of the Revolution is connected with very different scenes from those of
battle and carnage; it may, perhaps, be fairly described as a narrow
escape from a marriage which, while it might have proved a happy
alliance in so far as Washington himself was concerned, would almost
certainly have resulted in the loss of his inestimable services to his
country.
Washington's attachment to Mary Philipse is a fact beyond reasonable
question; his offer of marriage to that young lady is somewhat
traditional. It is certain, however, that during his necessary absence
on military duty, Captain Morris, his associate aide-de-camp in the
Monongahela engagement, became a successful suitor for the hand of Miss
Philipse.
What is far less generally known is the fact that, had Washington been
successful in his early matrimonial aspirations, he would certainly
have remained a loyal adherent of the royal cause, and would thus have
been lost to his native land. Evidences of the justice of this theory
are by no means lacking. The relatives and friends of the lady were
nearly all devoted to the cause of England; Washington was the associate
of many of them; and Captain Morris, his successful rival, remained in
the British service during his life. There can be, I think, little doubt
that, in the event of his marriage with Miss Philipse, Washington, like
Captain Morris, would have returned to England and been forever lost to
America. Mrs. Morris survived her illustrious admirer twenty-five years,
dying about the year 1825.
_Washington Unrewarded_
A striking historical fact,--as strange as it is authentic--is the
treatment of Washington by the English Government after the death of
Braddock. Had General Braddock survived his terrible misfortune the
result might well have been very different; for it is matter of history
that the youthful officer had the undivided confidence of his commander.
But by the British Ministry, and even by the King himself, the young
hero of the fatal battle was treated with scarcely disguised contempt
and neglect.
In a letter to the British War Minister, Governor Dinwiddie speaks of
Colonel Washington as a man of great merit and resolution, adding:
I am confident, that, if General Braddock had lived, he would have
recommended him to the royal favor, which I beg your interest in
recommending.
The sole results were a half-rebuke from the King, and a malicious fling
from the lips of Horace Walpole. For more than three years Washington
labored incessantly, by personal effort and by means of influential
intercessors, to secure a royal commission.
In view of what the world knows now of Washington's well-nigh matchless
ability as a soldier, and remembering especially the reputation he had
already acquired--amazing in so youthful an officer--his persistent
neglect by the military authorities "at home," and particularly the
stubborn and doltish determination on the part of the King to ignore the
man and his almost unexampled services, suggests the theory that the
heart of King George, of England, was as truly and providentially
"hardened" as was that of his royal prototype, Pharaoh, of ancient
times. For, finding that all his efforts were ineffectual and believing
that the chief object of the war was attained by the capture of Fort
Duquesne, and the final defeat of the French on the Ohio, the young hero
retired after five years of arduous and ill-requited service, in the
words of a great writer of our own land and time:
The youthful idol of his countrymen, but without so much as a civil
word from the fountain of honor. And so, when after seventeen years
of private life he next appeared in arms, it was as the
"Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, and of all
the forces now raised, or to be raised by them."
The same writer elsewhere remarks:
Such was the policy by which the Horse Guards occasionally saved a
Major's commission for a fourth son of a Duke, by which the Crown
lost a continent; and the people of the United States gained a
place in the family of nations. The voice of history cries aloud to
powerful Governments, in the administration of their colonies:
"Discite justitiam moniti."
_A Furious Conflict_
The last of the six marvelous escapes of our hero from impending and
fatal disaster occurred during the historic night march of Washington
and the American Army on Princeton, where, on the third of January,
1776, he compassed the entire destruction of one regiment of the enemy,
and captured or forced to ignoble retreat two others. This battle was
the subject of one of Colonel Trumbull's most famous paintings; and it
was during this engagement--as Washington himself told the illustrious
artist--that he was in greater peril than even at the time of Braddock's
defeat.
