then, as in all thy life, the conscious satisfaction resulting from a faithful discharge of duty, was thy sufficient, thy best reward: but how might it have cheered thy exalted spirit to have known, that far beyond the limits of thy long and arduous journey should extend an empire, which should acknowledge thee, as the most distinguished instrument of its establishment.

THE same memorable ground next becomes the theatre of his military achievements; and at the early age of twenty-seven, he has attracted the admiration of his country and retired to his beloved residence, with public testimonials of their approbation and regard.

AGRICULTURAL employments, domestic endearments, and the discharge of civic trusts dignify and adorn the next fifteen years of his interesting life. But not these alone. In that calm interval, when common minds might have been corrupted by indulgence, or benumbed with satiety, the superior mind of Washington was improving under the wholesome regimen of systematic discipline. Faithful to the high obligations of truth and duty, faithful to himself, he studied the various relations, that bind the man and the citizen, and, in the shade of peace and retirement, prescribed to himself those rules and maxims of conduct, on which was reared the lofty edifice of his fame.

WITH correct and extensive views of the rights and interests of his country; with lively sensibilities, when they were invaded or endangered, he had a just title to the high honor of convening with that illustrious band of patriots and civilians, who composed the first national councils of united America. By that council, faithful and intelligent, deeply impressed with the mighty interests intrusted to their care, and well apprised that the fate of their country depended on their choice, he is unanimously appointed to command the feeble armies of an oppressed people, against the veteran arms of the first European power. He suffers himself to be advanced to that "painful preeminence," though his strong and comprehensive mind could not have been unmindful of the vast "sea of troubles," on which he was embarking.

WITH a less correct sense of public duty, he might have urged many claims to avoid the ponderous task; and in a dubious contest, multitudes from political opinion, and many, from an indulgent regard to an opulent and distinguished citizen, would have dignified the cautious decision, with the name of wisdom. He listens to no such unworthy suggestion. He takes council with himself-he obeys the call of his countryhe hastens to the scene of action; and at no period, perhaps, does his conduct appear more elevated and interesting, than at that impressive moment, when he placed himself at the head of his applauded band of undisciplined husbandmen, on yonder classic plains.

THE purity and magnanimity, manifested by the acceptance of that arduous trust, taught his admiring country to expect, with firm reliance, that, with those hopeful pledges, were associated all the protecting train of martial and of manly virtues.

THOSE animating hopes were completely realized. Modelled by his great example, the camp became a school of virtue, as well as of military science. There were seen unshaken fidelity; unsullied honor; humane and social sympathies; pure love of country; respect for the magistracy, and reverence for the laws. He sustained the standard of American liberty with energies suited to her character: tempering authority with mildness, bravery with discretion.Intrepid in danger, clement in victory, undismayed by disaster, he bore the precious deposit through a long and perilous conflict, animated by the applauses of a grateful country and the admiration of the world.

THE eventful occurrences that developed his talents and his virtues, are too deeply impressed upon the momory of those whom I address, to require a repetition. They were strongly associated with all you held most dear. Revolving years, life's multiplied concerns, a long and happy participation of succeeding peace and prosperity, have not effaced them from your remembrance. And ye, ingenious youth, whose existence commenced in the age of Washington, who have seen only his set

ting sun, in the mirror of history you will behold the bright reflection of his meridian beams. You will learn of your revered sires, how they were animated by their benign and cheering influence. Ask of those who bare you: they will tell you, how his guardian form dispelled distressing terrors, and protected by his arm, with what calm complacence they watched your infant slumbers.

THE elevated sentiments and expanded views, which inspired the mind of every active citizen, during the memorable contest for liberty and independence, were not satisfied with the firm pursuit, or the assured prospect of those interesting objects. During a struggle for political existence, you studied the liberal embellishments of a state, and like Pliny on Vesuvius, attended to the pursuits of science, undismayed by the thunder and the storm, by which you were assailed. This literary establishment was a child of the revolution. Europe beheld it with adniiration. The friends of America contemplated it with delight. They considered it as affording renewed evidence, that you were resolved on the attainment of freedom, and were worthy of its enjoyment.

