“But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my
reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the
room, that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, that I
do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. As
to pay, I beg leave to assure the Congress that, as no pecuniary
consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous
employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do
not wish to make any profit of it. I will keep an exact account of
my expenses. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all
I desire.”
Washington’s history during the next eight years is the history of the
Revolution, for he was the animating spirit and the controlling power
throughout that great struggle. On the 2d of November, 1783, he took
final leave of the army, and resigned his commission on the following
23d of December. Retiring to Mount Vernon, which he had visited
but once during the war, he resumed the peaceful life of a country
gentleman. These were happy days, his time being fully occupied with
his large estate, which required a tour of inspection each day. His
servants were many; but he gave personal attention to their welfare.
His guests were numerous; yet all were entertained with a bountiful
hospitality. One ceremony was never omitted at Mount Vernon, and that
was a daily visit to his old war-horse, Nelson, to pat his head.
Washington rode him when receiving the surrender of Cornwallis at
Yorktown. The war ended, Nelson’s work was over; carefully tended, he
lived to a good old age, but by his master’s strict orders, no service
was ever again required of him.
In 1784, Washington crossed the Alleghanies to visit his lands
in western Virginia, and planned the Potomac and the James River
canals. In 1787, he was sent as a delegate to the convention held
in Philadelphia for the purpose of deciding on the best mode of
governing the United States. The result of their labors was the federal
Constitution, under the provisions of which Washington was unanimously
chosen first President, with John Adams as Vice-President. Owing
to a delay in the assembling of the members of the first National
Congress, the inauguration could not take place until April 30, 1789.
Washington’s journey from Mount Vernon to New York, temporarily the
seat of government, was the triumphant progress of a hero; young and
old, rich and poor, vied with one another to do him honor. Being
re-elected, he took his second oath of office on the 4th of March,
1793. Appreciating the fact that America’s true policy was to keep
clear of all European alliances, on the 22d of April of the same year,
he issued his famous proclamation of neutrality, to restrain the United
States from taking any part in the French Revolution.
Wearied with his long public service, and not deeming it for the best
interests of the country that he should enter upon a third term,
on the 16th of September, 1796, Washington published his “Farewell
Address.” His tenure of office expiring on the 4th of March, 1797,
he once more sought the tranquil enjoyment of life at Mount Vernon.
War-clouds were gathering on the horizon; and when hostilities with
France seemed inevitable, he again responded to the call of his
country, and accepting on the 3d of July, 1798, the appointment of
lieutenant-general and commander-in-chief, began the organization of
an army. The difficulties were, however, settled without an appeal to
arms, though Washington did not live to know it. Riding over his estate
on the 12th of December, 1799, during a snow-storm, he contracted a
severe chill from which he never seemed to rally, and died on the 14th,
saying to Dr. Craik, his physician, “I die hard; but I am not afraid to
go.” His funeral occurred on the 18th, Reverend Thomas Davis preaching
the sermon, a schooner lying in the Potomac firing minute-guns, and
his favorite horse being led after the coffin. Richard Henry Lee
pronounced a eulogy before both Houses of Congress, in which occurred
the since oft-quoted words,--“first in war, first in peace, and first
in the hearts of his countrymen.” Napoleon ordered all the standards
and flags in the French army to be bound with crape for ten days, and
the British fleet of sixty ships-of-the-line, lying at Torbay, England,
lowered their flags to half-mast upon hearing the sad intelligence.
Sincerely mourned by the whole civilized world, his memory to-day is
cherished as that of no other man has ever been, and the passing years
but add to the lustre of his fame. Beautifully has it been said of him,
“Providence left him childless that his country might call him father.”