ing, until he crossed the Delaware. No hope was left but in the presence of Washington. It pleased God that he still lived; and he was, perhaps, the only man who did not despair. If he had tumultuous passions, if fame was dearer to him than his life, what a conflict was here! What a victory over himself! Whisperings and murmurings, imputations of unskilfulness, of cowardice; and, it may be, of unfaithfulness, were infinitely harder to bear, than to fight. These required a fortitude superior to what was necessary to meet death in any shape. To endure these shewed real greatness. Saul the first king of Israel, after his defeat at Mount Gilboa, slew himself with his own sword; but Saul fell below Washington in every thing, except the towering size of his person. THE American chief, having collected a little strength, brav ing the wintry waves and skies, recrosses the Delaware; and, like an angry lion, chased by the huntsmen, springs upon the foe, and those who flee not perish by his stroke. A far-famed hero marches at the head of numerous and veteran troops, but arriving near night, waits only the next dawn to revenge the havoc. Let us be thankful that the American army was at this time so weak; for had there been any thing like an equality to the enemy, or the most distant prospect of success, the morning sun had shone upon fields of carnage and blood. Washing. ton directing fires to be kindled in the night, and to be kept constantly burning, led his army by a circuitous road; and his cannon at Princeton first awakened the drowsy Britons whom * Saul "was higher than any of the people, from his shoulders and upward." Washington was full six feet and half an inch in stature. The historians and orators have generally mentioned bis personal appearance. "His personal appearance is noble and engaging." Gordon's History. "His person was considerably above the middle size, but of a dignified and graceful form." Strong's Discourse. "His form was noble-bis port majestic." Morris's oration. "Mountain air, abundant exer cise in the open country-the wholesome toils of the chase, and the delightful scenes of rural life, expanded his limbs to an unusual but graceful and well proportioned size." Ramsay's History, he had left. The frozen clod was stained on the march with There was obtained There Hazelet and Mercer! Let me lift blood from the naked feet of his men. another, though a dear bought victory. Mercer fell, two thunderbolts of war. the mantle from thy mangled body!-Covered with wounds like Cæsar in the senate-house!—Alas, not Cæsar now, but Brutus fell! WE find in general Washington a mind capable of planning and executing great enterprizes. "The world," says an histo rian, “has been mistaken in one opinion respecting his excellency, whose natural temper possesses more of the Marcellus, and less of the Fabius, than has been generally imagined." t We are assured that he meditated designs which the resources of the country would not admit of being carried into effect; and whenever his force promised the least impression, we see him either boldly receiving the enemy, or advancing to attack them. Witness the battles of Brandywine, of Germantown. and of Monmouth. In these places, as well as at Haerlem and Princeton, e exposed himself to the thickest dangers, and courted a glorious death. A swell of passions had nearly buist his manly breast. He saw victory, but had not the means to obtain it; he had victory, and it was suddenly snatched from his grasp. * Dr. Ramsay in his history mentions the same circumstance as happening on another occasion. "The American army," says be, "might have been tracked, by the blood of their feet, in marching without shoes or stockings over the bard frozen ground between Whitemarsh and Valley-forge." † Gordon. When the enemy landed upon New-York island, the Amerieans fled before an inferior force. General Washington rode up and attempted, in vain, to rally them. This "raised a tempest in his usually tranquil mind. He bazarded his person for some considerable time in rear of his own men, and in front of the enemy. His aids and the confidential friends around bis person, by indirect violence, compelled him to retire. At Princeton, when the centre of the Americans, being briskly charged, gave way, AT length God interposed for his relief, and enabled him to contend upon equal terms. Assisted by a fleet and some brave legions from France, he plans the capture of York-town in Virginia, marches thither the allied army, and by one bold and decisive effort accomplishes the deliverance of his country. The British hero, who had marked him as an easy prey at Trenton, finds now his numbers, his skill and his bravery unavailing; he capitulates at the cannon's mouth, and lays all his trophies at the feet of Washington. How applicable to our hero are these lines "So when an angel by divine command "With rising tempests shakes a guilty land, As general Washington, like Cinciunatus, left his retirement and the