States, at his house, when the Vice President presented an answer to his speech to both Houses at the opening of the Session."-Gazette of the United States. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16. At Philadelphia: "December 16.-At 2 o'clock this day, the members of the House of Representatives in a body, waited upon the President at his house, and the Speaker [Jonathan Dayton] presented an answer to his address to both Houses."-Gazette of the United States. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17. At Philadelphia: “December 17.—At noon the [Pennsylvania] Assembly went to the Presbyterian Church on Market Street [between Second and Third Streets], where Dr. [Benjamin] Rush, a member of the Philosophical Society, pronounced an eulogium in memory of their late president, David Rittenhouse. The church was crowded, President Washington and lady, with members of Congress being present."-Diary of Jacob Hiltzheimer. "On Saturday [December 17], at twelve o'clock agreeably to appointment, Dr. Rush delivered his Eulogium in the Presbyterian Church in High street, on the late Mr. RITTENHOUSE. The Doctor commenced his Oration with an account of the birth of the great philosopher whose eulogy he was about to make, and proceeded to give an account of all the material transactions of his life, till he came to the awful period of his death, in all which he found occasion to pay the highest tribute of praise to the deceased. Indeed, we believe, we shall be joined in sentiment by all who heard it, in pronouncing the Oration a most masterly composition, and that it was pronounced with all the ability of an Orator and with all the feeling of a Friend. The Church was exceedingly full, but very attentive. The President of the United States, the Members of Congress, and of the Legislature of this State, the foreign Ministers, the Philosophical Society, Medical Students, &c. were a part of the auditory on this solemn and affecting occasion."-Gazette of the United States, December 20. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18. At Philadelphia: "I had a letter from Mr. Anderson by the last Post, who informs me that it was not in his power to leave the concern he was engaged in at the time I wished him to be at Mount Vernon ;-but that he certainly would VOL. XXI.-4 be there by the 27th or 28th of this month, if he was alive and well.—I wish it may be convenient for you to stay a few days after he comes to give him a thorough insight into the business, and then transfer the directions I have given concerning it to him."— Washington to William Pearce. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23. At Philadelphia: "Yesterday I received your letter of the 16th instant, covering the resolutions of the Senate and House of Delegates of the State of Maryland, passed on the 13th and 14th. The very obliging and friendly terms, in which you have made this communication, merit my sincere thanks."- Washington to John H. Stone, Governor of Maryland. Resolutions had been unanimously adopted by the Legislature of Maryland, approving in the highest terms the public services of the President, and particularly the sentiments advanced by him in the Farewell Address. It was "resolved, that, to perpetuate this valuable present in the most striking view to posterity, it be printed and published with the laws of this session, as an evidence of our approbation of its political axioms, and a small testimony of the affection we bear to the precepts of him, to whom, under Divine Providence, we are principally indebted for our greatest political blessings." From the time the President published his Farewell Address till the term of the presidency expired he received public addresses from all the State Legislatures which were convened within that period, and also from many other public bodies, expressing a cordial approbation of his conduct during the eight years that he had filled the office of Chief Magistrate, and deep regret that the nation was to be deprived of his services. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28. At Philadelphia: "December 29.-Yesterday at 12 o'clock, a deputation from the Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons in Pennsylvania waited on the President of the United States with an address delivered to him by the Grand Master [William Moore Smith]."-Gazette of the United States. (To be continued.) "I did not receive your Excellency's Letter till my return from Head quarters last Evening, or I should have comply'd with your requisition sooner. "I have before given my reasons for being against exposeing this Army to a Winters Campaign in their present condition. I would add to them the present Temper of the soldiery, who I am convinced are very gener❜ly against it. "The practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia I have look'd upon to be entirely out of the question since your Excellency's return from viewing the Enemy's Works. "As to the Aid of the Militia, I cannot be brought to think they will be of any in such an attempt. I am inclined to think whilst this Boddy were assembling we should loose more Continental officers & soldiers by waiting for them in the Field, then double the value of them that would arrive. Experience shewes that few Militia can be brought to stand in the line of Battle, & it would be deceiving ourselves to expect them upon this creation to march up to the attack of the Enemy's Works. "If such an attack is to be made, I would advise it to be put in execution Immediately with the Force we have in the Field, because I think we are stronger than we shall be any time this winter. it is possible our numbers may encrease, but our real strength will diminish. "Without some new light could be thrown upon this matter, or other reasons urged then I heard at the late Council, I am clearly against either making a winter's Campaign, or attacking the Enemy's works. "I have the Honour to be your Excellencys "Most Obedt humble Servt 66 "D" SIR OPINION OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL WEEDON. "I have from the first moment it was suggested to your Excellency, that an attack on Philadelphia this winter with the aid of Militia was practicable and promised success,' kept in mind the desirable object; have compaired and viewed it in every light, and on every ground I could place it, and after mature consideration on the matter cannot promise a single Advantage that would justifie the measure, nor can I see the least prospect of anything honorable or advantagious by adopting it. On the other hand I foresee numberless Obstacles to retard, and perplex that with sober reasoning stares any man in the face who views it with an impartial eye, places it on a military scale, and reflects on what human nature is.-It has been found, I believe, by most of your Officers who you have advised with on the matter, that your Continental Force is far, very far, Inadequate to an attack on the enemies lines, in their present strength and situation.-Operations like those proposed, are of too extensive a nature to carry into sudden execution. Reasons sufficiently cogent, must diminish your force every day you keep the field at this season of the year, and to resolve on the measure, ensures a winters Campaign to this Army, which in their Circumstances also ensures certain destruction to great part of them, without the Aid of an enemy-your principle dependence must then be on the Militia, to carry this important matter into execution. Glory and our Countries good is no doubt what every upright soldier would wish to obtain, but we may be too keen in pursuit of it, and like the Dogs in the fable, suffer the substance to escape while we Grasp at the Shadow.-I would only mention to y' Excellency some Difficulties that occur in drawing a sufficient force of Militia together for this purpose, and providing for them; particularly at a season of the year when our Fields, and Rivers are Ice & Snow.-Covering we have not for them when they arrive, Hospital Stores we could not furnish for the numbers that would fall sick by being exposed to the severity of the winter, nor do I know that even provisions & forrage, could be procured with any degree of certainty, which shorely should be rendered beyond a doubt in such cases; take the matter still on a more extensive scale. Every one that reflects on human nature and considers mankind at large must know how reluctantly they relinquish the ease and more calmer pleasures of domestick & social life to share the hardships & Fatigue of a Camp, even in more pleasant weather than what winter generally affords us. Men that are not taught and compelled to obey, will never render service, and Obedience & perseverance is not to be expected from a permiscuous body of men drawn together from all Quarters of the Globe, ware they to assemble, but you would find one half would desert in their way to Camp, others probably might arive, a day or two before their time of service expired. No object on Earth would keep them afterwards, nor could an [ ] influence them after their time was out. What would follow must be distressing to an exalted mind. You would find your regular Troops by this time much Diminished. They must bare the burthen of all necessary duties, in such cases, while this body of men are collecting,-expensive preparations are daily accumulating. The Eyes of the Continent are turned towards you. Much speculation on the practicability of the expedition terminating with success, which you at last find yourself obliged to relinquish, leaving the unthinking world (who want nothing more to blast reputation than a miscarriage, without inquiring into it's causes,) at liberty to sensure boath you & army.-Your Excellency is perfectly acquainted with my Sentiments respecting this Army-it is Sir the Bullwork of America and should be nursed and cherished as the salvator of her Liberties. The Troops that compose it are not more than mortal, and |