 weight, influence, and future maritime ftrength of the At- 
 lantic fide of the Union, directed by an indiflbluble com- 
 munity of intereft as ONE UNION. Any other tenure by 
 which the Weft can hold this eflential advantage, whether 
 derived from its own feparate ftrength, or from an apoftate 
 and unnatural connexion with any foreign power, muft be 
 jntrinfically precarious. 
 
 While then every part of ourCountry thus feels an im- 
 mediate and particular intereft in union, all the parts com- 
 bined cannot fail t find in the united mafs of means and 
 efforts, greater ftrength, greater refource, proportionably 
 greater fecurity from external danger, a lefs frequent inter- 
 ruption of their peace by foreign nations ; and, what is of 
 ineftimable value, they muft derive from union an exemp- 
 tion from thofe broils and wars between themfelves, which 
 fo frequently afflict neighbouring countries, not tied togeth- 
 er by the fame government ; which their own rival ihips 
 alone would be fufncient to produce, but which oppofite 
 foreign alliances, attachments and intrigues would ftimuiate 
 
 and 
 
7* -HIS LEGACT 
 
 and imbitter. Hence likewife they will avoid the neceffity 
 of thofe overgrown military eftablimments, which under 
 any form of government, are inaufpicious to Liberty, and 
 whicfrare to be regarded as particularly hoftile to republi- 
 *tfLiber*y ; In this fenfe it is, that your Union ought to be 
 confidered as a main prop of your Liberty, and the love of 
 the one ought to endear to you the prefervation of the other. 
 Thefe confiderations fpeak a perfuafive language to eve- 
 ry reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the continuance 
 of the Union as a primary object of a patriotic defire. 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 criminal. We are 
 authorized to hope that a proper organization of the whole, 
 with the auxiliary agency of governments for the refpec- 
 live fubdivifions, will afford a happy iflue to the experi- 
 ment. 'Tis well worth a fair and full experiment. With 
 fuch powerful and obvious motives to the Union, affecting 
 all parts of our country, while experiment (hall not have 
 ckmonflrated its impracticability, there will always be rea- 
 fon to diftruft the patriotifm of tkofe, who, in any quarter, 
 may endeavour to weaken its bands. 
 
 In contemplating the caufes which may difturb our 
 union, it occurs as matter of ferious concern, that any 
 ground mould be furnifhed for ch a racier ifing parries, by 
 Geographical difcriminations Northern and Southern At- 
 lantic and Weftern ; whence defigning men may endeavour 
 to excite a belief, that there is a real difference of local uv 
 terefts and views. One of the expedients of Party to ac- 
 quire influence, within particular diftri&s, is to mifrepre- 
 fent the opinions and aims of other diftri&s. You cannot 
 fhteld yourfelvcs too much againft the jealoufies and heart 
 burnings which fpring from thefe mifreprefentations ; they 
 
 tencj 
 
c rO HIS COUtiTRf. 71 
 
 fend to render alien to each other thofe who ought to be 
 bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabitants of 
 our Weftern Country have lately had a ufeful leflbn-oh this 
 head : They have feen in the negotiation by the Executive, 
 and in the unanimous ratification by the Senate,' of the 
 treaty with Spain, and in the univerfal fatisfa&ion at that 
 event throughout the United States, a decifive proof how 
 unfounded were the fufpicions propagated among them of 
 a policy in the general government and in the Atlantic 
 States, unfriendly to their interefts in regard to the Mif/iT- 
 fippi : They have been witnefies to the formation of two 
 treaties, that with Great Britain and that with Spain, 
 which fecure to them every thing they could defire in 
 refpcft to our foreign relations, towards confirming their 
 profperity. Will it not be their wjfdom to rely for the 
 prefervation 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 would fever them 
 from their brethren, and connect them with Aliens ? 
 
 To the efficacy and permanency of your Union, a gov- 
 ernment for the whole is indifpenfable. No alliances, how- 
 ever ftricl: between the parts, can be an adequate fubftitute; 
 they will inevitably experience the infractions and interrup- 
 tions which all alliances in all times have experienced. Sen- 
 fible of this momentous truth, you have improved upon 
 your firft e(Tay, by the adoption of a conditution of gov- 
 ernment, better calculated than your former, for an inti- 
 mate Union, and for the efficacious management of your 
 common 1 concerns. This Government, the offspring of 
 your own choice, uninfluenced and una,wed, adopted up- 
 on full inveftigation and mature deliberation, completely- 
 free in its principles, in the diftribution of its powers, unit- 
 ing fecurity with energy, and containing within itfelf a pro- 
 
 Vi- 
 
LEGACY 
 
 vifion for its own amendment, has a juft claim to your c 
 fidence and your fupport. Refpe<5t for its authority, com- 
 pliance with its laws, acquiefcence in its rneafures, are du- 
 ties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. 
 The bafis of our political fyitemsis the right of the People 
 to make and to alter their cdnfti'tutions of government. 
 But, the Conftitution which at any timeexifls, until chang- 
 ed by an explicit and authentic a& of the whole People, is 
 facredly obligatory upon all. The very idea of the pow- 
 er and the right of the People to eftabliih Government, 
 prefuppofes the duty of every individual to obey the eftab- 
 hlhed Government. 
 
 All obftructions to the execution of the laws, all com- 
 binations and aflbciations, under whatever plaufible charac- 
 ter, with the real defign to direr, controul, counteract or 
 awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted 
 authorities, are deftru6tive of this fundamental principle, 
 and of fatal tendency. They ferve to organize Faction, t6 
 give it an artificial and extraordinary force to put in thd 
 place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a Par- 
 ty, often a fmall but artful and enterprifing minority of the 
 community ; and, according to the alternate triumphs of 
 different parties, to make the public administration the mir- 
 ror of the ill concerted and incongruous projects of Fadion, 
 rather than the organ of confident and wholefome plans 
 dtgefted by common councils, and modified by mutual 
 interefts. However combinations or aflbciations of the 
 above defcription, may now and then anfwer popular ends, 
 they are likely, in the courfe of time and things, to be- 
 come potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and 
 unprincipled men, will be enabled to fubvert the power of 
 the People, and to ufurp for themfelves the reins of Go- 
 vernment ; deftroying afterwards the very engines which 
 lifted them to unjuft dominion. To* 
 
TO HIS COUN'TRr. 73 
 
 *iSri Towards the prefervation of your government, and the 
 permanency of your prefent happy ftate> it is requifite, not 
 only that you {leadily difcountenance irregular oppofition 
 to it's acknowledged authority, hut alfo that you refifl: with 
 care, the fpirit of innovation upon its principles, however 
 fpecious tVie pretexts. One method of aflault may be to 
 effect:, in the forms of the Conftitution, alterations, which 
 will impair the energy of the fyftem, and thus to under- 
 mine what cannot be direclly overthrown. In all the 
 changes to which you may be invited, remember that time 
 and habit are at leaft as nccefiary to fix the true charac- 
 ter of Government, as of other human inftitutions ; that 
 experience is the ftireft ftandard, by which to left the real 
 tendency of the exifting conftitution of a country that 
 facility in changes upon the credit of mere hypothecs and 
 opinion, expofes to perpetual change from the endlefs va- 
 riety of hypothefis and opinion; and remember, efpecial- 
 ly, that for the efficient management of your common in- 
 tereft, in a country To extenfive as ours, a government of 
 as much vigor as is confident with the perfect fecurity of 
 Liberty, is indifpenfable. Liberty itfelf will find in fuch a 
 government, with powers properly distributed and aiijufted, 
 its fureft guardian. It is, indeed, little elfe than a name, 
 where the government is too feeble to withftand the enter- 
 prifes of Faction, to confine each member of the fociety 
 within the limits prefcribed by the laws, and to maintain 
 all in the fecure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of 
 perfon and property. 
 
