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[Illustration: George Washington]
LOG CABIN TO WHITE HOUSE SERIES
From Farm House to the White House
THE LIFE OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON
HIS BOYHOOD, YOUTH, MANHOOD, PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE LIFE AND SERVICES
_By_ William M. Thayer
Author of "From Log Cabin to White House,"
"From Pioneer Home to White House,"
"From Tannery to White House,"
"From Boyhood to Manhood," etc., etc.
_ILLUSTRATED_
NEW YORK
HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS
Log Cabin to White House Series.
UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME.
BY WILLIAM M. THAYER:
From Boyhood to Manhood--Life of Benjamin Franklin.
From Farm House to White House--Life of George Washington.
From Log Cabin to White House--Life of James A. Garfield,
with eulogy by Hon. James G. Blaine.
From Pioneer Home to White House--Life of Abraham Lincoln,
with eulogy by Hon. Geo. Bancroft.
From Tannery to White House--Life of Ulysses S. Grant.
BY EDWARD S. ELLIS:
From Ranch to White House--Life of Theodore Roosevelt.
_Price Post-Paid, 75c. each, or $4.50 for the set._
HURST & COMPANY
PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.
Copyright, 1890, By JAMES H. EARLE.
To ALL WHO HONOR TRUE MANHOOD,
This Volume,
_REPRESENTING THE ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS_,
From Boyhood to Manhood
IN THE
CAREER AND NOBLE CHARACTER
OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
"_THE FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY_,"
Is Sincerely and Affectionately Dedicated.
PREFACE.
Every American, old or young, should become familiar with the life of
Washington; it will confirm their patriotism and strengthen their
loyalty. Such a character will become an inspiration to them, eliciting
nobler aims, and impelling to nobler deeds.
Washington himself wrote to his step-son, who was in college:
"You are now extending into that stage of life when good or bad
habits are formed; when the mind will be turned to things useful
and praiseworthy or to dissipation and vice. Fix on which ever
it may, it will stick by you; for you know it has been said, and
truly, 'The way the twig is bent the tree's inclined.' This, in
a strong point of view, shows the propriety of letting your
inexperience be directed by maturer advice, and in placing guard
upon the avenues which lead to idleness and vice. The latter
will approach like a thief, working upon your passions,
encouraged, perhaps, by bad examples, the propensity to which
will increase in proportion to the practice of it and your
yielding. Virtue and vice cannot be allied, nor can idleness and
industry; of course if you resolve to adhere to the former of
these extremes, an intimacy with those who incline to the latter
of them would be extremely embarrassing to you; it would be a
stumbling block in your way, and act like a mill-stone hung to
your neck; for it is the nature of idleness and vice to obtain
as many votaries as they can....
"It is to close application and perseverance that men of letters
and science are indebted for their knowledge and usefulness; and
you are now at the period of life when these are to be acquired,
or lost for ever. As you know how anxious your friends are to
see you enter upon the grand theatre of life with the advantages
of a finished education, a highly cultivated mind, and a proper
sense of your duties to God and man, I shall only add one
sentiment before I close this letter and that is, to pay due
respect and obedience to your tutors, and affectionate reverence
for the president of the college, whose character merits your
highest regards. Let no bad example, for such is to be met in
all seminaries, have an improper influence upon your conduct.
Let this be such, and let it be your pride to demean yourself
in such a manner as to obtain the good will of your superiors
and the love of your fellow students."
Better advice than this was never given to a youth; and to enforce it,
we present in this volume the life and character of the great man who so
lovingly tendered it. By employing the colloquial style, anecdotal
illustration, and thrilling incident, the author hopes more successfully
to accomplish his purpose.
In the preparation of this work the author has availed himself of the
abundant material furnished by Washington's well-known biographers,
Ramsey, Weems, Marshall, Sparks, Bancroft, Irving, Everett, Custis,
etc., together with the anecdotes of his earlier and later life, found
in eulogies, essays, and literary articles upon his life and character,
with which the literature of our country abounds. Incident is allowed to
tell the life story of the subject. The incidents of his boyhood and
youth are particularly narrated, that the achievements of ripe manhood
may more clearly appear to be the outcome of a life well begun. To such
an example parents and guardians can point with confidence and hope.
Believing that biography should be written and read so as to assure a
sharp analysis of character, thereby bringing the real qualities of the
subject to the front, and believing, also, that the biographies of the
noblest men only should be written for the young, since "example is more
powerful than precept," the author sends forth this humble volume,
invoking for it the considerate indulgence of critics, and the blessing
of Divine Providence.
W. M. T.
FRANKLIN, Mass.
CONTENTS.
I.
ANCESTORS AND BIRTH.
Ancestors in England--John and Lawrence Washington--Family of
Note--The Washington Manor and Irving--Sir Henry Washington in
War--English Fox Hunting--Washington and Franklin--The
Washingtons in America--Birth of George--House where
born--Ceremony of placing a Slab on it by Custis--Paulding
describes the Place--The House described--George
baptized--Removal to Banks of Rappahannock--Large Estates--Style
of Living--Vast Wilderness--Militia--Depredations by
Indians--Negro Slavery 23
II.
BOYHOOD.
Reliable Information about it--Visit to the Orchard, and the
Rebuke to Selfishness--George's Name growing in the Garden--Its
Lesson about God--The Hatchet, and it Lesson about
Lying--Raising a Regiment of Soldiers--George's Brother in
Uniform--Effect of Military Display on George--Playing
Soldier--His Brother Lawrence a Good Soldier--Love Greater than
War--George's Military Spirit increasing--George's Manly
Bearing--Excels in Athletic Sports--What Fitzhugh said--The
Sequel 36
III.