pursuits of agriculture, merely for the service of his country, so when his work was finished, he returned with the most heart-felt satisfaction. He reckoned himselfverpaid for all his labors and hardships. How sweet this abode of rest and peace after the toil and din of arms! How far superior his fame to that of Alexander or Cæsar! They fought for the sake of conquest, and to enslave mankind; he, in defence of their just rights, and to make them happy. They for personal aggrandizement; he, for the best good of others. Cæsar usurped the supreme dominion of the state; Washington returned to the station of a private citizen. Hear his words at the resignation of his commission to congress: "I consider it as an indispensible duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protec be placed himself between his own men and the British, with bis borses bead fronting the latter. The Americans, encouraged by bis example and exhortations, made a stand and returned the British fire. The general, though between both parties, was providentially uninjured by either." Ramsay's History. *Addison's Campaign. t tion of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendance of them to his holy keeping. "HAVING now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate fare4 well 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." So he wished and naturally thought, but he had not yet finished all the work which God had assigned him. In entering again upon public life, he is influenced by the same modesty and disinterested motives. He does not thrust himself forward to view, but submits to the claim, and obeys the loud call of his fellow-citizens. He de clines, as formerly, any compensation for his services. In this way he evinces true patriotism, disarms envy, and enhances uni versal esteem. WHEN he retired from the command of the army, every one supposed that he had attained to the pinnacle of greatness, and would recline in safety the remainder of his days beneath a shade of laurels at Mount-Vernon; but we behold him renounc ing his retirement, and putting all his fame at risk. This was, perhaps, the most magnanimous action of his life, and eclipsed even his military lustre. By first assisting in framing a government, the blessings of which we now enjoy, and then giving stability and energy to that government, by accepting the of fice of chief magistrate at two different times, he secured to his country all the consequences expected from the revolution. No man can conceive the magnanimity of this conduc, but he who approaches in some measure to the greatness of Washington. DURING the time which elapsed between his first military exploits and the revolutionary war, he had been attentive to the science of government and employed in affairs of state. The business therefore was not altogether new to him. He had besides the most excellent judgment, the most,consummate prudence, and knew better than any man how to make the information and experience of others his own. He comprehended, L he separated, he combined, he weighed, he decided, and his de cision was ever wise and unshaken. THE question will be agitated by posterity, Whether he was the greater general or statesman? Those who read his official letters, his addresses when he retired from the army, and from the presidency; and who are intimately acquainted with his administration, will be inclined to pronounce in favor of the lat ter. Those who have not duly considered these, and more narrowly survey his difficulties and success in war, will be inclined to pronounce in favor of the former. The controversy can be settled only by admitting that he was "first in war, and first in peace." UNDER his administration the offices of government were filled by the first talents which could be found; or the best which the economy of the government could command; and, let it not be deemed too bold, by some of the greatest talents in the world. Under his administration America was prosperous and happy. It was impossible that the expectations of all could be gratified, and the opinions of all followed. The season was peculiarly tempestuous, and the rocks many and dangerous. The pilot was wise and firm, having always in view, as his pole-star, the public good. When we consider the information which is necessary to judge of public measures, the clashing of the interests of men, and the fatal influence of prejudice and passion on their minds, we are astonished at his unspotted fame. How modest and beautiful are his words in that precious le gacy which he left us at his resignation. See appendix, p. 33. WHO, on hearing these words, is not tempted to exclaimWashington, live for ever!-His fame, indeed, is immortal. Posterity will see, with rapture, sculptured on his tomb, wisdom, liberty and justice. ANOTHER time he retires with the benediction of millions. Eight years he wielded the sword-eight years he held the reins of government. The stormy sea was passed, and he resigns the 1 |