shed their blood, or lost their limbs in the ser- forth; that the distresses and disappointments vice of their country, without a shelter, without which have very often occurred, have, in too many a friend, and without the means of obtaining any instances, resulted more from a want of energy in of the comforts or necessaries of life, compelled the continental government, than a deficiency of to beg their bread daily from door to door. Suffer means in the particular states; that the inefficacy me to recommend those of this description, belong. of the measures, arising from the want of an ing to your state, to the warmest patronage of your adequate authority in the supreme power, from a excellency and your legislature. partial compliance with the requisitions of congress, in some of the states, and from a failure of "It is necessary to say but a few words on the third topic which was proposed, and which regards the zeal of those who were more willing to exert punctuality in others, while they tended to damp particularly the defence of the republic-as there themselves, served also to accumulate the expenses can be little doubt but congress will recommend of the war, and to frustrate the best concerted a proper peace establishment for the United States, plans; and that the discouragement occasioned by in which a due attention will be paid to the im-the complicated difficulties and embarrassments, portance of placing the militia of the union upon in which our affairs were by this means involved, a regular and respectable footing. If this should would have long ago produced the dissolution of be the case, I should beg leave to urge the great advantage of it in the strongest terms. "The militia of this country must be considered as the palladium of our security, and the first effectual resort in case of hostility. It is essential, therefore, that the same system should pervade the whole; that the formation and discipline of the militia of the continent should be absolutely uniform; and that the same species of arms, accoutrements, and military apparatus, should be introduced in every part of the United States. No one, who has not learned it from experience, can conceive the difficulty, expense, and confusion, which result from a contrary system, or the vague arrangements which have hitherto prevailed. any army, less patient, less virtuous, and less persevering, than that which I have had the honor to command. But while I mention those things which are notorious facts, as the defects of our federal constitution, particularly in the prosecution of a war, I beg it may be understood, that, as I have ever taken a pleasure in gratefully acknowledging the assistance and support I have derived from every class of citizens, so I shall always be happy to do justice to the unparalleled exertions of the individual states, on many interesting occasions. life. "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 "If, in treating of political points, a greater your excellency, as the chief magistrate of your latitude than usual has been taken in the course state; at the same time I bid a last farewell to the of the address, the importance of the crisis, and cares of office, and all the employments of public the magnitude of the objects in discussion, must be my apology. It is, however, neither my wish nor expectation, that the preceding observations "It remains, then, to be my final and only reshould claim any regard, except so far as they quest, that your excellency will communicate these shall appear to be dictated by a good intention, sentiments to your legislature, at their next meetconsonant to the immutable rules of justice; cal.ing; and that they may be considered as the legacy culated to produce a liberal system of policy, and of one who has ardently wished, on all occasions, founded on whatever experience may have been to be useful to his country, and who, even in the acquired, by a long and close attention to public shade of retirement, will not fail to implore the business. Here I might speak with more confidence, Divine benediction upon it. from my actual observations; and if it would not "1 now make it my earnest prayer, that God swell this letter, (already too prolix,) beyond the would have you, and the state over which you bounds I had prescribed myself, I could demon-preside, in his holy protection; that he would strate to every mind open to conviction, that, in incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a less time, and with much less expense than has spirit of subordination and obedience to govern been incurred, the war might have been brought ment; to entertain a brotherly affection and love to the same happy conclusion, if the resources of for one another; for their fellow-citizens of the the continent could have been properly called 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 honor to be, with much esteem and respect, sir, your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant," "GEO. WASHINGTON." General Washington to the president of congress on resigning his commission—1783. ̧ "Mr. President―The great events on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sincere con. gratulations 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.. mending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence 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 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." President Washington's speech to the first congress, Fellow-citizens of the senate and of the house of representatives: Among the vicissitudes incident to life, no than that, of which the notification was transmitted event could have