SCHOOL DAYS.
His Brother Lawrence educated in England--Leaving Home--George
at School when Five Years Old--His Teacher, Hobby--What a
Biographer says of his Progress--The Homeschool--His
Writing-book and Thoroughness--A Good Speller--Studying and
Playing with all his Might--Best Runner, Wrestler, etc.--The
School Grounds a Military Camp--An English and Spanish Army of
Boys--Juvenile Commander-in-chief--A Quarrel that George could
not Conquer--Truth-teller and Peacemaker--At Mr. Williams'
School, and a Mother's Lesson--Studying Surveying--Mimic
War--Surveying School-grounds--Later Surveying--Settling a
Difficulty--Acting as Umpire--What Mr. Weems says--What Mrs.
Kirkland says 52
IV.
METHOD AND THOROUGHNESS.
Doing Things Well--Dialogue with Lawrence--His "Book of Forms,"
and what a Schoolmate thought of it--His "Book of Problems:" its
Use and Abuse--His "Book of Drawing"--Odd Moments--Preserving
Bits of Prose and Verse--What Irving says--His "Rules of
Behavior"--What Lawrence Washington and his Wife thought of
them--Their Influence over him--Part of them Quoted--What
Everett says of them--Author's Opinion--Sample Extract from his
Copy-book--These show his Character--His Heart made a Level
Head 72
V.
FOUR INCIDENTS AND THEIR LESSONS.
His Father's Sudden Sickness--George at Chotauk--The Doctor's
Opinion--Growing Worse, and Startling Revelation--George sent
for--He arrived when his Father was dying--Affecting
Scene--Death and Will--The Arabian Colt--Attempt to ride
him--The Animal killed--George confessing his Wrong-doing--The
"Lowland Beauty"--George in Love--A Human Heart after All--What
Irving says about it--Naval Officers at Vernon--Wants to be a
Midshipman--His Mother's Opposition, and Lawrence's
Approval--Enlists--Appears before his Mother in Naval
Costume--Her Grief--He does not go--His True Manliness asserts
itself 82
VI.
HIS MOTHER.
Her Views of Correct Family Government--Secret of George's
Correct Life--What Custis says about it--What Lawrence
Washington said--Obedience commanded--How she commanded her
Servants--Her One Book, next to the Bible, consulted--What
Everett said of it--Quotations from it--They teach Honesty,
Industry, Fidelity, Religion, etc.--Her
Ancestry--Courage--Afraid of Lightning--Her Singular
Dream--Weems' Explanation--Care of her Family--Mr. Sparks'
Tribute--Irving's Tribute--Her Son visits her before going to
War--Her Patriotism--Taking Charge of her Own Business--Her Joy
over Cornwallis' Surrender--Her Son's Visit to her--The Ball,
and his Staff introduced to her--Compared with Napoleon's
Mother--Lafayette's Visit to her--Her Son's Visit to her before
becoming President--Custis' description of the Scene--Her Death,
Burial, and Monument--Jackson's Eulogy--John Adams' Words--The
Mother of Such a Son, and the Son of Such a Mother 103
VII.
YOUNG SURVEYOR.
His Mother's Views about his Future--The Plea of Lawrence--Goes
to Live at Mount Vernon--Lawrence's Eye on a Military Life for
him--Lessons in "The Manual Exercise"--Lessons in
"Fencing"--Reading Military Treatises--In the Family of William
Fairfax--What the Latter thought of him--Meets Lord
Fairfax--What Everett says of him--What Irving says--Reading
Books and Fox Hunting--An Unexpected Proposition--Becomes a
Surveyor--His Appearance now--Keeping a Journal--Extracts from
Letter and Journal--Mode of Life described--Hardships--What
Abbott and Everett say of his Hardships--Camping Out--In Indian
Wigwam--His Journal describes a Scene--Other Entries--What he
recorded--Sparks' Tribute to his Thoroughness as a
Surveyor--Everett's Tribute--The Stevenson Family--Sports with
the Seven Sons--Among his Officers, Later--Greenaway
Court--Appointed Public Surveyor--In Training for the War of
Seventy-six 132
VIII.
MILITARY HONORS.
The Proposition of Lawrence, and Discussion of it--Appointed
Adjutant-general--Ill Health of Lawrence--Decides to spend the
Winter in Barbadoes--George goes with him--Lawrence no
Better--George has the Small-pox--Returns to Virginia in
April--Lawrence returns in June and dies in Six Weeks--George
one of his Executors--What Everett says of it--Enters Masonic
Lodge--His Commission renewed--Duties pressing upon him--Signs
of War--Encroachments by the French--The Claims of the
Indians--What a Chief said--The Governor's Conference with
Gist--Mission to the French proposed--George offers his
Services--Interview with Governor Dinwiddie--A Copy of his
Commission--His Companions--Visits his Mother--Letter to French
Commander 150
IX.
MISSION TO THE FRENCH.
The Journey begun--Route--A Storm--A Torrent--Baggage on
Canal--Visit to Shingiss--Tanacharisson--Monochatica--Meeting
Deserters--Learning of the Forts from there to New Orleans--The
Half-king--Describes his Visit to Pierre Paul, now Dead--His
Speech--Pierre Paul's Reply--Indian Council and Washington's
Speech--Indian's Reply--Results of the Council--Indians to
conduct them to the Fort--Journey delayed--Way to
Venango--Arrival and Conference with the French--Dinner
Scene--Information 163
X.