 I have already intimated to you, the danger of Parties 
 in the ftate, with particular reference to the founding of 
 them on geographical difcriminations. Let me now take a 
 more comprehenfive view, and warn you, in the moft fo- 
 iemn manner, againft the baneful clefts of a fpirit of Par- 
 ty generally. L This 
 
74 
 
 'This fpirit, unfortunately, is infeparable from our fia-* 
 ture, having its root in the flrongeft paflions of the human 
 mind. It exifls under different fhapes in all governments 
 more or lefs {lifted, ccntrouled, or reprefled ; but in thofe 
 of the popular form, it is feen in its greatefl ranknefs, and 
 is truly their xvorft enemy. 
 
 The alternate domination of one facYion over another, 
 fuarpened by the fpirit of revenge, natural to party diflen- 
 tion, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated 
 the mod horrid enormities, is itfelf a moft frightful defpot- 
 ifm But this leads at length, to a more formal and perma- 
 nent defpotifm. The diforders and miferies which refulr, 
 gradually incline the minds of men to feek fecurity and re- 
 pofe in the abfolute power of an individual ; and, fooner or 
 later, the chief of fome prevailing faction, more able or 
 more fortunate than his competitors, turns this difpofition 
 
 to the purpofes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public 
 liberty.* 
 
 Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind 
 (which neverthelefs ought not to be entirely out of fight) 
 the common and continual mifchiefs of the fpirit of Party 
 are fufficient to make it the intereft and duty of a wife peo- 
 ple to difcourage and reflrainrt. 
 
 It ferves always to didracl: the public councils and enfee- 
 ble the public adminiftration. It agitates the community 
 \vith ill founded jealouftes and falfe alarms ; kindles the ani- 
 mofity of one prrt againft. another ; foments occafionally 
 riot and infurrection, and it opens the door to foreign influ- 
 ence and corruption, which find a facilitated accefs to the 
 government itfelf through the channels of party paffions, 
 Thus the policy and will of one country are fubje&ed to 
 the policy and will of another. There 
 
 This is an important truth, verified by a number of hiftorical 
 inftances. At this time, we caft an anxious look upon France, eager 
 to know, what, at length, will be the iflue of the many fanguinary con- 
 tefts of the various Parties which have afflicted and diigraced the 
 taufe of Liberty in that fine Country. 
 

 TO fJIS COUN-TRT. % 75 
 
 There is an opinion that Parties in free countries arc 
 ttfeful checks upon the adminiftration of the government, 
 and ferve to keep alive the fpirit of Liberty. This within 
 certain limits is probably true, and in governments of a Mo- 
 narchical caft, ratriotifm may look with indulgence, if not 
 with favour upon the fpirit of Party. But in thofe of the 
 popular character, in governments purely elective/' it is a 
 fpirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, 
 it is certain there will always be enough of that fpirit for 
 every falutary purpofe. And there being conftant danger, 
 .of excefs, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion 
 to mitigate and afluage it A fire not to be quenched, it 
 demands uniform vigilance to prevent its burfting into 3 
 flame, left inftead of warming it mould confume. 
 
 It is important likewife, that the habits of thinking In 
 a free country (hould infpire caution in thofe intruded 
 with its adminiftration, to confine themfelves within their 
 refpe&ive conftitutional fpheres, avoiding, in the exercjfe 
 
 * * 
 
 of the powers of one department, to encroach upon ano- 
 ther. The fpirit of Encroachment tends to confolidate 
 the powers of all the departments in .one, and thus to cre- 
 ate, whatever be the form of government, a real Dei.- 
 potifm. A jiifl eftimate of that loye of power, and prone- 
 nefs to abufe it, which predominates in the human heart, 
 is fufficient to fatisfy us of the truth of this pofidon. The 
 neceffity of reciprocal checks in the exercife of the politi- 
 cal power, by dividing and dirtriluting it into different de- 
 pofitories, and conftituting each the guardian of the Public 
 Weal againft invafions by the others, has been evinced by 
 experiments ancient and modern, fomeof them in our own 
 country, and under our own eyes. To prefer ve them mutt 
 be as neceflary as to inftitute them. If, in the opinion of 
 he People, the diftributicn or modiBgation of the confti- 
 
 L 2 tu> 
 
76 HIS LEGACY. 
 
 tutional powers be wrong in any particular, let it be cor- 
 reeled by an amerrdment in the way which the Conftitu- 
 tion defignates but let there be no change by ufur potion ; 
 for tho' this, in one inftance, may be the inftrument of 
 good, it is the cuftomary weapon by which free Govern- 
 ments are deftroyed. The precedent muft always greatly 
 over-balance, in permanent evil, any partial or tranfient 
 benefit which the ufe can at any time yield. 
 
 *& Of all the difpofitions and habits which lead to 
 political Profperity, RELIGION and MORALITY are its 
 indifpenfable fupports. In vain would the man claim the 
 tribute of Patriotifm, who would labour to fubvert thefe 
 great pillars of human happinefs, thefe firmcfl props of the 
 duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally 
 with the pious Man, ought to refpect and to cherifh them. 
 A volume could not trace all their connections with pri- 
 vate and public felicity. Let it fimply be aiked, where is 
 the fecurity for property, for reputation, for life, if the 
 fenfe of religious obligation defert the oaths which are the 
 instruments of inveftigation in Courts of Juftice? And, 
 let us with caution indulge the fuppofition, that Morality 
 can be maintained without Religion. Whatever may be 
 conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of 
 peculiar ftrtifhire, Reafon and Experience both forbid us 
 to expect, that national Morality can prevail in exclufion 
 of religious Principle. * It 
 
 * Americans ! Virginians ! read and well consider this pafiage 
 Ye Legislators of the People, Fathers of Families, and Matters of 
 Servants, liften to the fublime precepts of your infpired Countryman ! 
 