filled me with greater anxieties by your order, and received on the 4th day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned with veneration and love, from a retreat which I by my country, whose voice I can never hear but had chosen with the fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, with an immutable decision "Happy in the confirmation of our independence as the as;ium of my declining years; a retreat and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respecta ble nation, I resign, with satisfaction, the appoint. ment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven. which was rendered every day more necessary as well as more dear to me, by the addition of habit to inclination, and of frequent interruptions in my health to the gradual waste committed on it by time: on the other hand, the magnitude and difficulty of the trust to which the voice of my country called me, being sufficient to awaken, in the wisest and most experienced of her citizens, a distrustful scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but overwhelm with despondence one, who, inherit"The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my ed in the duties of civil administration, ought to ing inferior endowments from nature, and unpractisgratitude for the interposition of Providence, and be peculiarly conscious of his own deficiences. In the assistance I have received from my country-this conflict of emotions, all I dare aver is, that men, increases with every review of the momentous it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected. All I dare hope is, that if, in executing this task, I have been too much 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 swayed by a grateful remembrance of former services and distinguished merits of the persons instances, or by an affectionate sensibility to this who have been attached to my person during the transcendant proof of the confidence of my fellowwar. It was impossible the choice of confidential citizens, and have thence too little consulted my officers to compose my family could have been incapacity as well as disinclination for the weighty more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in and untried cares before me, my error will be particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of congress. palliated by the motives which misled me, and its consequences be judged by my country, with some share of the partiality in which they originated. "I consider it as an indispensable duty to close Such being the impressions under which I have, this last solemn act of my official life, by com-lin obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly impro- them. In these honorable qualifications, I behold per to omit, in this first official act, my fervent the surest pledges, that as, on one side, no local supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules prejudices or attachments, no separate views nor over the universe, who presides in the councils of party animosities, will misdirect the comprehennations, and whose providential aids can supply sive and equal eye which ought to watch over this every human defect, that his benediction may great assemblage of communities and interestsconsecrate to the liberties and happiness of the peo-so, on another, that the foundations of our national ple of the United States, a government instituted policy will be laid in the pure and immutable prin. by themselves for these essential purposes, and ciples of private morality; and the pre-eminence may enable every instrument employed in its ad- of a free government be exemplified by all the ministration, to execute, with success, the functions attributes which can win the affections of its citiallotted to his charge. In tendering this homage zens, and command the respect of the world. to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiI dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction ments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow. which an ardent love for my country can inspire; citizens at large less than either. No people can since there is no truth more thoroughly established be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible than that there exists, in the economy and course hand which conducts the affairs of men, more of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and than the people of the United States. Every step, happiness-between duty and advantage-between by which they have advanced to the character of the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous an independent nation, seems to have been dis. policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity tinguished by some token of providential agency. and felicity-since we ought to be no less perAnd, in the important revolution just accomplished, suaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can in the system of their united government, the never be expected on a nation that disregards the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained-and since the preservation many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the by which most governments have been estab. republican model of government, are justly conlished, without some return of pious gratitude, sidered as deeply, perhaps, as finally staked, on the along with an humble anticipation of the future experiment entrusted to the hands of the Ameri blessings, which the past seem to presage. These can people. reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which, the proceedings of a new and free govern ment can more auspiciously commence. Besides the ordinary objects submitted to your