In the height of the battle the two armies were for a brief season in
furious conflict, and Washington between them within range of both
fires. Washington Irving writes:
His Aide, Colonel Fitzgerald, losing sight of him in the heat of
the fight when enveloped in smoke and dust, dropped the bridle on
the neck of his horse and drew his hat over his eyes, giving him up
for lost. When he saw him, however, emerging from the cloud, waving
his hat, and beheld the enemy giving way, he spurred up to his
side: "Thank God," cried he, "your Excellency is safe!" "Away, my
dear Colonel, and bring up the troops," was Washington's reply;
"the day is our own."
Trumbull's immortal picture shows us the hero of that decisive battle
standing on the memorable day of Princeton by the side of his white
war-horse. Says an eloquent writer:
Well might he exult in the event of the day, for it was the last of
a series of bold and skilful manoeuvres and successful actions, by
which, in three weeks, he had rescued Philadelphia, driven the
enemy from the banks of the Delaware, recovered the State of New
Jersey, and, at the close of a disastrous campaign, restored hope
and confidence to the country.
Such are the six memorable events which it well becomes the American
people to recall with devout gratitude and awe, realizing anew the
Providence that watches alike over human beings and the affairs of
nations, and recognizing the solemn truth that ever, as, signally, in
those times that tried the souls of men,
"God fulfills Himself in many ways."
* * * * *
CHARACTERISTICS OF WASHINGTON
_Von Braam and Washington_
Washington began to be a soldier in his boyhood. During the British
campaign against the West Indies, Lawrence Washington, George's
half-brother, made the acquaintance of a Dutchman, named Jacob von
Braam, who afterwards came to Virginia. These young men were great
heroes to the ten-year-old George. Von Braam took the lad in hand and
began his military education. He drilled him in the manual of arms and
sword exercise, and taught him fortification and engineering. All the
theory of war which Washington knew was gained from von Braam; the
practice he was soon to gain in the field.
_Washington's Athletic Skill_
Many stories are told which show Washington's athletic skill. During a
surveying expedition he first visited the Natural Bridge, in Virginia.
Standing almost directly under it, he tossed a stone on top, a distance
of about two hundred feet. He scaled the rocks and carved his name far
above all others. He was said to be the only man who could throw a stone
across the Potomac River. Washington was never more at home than when in
the saddle. "The general is a very excellent and bold horseman," wrote a
contemporary, "leaping the highest fences and going extremely quick,
without standing on his stirrups, bearing on his bridle, or letting his
horse run wild."
After his first battle Washington wrote to his brother, "I heard the
bullets whistle about me, and, believe me, there is something charming
in the sound." But years after, when he had learned all there was to
know of the horrors of war, he said, sadly, "I said that when I was
young."
_Punctuality_
Punctuality was one of Washington's strong points. When company was
invited to dinner, he made an allowance of only five minutes for
variation in watches. If the guests came late he would say: "We are too
punctual for you. I have a cook who does not ask if the company has
come, but if the hour has come."
In a letter to a friend he wrote: "I begin my diurnal course with the
sun; if my hirelings are not in their places by that time I send them
messages of sorrow for their indisposition."
A letter to his sister, Betty, shows his businesslike manner: "If your
son Howell is with you and not usefully employed in your own affairs,
and should incline to spend a few months with me in my office as a
writer (if he is fit for it), I will allow him at the rate of 300 a
year, provided he is diligent in discharging the duties of it from
breakfast till dinnertime.... I am particular in declaring beforehand
what I require, so that there may be no disappointment or false
expectations on either side."
_His Stepchildren_
Washington's relations with his stepchildren show a very pleasant side
of his character. We find him ordering from London such articles as "10
shillings' worth of toys, 6 little books for children beginning to read,
1 fashionable-dressed baby to cost 10 shillings, and a box of
gingerbread toys and sugar images, or comfits." Later he sent for "1
very good spinet," for Patsey, as Martha Parke Custis was called.
His niece, Hariot, who lived in the Washington home from 1785 to 1796,
was a great trial to him. "She has," he wrote, "no disposition to be
careful of her clothes, which she dabs about in every hole and corner,
and her best things always in use, so that she costs me enough."
