NEWS OF PEACE.--WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL TO THE ARMY, AND RESIGNATION OF
HIS COMMISSION.
At length arrived the wished-for news of peace. A general treaty had
been signed at Paris on the 20th of January. An armed vessel, the
Triumph, belonging to the Count d'Estaing's squadron, arrived at
Philadelphia from Cadiz, on the 23d of March, bringing a letter from
the Marquis de Lafayette, to the President of Congress, communicating
the intelligence. In a few days Sir Guy Carleton informed Washington,
by letter, that he was ordered to proclaim a cessation of hostilities
by sea and land.
A similar proclamation issued by Congress, was received by Washington
on the 17th of April. Being unaccompanied by any instructions
respecting the discharge of the part of the army with him, should the
measure be deemed necessary, he found himself in a perplexing
situation.
The accounts of peace received at different times had raised an
expectation in the minds of those of his troops that had engaged "for
the war," that a speedy discharge must be the consequence of the
proclamation. Most of them could not distinguish between a
proclamation of a cessation of hostilities and a definitive
declaration of peace, and might consider any further claim on their
military services an act of injustice. It was becoming difficult to
enforce the discipline necessary to the coherence of an army.
Washington represented these circumstances in a letter to the
president, and earnestly entreated a prompt determination on the part
of Congress, as to what was to be the period of the services of these
men, and how he was to act respecting their discharge. He urged that,
in discharging those who had been engaged "for the war," the
non-commissioned officers and soldiers should be allowed to take with
them, as their own property, and as a gratuity, their arms and
accoutrements.
His letter produced a resolution in Congress, that the services of the
men engaged in the war did not expire until the ratification of the
definitive articles of peace; but that the commander-in-chief might
grant furloughs to such as he thought proper, and that they should be
allowed to take their arms with them. Washington availed himself
freely of this permission: furloughs were granted without stint; the
men set out singly or in small parties for their rustic homes, and the
danger and inconvenience were avoided of disbanding large masses, at a
time, of unpaid soldiery.
In the meantime Sir Guy Carleton was making preparations for the
evacuation of the city of New York. On the 6th of May a personal
conference took place between Washington and Sir Guy at Orangetown,
about the transfer of posts in the United States held by the British
troops, and the delivery of all property stipulated by the treaty to
be given up to the Americans. On the 8th of May, Egbert Benson,
William S. Smith, and Daniel Parker, were commissioned by Congress to
inspect and superintend at New York the embarkation of persons and
property in fulfilment of the seventh article of the provisional
treaty.
The officers in the patriot camp on the Hudson were not without gloomy
feelings at the thought of their approaching separation from each
other. Eight years of dangers and hardships, shared in common and
nobly sustained, had welded their hearts together, and made it hard to
rend them asunder. Prompted by such feelings, General Knox suggested,
as a mode of perpetuating the friendships thus formed, and keeping
alive the brotherhood of the camp, the formation of a society composed
of the officers of the army. The suggestion met with universal
concurrence, and the hearty approbation of Washington. Meetings were
held, at which the Baron Steuben, as senior officer, presided. A plan
was drafted, and the society was organized.
In memory of the illustrious Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, who
retired from war to the peaceful duties of the citizen, it was to be
called "The Society of the Cincinnati." The objects proposed by it
were to preserve inviolate the rights and liberties for which they had
contended; to promote and cherish national honor and union between the
States; to maintain brotherly kindness toward each other, and extend
relief to such officers and their families as might stand in need of
it. The general society, for the sake of frequent communications, was
to be divided into State societies, and these again into districts.
Washington was chosen unanimously to officiate as president of it,
until the first general meeting, to be held in May, 1784.
On the 8th of June, Washington addressed a letter to the governors of
the several States on the subject of the dissolution of the army. The
opening of it breathes that aspiration after the serene quiet of
private life, which had been his dream of happiness throughout the
storms and trials of his anxious career, but the full fruition of
which he was never to realize. His letter then described the enviable
condition of the citizens of America, and proceeded ably and
eloquently to discuss what he considered the four things essential to
the well-being, and even the existence of the United States as an
independent power.
First. An indissoluble union of the States under one federal head, and
a perfect acquiescence of the several States, in the full exercise of
the prerogative vested in such a head by the constitution.
Second. A sacred regard to public justice in discharging debts and
fulfilling contracts made by Congress, for the purpose of carrying on
the war.
Third. The adoption of a proper peace establishment; in which care
should be taken to place the militia throughout the Union on a
regular, uniform and efficient footing.