FRENCH MISSION--(CONTINUED.)
The Next Fort--Introduction to Commander--Arrival of Paul's
Successor--Receives Dinwiddie's Letter--Washington draws Plan of
the Fort--His Inquiries about Certain Captures--Reparti's Reply
to Dinwiddie--French attempt to bribe Indians--Injury to White
Thunder, and Delay--Return Journey--Snow--Washington and Gist
leave the Party--Their Adventure--The Indian Guide--He proves
False--A Startling Episode--The Indian disposed of--Reaching the
River--Building a Raft--Attempt to Cross--Washington straggling
in the Water--They reach an Island--Escape--Twenty Indian
Warriors--The Indian Queen--Arrival at Williamsburg--Interview
with the Governor--His Journal printed 178
XI.
HIS FIRST BATTLE.
Effect of Washington's Mission--Orders from the
King--Recruiting--The Governor's Bounty to Soldiers--Washington
offered the Command--Talk with a Friend--Letter to Colonel
Corbin--Does not accept Command--Payne knocks Washington
down--How the Affair ended--What McGuire says of Washington's
Magnanimity--Washington takes up his March--Meeting Captain
Trent--Need of More Men--Courier announces Surrender of
Fort--Declaration of War--Washington's Prompt Action--March to
Red Stone Creek and Great Meadows--The French surprised, and a
Battle--Jumonville killed--Entrenching at Great Meadows--Short
of Supplies--His Own Chaplain--Order against Swearing--Marching
to meet the Foe--Retreat to Great Meadows--A Hot
Battle--Washington surrenders--Return to Williamsburg--Honors,
and Larger Provisions--Death of Jumonville
justified--Dinwiddie's Words 194
XII.
ON GENERAL BRADDOCK'S STAFF.
Governor Dinwiddie's Proposition--Washington dissents--Dinwiddie
insists--Washington's Letter--His Rank reduced from Colonel to
Captain--He resigns, and retires to Mount Vernon--The Enterprise
abandoned--A Convention of the Colonies--The King sends General
Braddock with Army--He demands the Services of Washington--Their
Correspondence and Interview--Washington's Motive--On the
Staff--Meeting with his Mother--The March begins--Grand
Spectacle--Braddock's Talk with Dr. Franklin--Underrating Indian
Tactics--Washington disabled by Sickness--Talk with Braddock
about Indians--Army Wagons Useless--Braddock's Temper and Love
of Drink--Good Disciplinarian--Washington's Advice
rejected--Indian Allies--How deserted--What Scarvoyadi
said--Surprised by Indians--Terrible Battle--Washington's
Bravery--Dr. Craik's Word--An Eye-witness--How British
fought--Braddock mortally wounded--Whole Command on
Washington--Retreat--Braddock's Confession--Dies at Fort
Necessity--Burial--Horrible Scenes at Duquesne--Testimony of a
Prisoner--Words of Washington--Letter to his Mother--Letter to
his Brother 211
XIII.
ON THE FRONTIER.
General Dunbar a Coward--Goes into Winter Quarters in
Philadelphia--Assembly meets--Washington's Advice to the
Governor--The Assembly Timid--Washington appointed
Commander-in-chief of Virginia Forces--Failure of the Other
Expeditions--Conference with Fairfax--Headquarters at
Winchester--A Great Scare--Its Funny Termination--Washington's
Appeal to Dinwiddie--Trouble with Captain Dagworthy--Goes to
Boston on Horseback--Meets Miss Phillips in New
York--Honors--His Return--Love in New York--Sudden Alarm calls
him to Winchester--Hurried Steps at Defence--Letter to Loudoun
describing the Condition of Frontier--Appeal to Dinwiddie for
the Terrified People--Indian Atrocities--Dreadful Scenes
described by Washington--Washington Sick Four
Months--Changes 232
XIV.
A RIFT IN THE CLOUD.
Great Need of the Hour--The People Timid--Washington's Mother
again--Another Expedition against Duquesne--Size of the
Army--Goes to Williamsburg--Mr. Chamberlain's Salutation--Stops
to Dine--Meets Mrs. Custis--A Widow Bewitching--Business
done--Returning, stops to see Mrs. Custis--A Treaty of Love--The
New Road Project--Washington opposes it--Elected to House of
Burgesses--Delay--Army moved in September--Braddock's Folly
repeated--Washington overruled--His Prophecy--Major Grant--His
Reckless Course--Conceit of Grant and Forbes--Marching into an
Indian Ambuscade--A Bloody Battle--Defeat of the
English--Retreat--Where was Washington--His Views--Forbes
proposes Winter Quarters--Washington proposes and leads Another
Attack--The Enemy escapes from the Fort--Washington plants Flag
over it--Leaves Force to rebuild--French War ended--Washington
resigns--Goes to Mount Vernon--Testimonial of Officers 249
XV.
HIS WIFE AND HOME.
Who was Mrs. Custis--Rich and Beautiful--Washington's
Marriage--What Negro said of him--Took Seat in House of
Burgesses--Happy Man--The Legislature do him Honor--Removes to
Mount Vernon--His Estates described--Sixteen Spinning
Wheels--Mrs. Washington at the Head--Irving's Description--Rank
necessarily maintained--Company, and English Style--Mrs.