One of the characteristics of a truly great man is his readiness to ask
pardon. Once when Nelly Custis, Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, was
severely reprimanded for walking alone by moonlight in the grounds of
Mount Vernon, Washington tried to intercede for the girl.
"Perhaps she was not alone; I would say no more," he said.
"Sir," said Nelly Custis, "you have brought me up to speak the truth,
and when I told grandmamma that I was alone, I hoped that you would
believe me."
"My child," said Washington, bowing in his courtly fashion, "I beg your
pardon."
_His Temper_
Stuart, the portrait painter, once said to General Lee that Washington
had a tremendous temper, but that he had it under wonderful control.
While dining with the Washingtons, General Lee repeated the first part
of Stuart's remark. Mrs. Washington flushed and said that Mr. Stuart
took a great deal upon himself. Then General Lee said that Mr. Stuart
had added that the President had his temper under wonderful control.
Washington seemed to be thinking for a moment, then he smiled and said,
"Mr. Stuart is right."
_His Smile_
The popular idea that Washington never laughed is well-nigh exploded.
Nelly Custis said, "I have sometimes made him laugh most heartily from
sympathy with my joyous and extravagant spirits."
When the news came from Dr. Franklin in France that help was promised
from that country, General Washington broke into a laugh, waved his
cocked hat, and said to his officers, "The day is ours!" Another story
is to the effect that while present at the baptism of a child of a Mr.
Wood, he was so surprised to hear the name given as George Washington
that he smiled. Senator Maclay tells of his smiling at a state dinner,
and even toying with his fork. Various sources testify that a smile lent
an unusual beauty to his face.
At one time, as Washington entered a shop in New York, a Scotch
nursemaid followed him, carrying her infant charge. "Please, sir, here's
a bairn was named after you."
"What is his name?" asked the President.
"Washington Irving, sir."
Washington put his hand upon the child's head and gave him his blessing,
little thinking that "the bairn" would write, as a labor of love, a life
of Washington.
While at his Newburgh headquarters the General was approached by Aaron
Burr, who stealthily crept up as he was writing, and looked over his
shoulder. Although Washington did not hear the footfall, he saw the
shadow in the mirror. He looked up, and said only, "Mr. Burr!" But the
tone was enough to make Burr quail and beat a hasty retreat.
A man who, well for himself, is nameless, made a wager with some friends
that he could approach Washington familiarly. The President was walking
up Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, when the would-be wag, in full view
of his companions, slapped him on the back and said, "Well, old fellow,
how are you this morning?" Washington looked at him, and in a freezing
tone asked, "Sir, what have I ever said or done which induces you to
treat me in this manner?"
_Thoughtfulness_
After Washington's retirement from the Presidency, Elkanah Watson was a
guest at Mount Vernon. He had a serious cold, and after he retired he
coughed severely. Suddenly the curtains of his bed were drawn aside,
and there stood Washington with a huge bowl of steaming herb tea. "Drink
this," he said, "it will be good for that cough."
Washington possessed in a peculiar degree the great gift of remembering
faces. Once, while visiting in Newburyport, he saw at work in the
grounds of his host an old servant whom he had not seen since the French
and Indian war, thirty years before. He knew the man at once, and
stopped and spoke kindly to him.
_Modesty_
Any collection of anecdotes about Washington is sure to refer to his
extreme modesty. Upon one occasion, when the speaker of the Assembly
returned thanks in glowing terms to Colonel Washington for his services,
he rose to express his acknowledgments, but he was so embarrassed that
he could not articulate a word. "Sit down, Mr. Washington," said the
speaker, "your modesty equals your valor, and that surpasses the power
of any language which I possess."
When Adams suggested that Congress should appoint a general, and hinted
plainly at Washington, who happened to sit near the door, the latter
rose, "and, with his usual modesty, darted into the library room."
Washington's favorite quotation was Addison's "'Tis not in mortals to
command success," but he frequently quoted Shakespeare.