And Fourth. A disposition among the people of the United States to
forget local prejudices and policies; to make mutual concessions, and
to sacrifice individual advantages to the interests of the community.
These four things Washington pronounced the pillars on which the
glorious character must be supported. "Liberty is the basis; and
whoever would dare to sap the foundation, or overturn the structure,
under whatever specious pretext he may attempt it, will merit the
bitterest execration and the severest punishment which can be
inflicted by his injured country." We forbear to go into the ample and
admirable reasoning with which he expatiates on these heads, and above
all, enforces the sacred inviolability of the Union; they have become
familiar with every American mind, and ought to govern every American
heart.
Washington resolved to while away part of the time that must intervene
before the arrival of the definitive treaty, by making a tour to the
northern and western parts of the State, and visiting the places which
had been the theatre of important military transactions. He had
another object in view; he desired to facilitate as far as in his
power the operations which would be necessary for occupying, as soon
as evacuated by British troops, the posts ceded by the treaty of
peace.
Governor Clinton accompanied him on the expedition. They set out by
water from Newburg, ascended the Hudson to Albany, visited Saratoga
and the scene of Burgoyne's surrender, embarked on Lake George, where
light boats had been provided for them, traversed that beautiful lake
so full of historic interest, proceeded to Ticonderoga and Crown
Point; and after reconnoitring those eventful posts, returned to
Schenectady, whence they proceeded up the valley of the Mohawk River.
Having reached Fort Schuyler, formerly Fort Stanwix, they crossed over
to Wood Creek, which empties into Oneida Lake, and affords the water
communication with Ontario. They then traversed the country to the
head of the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, and viewed Lake Otsego
and the portage between that lake and the Mohawk River. Washington
returned to head-quarters at Newburg on the 5th of August, after a
tour of at least seven hundred and fifty miles, performed in nineteen
days, and for the most part on horseback.
By a proclamation of Congress, dated 18th of October, all officers and
soldiers absent on furlough were discharged from further service; and
all others who had engaged to serve during the war, were to be
discharged from and after the 3d of November. A small force only,
composed of those who had enlisted for a definite time, were to be
retained in service until the peace establishment should be organized.
In general orders of November 2d, Washington, after adverting to this
proclamation, adds: "It only remains for the commander-in-chief to
address himself once more, and that for the last time, to the armies
of the United States, however widely dispersed the individuals who
compose them may be, and to bid them an affectionate and a long
farewell."
He then goes on to make them one of those paternal addresses which so
eminently characterize his relationship with his army, so different
from that of any other commander. He takes a brief view of the
glorious struggle from which they had just emerged; the unpromising
circumstances under which they had undertaken it, and the signal
interposition of Providence in behalf of their feeble condition; the
unparalleled perseverance of the American armies for eight long years,
through almost every possible suffering and discouragement; a
perseverance which he justly pronounces to be little short of _a
standing miracle_. Adverting then to the enlarged prospects of
happiness opened by the confirmation of national independence and
sovereignty, and the ample and profitable employments held out in a
Republic so happily circumstanced, he exhorts them to maintain the
strongest attachment to THE UNION, and to carry with them into civil
society the most conciliatory dispositions; proving themselves not
less virtuous and useful as citizens, than they had been victorious as
soldiers.
Notwithstanding every exertion had been made for the evacuation of New
York, such was the number of persons and the quantity of effects of
all kinds to be conveyed away, that the month of November was far
advanced before it could be completed. Sir Guy Carleton had given
notice to Washington of the time he supposed the different posts would
be vacated, that the Americans might be prepared to take possession of
them. On the 21st the British troops were drawn in from the
oft-disputed post of King's Bridge and from M'Gowan's Pass, also from
the various posts on the eastern part of Long Island. Paulus Hook was
relinquished on the following day, and the afternoon of the 25th of
November was appointed by Sir Guy for the evacuation of the city and
the opposite village of Brooklyn.
Washington, in the meantime, had taken his station at Harlem,
accompanied by Governor Clinton, who, in virtue of his office, was to
take charge of the city. They found there General Knox with the
detachment from West Point. Sir Guy Carleton had intimated a wish that
Washington would be at hand to take immediate possession of the city,
and prevent all outrage, as he had been informed of a plot to plunder
the place whenever the king's troops should be withdrawn. He had
engaged, also, that the guards of the redoubts on the East River,
covering the upper part of the town, should be the first to be
withdrawn, and that an officer should be sent to give Washington's
advanced guard information of their retiring.