Washington's Wardrobe--His Wardrobe--Education of her
Children--Their Wardrobe--Her Kindness to Slaves--Domestic
Habits--Washington labored on Farm--Systematic
Habits--Improvements on Farm--Reclaiming Dismal Swamp--Hunting
in Winter--Interlopers, and the War against them--The Hunter
conquered--Attending Episcopal Church--Mrs. Washington a Devout
Christian--Building a House of Worship--Washington at
Church--Death of Mrs. Washington's Daughter--The Son
Wayward--Letter about Love--King's College, and
Incident--Keeping his Books--In her Husband's Headquarters in
Winter--Death--Mount Vernon now 270
XVI.
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
More Indian Depredations, and War--Washington's Conference with
Mason on English Tyranny--Taxation without
Representation--Oppressive Acts multiplied--The Stamp
Act--Patrick Henry in the Assembly--Treason--Governor dissolved
the Assembly--A Re-election--Washington stands with Patrick
Henry--Discussion with Fairfax on the State of Affairs--Dr.
Franklin before a Committee of Parliament--Friends of America in
Parliament--Next Assembly Bolder, and dissolved by
Governor--Washington's Plan to use no Articles taxed--The Tax
removed except on Tea--Tea thrown into Boston Harbor--Action of
the Citizens against British Soldiers--Day of Fasting and
Prayer--Effigies and Mock Processions Boston Port
Bill--Washington's Journey to Ohio in Behalf of his Old
Soldiers--First American Congress--The Chaplain Memorial to the
King--Chatham's Defence of the Colonies--British Soldiers sent
to Boston--The Patriots aroused--Battles of Lexington and
Concord--The Revolution begun--Putnam and the Grand
Rally--Second American Congress--Washington and Adams--Raise an
Army, and choose Washington for Commander-in-chief--Adams'
Opinion of him 295
XVII.
IN THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.
Adams to Washington--Prepares to Take Command--Letter to Mrs.
Washington--His Will--Another Letter--Starts--Meets a
Courier--His Journey--Legislature--Assumes Command--Mrs. Adams'
Opinion--Talk with Gen. Ward--Order and Discipline--Condition of
the Army--Washington's first Order--Change Wrought--Scarcity of
Powder--Feat of Knox--Washington's Headquarters--Day of
Fasting--Arrival of Supplies--Cruelty of British to
Prisoners--Remonstrance Against--Retaliation--Army
Reduced--Feelings of Washington--Proposed Attack on Boston--His
Plan--Cannonading Described--British Repulsed by Storm--Boston
Evacuated--British Depredation--Washington Provides for Charity
at Home--Mrs. Washington in Cambridge--His Rigid Discipline, an
Incident--Old South and North Church--A Theatre and a
Scare--British Pride Humbled--Action of Congress 321
XVIII.
DEFENDING NEW YORK.
Where the Enemy is going--General Putnam in Command at New
York--Washington Goes There--Hears from the Enemy--Condition of
our Army in New York--Words of Washington--Letter to his
Brother--Action of Congress--Plot to Seize Washington--A
Conspirator Hung--Enemy in the Harbor--Declaration of
Independence Read to the Army--Statue of George III.
destroyed--Putnam and Hamilton--Sir Henry Clinton--Attacking
Fort Moultrie--Cudjo--The Army encouraged--The Corporal
rebuked--The Sabbath honored--Washington's Address--Army in Bad
plight--Order against Profanity--The Enemy moving to capture
Brooklyn Heights--Livingston's Message--Washington's Address to
Army--Terrible Battle--Americans retreat under cover of
Storm--What Sparks says of it--A Council of
War--Deserters--Retreat from New York--Stand at Harlem--Nathan
Hale--Washington's Daring--Great Fire in New York--Loss in
Canada--Disaffection in Army--General Lee returns to
Harlem--Council of War--Another Retreat necessary 349
XIX.
FROM HARLEM TO TRENTON.
Fort Washington and Allies--Retreat to White Plains--Looking for
a Position--The Enemy in Camp--A Battle--Falling back to North
Castle--The Enemy withdraw--What Washington suspected--Advised
to evacuate Fort Washington--The Enemy capture the Fort--Gloomy
Times--Retreat over the Hackensack--Retreat to Newark--General
Lee disobeying Orders--Further Retreat--Boats for Seventy Miles
collected--Disappointment and a Plot--Opposition to
Washington--Retreat to Trenton--Darkest Hour yet--Washington
still hopeful--Will retreat over every River and
Mountain--General Lee's Treasonable Course--General Heath's
Firmness--Crossing the Delaware--Skill of Washington in
Retreating--Lee still disobeys Orders--Lee's Folly and
Capture--Magnanimity of Washington 372
XX.
BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON.
Putnam fortifying Philadelphia--Congress investing Washington
with More Power--Arrival of Troops--Startling Proposition by
Washington--Recrosses the Delaware to Fight--His Address to his
Army--The Battle--The Enemy driven--The Hessian Commander
mortally wounded--Fruits of this Victory--The Welcome News
spreads--Washington sees the Time for Another Blow--Over the
Delaware again--Raises Money for the Army--Action of
Congress--The Enemy marching from Princeton--A
Battle--Cornwallis outwitted--God on the Side of the Weak
Battalions--Battle of Princeton--An Affecting
Incident--Cornwallis at his Wits End--Results of the
Battle--Fall of General Mercer--His Bravery to the
End--Washington goes to Morristown for Winter Quarters--The
Enemy Panic-stricken--Driven out of Jersey--Wonderful
Achievements in Ten Days--Tributes of Praise--Camp at Morristown
broken up--Celebrating the Lord's Supper--Encamped at
Germantown--British Fleet appears--Washington meets Lafayette,
and appoints him on his Staff--Some Account of the Young
Nobleman 389
XXI.
DEFEAT AND VICTORY.
