in English. He then delivered a letter from their high mightinesses. The president returned an answer to the minister: in the close of which it was observed, that the United States had received the most distinguished proofs of regard and friendship from his illustrious family. The assembly after that separated, and the day closed with convivial meetings. On the 2d of November, were issued from Rocky-Hill, gen. Washington's farewell orders to the armies of the United States. Having taken notice of congress's proclamation of Oct. the 18th, he said "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 composed them may be) and to bid them an affectionate-a long farewell.-But before the commander in chief takes his final leave of those he holds most dear, he wishes to indulge himself a few moments in calling to mind a slight review of the past:-he will then take the liberty of exploring, with his military friends, their future prospects-of advising the general line of conduct, which, in his opinion, ought to be pursued;-and he will conclude the address, by expressing the obligations he feels himself under for the spirited and able assistance he has experienced from them, in the performance of an arduous office." His closing words were " And being now to conclude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he can only again offer in their behalf his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies.-May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of heaven's favors, both here and, thereafter, attend those, who, under the divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others! With these wishes, and this benediction, the commander in chief is about to retire fron service. The curtain of seperation will soon be drawn--and the military scene to him will be closed forever." In August Sir Guy Carleton received his final orders for the evacuation of New-York. On the 17th he informed the president of congress, that he should lose no time in fulfilling his majesty's commands. But he could assign no precise period. The violence of the Americans, which broke out soon after the cessation of hostilities, increased the numbers of those that looked to him for escape from threatened destruction. The news-papers contained repeated menaces from committees formed in various towns, cities and districts, and even at Philadelphia, which augmented the terrors of the loyalists, so that Sir Guy could not VOL. III. Z z in Though gen. Washington was not stayed in his progress to Philadelphia by the congress, who on the 1st of November, had elected the honorable Thomas Mifflin president, and three days after had adjourned to meet at Annapolis, in Maryland, on the 26th, yet it was the 8th of December, at noon, before general Washington arrived at the capital of Pennsylvania. When his. intention of quitting the army was known, he was complimented and received with the utmost respect and affection by all orders of men, both in the civil and military line. He remained some days in Philadelphia. While in the city he delivered in his accounts to the comptroller, down to December the 13th, all his own hand writing, and every entry made in the most par ticular manner, stating the occasion of each charge, so as to give the least trouble in examining and comparing them with the youchers with which they were attended. The heads are as follows, copied from the folio manuscript: paper book, in the file of the treasury-office, No. 3700, being a black box of tin, containing, under lock and key, both that! and the vouchers. Total of expenditures from 1775 to 1783, exclu sive of provisions from commissaries and contractors, and of liquors, &c. from them and others, *Secret intelligence and service, Spent in reconnoitring and travelling, Expended besides, dollars according to the scale £.16,311 17 1 Note, 104,364 of the dollars were received after March, 1480, and although credited 40 for one, many did not fetch at the rate of a hundred for one, while 27,775 of them are returned without deducting any thing from the above account (and there fore actually made a present of to the public.) (Gen. Washington's account) From June, 1775 to the end of June, 1783, Expenditure from July 1, 1783, to Dec, 13, (Added afterward) from thence to Dec, 28, * £.16,311 1 -1717 5 213 8 A " 200 guineas advanced to general. M'Dougall, are not included in the in 1982. 10s. not being yet settled, but included in some of the other charges, and fo reckoned in the general fum. Mrs. Mrs. Washington's travelling expences in coming to the gencral and returning, 1064 £. 19,306 11 9 Jawful money of Virginia, the same as the Massachusetts, or 14,479l. 18s. 9d. 3qrs. fterling. The general entered in his book I find upon the final adjustment of these accounts, that I am a considerable loser-my disbursements falling a good deal short of my receipts, and the money I had upon hand of my own: for besides the sums I car-, ried with me to Cambridge in 1775, I received monies afterwards on private account in 1777 and since, which (excepts mall sums that I had occasion now and then to apply to private uses) were all expended in the public service: through hurry I suppose, and the perplexity of business (for Iknow not how else to account for the deficiency) I have omitted to charge the same, whilst every debit against me is here credited. July 1, 1783." Happy would it have been for the United States (you will be likely to add-and for Great-Britain) had each person who has handled public money been equally exact and punctual! General Washington, after delivering in his accounts, hastened to Annapolis, where he arrived on the evening of the 19th of December. The next day he informed congress of his arrival in that city, with the intention of asking leave to resign the commission he had the honor of holding in their service, and desired to know their pleasure in what manner it would be most proper to offer his resignation--whether in writing or at an audience. They resolved that it should be at a public audience, the following. Tuesday at twelve o'clock. The general had been so reserved with regard to the time of his intended resignation, that congress had not the least apprehension of its being either so soon or so sudden. When the day was arrived, [23.] and the hour approached for fixing the patriotic character of the AMERICAN CHIEF, the gallery was filled with a beautiful group of elegant ladies, and some graced the floor of congress. On this likewise were the governor, council and legislature of Maryland, several general officers, the consul general of France, and the respectable citizens of Annopolis. Congress were seated and covered, as representatives of the sovereignty of the Union, the spectators were uncovered and standing. The general was introduced to a chair by the secretary, who, after a decent interval ordered silence. A short pause ensued, when the honorable Thomas Mifflin, the president, informcd the general, that "the United States in congress assembled WCIC were prepared to receive his communications;" on which he rose with great dignity, and delivered this address-" Mr. President, The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my sincere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself before then, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with fatisfac tion, the appointment I accepted with diffidence a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the sup port of the supreme power of the union, and the patronage of 66 Heaven. "The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations: and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. "While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, Sir, to recommend in particular those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of congress. "I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last act of my official life by commending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping. "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 so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." The general was so powerfully impressed with the great and interesting scenes that crowded in upon his imagination while speaking, that he would have been scarce able to have uttered more than the closing period. He advanced and delivered to the president his commission, with a copy of his address. Having resumed his place, he received in a standing posture, the following answer answer of congress, which the president delivered with elegance but not without such a sensibility as changed and spread a degree of paleness over his countenance- Sir, The United States in congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and a doubt ful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds or a governinent to support you. You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power throughy åll disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence; on which happyevent we sincerely join you in congratulations. "Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great 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. "We feel with you, our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers. who have attended your person to this af fecting moment. We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the oppor tunity afforded them, of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." To see on the one hand, so great and amiable a character taking his leave of public employments, to spend his future days in retirement; and his country on the other, acknowledging his unprecedented merit, and with the most affectionate embraces loading him with their blessings, exhibited a scene that drew tears from many of the spectators. When the business was closed, his excetlency immediately set out for his seat at Mount Vernon, in Virginia. The governor of Maryland accompanied him to South-ri ver, |