care, it will remain with your judgment to decide how far an exercise of the occasional power delegat. ed by the fifth article of the constitution is rendered expedient, at the present juncture, by the nature of objections which have been urged against the By the article establishing the executive de- system, or by the degree of inquietude which has partment, it is made the duty of the president "to given birth to them. Instead of undertaking parrecommend to your consideration, such measures ticular recommendations on this subject, in which as he shall judge necessary and expedient." The I could be guided by no lights derived from official circumstances under which I now meet you, will opportunities, I shall again give way to my entire acquit me from entering into that subject farther confidence in your discernment and pursuit of the than to refer you to the great constitutional char-public good: For, I assure myself, that, whilst ter under which we are assembled; and which, in you carefully avoid every alteration which might defining your powers, designates the objects to endanger the benefits of an united and effective go. which your attention is to be given. It will be vernment, or which ought to await the future lessons more consistent with those circumstances, and far of experience, a reverence for the characteristic more congenial with the feelings which actuate rights of freemen, and a regard for the public me, to substitute, in place of a recommendation of harmony, will sufficiently influence your deliberaparticular measures, the tribute that is due to the tions on the question, how far the former can be talents, the rectitude, and the patriotism which more impregnably fortified, or the latter be safely adorn the characters selected to devise and adopt and more advantageously promoted RECAPITULATION. guns p. lbs. men kd. wd. is 96 110 4 11 men kd. wd. 136 20 Hyder Ally, 16 6 Gen. Monk, lbs. 180 33 The night on which the American troops crossed To the preceding observations I have one to May channel, was obliged to go round the Overf.ll add, which will be most properly addressed to the Shoals to get into the bay. It was during this house of representatives. It concerns myself, and time that the action took place. To the right of will therefore be as brief as possible. When I the fighting ships, the English brig Fair American, was first honored with a call into the service of of 16 guns, is seen chasing and firing at one of my country, then on the eve of an arduous strug-the Hyder Ally's convoy, which escaped under the gle for its liberties, the light in which I contem- Jersey shore. At a distance is seen the vessels plated my duty, required that I should renounce convoyed by the Hyder Ally steering up the bay. every pecuniary compensation. From this resolu tion I have in no instance departed. And being still under the impressions which produced it, I must decline, as inapplicable to myself, any share in the personal emoluments, which may be indispensably included in a permanent provision for the executive department; and must accordingly pray the Delaware was cold-the ice making on the that the pecuniary estimates for the station in river. The morning was ushered in with a heavy which I am placed, may, during my continuation storm of rain and sleet, the soldiers were exhaustin it, be limited to such actual expenditures as the ed with fatigue, and their arms rendered, in some public good may be thought to require. degree, useless by the rain. In this situation, gen, Having thus imparted to you my sentiments, as Sullivan, who commanded the advance, sent col. they have been awakened by the occasion which William Smith, one of his aids, to inform general brings us together, I shall take my present leave, Washington of the state of his troops, and that but not without resorting once more to the benign he could depend on nothing but the bayonet, in the Parent of the human race, in humble supplication, impending attack, being then within a short disthat, since he has been pleased to favor the Ameri-tance of Trenton. General Washington answered can people with opportunities for deliberating in him in a voice of thunder, and with the countenance perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding of a hero, “Go back, sit, immediately, and tell genewith unparalleled unanimity, on a form of govern-ral Sullivan to go on!" ment for the security of their union, and the advancement of their happiness, so his Divine Blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise beasures on which the success of this government must depend. Collection of Scraps FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. The above anecdote was related by col. Smith, a short time after the event, who added, that he never saw a face so awfully sublime as general Washington's when he addressed him. The churches. Extract from a sermon preached at New York, by the rev. Dr. Rodgers, Dec. 11, 1783, the day appointed by congress as a public thanksgiving throughout the United States. On the 8th April, 1782, an action took place at "It is much to be lamented, that the troops of a the entrance of the Delaware bay, between an nation who has been considered as one of the bulAmerican sloop of war, commanded by capt. Barney, warks of the reformation, should act as if they had called the Hyder Alley, mounting 16 six pounders, waged war with the God whom Christians adore. and carrying 110 men; and the British sloop of war They have, in the course of this war, utterly des General Monk, under capt. Rogers, of 20 nine troyed more than fifty places of worship in these pounders, and 136 men. The former had