Plans of the British for 1777--A Temperance Officer--Battle of
Bennington--Grand Victory--Battle at Fort Schuyler--Indian
Butchery--Miss McCrea murdered by them--Battle of
Brandywine--Lafayette wounded--Providential Care--Battle of
Germantown, and Results--Washington's Daring--Forts reduced, and
the Enemy take Philadelphia--Burgoyne captured, and his
Supplies--Kosciusko--The British revelling in
Philadelphia--Washington in Winter Quarters at Valley
Forge--Famine in Camp, and Great Sufferings--Washington feeding
a Soldier--A Conspiracy against the Chief--Dr.
Craik--Hamilton--Mrs. Washington in Camp--Her Pity for
Soldiers--Washington engaged in Prayer--Baron
Stuben--Pulaski--Exchange of Distinguished Prisoners--Alliance
with France--Council of War--British evacuate
Philadelphia--Pursued--Battle of Monmouth--A Thrilling Incident,
and Dr. Griffith--The Fifer Boy--Lee's Cowardly
Conduct--Hamilton--Washington's Exposure to Death--Grand
Victory--Enemy retreat--Lee Court-martialed--Arrival of French
Fleet--Winter Quarters at Middlebrook--Cruelties of the
Enemy--Massacres of Cherry Valley and Wyoming--Scenes at close
of 1779--British Cruelty to Prisoners in the "Sugar House" and
"Jersey Prison-ship" 405
XXII.
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
Treason of Arnold--How Accomplished--Capture and Execution
of Andre--Arnold serving in the British Army--Ravages in
Virginia--Attacking Mount Vernon--Washington goes South--Calls
at Mount Vernon--Joins Lafayette at Williamsburg--Attacks
Cornwallis at Yorktown--Bombardment--Governor Nelson--Taking
of Two Redoubts--Washington's Narrow Escape--Surrender of
Cornwallis--Washington's Order--Fruits of the Victory--The
Formal Delivery of Cornwallis' Sword--Delivery of Flags--Divine
Service--Sickness and Death of his Step-son--Sad Scene--Help of
French Fleet--God for Small Battalions again--Washington's
War-horse--News of Cornwallis' Surrender in Philadelphia--Action
of Congress, and Day of Thanksgiving--News in
England--Washington's Plan to Push the War 426
XXIII.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Conference with Lafayette--Negotiations for War--Sir Henry
Clinton--Treaty of Peace--What America Won, and England
Lost--Washington Parting with his Soldiers--Meets Congress at
Annapolis--Retires to Mount Vernon--Improvement of his Mansion
and Plantations--Encourages Education--Refuses Gift of
$40,000--Generosity to the Poor--A Pleasing Incident--Meeting
Payne again--His Industry--In Convention to Form
Constitution--Elected President--Reluctance to Accept--Journey
to New York--Ovation at Trenton--At New York--His Cabinet--Style
of Living--Grooming Horses--His Sickness--Tour through New
England--Example of Punctuality--Too Late for Dinner--The Pair
of Horses--Presidential Mansion--The Injured Debtor--Urged for
Second Presidential Term--Elected--Fruits of it--Tour South, and
Punctuality--Amount of his Work--Thoroughness--Civil Service
Reform--Lafayette in Exile--Washington's Maxims--Offered a Third
Term--Farewell Address--Retirement--His Opposition to
Slavery--Emancipation of them--The Result 440
XXIV.
DEATH AND FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
Exposure and Cold--Ignores Wise Suggestions--Severe
Attack--Rawlins bleeds him--Believes his End is Near, and
Resignation--His Will--The Physicians arrive--All Remedies
fail--His Last Request--Death--Mrs. Washington's Words--What
Custis says of her--Sad Tidings spread--Action of Congress--The
Senate's Letter to President Adams--The Funeral at Mount
Vernon--Sorrow Universal--What Irving says--Eulogy by Fisher
Ames--Lord Brougham's Estimate--Everett's Final Conclusion, and
Father of His Country 484
XXV.
Eulogy by General Henry Lee 491
LIFE OF WASHINGTON
I
ANCESTORS AND BIRTH.
More than two hundred years ago, when America was chiefly inhabited by
Indians two brothers, in England, John and Lawrence Washington, resolved
to remove hither. As they were not poor, doomed to eke out a miserable
existence from a reluctant soil, it is supposed that _politics_ was the
immediate cause of their removal. It was during the reign of Cromwell,
and he made it hot for his enemies. In 1655 a general insurrection was
attempted, and the vengeance of Cromwell descended upon the heads of all
the participants and not a few of their friends, making their land an
uncomfortable place for a residence. There is no evidence that these
brothers were engaged in the insurrection; but there is quite sufficient
proof that the political situation was stormy, subjecting the Washington
family to frequent molestation.
Edward Everett says: "There is no doubt that the politics of the family
determined the two brothers, John and Lawrence, to emigrate to Virginia;
that colony being the favorite resort of the Cavaliers, during the
government of Cromwell, as New England was the retreat of the Puritans,
in the period which preceded the Commonwealth."
We suspect that these brothers did not understand Indians as well as they
did Cromwell, or they would not have been so willing to exchange the
latter for the former. However, English colonists had settled in the
wilderness of Virginia, and, possibly, some of their own acquaintances
were already there. They knew somewhat of that particular portion of the
new world, and what they knew was generally favorable. Being young men,
too, unmarried, intelligent, adventurous and fearless, life in America
appeared to them romantic rather than otherwise. Be this as it may, John
and Lawrence Washington removed to this country in 1657, and settled in
Westmoreland County, Virginia.