 It was this fentiment that fo forcibly ftruck the French Orator. 
 When the infamous Robefpierre was endeavouring to fubvert Religion, 
 M. Lally Tolendall, in his Addrefs to the People of France, after 
 Ihewingj in a variety of arguments, the neceflaty and importance of 
 Religious Duties, he fums up the whole by a reference to Preiident 
 "Washington's Farewell Addrefs to the People of America :' 
 
rO HIS COUNT RT. 77 
 
 It is fulftantially true, that VIRTUE, or M o R A L i T Y , 
 *V a ne.ceffary fprlng of popular Gwernm nt. The rule in- 
 deed extends with more or lefs force to every fpecies of 
 free Government. Who that is a (incere friend to it, can 
 look with indifference upon attempts to fhake the founda- 
 tion of the venerable fabric ? 
 
 Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, in- 
 ftitutions for the general diffufion of Knowledge. In pro- 
 portion as the ftru 6hire of a Government gives force to 
 public opinion, it is elTential that public opinion ihould be 
 enlightened.* As 
 
 " You will be ftill more forcibly {truck, by receiving; this im- 
 portant lefibn [on Religion] from a Perfonage who is now THE MAIT 
 OF THE AGE ; who has founded thirteen Republics in one; who lias , 
 been the firft Governor of them ; and who, having fuccelfively iilled 
 the offices of General, Legiflator, and fupreme M agiilrate, has given 
 a glorious contradi&ion to Macbiavetisin, in not having advanced, dur- 
 ing his triple authority, a Jingle flep which "Virtue did not regulate,. 
 and in having obtained in each of them all the fuccefs which Fortune 
 could bellow. French Republicans ! liften to the Prefldent of the li- 
 nked States of America take up that WILL of the illuftrums WASH- 
 INGTON, which the AMERICANS, '^"^ if they are worthy of it, * wiH 
 preferve in the lame manner as the Jews preferved the Tables of Mo- 
 fes, and read that paffage, which I tranfcribe with a refpeft that is . 
 divided between the holy truths which it contains, and the venerable 
 Jaand that traced them ! " 
 
 [* " If they are worthy" What! Did the Frenchman fufpeft the 
 Americans to be unworthy, or infeniible, of the bleiTings of a Free 
 Cocititution ?] 
 
 * Here is another important precept. " There is no article of fa 
 touch importance to Society, as a well regulated Syftem of EDUCA- 
 TION where that is wanting, no advantage of climate or fituation, 
 of rank or fituation, can make that Society virtuous and refpeable. 
 ,:: Thefe are truths, folemn truths, to which the people of thefe Sta'es 
 ought moft ferioufly attend They fhould know, that no Common- ) 
 wealth, or Republic, can laft creditably but by Virtue; and that Vir- 
 tue Cannot be implanted, cannot be the ruling, the leading, the guid- 
 ing principle, unlefs the youth of the country are early and afliduoully 
 intruded, and bred to habits of induihy and oeconomy.'' 
 
 Within thefe few months we have been pleafed to obferve, that tlte 
 Legiilatures of New York, Penntyivania, ard Maryland, have taken 
 fteps to improve the Education of their different States, not only by 
 granting monies to affift Colleges and Academies, but alfo to extend 
 the beneiits of Pariih and County Schools over the Country. 
 
7$ HIS LEGACT 
 
 As a very important fource of ftrength and fecurity, 
 cherith Public Credit. One method of preserving it, is to 
 life it as fparingly as pofTible ; avoiding occafions of ex- 
 pence by afiiduoufly cultivating peace, but remembering 
 alfo, that timely difburfements to prepare for danger, fre- 
 quently prevent much greater difburfemeuls to repel it- 
 Avoiding likewife the accumulation of Debt, not only by 
 fhunning occafions of expense, but by vigorous exertions, 
 in time of peace, to difcharge the debts which unavoida- 
 ble wars may have occafioned, not ungeneroufly throwing 
 upon poflerity the burthen which we ourfelves ought tq 
 bear. The execution of thefe maxims belongs to yourRe- 
 prefentatives ; but it is neceflary that public opinion mould 
 co-operate. To facilitate to them the performance of 
 their duty, it is eflential that you mould practically bear in 
 mind, that towards the payment of national debts there 
 muft be revenue that to have revenue there muft be taxes 
 and no tax can be devifed which is not more or 4efs in- 
 convenient and unpleafant that the intrinfic embarrafs- 
 ment infeparable from the feleclion of the proper objects 
 (whicr^ is always a choice of difficulties) ought to be a de 
 cifive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of 
 the Government in making it, and for a fpirit of acqui- 
 efcence in the meafures for obtaining revenue, which the 
 public exigencies may at any time dictate. 
 
 . Gbferve good faith and juftice towards all nations 
 cultivate peace and harmony with all Religion and Mo- 
 rality enjoin this conduct and can it be, that good policy 
 does not equally enjoin it ? < It will be worthy of a free, 
 enlightened, and, at no diftant period, a great nation, to 
 give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example 
 of a People always guided by Juftice and Benevolence. 
 Who can doubt, that, in the courfe of time and things, 
 
 the 
 
ro HIS couwfRr. n 
 
 the fruits of fuch a plan would richly repay any temporary 
 advantages which might be loft by a fteady adherence to 
 it? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the 
 permanent felicity of a Nation with Virtue? The ex- 
 periment, at lead, is recommended by every fentiment 
 which ennobles human nature. Alas ! is it rendered im- 
 poilible by its vices? * 
 
 In the execution of fuch a plan, nothing is more efTen- 
 tial than that ill grounded antipathies agatnft particular 
 nations, and paflionate attachments for others, mould be 
 excluded; and that, in the place of them, jufl and ami- 
 cable feelings towards all fhould be cultivated. The Na- 
 tion, which indulges towards another an habitual hatred, 
 or an habitual fondnefs, is, in fome degree, a (lave It is 
 a flave to its animofity, or to its affection, either of which 
 is fufficient to lead it aftray from its duty and its intereft. 
 Antipathy in one Nation againft another, difpofes each 
 more readily to offer infult and injury, to lay hold of 
 flight caufes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intracti- 
 cable when accidental or trifling occafions of difpute oc- 
 cur Hence frequent collifions, obftinate, envenom'd and 
 bloody contefts. The nations prompted by ill will and re- 
 fentment, fometimes impels to war the government, con- 
 trary to the bed calculations of policy. The government 
 fometimes participates in the national propenfity, and a- 
 dopts through paffion what reafon would reject ; at other 
 times, it makes the animofity of the nation fubfervient to 
 projects of hoftility infligated by pride, ambition, and other 
 
 fmi- 
 
 * Criticifm has failened its fafudious claw on this fentence An 
 acute Grammarian may fliew his profound fkill in moods, and tenfcs, 
 and nominative cafes, &.c. The sense of the paragraph, however, is 
 eafily underilood ; and, as to the sentiment, it not only does great hon- 
 our to the goodnefs of the Writer's heart, but deferves the raoft feri- 
 ;OUs attention of the American Government. 
 