Although Washington doubted the existence of any such plot as that
which had been reported to the British commander, yet he took
precautions accordingly. On the morning of the 25th the American
troops, composed of dragoons, light infantry and artillery, moved from
Harlem to the Bowery at the upper part of the city. There they
remained until the troops in that quarter were withdrawn, when they
marched into the city and took possession, the British embarking from
the lower parts. A formal entry then took place of the military and
civil authorities.
{Illustration: ROOM IN FRAUNCES' TAVERN. Vol. IV.}
In the course of a few days Washington prepared to depart for
Annapolis, where Congress was assembling, with the intention of asking
leave to resign his command. A barge was in waiting about noon on the
4th of December at Whitehall ferry to convey him across the Hudson to
Paulus Hook. The principal officers of the army assembled at Fraunces'
Tavern, in the neighborhood of the ferry, to take a final leave of
him. On entering the room, and finding himself surrounded by his old
companions in arms, who shared with him so many scenes of hardship,
difficulty, and danger, his agitated feelings overcame his usual
self-command. Filling a glass of wine, and turning upon them his
benignant but saddened countenance, "With a heart full of love and
gratitude," said he, "I now take leave of you, most devoutly wishing
that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former
ones have been glorious and honorable." Having drunk his farewell
benediction, he added with emotion, "I cannot come to each of you to
take my leave, but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take
me by the hand."
General Knox, who was nearest, was the first to advance. Washington,
affected even to tears, grasped his hand and gave him a brother's
embrace. In the same affectionate manner he took leave severally of
the rest. Not a word was spoken. The deep feeling and manly tenderness
of these veterans in the parting moment could find no utterance in
words. Silent and solemn they followed their loved commander as he
left the room, passed through a corps of light infantry, and proceeded
on foot to Whitehall ferry. Having entered the barge, he turned to
them, took off his hat and waved a silent adieu. They replied in the
same manner, and having watched the barge until the intervening point
of the Battery shut it from sight, returned, still solemn and silent,
to the place where they had assembled.
On his way to Annapolis, Washington stopped for a few days at
Philadelphia, where with his usual exactness in matters of business,
he adjusted with the Comptroller of the Treasury his accounts from the
commencement of the war down to the 13th of the actual month of
December. These were all in his own handwriting, and kept in the
cleanest and most accurate manner, each entry being accompanied by a
statement of the occasion and object of the charge. The gross amount
was about fourteen thousand five hundred pounds sterling; in which
were included moneys expended for secret intelligence and service, and
in various incidental charges. All this, it must be noted, was an
account of money actually expended in the progress of the war; not for
arrearage of pay; for it will be recollected Washington accepted no
pay.
In passing through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, the scenes
of his anxious and precarious campaigns, Washington was everywhere
hailed with enthusiasm by the people, and greeted with addresses by
legislative assemblies, and learned and religious institutions. Being
arrived at Annapolis, he addressed a letter to the President of
Congress, on the 20th of December, requesting to know in what manner
it would be most proper to offer his resignation; whether in writing
or at an audience. The latter mode was adopted, and the Hall of
Congress appointed for the ceremonial.
At twelve o'clock [the 23d,] the gallery, and a great part of the
floor of the Hall of Congress, were filled with ladies, with public
functionaries of the State, and with general officers. Washington
entered, conducted by the secretary of Congress, and took his seat in
a chair appointed for him. After a brief pause, the president (General
Mifflin) informed him, that "the United States in Congress assembled,
were prepared to receive his communication." Washington then rose, and
delivered a short address.
"The great events," said he, "on which my resignation depended, having
at length taken place, I now have the honor of offering my sincere
congratulations 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."
After expressing his obligations to the army in general, and
acknowledging the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the
confidential officers who had been attached to his person, and
composed his family during the war, and whom he especially recommended
to the favor of Congress, he continued--"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."
Having delivered his commission into the hands of the president, the
latter, in reply to his address, bore testimony to the patriotism with
which he had answered to the call of his country, and defended its
invaded rights before it had formed alliances, and while it was
without funds or a government to support him; to the wisdom and
fortitude with which he had conducted the great military contest,
invariably regarding the rights of the civil power, through all
disasters and changes. "You retire," added he, "from the theatre of
action with the blessings of your fellow-citizens; but the glory of
your virtues will not terminate with your military command; it will
continue to animate remotest ages."
The very next morning Washington left Annapolis, and hastened to his
beloved Mount Vernon, where he arrived the same day, on Christmas-eve,
in a frame of mind suited to enjoy the sacred and genial festival.
"The scene is at last closed," said he in a letter to Governor
Clinton; "I feel myself eased of a load of public care. I hope to
spend the remainder of my days in cultivating the affections of good
men, and in the practice of the domestic virtues."