_Taste for Literature_
His taste for literature is indicated by the list of books which he
ordered for his library at the close of the war: "Life of Charles the
Twelfth," "Life of Louis the Fifteenth," "Life and Reign of Peter the
Great," Robertson's "History of America," "Voltaire's Letters," Vertol's
"Revolution of Rome," "Revolution of Portugal," Goldsmith's "Natural
History," "Campaigns of Marshal Turenne," Chambaud's "French and English
Dictionary," Locke "On the Human Understanding," and Robertson's
"Charles the Fifth." "Light reading," he wrote to his step-grandson,
"(by this I mean books of little importance) may amuse for the moment,
but leaves nothing behind."
_His Dress_
Although always very particular about his dress, Washington was no
dandy, as some have supposed. "Do not," he wrote to his nephew in 1783,
"conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers
make fine birds. A plain, genteel dress is more admired and obtains more
credit than lace or embroidery in the eyes of the judicious and
sensible."
Sullivan thus describes Washington at a levee: "He was dressed in black
velvet, his hair full dress, powdered, and gathered behind in a large
silk bag, yellow gloves on his hands; holding a cocked hat, with a
cockade in it, and the edges adorned with a black feather about an inch
deep. He wore knee and shoe buckles, and a long sword.... The scabbard
was of white polished leather."
After Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, Washington said to his army:
"My brave fellows, let no sensation of satisfaction for the triumphs you
have gained induce you to insult your fallen enemy. Let no shouting, no
clamorous huzzaing increase their mortification. It is sufficient for us
that we witness their humiliation. Posterity will huzza for us."
While there are many stories which show Washington's
straightforwardness, here is one which shows much diplomacy. He was
asked by Volney, a Frenchman and a revolutionist, for a letter of
recommendation to the American people. This request put him in an
awkward position, for there were good reasons why he could not give it,
and other good reasons why he did not wish to refuse. Taking a sheet of
paper, he wrote:
C. Volney needs no recommendation from
Geo. Washington.
* * * * *
GREAT GEORGE WASHINGTON[25]
BY KATE DOUGLAS WIGGIN AND NORA A. SMITH
All this time while George Washington had been growing up,--first a
little boy, then a larger boy, and then a young surveyor,--all this time
the French and English and Indians were unhappy and uncomfortable in the
country north of Virginia. The French wanted all the land, so did the
English, and the Indians saw that there would be no room for them,
whichever had it, so they all began to trouble each other, and to
quarrel and fight.
These troubles grew so bad at last that the Virginians began to be
afraid of the French and Indians, and thought they must have some
soldiers of their own ready to fight.
George Washington was only nineteen then, but everybody knew he was wise
and brave, so they chose him to teach the soldiers near his home how to
march and to fight.
Then the king and the people of England grew very uneasy at all this
quarreling, and they sent over soldiers and cannon and powder, and
commenced to get ready to fight in earnest. Washington was made a major,
and he had to go a thousand miles, in the middle of winter, into the
Indian and French country, to see the chiefs and the soldiers, and find
out about the troubles.
When he came back again, all the people were so pleased with his
courage and with the wise way in which he had behaved, that they made
him lieutenant-colonel.
Then began a long war between the French and the English, which lasted
seven years. Washington fought through all of it, and was made a
colonel, and by and by commander of all the soldiers in Virginia. He
built forts and roads, he gained and lost battles, he fought the Indians
and the French; and by all this trouble and hard work he learned to be a
great soldier.
In many of the battles of this war, Washington and the Virginians did
not wear a uniform, like the English soldiers, but a buckskin shirt and
fringed leggings, like the Indians.
From beginning to end of some of the battles, Washington rode about
among the men, telling them where to go and how to fight; the bullets
were whistling around him all the time, but he said he liked the music.
By and by the war was over; the French were driven back to their own
part of the country, and Washington went home to Mount Vernon to rest,
and took with him his wife, lovely Martha Washington, whom he had met
and married while he was fighting the French and Indians.
While he was at Mount Vernon he saw all his horses again,--"Valiant" and
"Magnolia" and "Chinkling" and "Ajax,"--and had grand gallops over the
country.