One fact indicates that they belonged to a noble ancestry. Lawrence was
educated at Oxford University, and was a lawyer by profession, and
therefore was a young man of rank and promise, while John was engaged in
business and resided on a valuable estate at South Cove in Yorkshire.
They were young men of brains and tact, fitted by natural endowments and
education to lay the foundation of things in a new country. They
descended from an ancestry of honor and influence from the twelfth
century. That ancestry lived in warlike times. Some of them were
renowned for deeds of heroism. All of them were known for loyalty,
intelligence and solidity of character. Washington Irving paid a visit
to the ancient "Washington's manor" at Sulgrave, several years before he
wrote the "Life of George Washington," and he said,--
"It was in a rural neighborhood, where the farm-houses were quaint and
antiquated. A part only of the manor-house remained, and was inhabited by
a farmer. The Washington crest, in colored glass, was to be seen in a
window of what is now the buttery. A window, on which the whole family
arms was emblazoned, had been removed to the residence of the actual
proprietor of the manor. Another relic of the ancient manor of the
Washingtons was a rookery in a venerable grove hard by. The rooks, those
staunch adherents to old family abodes, still hovered and cawed about
their hereditary nests. In the pavement of the parish church we were
shown a stone slab, bearing effigies, on plates of brass, of Lawrence
Washington, gent., and Anne his wife, and their four sons and eleven
daughters. The inscription, in black letters, was dated 1564."
A nephew of John and Lawrence Washington, Sir Henry Washington,
distinguished himself in the civil wars, under Prince Rupert, at the
storming of Bristol, where he broke through the wall with a handful of
infantry after the assailants had been beaten off, and led the forces to
victory. For his prowess he was promoted, and was in command at
Worcester, when that place was stormed, at a time when the king fled
from Oxford in disguise and the loyal cause was in peril. He received a
letter from General Fairfax, whose victorious army was at Haddington,
demanding the immediate surrender of Worcester. Colonel Washington
replied:
"SIR,--It is acknowledged by your books, and by report of your
own quarter, that the king is in some of your armies. That
granted, it may be easy for you to procure his majesty's
commands for the disposal of this garrison. Till then, I shall
make good the trust reposed in me. As for conditions, if I
shall be necessitated, I shall make the best I can. The worst
I know, and fear not; if I had, the profession of a soldier
had not been begun, nor so long continued by your
Excellency's humble servant." HENRY WASHINGTON.
For three months he withstood the siege, experiencing hunger and
hardship, until his Majesty ordered capitulation.
Irving says of this heroic stand, "Those who believe in hereditary
virtues may see foreshadowed in the conduct of this Washington of
Worcester, the magnanimous constancy of purpose, the disposition to
'hope against hope,' which bore our Washington triumphantly through the
darkest days of our revolution."
It appears that the Washingtons were first in war as well as in peace,
centuries ago. There was wealth, fame and influence in the family, from
generation to generation. Their prominence in the grand hunt of those
times proves their high social and public position.
Irvington says, "Hunting came next to war in those days, as the
occupation of the nobility and gentry. The clergy engaged in it equally
with the laity. The hunting establishment of the Bishop of Durham (who
belonged to the Washington family) was on a princely scale. He had his
forests, chases and parks, with their train of foresters, rangers and
park-keepers. A grand hunt was a splendid pageant, in which all his
barons and knights attended him with horse and hound."
Later, the famous English fox-hunting, in which noblemen engaged with
great pomp and expense, engaged the attention of the Washingtons. We
refer to the fact here, because it will explain certain things connected
with the life and times of our George Washington in Virginia.
Everett says, "It may be mentioned as a somewhat striking fact, and one
I believe not hitherto adverted to, that the families of Washington and
Franklin--the former the great leader of the American Revolution, the
latter not second to any of his patriotic associates--were established
for several generations in the same central county of Northamptonshire,
and within a few miles of each other; the Washingtons at Brighton and
Sulgrave, belonging to the landed gentry of the county, and in the great
civil war supporting the royal side; the Franklins, at the village of
Ecton, living on the produce of a farm of thirty acres, and the earnings
of their trade as blacksmiths, and espousing,--some of them, at least,
and the father and uncle of Benjamin Franklin among the number,--the
principles of the non-conformists. Their respective emigrations, germs
of great events, in history, took place,--that of John Washington, the
great-grandfather of George, in 1657, to loyal Virginia,--that of Josiah
Franklin, the father of Benjamin, about the year 1685, to the metropolis
of Puritan New England."
This brief sketch of the Washington family in the mother country must
suffice. Its history in our country began in 1657, on the West Bank of
the Potomac, about fifty miles from its entrance into Chesapeake Bay, in
Westmoreland County. The two brothers, John and Lawrence, purchased an
estate of several thousand acres there, and erected thereon a
comfortable dwelling. In process of time, John married Miss Anne Pope,
and went to reside on Bridge's Creek. Two sons, Lawrence and John, and a
daughter, were the fruits of his union. Lawrence, the oldest son,
married Mildred Warner, daughter of Colonel Augustus Warner, by whom he
had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. The second son,
Augustine, became the father of George Washington. He married Jane
Butler, by whom he had four children--Butler, Lawrence, Augustine and
Jane. His wife died; and two years thereafter, Mary Ball, a young lady
of great beauty, became his second wife. They were married March 6,
1730. Their first child was George, who was born February 22, 1732. Five
other children--Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and
Mildred--were added to the family.
