༼།༽༼?

cited the wonder and commanded the admiration of all. A father to his soldiers, he endured in common with them all the fatigues of war, in summer's heat and winter's cold. A brave commander, he always seized the most proper moment to attack the foe; but when inferior in force, and subjected to privations which rendered action imprudent, Fabius-like he eluded them by the most judicious movements, 'till they in their turn were reduced by casualties and drawn from their resources then, sudden as the unexpected whirlwind, would they behold Washington before them, to their terror, confusion and defeat!

།

ཞ།

HERE let me borrow the animated description of a French officer of great celebrity as a soldier and a philosopher, who served under him :-" Brave without temerity, laborious without ambition, generous without prodigality, noble without pride, virtuous without severity; he seems always to have confined himself within those limits, where the virtues by clothing themselves in more lively but more, changeable colours, may be mistaken for faults. Let it be repeated, that Conde was intrepid, Turenne prudent, Eugene adroit, Catinet disinterested. It is not thus Washington will be characterized. It will be said of him, at the end of a long civil war, he had nothing with which he could reproach himself. If any thing can be more marvel. lous than such a character, it is the unanimity of the public suffrages in his favor. Soldier, magistrate, people, all love and admire him all speak. of him in terms of tenderness and the highest veneration.”

:

BEHOLD, then, this illustrious general, having by his valor and prudence conducted us as a "pillar of cloud" by day, and a pillar of fire" by night, to a happy and honorable peace, humbly bending before congress, in seventeen hundred and eighty-three, surrounded by a numerous concourse of citizens, and resigning his commission, accompanied with the following pathetic address. See appendix, p. 77.

It is easier to conceive than express the effect such a solemn scene had those who beheld it. Tears gush from every * The marquis de Chastelleux..

upon

eye their bosoms swell with the generous glow of the most fervent gratitude and affection-while congress, impressed with the magnitude of the act, in faultering accents assure him, they receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemin resignation of the authorities under which he had led their troops with success, through a perilous and doubtful war. They tell him, he had accepted the sacred charge of defending his country's rights, before any alliances were formed, and when we were without funds, or a government to support him-that he had conducted the great military contest, with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes-that he had displayed the martial genius of his fellow-citizens, and transmitted their fame to posterity that in defending the standard of liberty in this new world, he had taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression-that he retires from the great theatre of action with the blessings of his country-that the glory of his virtues will not terminate with his military command, but will continue to animate the remotest ages. They join with him in commending the interests of their common country, to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And address the throne of grace in earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all its care that his days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that he finally may receive that reward, which the world cannot give!

THIS great scene can only be heightened by the reflection, that this hero, thus beloved by all, and almost adored by his army, buoyed above the axioms of interest and ambition, which govern most men, resolved, by the most magnanimous sacrifice, to put it out of his own power to make use of their affections to promote the one, cr of his rank to advance the other.

THE world looked with astonishment and admiration, at so disinterested and noble an action.

THE good sense of America, having convinced them of the inefficacy of the first instrument of their confederacy, a greatconvention of the states is called, to new-model the league. Washington presides in this venerable assembly-and by his great weight and influence, added to the labors of others, our present constitution was produced.

THE current of the affections of the people, had so long sat towards this beloved man, and his great and illustrious deeds having swelled it to a mighty stream, they look forward with joy to the opportunity, which was about to be presented to them, of making a noble display of that gratitude which had swollen their bosoms, and was now ready to overflow.

WASHINGTON is called by the unanimous suffrages of a great, and free people, to take the chair of supreme magistracy.

THE bright sun of American happiness then shone with meridian splendor! The protector-the defender-the political savior of their country, was now to direct the helm of state, and every man felt himself; safe and secure under his guidance. Hitherto loved as a soldier, now adored as a statesman-clothed with the power of the United States, and looking with native majesty in his exalted seat, he seemed "a wall of fire round about us," and a "glory in the midst of us!"

THE wisest establishments arose the most wholesome provisions were made, for the peace, safety and prosperity of our country commerce flourished-agriculture was improved, and every art encouraged. Our name rose with lustre upon the Eu ropean world. They admired--but they envied us. They could not behold the rising glory of America without jealousy.

THE time limited by the constitution for the continuance in office of the president, at length expires. But the fountains of gratitude, fixed deep in the inmost recesses of the heart, be ing ever inexhaustible, and now replenished by the merits of a four years' labor and service devoted to the best interests of his

T

country, a faithful people again cry out, with one voice-All hail, president Washington!

THESE instances of the affection and confidence of his country, so often repeated, fortified his mind against the difficulties that were to ensue.

FRANCE had proceeded far in her new organization, and assumed the appearance of a regular government. She was. first welcomed by Washington, in the name of America, as a sister republic. We considered her contest for freedom, congenial with that which we had accomplished. She gained upon our affections, and we felt an interest in every thing that regarded her happiness, and ultimate success. But, alas! ambition grew out of her victories; and instead of confining herself within the limits prescribed by her antient kingdom, she extended her conquests abroad, encouraged revolution every where, and seemed to aim at universal domination.

THE pure mind of Washington, which had long studied and perfectly understood the rights of man and of nations, beheld with regret the virtuous struggle of twenty-five millions of people to rescue themselves from slavery, converted by the arts and intrigues of designing leaders, to the wild enthusiasm and extravagance of universal emancipation from government and law. Insidious measures were taken to involve this country in the vortex of European politics. England, jealous of our attachment to republican principles, and counting upon our partiality to France, made great depredations upon our commerce; and every thing seemed to announce an approaching war.

OUR government having taken the dignified attitude of neutrality, was willing to hold the scales even, and do equal justice to the contending nations. But we are threatened from without, and assailed from within-The whisper of corruption is heard!

IN the midst of these conflicting dangers, the steady, intrepid Washington, who had so often exposed his life for his coun

try, and was always ready to lay it down for her service, was now even willing to risk a reputation more dear than life, to secure her peace and prosperity. With a magnanimity truly heroic, collecting all the energies of his great mind, and pursuing the principles which had invariably governed his whole life, to do what be thought was right, he signs a treaty with Great-Britain.

It would be highly improper to discuss the merits of this measure here. We ought to be satisfied in knowing and believing, that through the whole tenor of the most important life, which had been open to the inspection of all, he never decided upon one public act, without the most mature consideration, the fullest conviction of its propriety, and having the best interests of his country always at heart.

WHо can now possibly calculate, or who ever could with any certainty calculate, what might be the situation of this country at the present moment, if that treaty had not been concluded? Instead of that peace which we have thus long enjoyed, our commerce might have been ruined, our sea-port towns burnt and destroyed, and our sea-coast an howling desart!. forbear.

-But I

CONSIDERATIONS like these ought ever to have closed the mouth of censure, and checked the clamor of party. If it has arose against the sacred name of Washington, what future character can escape its baneful influence!

Он, my fellow-citizens! on this mournful occasion, while mingling my tears with yours over the tomb of this most excellent of men, my heart is rent at the anticipated evils and calamities, that inevitably await our beloved country, if this spirit of discontent, jealousy and party, is not discountenanced and suppressed. Why will ye yourselves, elevate men to the most dignified and important situations, and then suffer their bosoms to be wounded with calumny, and their spirits to be harrassed with continual distrust? Is not the constitution, the constitution of your own free choice? Are not the men who administer the government the men of your own free choice? Are not their times