So HIS LEGACT 
 
 fmiftcr and pernicious motives. The peace often, fome- 
 times the liberty, of nations has been the vicYim. 
 
 So likewife, a pafiionate attachment of one nation for 
 another induces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the fa- 
 vourite nations facilitating the illufion of an imaginary com- 
 mon intereft, in cafes where no real common intereft ex- 
 ifts, and infufing into one the enmities of the other, betrays 
 the former into a participation in the quarrels and wars of 
 the latter, without adequate inducement or juftification.- 
 It leads alfo to conceiTions to the favourite nation of privi- 
 leges denied to others, which is apt doubly to injure the 
 nation making the'concefiions; by unneceffarily parting with 
 what ought to have been retained ; and, by exciting jealou- 
 fy, ill will, a difpofition to retaliate, in the parties from 
 whom equal privileges are withheld ; and it gives to am- 
 bitious, corrupted, or deluded Citizens (who devote them- 
 felves to the favourite nation) facility to betray, or facrr- 
 fice, the interefts of their own country, without odium, 
 fometimes even with popularity ; gilding with the appear- 
 ances of a virtuous fenfe of obligation, a commendable de- 
 ference for public opinion, or a laudable zeal for the public 
 good, the bafe or foolifh. compliances of ambition, corrup- 
 tion, or infatuation. 
 
 As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, 
 fuch attachments are particularly alarming to the truly en- 
 jightened and independent Patriot. How many opportuni- 
 ties do they afford to tamper with dome/lie factions, to 
 pra&ife the arts of feduction, to miflead public opinion, to 
 influence or awe the public councils ! Such an attachment 
 of a fmall or weak, towards a great and powerful nation, 
 dooms the former to be the fatellite of the latter. 
 
 Againft the infidious wiles of foreign influence (I con- 
 jure you to believe me, Fellow Citizens) the jealoufy of a 
 
 free 
 
ro HIS COUtfTRf. 8r 
 
 free People ought to be conftantly awake ; fince hiftory and 
 experience prove, that foreign influence is one of the molt 
 baneful foes of Republican Government. But that jeal- 
 oufy, to be ufeful, muft be impartial, elfe it becomes the in- 
 ftrument of the very influence to be avoided, inftead of a 
 defence againft it. Bxceffive partiality for one foreign na- 
 tion, and e xccfTive diflike of another, caufe thofe -whom 
 they actuate, to fee danger only on one fide, and ferve to 
 veil and even fecond the arts of influence on the other. 
 Real Patriots, who may refift the intrigues'of the favourite, 
 are liable to become fufpccled and odious ; while its tools 
 and dupes ufntp the applaufe and confidence of the people, 
 to furrender their interefts. 
 
 The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign 
 nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have 
 with them as little political connection as poflible. So far 
 as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfil- 
 led with perfect good faith Here let us flop. 
 
 Europe has a fet of primary interefts, which to ns have 
 none, or a very remote relation. Hence me muft be en- 
 gaged in frequent controverfics, the caufes of which are ef- 
 fentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it muft 
 be unwife in us to implicate ourfelves, by artificial ties, in 
 the ordinary vicififitudes of her politics, or the ordinary 
 combinations and coilifions of her friendihips'or enmities. 
 
 Our detached fituation invites and enables us to purfue 
 a different courfe. If we remain one people, under an ef- 
 ficient government, the period is not far off, when we 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 fcrupuloufly refpeclcd; 
 when belligerent nations, tinder the impofiibility of making 
 acquifitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving m 
 
 M ro- 
 
Sa #/S LEGACY* 
 
 provocation ; when we may choofe peace or war, as oaf 
 intereft, guided by juflice, ihall counfel. 
 
 Why forego the advantages of fo peculiar a fituation ? 
 Why quit our own to (land upon foreign ground ? 
 Why, by interweaving our deftiny with that of any part of 
 Europe, entangle our peace and profperity*in the toils of 
 European ambition, -rival (hip, intereft, humour or caprice ? 
 
 *Tis our true policy to fteer clear of permanent allian- 
 ces, with any portion of the foreign world ; fo far, I mean, 
 as we are at liberty to do it ; for let me not be underftood 
 as capable of patronizing -infidelity to exifting engagements. 
 I hold the maxim no lefs applicable to public than to pri- 
 vate affairs, that "honefty is always the bed policy." I 
 repeat it, therefore, let thofe engagements be obfcrved in 
 their genuine fenfe. But, in my opinion, it is unneceffary, 
 and would be unwife to extend them. 
 
 Taking care,always to keep ourfelves, by fuitable efta- 
 bliftiments, on a refpefrable defenfive pofhire, we may 
 fafely truft to temporary alliances for extraordinary emer- 
 gencies. 
 
 Harmony, and a liberal intercourfe with all nations, are 
 recommended by policy, humanity, and interefl:. 
 
 But even our commercial policy mould hold an equal 
 and impartial hand ; neither fending or granting exclufive 
 favours or preferences ; confuting the natural courfe of 
 things; dififufmg and diversifying, by gentle -means, the 
 flreams of commerce, but forcing nothing; eftablifliing, 
 with powers fo difpofed, in order to give trade a ftable 
 courfe, to define the rights of our merchants, and to enable 
 the government to fupport them, conventional rules of 
 intercourfe, the heft that prefent circumftances and mutual 
 opinion will permit, but temporary, and liable to be from 
 time to time abandoned or varied as experience or circum- 
 
 ftances 
 
TO HIS CQUNTRr. 83 
 
 fiances fhall di&ate ; conftantly keeping in view, that 'tis 
 folly in one nation to look for diunterefted favours from anr 
 other ; that it muft pay with a portion of its independence 
 for whatever it may accept under that character ; that by 
 fuch acceptance, it may place itfcif in the condition of hav- 
 ing given equfvalents for nominal favours, and yet of being 
 reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There 
 can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon 
 real favours from nation to nation. 'Tis an illufion which 
 experience muft cure, which a juft pride ought to difcard. 
 
 In offering to you, my Countrymen, thefe counfels of 
 an old affectionate friend, I dare hot hope they will make 
 the ftrong and lafting impreflion I could wifh that they 
 will controul the ufual current of the paffions, or prevent 
 our nation from running the courfe which has hitherto 
 marked the deftiny of nations : but if I may even flatter 
 myfelf, that they may be productive of fome partial bene- 
 fit, fome occafional good, that they may now and then 
 recur to moderate the fury of party fpirit, to warn againft 
 the mifchiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard againft the 5m- 
 poftures of pretended patriotifm ; this hope will be a full 
 recompence for the folicitude for your welfare, by which 
 they have been dictated. 
 
