_In which we learn something of Washington’s home life, and his
success in later years._
Soon after the French and Indian war, George Washington met Mrs.
Martha Custis, a beautiful young woman, and married her. The
bride and her lady friends returned from the church in a handsome
coach drawn by six white horses, as in our fairy tales, while the
groom and his friends rode beside the coach on prancing chargers.
Washington and his wife went to live at Mount Vernon, a beautiful
place that had been his brother’s. Washington liked the life of
a farmer and each day would ride over the plantation to see if
all the work was done properly. He lived quietly thus for several
years, when he was needed again as a soldier.
Many years before this the Puritans had left England because they
would not obey the king in some things--particularly in church
affairs. Now, there were other people in America beside Pilgrims,
but the English king still wished the people to obey him. He made
the Americans pay taxes on things made in England and brought to
America. He made them pay a special tax on paper, glass, and even
tea. The Americans did not wish to pay these taxes and refused to
do so.
The English King then sent ships loaded with soldiers to make
them pay. The Americans decided not to do as the king wished, and
went to war for their rights. They determined to have a nation of
their own and call it the United States of America. They wrote a
statement that told about this and sent copies of it all over the
world. This was called the Declaration of Independence.
The Americans selected Washington as their leader, and now again
his bravery was shown. He led the soldiers to victory, though many
times during the hard winter the men were hungry and cold, having
scarcely any food and very little clothing. Many of the men were
barefooted in the snow and ice, but faith in Washington kept them
brave and loyal.
While the Americans were fighting to be free they needed a flag
for the soldiers, so Washington drew a picture of one he liked and
Mrs. Betsy Ross, a friend of his, made the first flag that the new
nation had.
When the time came to elect a ruler for the new nation, everybody
said make Washington president, and they did. He became president
and for eight years ruled wisely and justly as a great man should,
and then returned to Mount Vernon where he and his wife lived
happily for many years.
George Washington’s mother was not surprised that he became a
famous man. Once when La Fayette was talking to her, she said to
him:
“I am not surprised that George is a great man, for he was always a
good boy.”