John Washington, grandfather of Augustine, distinguished himself in
military affairs, and became lieutenant-colonel in the wars against the
Indians. He was one of the largest planters in the colony, and became
one of the most influential men. In time he became a magistrate and a
member of the House of Burgesses. The name of the parish in which he
lived--Washington--was derived from him.
Augustine Washington, father of George, lived on Pope's Creek when the
latter was born, about one-half mile from the Potomac. The house in
which George was born was pulled down or burned before the Revolution.
The site is now designated by a slab, bearing the inscription:
HERE,
ON THE 11TH OF FEBRUARY (OLD STYLE), 1732,
GEORGE WASHINGTON
WAS BORN.
The slab was placed there by George Washington Parke Custis--his
grandson--sixty-seven years ago. Thirty-six years after he performed
the grateful act, he published the following account of it in the
_Alexandria Gazette_:
"In June, 1815, I sailed on my own vessel, the 'Lady of the Lake,' a
fine top-sail schooner of ninety tons, accompanied by two gentlemen,
Messrs. Lewis and Grimes, bound to Pope's Creek, in the county of
Westmoreland, carrying with us a slab of freestone, having the following
inscription:
HERE,
ON THE 11TH OF FEBRUARY, 1732, (OLD STYLE),
GEORGE WASHINGTON
WAS BORN.
"Our pilot approached the Westmoreland shore cautiously (as our vessel
drew nearly eight feet of water), and he was but indifferently
acquainted with so unfrequented a navigation.
"Desirous of making the ceremonial of depositing the stone as imposing
as circumstances would permit, we enveloped it in the 'star-spangled
banner' of our country, and it was borne to its resting place in the
arms of the descendants of four revolutionary patriots and
soldiers--SAMUEL LEWIS, son of George Lewis, a captain in Baylor's
regiment of horse, and a nephew of Washington; WILLIAM GRIMES, the son
of Benjamin Grimes, a gallant and distinguished officer of the
Life-guard; the CAPTAIN of the vessel, the son of a brave soldier
wounded in the battle of Guilford; and GEORGE W. P. CUSTIS, the son of
John Parke Custis, aid-de-camp to the commander-in-chief before
Cambridge and Yorktown.
"We gathered together the bricks of an ancient chimney that once formed
the hearth around which Washington in his infancy had played, and
constructed a rude kind of a pedestal, on which we reverently placed the
FIRST STONE, commending it to the attention and respect of the American
people in general, and to the citizens of Westmoreland in particular.
"Bidding adieu to those who had received us so kindly, we re-embarked
and hoisted our colors, and being provided with a piece of canon and
suitable ammunition, we fired a salute, awakening the echoes that had
slept for ages around the hallowed spot; and while the smoke of our
martial tribute to the birth-place of the _Pater Patriae_ still lingered
on the bosom of the Potomac, we spread our sails to a favoring breeze,
and sped joyously to our homes."
Mr. Paulding, in his life of Washington, describes the place as follows:
"A few scanty relics alone remain to mark the spot, which will ever be
sacred in the eyes of posterity. A clump of old decayed fig trees,
probably coeval with the mansion, yet exists; and a number of vines and
shrubs and flowers still reproduce themselves every year, as if to mark
its site, and flourish among the hallowed ruins. The spot is of the
deepest interest, not only from its associations, but its natural
beauties. It commands a view of the Maryland shore of the Potomac, one
of the most majestic of rivers and of its course for many miles towards
the Chesapeake Bay. An aged gentlemen, still living in the neighborhood,
remembers the house in which Washington was born. It was a low-pitched,
single-storied frame building, with four rooms on the first floor, and
an enormous chimney at each end on the outside. This was the style of
the better sort of houses in those days, and they are still occasionally
seen in the old settlements of Virginia."
Irving says that "the roof was steep, and sloped down into low,
projecting eaves;" so that an artist's eye can readily see the house as
it was.
Let the reader bear in mind that John Washington was the founder of the
Washington family in America, and George Washington was his
great-grandson.
George was baptized on the 5th of April following, when he was about six
weeks old. Mrs. Mildred Gregory acted as godmother, and Mr. Beverly
Whiting and Captain Christopher Brooks, godfathers.
When George was four or five years old, his father resolved to move to a
plantation on the banks of the Rappahannock River, opposite
Fredericksburg.
"There are many advantages in that locality," he remarked to his wife;
"besides, the land is better."
"There can't be much fault found with the land anywhere in this part of
the country," responded Mrs. Washington. "It needs little but using."
"Very true; but somehow I have taken a great liking to the banks of the
Rappahannock," continued Mr. Washington. "The children will like the
change, I know."
"That may be; children like change; a novelty just suits them," answered
Mrs. Washington. "I have never known them to express dissatisfaction
with this place. They are about as happy as children can well be."
"There can be no doubt of that, judging from daily observation,"
responded her husband, somewhat facetiously. "If a change does not add
to the sum total of their happiness, I trust that it will not subtract
much from it."
"Understand me," continued Mrs. Washington, "I am not setting myself up
in opposition to your plan of removing. It may prove the very best thing
for us all. We sha'n't know till we try."
"Well, I think I shall try it," added Mr. Washington.
And he did try it. He removed to the aforesaid locality in the year
1737. The estate was already his own.
The reader must know from what has been said already, that estates of
two, three and five thousand acres, in Virginia, at that time, were
common. Many wealthy English families, fond of rural life, and coveting
ample grounds for hunting and roaming, had settled in the "Old
Dominion," where land was cheap as well as fertile. The Washington
family was one of them. From the day that John Washington and his
brother settled in Virginia, they and their numerous descendants were
large landholders. When George was forty-one years of age, just before
the stirring scenes of the Revolution, we find him writing to a Mr.