 How far in the difcharge of my official duties, I have 
 been guided by the principles which have been delineated, 
 the public records and other evidences of my conduQ: muft 
 witnefs to you and the worlct. To myfelf the adurance of 
 my own confcience is, that I have at leaft believed myfelf 
 to be guided by them. 
 
 In relation to the iliil fubfifting war in Europe, my pro- 
 clamation of the 22d of April, 1795, is the index to my 
 plan. Sanctioned by your approving vcice^ and by that of 
 
 your Representatives in both Houfes of Ccngrefs, the fpirit 
 
 M 2 of 
 
84 HIS LEGACT 
 
 of that meafure has continually governed me, uninfluenc- 
 ed by any attempts to deter or divert me from it. 
 
 After deliberate examination, with the aid of the bed 
 lights I could obtain, I was well fatisfied that bur country, 
 under all the circumftarices of the cafe, had a right to take 
 and was bound in duty and intereft to take, a neutral pofi- 
 tion. Having taken it, I determined, as far as ihould depend 
 on me, to maintain it with moderation. 
 
 The confiderations which refpect the right to hold this 
 conduct, it is not neceflary on this occafion to detail. I 
 will only obferve, that according to my underftanding of 
 the matter, that right, fo far from being denied by any of 
 the belligerent Powers, has been virtually admitted by all. 
 The duty of holding a neutral conduct: may be inferred, 
 without any thing more, from the obligation which juftice 
 and humanity impofe on every nation, in cafes in which it 
 is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace 
 and amity towards other nations. 
 
 The inducements of intereft for obferving that conduct 
 will be bed referred to your own reflections and experience. 
 With me, a predominenjt motive has been to endeavour to 
 gain time to ourCountry to fettle and mature its yet recent 
 inftitutions, and to progrefs without interruption, to that 
 degree of flrength and confiflency, which is neceflary to 
 give it (humanly fpeaking) the command of its own for- 
 tunes. 
 
 Though in reviewing the incidents of my adminiftra- 
 tion, I am unconfcious of intentional error, I am, never- 
 thelefs, too fenfible of my defects not to think it probable 
 that I have committed many errors. Whatever they may 
 be, I fervently befeech the Almighty to avert or mitigate 
 Vbe evils to which they may tend. I (hall alfo carry with 
 
 me 
 
TO HIS COUNT RT. 85 
 
 me the hope that my Country will never ceafe to view 
 them with indulgence ; and that after forty-five years of 
 my life dedicated to its fervice, with an upright zeal, the 
 faults of incompetent abilities will be configned to oblivion, 
 as myfelf muft foon be to the manfions of reft. 
 
 Relying on its kindnefs in this as in other things, and 
 actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is fo natu- 
 ral to a man who views in it the native foil of hirnfelf and 
 his progenitors for feveral generations ; I anticipate with 
 pleafing expectation that retreat, in which I promife my- 
 felf to realize, without alloy, the fweet enjoyment of par- 
 taking, in the midft of rny Fellow Citizens, the benign in- 
 fluence of good Laws under a free Government the ever 
 favourite object of my heart, ' and the happy reward, as I 
 Jruft, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers. 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 September, 1796. 
 
 #, Jr a 
 
 /> 
 
 
D D E N D A. 
 
 RALEIGH (North Caroline?) Feb. 24, 1800. 
 
 On Saturday lafr, being the anniverfary of the birth of 
 the late General GEORGE WASHINGTON, the inhabitants 
 of this City, and of its vicinity, agreeably to the Procla- 
 mation, met in order to pay that tribute of refpedt to his 
 memory, which is felt and acknowledged by every true A- 
 metican, and to pals the day in iuch iblerun oifices, as the 
 melancholy occafion pointed out. 
 
 The day was announced by the firing of cannon, when 
 the inhabitants afTembled below the Court-houfe in Fayette- 
 ville-ftreet ; and, being formed, moved in procefiion to the 
 State-houfe in the following order, the bells tolling, and 
 ininute-guns firing, during the proceffion : 
 
 Capt. Cook's Company of Infantry ; 
 
 Citizens ; 
 Capt. Hunter's Troop of Cavalry ; 
 
 Boys ; 
 
 Girls, drefled in white frocks with black fcarycs ; 
 Clerks of State Officers ; 
 
 State Officers ; 
 
 Clerks of Federal Officers ; 
 
 Federal Officers ; 
 
 Council of State ; 
 
 The Governor and his Secretary ; 
 
 Mafonic Brethren ; 
 
 Grand Mafrer, 
 
 On arriving at Union-fquare, the order of proceflion was 
 reverfcd, and the whole entered the State-houfe, where were 
 feated a numerous and refpe&able aflemblage of Ladies. 
 A prayer was offered up v to the Deity, and then a pfalm was 
 fung ; after which, Major Robert Williams, in an hand- 
 fome and eloquent manner, delivered the oration which he 
 had been rcquefled to prepare for the occafion. 
 
 The fervices of the day being finifhed, the Citizens re- 
 tired to their refpeclive homes, manifesting by their forrow- 
 ful mein, the irreparable lofs which all Ibflain in the firft of 
 Patriots, the be ft of Friends, and the Founder of their 
 Country's Greatnefs. 
 
ADDENDA. 4j 
 
 FAYETTEVILLE, Feb. 24. 
 
 Agreeable to the PreGdent's Proclamation, the Citizens 
 of this place were engaged laft Saturday in paying their tri- 
 bute of refpect to the memory of our illuftrious WASHING- 
 TON. They were reminded of the duties of the day by the 
 firing of cannon at fun-rife, and, about n o'clock, the pro- 
 ceflion moved from the Tow n-houfe in the following orxler: 
 
 Capt. Cochran's Troop of Horfe; 
 
 Capt. Hodge 's ditto ; 
 Capt. Adams's Independent Company ; 
 
 Capt. M '-Queen's Light Infantry ; 
 Cols. D-ekeyfer and Overtoil, Continental Officers ; 
 
 MilitiaOfHcers of Cumberland County ; 
 
 The General's Horfe (repreiented by the celebrated Horfe 
 
 ? !N DEPENDENCE, who was foaled in Virginia on the 
 
 fame day that the Independence of America was 
 
 declared) ; 
 The Orator ; 
 
 Capt Dickfon, C ^ 1 Major Mumford, 
 Major Davis, i 5i r Major Theams, 
 
 Col. Davis, ( s- ) Col. M'Alifler ; 
 
 (Carried by four Serjeants) 
 MefT. Barge, Dick, and Mallet, the oldeft inhabitants of 
 
 the town, as chief mourners; 
 
 The Tutors of the Academy, followed by the Students; 
 Mifs Taylor and the young Ladies of the Academy ; 
 
 The Ladies of Fayctteville ; 
 
 Officers and Members of the Phoenix Lodge ; 
 
 John Hay, Efq. Town Repreientative ; 
 
 And, Citizens. 
 
