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General Washington attends to the foreign relations of

the United States.--Negotiates with Spain.-Diffi-

culties in the way. The free navigation of the Mis-

sissippi is granted by a treaty made with major Pinck-

ney.-Negotiations with Britain.-Difficulties in the

way. War probable.-Mr. Jay's mission.-His treaty

with Great Britain.-Opposition thereto.-Is ratified.

Washington refuses papers to house of representa-

tives.-British posts in United States evacuated.—

Negotiations with France.-Genet's arrival.-Assumes

powers in violation of the neutrality of the United

States. Is flattered by the people, but opposed

by the executive.-General Pinckney sent as a public

minister to adjust disputes with France.-Is not re-

ceived. Washington declines a re-election, and ad-

dresses the people.-His last address to the national

legislature. He recommends a navy, a military

academy, and other public institutions. pp. 323-389.

CHAP. XIII.

Washington rejoices at the prospect of retiring.—

Writes to the secretary of state, denying the authen-

ticity of letters, said to be from him to J. P. Custis

and Lund Washington, in 1776.-Pays respect to his

successor, Mr.John Adams.-Review of Washington's

administration.-He retires to Mount Vernon.-Re-

sumes agricultural pursuits.-Hears with regret the

aggressions of the French republic.-Corresponds on

the subject of his taking the command of an army to

oppose the French.-Is appointed lieutenant-general.

His commission is sent to him by the secretary of

war. His letter to president Adains, on the receipt

thereof.-Directs the organisation of the proposed

army. Three envoys extraordinary sent to France,

who adjust all disputes with Buonaparte, after the

overthrow of the directory.-General Washington

dies. Is honoured by congress.-His character.-

pp. 390-430.

APPENDIX; containing the WILL of General

Washington

INDEX

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pp. 451, &c.

THE LIFE OF

GEORGE WASHINGTON;

&c.

CHAP. I.

Of the family and education of GEORGE WASHINGTON. He is sent on an embassy to the French commandant on the Ohio.-Is appointed lieutenantcolonel of a regiment, and an aid-de-camp to general Braddock.--Braddock's defeat.-Washington is appointed commander in chief of all the forces in Virginia. His cperations in 1755-1758.-Fort Duquesne taken.-Washington retires, and marries,

THE

HE ancestors of GEORGE WASHINGTON were among the first settlers of the oldest British colony in America. He was the third in descent from John Washington, an English gentleman, who, about the middle of the 17th century, emigrated from the North of England, and settled in Westmoreland county, Virginia. In the place where he had fixed himself, his great grandson, the subject of the following history, was born on the 22d of February 1732. His immediate ancestor 1732.

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was Augustine Washington, who died wher his son George was only ten years old. The education of the young orphan, of course, devolved on his mother, who added one to the many examples of virtuous matrons, who, devoting themselves to the care of their children, have trained them up to be distinguished citizens. In one instance, her fears, combining with her affection, prevented a measure, which, if persevered in, would have given a direction to the talents and views of her son very different from that which laid the foundation of his fame. George Washington, when only fifteen years old, solicited and obtained the place of midshipman in the British navy; but his ardent zeal to serve his country, then at war with France and Spain, was, on the interference of his mother, for the present suspended, and for ever diverted from the sea service. She lived to see him attain higher honors than he could have obtained as a naval officer; nor did she depart this life till he was elevated to the first offices, both civil and military, in the gift of his country. She was, nevertheless, so far from being partial to the American revolution, that she frequently regretted the side her son had taken in the contest between her king and her country.

In the minority of George Washington, the means of education in America were scanty. His was therefore very little extended beyond what is common, except in mathematics. Knowledge of this kind contributes more perhaps than any other to strengthen the mind. In his case it was doubly useful, for in the early part of his life it laid the foundation of his fortune, by qualifying him for the office of a practical surveyor, at a time when good land was of easy attainment. Its intimate connexion with the military art enabled him at a later period to judge more correctly of the proper means of defending his country.

Of the first nineteen years of George Washington's life, little is known. His talents, being more solid than brilliant, were not sufficiently developed for public notice, by the comparatively unimportant events of that early period. His contemporaries have reported, that in his youth he was grave, silent, and thoughtful, diligent and methodical in business, dignified in his appearance, strictly honorable in all his deportment; but they have not been able to gratify the public curiosity with any striking anecdotes. His patrimonial estate was little, but that little was managed with prudence, and increased

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