four men states. Most of these they burnt, others they le killed and eleven wounded; the latter twenty kilvelled with the ground, and in some places left led and thirty-three wounded. In the navy de- not a vestige of their former situation; while they partment at Washington is a representation of this have wantonly defaced, or rather destroyed others, action. On the left of the painting appears Cape by converting them into barracks, jails, hospitals, Henlopen light-house, and on the right, the point riding schools, &c. Boston, Newport, Philadel. of Cape May. In the centre is seen the Hyder phia and Charleston, all furnished melancholy inAlly and General Monk engaged, the latter in the stances of this prostitution and abuse of the houses act of striking her colors. In front is the frigate of God;-and of nineteen places of public worship ebec, which, not finding sufficient water in Cape in this city, when the war began, there were but -46. nine fit, for use when the British troops left it. It is "The road through which they marched was true, Trinity church, and the old Lutheran, were lined with spectators, French and American. On destroyed by the fire, that laid waste so great a one side the commander in chief, surrounded by part of the city, a few nights after the ene- his suite and the American staffs, took his station; my took possession of it; the fire was occasioned on the other side opposite to him, was the count de by the carelessness of their people, and they pre-Rochambeau, in like manner attended. The capvented its more speedy extinguishment. But the tive army approached, moving slowly in column, ruinous situation in which they left two of the Low with grace and precision. Dutch Reformed churches, the three Presbyterian churches, the French Protestant church, the Anabaptist church, and the Friends new meeting house, was the effect of design, and strongly marks their enmity to those societies." "Universal silence was observed amidst the vast Concourse, and the utmost decency prevailed, exhibiting in demeanor an awful sense of the vicissitudes of human life, mingled with commisseration for the unhappy. The head of the column apOf the middle Dutch church, which, in the begin- proached the commander in chief-O'Hara, mising of the war, was used by the British as a pri- taking the circle, turned to that on his left for the son, and afterwards converted into a riding school, purpose of paying his respects to the commander in the venerable Dr. Livingston thus expresses him- chief, and requesting further orders; when quickly self, in a sermon, delivered July 4, 1790, when discovering his error, with embarrassment in his it was for the first time opened for public worship, after being repaired: "I dare not speak of the wanton cruelty of those who destroyed this temple, nor repeat the various indignities which have been perpetrated. It would be easy to mention facts which would chill your blood! A recollection of the groans of dying prisoners, which pierced this ceiling, or the sacrilegious shouts and rough feats of hormanship exhibited within these walls, might raise sentiments in your minds which would, perhaps, not harmonize with those religious affections, which I wish, at present, to promote, and always to cherish." THE SURRENDER AT YORKTOWN. From the Richmond Compiler, of April 10, 1818. As every incident connected with our revolutionary history, is interesting to the great mass of the people, I shall - solicit a niche in your paper to answer an inquiry in a late Compiler, concerning the surrender of the British army at Yorktown, Virginia; and hope that your readers will experience the same pleasure in reading the account, that I enjoy in the narration: countenance, he flew across the road, and advancing up to Washington, asked pardon for his mistake, apologized for the absence of lord Cornwallis, and begged to know his further pleasure. "The general feeling his embarrassment, reliered it by referring him, with much politeness, to general Lincoln for his government. Returning to the head of the column, it again moved, under the guidance of Lincoln, to the field selected for the conclusion of the ceremony. "Every eye was turned, searching for the Brj tish commander in chief, anxious to look at that man heretofore so much their dread. All were disappointed. "Cornwallis held himself back from the humiliating scene; obeying sensations which his great character ought to have stifled. He had been unfor. tunate, not from any false step or deficiency of exertion on his part, but from the infatuated policy of his superior, and the united power of his enemy brought to bear upon him alone. There was noth"At two o'clock in the evening, Oct. 19th, 1781, ing with which he could reproach himself; there the British army, led by general O'Hara, marched was nothing with which he could reproach his out of its lines, with colors cased and drums beat-brave and faithful army; why not then appear at its ing a British march. head in the day of misfortune, as he had always done in the day of triumph? "The British general in this instance deviated from his usual line of conduct, dimming the splendor of his long and brilliant career. "It will be seen in the sequel, that O'Hara, and not Cornwallis, surrendered the British army to the allied forces of France and America. In this af fair, lord Cornwallis seemed to have lost all his former magnanimity and firmness of character,he sunk beneath the pressure of his 'misfortunes, "Thus ended the important co-operation of the and for a moment gave his soul up to chagrin and allied forces. Great was the joy diffused through Borrow. out our infant empire.” |