 The procefiion proceeded through the principal ftreetsto 
 the CourNhoufe, where an appropriate oration was deliver- 
 ed by Major S. D, Pnrviance. After which the proceflioa 
 again formed, and returned to the Town-houfe, where the 
 Bier was depofited, after Ma-Ionic and Military honours lirnl 
 been performed, 
 
 WARRBNTON, Feb. 24, 
 
 Saturday laft was obfer.ved by the Citizens of this town 
 and its vicinity, as a day of general mourning. The "col- 
 lection of both i'exes was very numerous and refpeclable^ 
 all anxioufly united in exhibiting the laft melancholy tribute 
 of refpecl to the memory of the Father o their Country, 
 
 ih* 
 
%$ ADDENDA 
 
 the Champion of its Rights, the Proteclor of its Libertie^ 
 the great and good General GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 The Committee of Arrangement having made the necef- 
 fary difpofitions, the proceflion was formed oppofite to the 
 Court-houfe, and, at 12 o'clock, moved in the following 
 order : 
 
 Capt. Caller's Company of Cavalry difmounted, the (land- 
 
 ard and mufic in mourning ; 
 
 Capt. Turner's Company of Grenadiers, arms reverfed, 
 
 colours and mnfic in mourning ; 
 
 Rev. Mr. Gardiner; 
 
 Federal Officers; 
 
 Militia Officers ; 
 
 Magiftrates of the County; 
 
 Sheriff" and Clerk of the County ; 
 
 Mafonic Society in due form, the emblems and jewels 
 
 in mourning 
 
 Makers of the Academy ; 
 
 Students, two and two ; 
 
 Citizens, two and two. 
 
 When arrived in front of the. Academy, they halted, the 
 Military opened to the right and left, facing inwards, and 
 the proceflion pafTcd into the houfe, the Military forming a 
 femi-circle in front The duties of the day were begun 
 with prayer by the Rev, Mr. Gardiner, after which an ora- 
 tion was delivered by Mr. Mordecai. 
 
 The ftores in town were fhut up, all bufinefs was fuf- 
 pended, and our Citizens evinced their heart-felt forrow for 
 the lois of their beloved and much-regretted WASHINGTON, 
 
 MASONIC FUNERAL RITES. 
 BOSTON, Feb. 24. 
 
 Prompt to the invitation to render the richly merited 
 tribute of refpect to the memory of their departed Brother 
 WASHINGTON, all the Mafonic Brethren within reach of 
 the notice, attended at a Grand Funeral Proceflion lafl Sa- 
 turday. In the morning, the mourning knell commenced 
 the ceremonies ot the day; at 12 o'clock, the lengthy pro- 
 cefflon was formed at the Old State-houfe, and moved, with 
 flow and folemn mufic, through the principal ftreets in the 
 following order to Dr. Eckly's Meeting-houfe : 
 
 Two 
 
ADDENDA. 89 
 
 PROCESSION. 
 
 Grand Purfuivants, clad in fable robes and weeds, 
 mounted on elegant white horfes, grandly caparifoned, 
 bearing an elliptical mourning Arch (14 feet wide) with 
 the facred text in filver thara#ers, " Blefl^d are the 
 " Dead who die in the Lord." 
 
 (The Purfaivaots were fupported by two Veterans in 
 uniform, with their badges of merit) 
 
 A Deputy Marfhal ; 
 Nine Stewards of Lodges, with flirouded wands ; 
 
 Two Tylers ; 
 Entered Apprentices of all Lodges ; 
 
 Fellow Crafts ; 
 
 Mailer Mafons ; 
 
 A Deputy Marflial; 
 
 f , Stewards of Lodges, with mourning ftaves ; 
 Deacons of Lodges, with mourning wands ; 
 
 Secretaries and Treafurers ; 
 Junior and Pad Junior Wardens ; 
 
 Pa ft Matters ; 
 
 The Chapter of Royal Arch Mafons, as Pad Matters ; 
 An elderly Mafon, bearing an elegant figure of Minerva 
 
 on a banner, emblem WISDOM ; 
 
 Three times three fons of Mafons, about 10 years of age, 
 bearing fprigs of Caflia, the centre boy fupporting 
 
 the banner of STRENGTH; 
 
 A Mafon 's fon bearing the banner of BEAUTY ; 
 
 Nine daughters of Maibns, each with a bafket of flowers ; 
 
 (The Sons and Daughters drefled in funeral uniforms) 
 
 A Deputy Marfhal ; 
 A full band of Mufic ; 
 
 The Matters of the three eldett Lodges, bearing three 
 candlefticks with candles, the right one extinguifhed ; 
 
 The Reverend Clergy of the Fraternity ; 
 
 A Matter Mafon, bearing a black cuihion with the holy 
 
 Writings, and the Grand Mailer's jewels; 
 
 Eight relieving Tylers ; 
 
 Right W. Br. Scollay, C 3 ) Right W. Br. Morton, 
 Right W. Br. Bartler, ? * > Right W. Br. Revere, 
 Right W. Br. Cutler, f 2" ) Right W. Br. Warren ; 
 (Funeral infignia : A Pedeftal, covered with a pall, the 
 efcutcheons of which were characterittic drawings on 
 fattin of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Brotherly Love 
 The Pedettal (befides the Urn, which was upwards of 3 
 feet in length% and contained a relict of the illuftrious 
 N de- 
 
9 ADDENDA. 
 
 deceafed) bore alfo a representation of the GAius of Ma^ 
 ibnry weeping over the LJrn, and other fuitable emblems, 
 the whole a white marble compolition. On the Urn 
 was this infcription : " Sacred to the memory of Bro- 
 ther George Wafhington, raifed to the all-pertecT: Lodge 
 Dec. 14, 5799? l ^P e i Q years and full of glory.) 
 A Charger, iiif erbly capariibn'd, led by two Brethren ; 
 
 The Grand Marftial; 
 
 The mod Worfhipful Brother Dunn, as chief mourner, 
 attended by the Grand Deacons and Grand 
 
 Sword-bearers ; 
 The Deputy Grand Matter; 
 
 Grand Wardens ; 
 The Grand Chaplain and Orator? 
 
 Pad Grand Officers ; 
 
 Grand Treafurer and Secretary ; 
 
 Two Grand Stewards, bearing an Arch with this infcrip- 
 
 tion, u and their works do follow them." 
 (The Grand Matter, Grand Officers, and pall bearers, 
 were drefTed in full mourning, with white {carves and 
 weeds. Each Brother bore a iprig of Caffia ; and every 
 one wore appropriate badges of mourning) 
 
 When arrived at the Church, an Ode was fung by Bro- 
 ther Dr. Fay and a choir of the Fraternity an Eulogy was 
 pronounced by the Grand Chaplain and then a Mafonic 
 Dirge was fung by Brother Eaton and the choir. 
 