THE illustrious man, whose loss we now deplore, was among the first of your elected associates. It was a time of multiplied calamities. The military operations of the enemy were to be opposed in five different states of the Union. A mind occupied with such immense concerns, could not be expected to apply itself to the immediate objects of your institution. Yet he accepts your invitation; looking forward, doubtless, to the happier days, when the arts of peace should succeed the horrors of war. As the first among the public characters of the age; as the pride and defence of your country, he was entitled to the earliest and most respectful expressions of your attention: but he was your associate by still more appropriate characters, by dispositions and accomplishments, altogether congenial to the nature and end of your institution.

Ir is among the declared objects of your enquiry, to examine the various soils of the country, to ascertain their natural

growths and the different methods of culture: to promote and encourage agriculture, arts, manufactures and commerce: to cultivate the knowledge of the natural history of the country, and to determine the uses, to which its various productions may be applied.

PURSUITS of this nature always commanded his attention, and to some of them he was peculiarly attached. They were frequently the topic of his conversation, and the subject of his correspondence, with ingenious and public spirited men, in different parts of the world.

- WITH a mind well-fitted to acquire just conceptions on any subject, to which his attention was directed, he would, I am persuaded, have been distinguished in the abstruser branches of science, if the course of life, which he had chosen, or to which he was impelled, had not been incompatible with the pursuit. In patient investigation, unwearied assiduity, and systematic arrangement, he was excelled by none. The uniform success, which attended his operations in military and political life, evinces great solidity of judgment: and he, who could produce such correct and prosperous results, in the great affairs of a nation, so liable to be defeated or impeded, by the ever varying humors and prejudices of men, with like application, might have been equally distinguished in the steady regions of science, whose permanent relations and connected truths, never fail to disclose themselves to industrious research and attentive contemplation.

But though a man of contemplative habits, he was still more fitted for action. It became necessary for the repose and happiness of his country, that he should leave the asylum of his declining years. Obedient to that voice, which he could never hear but with veneration and love, he exchanges a retreat which he had chosen with the fondest predilection, for the anxieties and toils of political elevation. How was he honored in the midst of the people, in coming forth from the shades of his retirement. "He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud; and as the moon at the full; as the sun, shining upon

the temple of the MOST HIGH; and as the rainbow, giving light in the bright cloud."*.

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THE duties of an employment, which is accepted with reluctance, are frequently discharged with symptoms of weariness or disgust but he engaged in the multiplied labors of his new and arduous station, as if it were the fond object of his choice; and though enjoying a weight of character, which would peculiarly facilitate his measures, yet he discovered a laudable solicitude, that they should possess an intrinsic propriety, and conducted himself with as much caution and circumspection, as if he were for the first time a candidate for public favor.

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THE interesting objects of his care, and their direct and intimate connection with the solid interest and permanent welfare of his country were indeed congenial to the best wishes of his heart, and fitted to relieve the unavoidable solicitudes of his station. To regard with comprehensive and equal eye the great assemblage of communities and interests over which he presided to settle pure and solid foundations of national policy, consistent with the eternal rules of order and right which heaven has ordained: to establish public credit: to revive mutual confidence: to introduce with the native tribes on the frontiers, a system, corresponding with the mild principles of religion and philantrophy to provide for the national security, by suitable military establishments: to found the safety of the United States, on the basis of systematic and solid arrangement: to guard against infractions of the laws of nations to maintain a friendly intercourse with foreign powers: to exhibit that stability and wisdom in the public councils, which should be a just ground of public confidence: to adopt measures for the accomplishment of our duties to the rest of the world, and create a capacity of exacting from them the discharge of their duties towards us to maintain to the United States their due rank among the nations of the earth : to vindicate the majesty of the laws, against violence and insurrection: to turn the machinations of the wicked to the confirming of the constitution :

* Ecclesiasticus.