He had some fine dogs, too, to run by his side, and help him hunt the
bushy-tailed foxes. "Vulcan" and "Ringwood" and "Music" and "Sweetlips"
were the names of some of them. You may be sure the dogs were glad when
they had their master home again.
But Washington did not have long to rest, for another war was coming,
the great war of the Revolution.
Little children cannot understand all the reasons for this war, but I
can tell you some of them.
You remember in the story of Thanksgiving I told you about the Pilgrim
fathers, who came from England to this country because their king would
not let them pray to God as they liked. That king was dead now, and
there was another in his place, a king with the name of George, like our
Washington.
Now our great-grandfathers had always loved England and Englishmen,
because many of their friends were still living there, and because it
was their old home.
The king gave them governors to help take care of their people, and
soldiers to fight for them, and they sent to England for many things to
wear and to eat.
But just before this Revolutionary War, the king and the great men who
helped him began to say that things should be done in this country that
our people did not think right at all. The king said they must buy
expensive stamps to put on all their newspapers and almanacs and
lawyer's papers, and that they must pay very high taxes on their tea and
paper and glass, and he sent soldiers to see that this was done.
This made our great-grandfathers very angry. They refused to pay the
taxes, they would not buy anything from England any more, and some men
even went on board the ships, as they came into Boston Harbor, and threw
the tea over into the water.
So fifty-one men were chosen from all over the country, and they met at
Philadelphia, to see what could be done. Washington was sent from
Virginia. And after they had talked very solemnly, they all thought
there would be great trouble soon, and Washington went home to drill the
soldiers.
Then the war began with the battle of Lexington, in New England, and
soon Washington was made commander-in-chief of the armies.
He rode the whole distance from Philadelphia to Boston on horseback,
with a troop of officers; and all the people on the way came to see him,
bringing bands of music and cheering him as he went by. He rode into
camp in the morning. The soldiers were drawn up in the road, and men and
women and children who had come to look at Washington were crowded all
about. They saw a tall, splendid, handsome man in a blue coat with buff
facings, and epaulets on his shoulders. As he took off his hat, drew his
shining sword, and raised it in sight of all the people, the cannon
began to thunder, and all the people hurrahed and tossed their hats in
the air.
Of course, he looked very splendid, and they all knew how brave he was,
and thought he would soon put an end to the war.
But it did not happen as they expected, for this was only the beginning,
and the war lasted seven long years.
Fighting is always hard, even if you have plenty of soldiers and plenty
for them to eat; but Washington had very few soldiers, and very little
powder for the guns, and little food for the men to eat.
The soldiers were not in uniform, as ours are to-day; but each was
dressed just as he happened to come from his shop or his farm.
Washington ordered hunting shirts for them, such as he wore when he went
to fight the Indians, for he knew they would look more like soldiers if
all were dressed alike.
Of course many people thought that our men would be beaten, as the war
went on; but Washington never thought so, for he was sure our side was
right.
I hardly know what he would have done, at last, if the French people had
not promised to come over and help us, and to send us money and men and
ships. All the people in the army thanked God when they heard it, and
fired their guns for joy.
A brave young man named Lafayette came with the French soldiers, and he
grew to be Washington's great friend, and fought for us all through the
Revolution.
Many battles were fought in this war, and Washington lost some of them,
and a great many of his men were killed.
You could hardly understand how much trouble he had. In the winter, when
the snow was deep on the ground, he had no houses or huts for his men to
sleep in; his soldiers were ragged and cold by day, and had not blankets
enough to keep them warm by night; their shoes were old and worn, and
they had to wrap cloths around their feet to keep them from freezing.
When they marched to the Delaware River, one cold Christmas night, a
soldier who was sent after them, with a message for Washington, traced
them by their footprints on the snow, all reddened with the blood from
their poor cut feet.
They must have been very brave and patient to have fought at all, when
they were so cold and ragged and hungry.
Washington suffered a great deal in seeing his soldiers so wretched, and
I am sure that with all his strength and courage, he would sometimes
have given up hope, if he had not talked and prayed to God a great deal,
and asked Him to help him.