 The Proceflion being again formed, it moved to the Rev. 
 Mr. Freeman's Church, where the doling folemnities took 
 place. The Funeral fervices were performed by the Rev. 
 Brothers Bentley and Walter u the Flowers were ftrewed, 
 and the Caflia depofited" The Brethren then returned to 
 the State-houfe, unclothed, and feparated, 
 
 ELEGY. 
 
 NOW fleeps the brave he funk to reft 
 In all his Country's wifhes bleft. 
 "When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
 Returns to deck his hallowed mould, 
 She there fhall deck a fweeter fod, 
 Than Fancy's feet have ever trod'. 
 
 By Fairy hands his knell is rung, 
 By forms unfcen his dirge is fung ; 
 There HONOUR comes, a pilgrim grey, 
 To blefs the turf that wraps his clay ; 
 And FREEDOM fhall the while repair^ 
 Aud dwell a weeping Hermit there. 
 
ADDENDA, ji 
 
 GEORGETOWN, Feb. 24. 
 
 Many nations have, by public honours, difplayed their 
 gratitude to, and veneration for, illultrious Citizens ; bui; 
 jiever has a nation paid fuch repeated and univerial honours 
 to the memory of any Man, as have, fince his death, been 
 paid to WASHINGTON and never did any other Man Co 
 eminently deferve them. 
 
 The 22,d of February, which hitherto had been celebrat- 
 ed with joy, was now dedicated to mourning At 10 o'clock, 
 the inhabitants cffembled in the Catholic Church, where 
 after divine fervice, MafterB-.Walfh, of the College, deliver- 
 ed an academical Eulogium, and Matter D, Lynch recited a- 
 pathetic Elegy, At 3 o'clock, a proceflion was formed to 
 the Prefbyterian Church, where the Rev. S. B. Balch preach- 
 ed an excellent fennon from Eft her x, 3 ; after which the 
 following Lanzas were impreffively lung by a vocal band : 
 
 CONSOLATORY AIR. 
 DROOP not, COLUMBIA 'Heaven is juftj 
 
 And would thy Chief reward ; 
 Tho' what was mortal turns to duft, 
 
 His Name thy coaft fliatt guard ! 
 Fir'd with remembrance! of his deeds, 
 
 The Chiefs he liv'd to form, 
 Shall mount again their neighing fields. 
 
 And guide the martial ftorm '. 
 Taught by the maxims he approv'd^ 
 
 Thy younger race will burn 
 To emulate the fires lie lovM, 
 
 And rufh to arms in turn ! 
 Infpir'd by Liberty and Thee, 
 
 They'll make invaders fly ; 
 JL-ike WASHINGTON, their choice will be, 
 
 To conquer or to die ! 
 
 Mr, F O X's EULOGY. 
 
 During the Revolutionary War, it may eafily be imagin* 
 ed, that to applaud General Wafhington, or any of his com- 
 patriots, was not permitted in the Britifh dominions After 
 the peace of 1783, his conduct received the open and almoft 
 unanimous approbation of all parties and claffes of men 
 but, in 89, when the French Revolution commenced, the 
 Englifh Rulers again dilcouraged all opinions favourable to 
 L-iberty, particularly thole reipecling AMERICA, which they 
 confidered as the parent, or fource, of thofe political tenets 
 >vhich have fmce become lo hateful to the Monarchs of Eu- 
 N a rop<? 
 
9* ADDENDA 
 
 rope and, when -the French nation cliofe another form of 
 government, every perfon approving of Kepublicanifin, or 
 its principles, was deemed guilty of treaion, and punifhed 
 either with imprifonment or banifhment. It was then that 
 Mr. Fox, with that open,undifguifedcandor,\vhich chara<fier- 
 ifes ail his opinions and actions, had the courage to avow his 
 ientiments being decidedly in favour of the French Revolu- 
 tion, and, in the Houfe of Commons, i the year 1794, to 
 pronounce the following elegant eulogiuin on the AMERICAN 
 PATRIOT : - 
 
 " Illuftrious Man ! deriving honour lefs from the 
 
 fplendor of his fituation, than from the dignity of his mind, 
 before whom all burrowed Greatnefs finks into infignifi- 
 cance ! I cannot, indeed, help admiring the wifdom and 
 the fortune of this GREAT MAN Not by the exprefFion 
 Fortune, 1 mean to derogate from his merit ; but notwith- 
 itcmding his extraordinary talents and exalted integrity* it 
 muft be confidered as fmgularly fortunate, that he fhould 
 have experienced a lot which fo feldom falls to the portion 
 of humanity, and have pafTed through fuch a variety of 
 icenes without ftain and without reproach! It mutt indeed 
 create aftonifliment, that, placed in circumftances fo critical, 
 and filling, for a feries of time, a Nation fo confpicuous, his 
 character fhould never once have been called in queftion - 
 that he fliould in no one infiance have been accufed cither of 
 peevifh infolence, or of mean fubmiffion, in his tranfaclions 
 with foreign Nations It has been referred for Him to run 
 the race of glory, without experiencing the fmalleft inter- 
 ruption to the brilliancy of his career ! The breath of Cen- 
 fure has not dared to impeach the v purity of his condudt, nor 
 the eye of Envy to raii'e its malignant glance to the eleva- 
 tion of his virtue Such has been the tranfcendant merit 
 and the unparalleled fate of this illuftrious Man !" 
 
 Note CHARLES JAMES Fox was born in the year 1749, and is a- 
 bout ten years older than his crafty competitor V/m. Pitt. The Duke 
 of Norfolk and Mr. Fox were lately both, expelled from his Majeity's 
 
 Council for giving as a toail, " The Sovereignty of the People !"- 
 
 To thofe who ai'e attracted by Royalty and Nobility, Mr. Fox will 
 claim their fondeit attention, whilil they wonder that any thing De- 
 mocratic ihould anpear in his compofition. His father was Sir Ste- 
 phen Fox, afterwards Lord Holland, and he is brother to the prefent 
 Lord ; his mother was Lady Georgina Carolina Lenox, daughter of 
 the late, and nfter of the prefent Duke of Richmond ; by which chan- 
 nel, thro' the illuftrious Houfe of Stewart, the royal blocd cf Eng- 
 Jand, Scotland, and Sardinia flows in his veins, 
 
ADDENDA. 93 
 
 * In a countrj r , where every circurr.fcnce, public or private, facred 
 or prophane, becomes a matter of inveitigation, often of .inteaipo- ; 
 rate difpuration, it was not to be expected, that fo con fermer! rial aa 
 evert t as the d^ath of General WaihivigtLri would paiV, 
 the Report of his Phyiicians paved the way for animaJLvoriioii (fee 
 page 4) ; and it was evidently connefted with the difcu!5:;-n 1z,'.*dj 
 carried on with fo much indifcretion by the 'learned Body in Phila- 
 delphia. * From what has been faid or written on this fubjecJ:, we 
 feled the following article Our Medical readers (if they can pae- 
 fyrve their good temper) will judge of its merits. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS on the Medical Treatment cf General WASH- 
 INGTON in Ins laft Ilinejs) addr tiffed fo his Phyjicians Jj'-jjrs. 
 CRAIK and DICK. 
 
