derived from every class of citizens; so shall I always be happy to do justice to the unparalleled exertions of the individual states, on many interesting occasions. "I have thus freely disclosed what I wished to make known, before I surrendered up my public trust to those who committed it to me. The task is now accomplished; I now bid adieu to your excellency, as the chief magistrate of your state, at the same time, I bid a last farewell to the cares of office, and all the employments of public life. "It remains, then, to be my final and only request, that your excellency will communicate these sentiments to your legislature, at their next meeting; and that they may be considered as the legacy of one who has ardently wished, on all occasions, to be useful to his country, and who, even in the shade of retirement, will not fail to implore the divine benediction upon it. "I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the state over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the field; and, finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind, which were the characteristics of the divine author of our blessed religion; without an humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation. "I have the honour to be, "with much esteem and respect, "Sir, your excellency's most obedient, "GEORGE WASHINGTON.” The second of November was fixed for discharging that part of the army which was engaged to serve during the On that day, General Washington issued his farewell orders to the armies of the United States, in the most endearing language. After giving them his advice respecting war. their future conduct, and imploring the choicest of heaven's blessings in their favour, he bade them an affectionate farewell. On the 25th of the same month, the British evacuated New York, and General Washington made his public entry into that city, where he was received with every mark of respect and attention. The The hour now approached, in which it became necessary for the American chief to take leave of his officers who had been endeared to him by a long series of common sufferings and dangers. This was done in a solemn manner. officers having previously assembled for the purpose, General Washington joined them, and calling for a glass of wine, thus addressed them; "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take my leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your former have been glorious and honourable.". Having drunk, he added, "I cannot come to each of you, to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and take me by the hand." General Knox being next, he turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Washington grasped his hand, and embraced him. The officers approached successively, and he took an affectionate leave of each. Not a word was uttered, on either side. A majestic silence prevailed. The tear of sensibility glistened in every eye. The tenderness of the scene exceeded all description. When the last of the officers had taken his leave, Washington left the room, and passed through the corps of light infantry, to the place of embarkation. The officers followed in a solemn, mute procession, and with dejected countenances. On his entering the barge to cross the North River, he turned towards the companions of his glory, and, by waving his hat, bade them a silent adieu. Some answered this last signal of respect and affection, with tears; and all fixed their eyes upon the barge which conveyed him from their sight, until they could no longer distinguish in it the person of their beloved commander-in-chief. The army being disbanded, Washington proceeded to Annapolis, then the seat of congress, to resign his commission. On his way thither, he delivered to the comptroller of accounts in Philadelphia, an account of the expenditure of all the public money that he had ever received. This was in his own hand-writing; and every entry was made in a very particular manner. Vouchers were produced for every item, except for secret intelligence, and service, which amounted to no more than 1,9827. 10s. sterling. The whole, which in the course of eight years of war, had passed through his hands, amounted only to 14,4791. 18s. 9d. sterling. Nothing was charged for personal services; and actual disbursements had been managed with such economy and fidelity, that they were all included in the above moderate sum. After accounting for all his expenditures of public money, (secret-service-money, for obvious reasons, excepted,) with all the exactness which established forms required from the inferior officers of his army, he hastened to resign into the hands of the fathers of his country, the powers with which they had invested him. This was done in a public audience. Congress received him as the founder and guardian of the republic. While he appeared before them, they silently retraced the scenes of danger and distress through which they had passed together. They recalled to mind the blessings of freedom and peace, purchased by his arm. They gazed with wonder on their fellow-citizen, who appeared more great and worthy of esteem in resigning his power, than he had done in gloriously using it.-Every heart swelled with emotion. Tears of admiration and gratitude burst from every eye. The general sympathy was felt by the resigning hero, and wet his cheek with a manly tear. After a decent pause, he addressed Mr. Thomas Mifflin, the president of congress in the following words: "MR. PRESIDENT,-The great events on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. 66 Happy, in the confirmation of our independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the reotitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven. "The successful termination of the war, has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. "While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential of ficers to compose my family, should have been more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of congress. "I consider it as an indispensable duty, to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping. 66 Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."* The commission now returned to congress, had been received from them shortly after the commencement of hostilities. It was accompanied by a unanimous resolution of the delegates of the United Colonies, "That they would maintain, assist, and adhere, to George Washington, with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of American liberty." The commission, drawn by special committee, was in the following words: The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware; Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, "TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ. We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, con duct, and fidelity, do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be General, and Commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces now raised or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall volun tarily offer their service and join the said army, for the defence of American This address being ended, General Washington advanced and delivered his commission into the hands of the president of congress, who replied as follows: "The United States in congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success, through a perilous and doubtful war. "Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without friends or a government to support you. liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof; and you are hereby vested with full power and authority, to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service. "And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers un der your command, to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties. "And we do also enjoin and require you to be careful in exercising the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised and provided with all convenient necessaries. "And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of war, as herewith given you, and punctually to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of these United Colonies, or committee of Congress. "This commission to continue in force, until revoked by this, or a future Congress. "June 17th, 1775." (Signed) "PEYTON RANDOLPH, President. At the time this commission was accepted, the United Colonies had no assurance of foreign assistance, and were without established government, arms, magazines, forts, money, trade, navy, disciplined troops, or experienced officers. At the same time, they were denounced by their sovereign, as in a state of rebellion. Washington, by accepting the command of their armies, not only subjected one of the largest estates in America to confiscation, but hazarded his life. The diffidence avowed by him on the occasion, was not the common cant of successful candidates for promotion, nor did it arise from apprehensions of personal danger; but was the offspring of excessive modesty.-Though willing to risk every thing in the contest, he really distrusted his ability to contend in regular war, with the experienced generals of Britain. The doubts and fears which for some time kept him in suspense, at length yielded to a conviction of duty, and the earnest invitation of friends, who appreciated his talents more correctly than he did himself.---On the event of his declining the high commission, as was for some time expected, it was privately resolved to confer it on general Ward, of Massachusetts. What would have been the is sue of the military opposition of America, conducted by that much esteemed officer, no one can tell; but, without invidious comparison, it may be safely affirmed, that it could not have been more successful than under the auspices of Washington. |