Calvert of George Washington Parke Custis:
"Mr. Custis' estate consists of about _fifteen thousand acres_ of land,
a good part of it adjoining the city of Williamsburg, and none of it
forty miles from that place; several lots in the said city; between two
and three hundred negroes, and about eight or ten thousand pounds upon
bond, and in the hands of his merchants. This estate he now holds
independent of his mother's dower, which will be an addition to it at
her death."
Wealthy families at that time lived in expensive style. They kept their
"turn-outs and liveried servants," as we call them now, and made an
imposing appearance on public occasions. The proprietors were "gentlemen
farmers," whose mansions were conducted on a grand scale of hospitality.
Everybody was welcome, even Indians.
When George's father removed to the banks of the Rappahannock, one vast,
unbroken forest, on either side, met his view. The woodman's axe had
opened only here and there a patch of the woods to the light of the sun.
These forests abounded with game, and had long been the hunting ground
of the red men. The river swarmed with water-fowl of various names and
plumage, and often the Indian's birch canoe darted over its waters like
a spirit.
The Colony supported a military organization at that time. The Indians
were friendly to the English colonists, but they might not continue to
be. England and France were friendly to each other, also, yet both had
an eye upon the same possessions in the new world. There was no telling
how soon a resort to arms might be inevitable. The militia must be
maintained against the time of need.
George was almost too young to appreciate the danger when his ears first
listened to tales of Indian depredations.
"Several families murdered in cold blood by roving savages," was the
news Mr. Washington brought home one day.
"Where? Where?" Mrs. Washington inquired, with evident anxiety.
"A long way from here," her husband replied, "but it shows the murderous
spirit of Indians all the same."
"A treacherous race!" remarked Mrs. Washington.
"Yes; treacherous indeed!" her husband replied, "There is no telling
what is in store for us, in my opinion."
"There is no more reason for their murdering white men and woman so far
away than there is for their doing it near by us," suggested Mrs.
Washington.
"None whatever. Revenge, or desire for plunder, prompted the deed, no
doubt; and revenge or hope of plunder is just as likely to move them
here as there to killing and burning," Mr. Washington said.
Occasional startling news of this kind, discussed in the family, was
listened to by George, whose precocity took in the situation well for
one so young. Early in life he had a good understanding of Indian
character, and of the trouble that might come to the colonists through
these savage denizens of the forest. There is good evidence that
apprehensions of Indian hostilities filled him with anxiety long before
they actually commenced.
At that time, also, negro slavery existed among the colonists. The large
estates were worked by slave labor. The Washington family held slaves.
Some planters owned several hundred. As there was no question raised
about the right or wrong of the slave system, it is probable that
George's mind was not exercised upon the subject. He grew up in the
midst of the institution without calling in question its rectitude. We
mention the fact here, because it was one of the early influences of his
ancestry and birth-place which must have been offset by home
instructions and the rapid unfolding of a singularly manly character.
II.
BOYHOOD.
It is fortunate that the materials of Washington's early life were
preserved by one who was rector of the Mount Vernon parish while members
of the family and other friends survived. Rev. M. L. Weems ministered
there seventy-five years ago, and he gathered information from a woman
who was neighbor to the Washingtons in her childhood, and from John
Fitzhugh, who was often with George in his early home. In addition,
descendants of the family, who had fondly preserved valuable incidents
of their illustrious ancestor's boyhood and manhood, furnished them for
his biography by their pastor. We are indebted to Mr. Weems for most of
the facts relating to Washington's boyhood.
In the autumn of 1737, Mr. Washington went to the door of a neighbor and
relative, leading George by the hand. The woman who related the incident
to Mr. Weems was a little girl at that time, and was visiting the
family.
"Will you take a walk with us?" inquired George's father, addressing
himself to the girl just mentioned, and her cousin, whose name was
Washington.
"We are going to take a walk in the orchard," continued Mr. Washington.
"It is a fine sight now."
Both of the parties addressed promptly accepted the invitation,
delighted to take a stroll among the trees that were bending under their
burden of fruit.
A walk of a half-mile brought them to the orchard, where an unusual
spectacle awaited them.
"Oh, see the apples!" exclaimed George. "Such a lot of them!" And he
clapped his hands and fairly danced in his excitement.
"I never saw such a sight," said the girl who accompanied them.
"It is a spectacle, indeed!" responded Mr. Washington. "It is not often
we see so much fruit in one field as we see here."
It was not so much the enormous crop of apples upon the trees, as it was
the great quantity on the ground beneath them that attracted George. The
winds had relieved the trees of a portion of their burden, and the
ground was literally covered with the luscious fruit. George had never
beheld such a display of apples, and his young heart bounded with
delight over the scene.
They roamed through the orchard for a time, chatting and enjoying the
occasion thoroughly, when Mr. Washington rather disturbed the flow of
animal spirits by saying,--
"Now, George, look here, my son! Don't you remember when this good
cousin of yours (referring to the lad who was with them) brought you
that fine large apple last spring, how hardly I could prevail on you to
divide it with your brothers and sisters, though I promised you that if
you would but do it God would give you plenty of apples this fall."
George made no reply but hung his head in shame. He had not forgotten
his selfishness on that occasion, and he was greatly mortified.
His father continued,--
"Now, look up, my son; look up, George! See how richly the blessed God
has made good my promise to you. Wherever you turn your eyes, you see
the trees loaded with fine fruit; many of them, indeed, breaking down;
while the ground is covered with mellow apples, more than you could eat,
my son, in all your life-time."