 1 HF. life of this illuftrious perfonage has been fo eroinendy 
 beneficial and ornamental to the world, that every man who 
 lias a juli value for virtue and talents, or an attachment to 
 ^Liberty, inuft lament his death. 
 
 The lofs to his country at this critical period, is incalcula- 
 ble} it is irreparable we {ball never look upon his like again ! 
 
 I have perufed the account published by his phyficians, of 
 their medical treatment, and differ from them (b entirely in 
 my opinion of its propriety, that with all due refpedt for 
 their good intentions, 1 think it my duty to point out what ap- 
 pears to me a molt fatal error in their plan ; and although it 
 is not in the power of Science to reftare his precious life ; 
 yet a difcuffion of this cafe may be productive of benefit to 
 mankind. 
 
 I,fuppo(e myfelf addrefling men of fcience ; whole minds 
 are fo highly cultivated as to comprehend iny reafoning on this 
 iubjcct, which I (hall make as ihort and clear as poflible. 
 
 When 
 
 ^The notorious Peter Porcupine thrufl himfelf into the very centre 
 of this unfeemly controverfy, and poured his whole ilock of fcurriliiy 
 (and it is not a fmall one) upon the head of the theoretic, but refpeft- 
 able Dr. Rufh The Doctor brought his cafe before a Penniylvar.iati 
 jury, who laid a fine of 5000 dollars upon the foul-mouth'd Publifrter. 
 Peter (-who has found it neceffary to ihift his pofition from Philadel- 
 phia to New York) acknowledges, that the verdift, cofts of fuir, She- 
 riff's fees, &c. w'll amount to little lei's than 8000 dollars Sc much 
 for olScioully fifhmg in troubled waters ! 
 
04 ADDENDA. 
 
 When we examine the human blood by optical glaflcs, by 
 Chemiftry, and by experimental philofophy, we find it full of 
 nourifhment in young people ; but effete and poor in the aged, 
 When we examine, by anatomical infpeftions, the ftate of 
 the vafcular fyftem, we find innumerable ramiiicatious in the 
 arteries through which the blood flows freely in young peo* 
 pie ; while many of their anaflomofes are obliterated in the 
 aged. 
 
 The Wood of old people, therefore, being poorer, and the 
 channels for conveying its nourifhment fewer, is the reafon 
 that old people cannot bear bleeding fo \yell as the young : 
 and it likewife explains (what every man of fcience and ex- 
 perience muft know) why a fmall bleeding has the fame effect 
 on an aged perfon, that a large bleeding has on the young anc| 
 ruhutf. 
 
 Thefb obfervations, founded on well-efjablifhed facls, de 
 monftrate how guarded and circjumfpecl: we ought to be iq 
 the ufe of the lancet, when our patient is far advanced in 
 life : and how actively we ought to employ our thoughts iu 
 cfeviOng other methods than profufe blood-letting in fuch a 
 cafe. 
 
 From what the phyficians have published, and other docu-? 
 ments, we have. data fuflicient to afcertain how far the max- 
 rms derivable from fcience, experience, and judgment, have 
 governed in the prefent inflance. 
 
 The duration of this illnefs was twenty hours ; from 3 
 /.M. till after 10 P.M. 
 
 A bleeder being fent for at the unfeafonable hour of 3 A.M^ 
 we may fuppofe the operation was not performed until 4 
 o'clock : before eleven hoars elapfed, he was bled again twice 
 profufely ; which rnuit have been about 18 ounces each time; 
 and foon afterwards he was bled again to the amount of 33 
 ounces. 
 
 Thus we fee by their own ftatement, that they drew 
 from a man in the 68th year ot his age, the enormous quan- 
 tity of 82 ounces, or above two quarts and a half of blood in 
 about 1 3 hours ! 
 
 Very 
 
ADDENDA. 9$ 
 
 ** 
 
 ^ 
 
 Very few of the moft robuft young men in the world 
 could furvive fuch a lofs of blood;' but the body of an aged 
 perfon muft be fo exhaufted, and all his powers fo weakened 
 by it, as to make his death fpeedy and inevitable. 
 
 Here the effedl followed the caufe precifely ; the phyfici- 
 ans foon obferved the powers of life yielding ; a lofs of Jpeech; 
 and that he expired without a ft niggle The exceflive bleed- 
 ing had left him no ftrength to ftruggle ! 
 
 After what has been faid, it may be expected that I fhould 
 point out my plan : I will ipeak generally, without defcend- 
 ing to criticife on the minor parts of the treatment, which, 
 however, I <io not admire. 
 
 They ought to have attacked the difeafe as near to its 
 feat as poffible ; the vien under the tongue might have beea 
 opened ; the tonfils might have been fcarified ; the fcarifica- 
 tor and cup might have been applied on or near the thyriod 
 cartilage. One ounce of blood drawn in this way would re- 
 Jieve more than a quart drawn from the arm, and would not 
 exhauft and enfeeble the body ; in the fame manner that an 
 ounce of blcod drawn at the temple, relieves an inflamed eye 
 more than a quart drawn from the arm. 
 
 The neck might have been rubbed with warm laudanum 
 and camphor ; and a bag of warm line fait laid on ; but th 
 unfeafonable application of a blifter would prevent this. 
 
 He ought to have been put into one, two, or three flan- 
 nels ; and inftead of calomel, it would have been better to 
 have given him frnall draughts of hot whey, with a little 
 laudanum, camphor^ fpirits volatilis aromaticus, or fpiritus 
 nitri dulcis occafionally, to remove the fpafm which caufect 
 the dyfpnea, and produce perfpiration, which would relieve 
 the lungs by turning thecourfc of the fluids towards the fkiu, 
 
 Savannah, . ' JOHN BR.ICKELL. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1800, 
 
ANNUAL REGISTER. 
 
 The good People of Virginia and North Caroling 
 faying been {leafed to approve , in a very decided man" 
 ncr > of the Publication for the prefent Tear, the Edit or 9 
 .AM ERIC ANUS U BAN, now givfs Notice, that the 
 Work iv ill be continued, probably on a larger J cole, Jor 
 the Tear 1801 ; but, that it will be fame time in the. ^ 
 month of December before it can appear Thofe, how- 
 ever i who intend to make Communications to it* will be 
 fo good as tranfmit them to the Editor Jix ivcekt or two 
 months before that time. 
 BLAXDFORD PRiNfiN 
 March 1800. .