 Chapter 1 of George Washington. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt. Translated by George P. Upton. Boyhood. The contemplation of the wonders of the universe is always inspiring and uplifting. The crystal impurity of the sky, the splendor of the sunrise and sunset, the grandeur of the starry night, the fragrant forest, the smiling landscape, the tree, the flower, the boundless ocean, and all the countless manifestations of nature. But how much greater are admiration and inspiration when we reverently contemplate the progress of a noble human soul toward ever higher and higher planes of perfection? Some of the good seed which it scatters may take root in our minds to strengthen and develop the best that is in us. We perceive the possibilities of the race and what we may ourselves become at the will to strive keeps pace with a love for what is good. In ancient times thoughtful people compared great and good souls to the stars. They arise in the spiritual firmament with a pure radiance and ever anew breaking through the mists and clouds which obscure them remain visible to later generations. Thus they become guiding stars for struggling human beings here below. The particular star which the reader has the wisdom and the inclination to perfect himself is invited to study in these pages arose in the forests of Virginia on the 22nd of February 1732. It was there that little George first opened his eyes and looked out upon a world in which he was to play so great a part. There his negro mammy sat with him on the bench before the door throwing crumbs to the turkeys and pigeons to amuse him and there under the rustling trees he whittled his first horse out of Hazelwood. George's father Augustine Washington was a planter of English extraction. His first ancestor had immigrated from England when North America was still the undisputed property of the Indians. The territory which later became the United States is almost as large as the continent of Europe. Two hundred years ago the whole country was a trackless forest broken only by enormous morasses, cane breaks and savannas or grassy prairies. In the properest plantation house on the east bank of the Rappahonic in which George was born, piety, industry and probity had made their habitation. That was the first blessing with which heaven dowered the boy. Of course living in a pure and healthy moral atmosphere is not in itself all that is required to guide a youth into paths of rectitude. The will to do right and the continual struggle to attain it can alone accomplish the greater part. Reprobates have sometimes come out of the best environments. The voice of conscience is awakened very early in the human breast and we soon know right from wrong. However it is a great boon and a wonderful help to be surrounded by people who are examples of virtue and word indeed. And he who strays into the paths of sin in spite of such surroundings is doubly to be censored. At that time the English immigrants lived scattered in the forest but neighbors had already formed themselves into parishes and founded schools and churches. The schools were of course of a very simple type, nothing but reading, writing and arithmetic being taught. Most of the settlers found this quite sufficient for their children and rich planters sent their sons to England to be educated. Lawrence Washington, George's eldest step-brother enjoyed these advantages. He was fourteen years older than George who was a bat in arms when Lawrence set out on his first voyage to England so that he could not remember his step-brother. When George was eight years old Lawrence now in his twenty-second year returned. The arrival of the well educated and well bred young gentleman was a welcome event in the family circle. And George loved him from the very first moment. Their affection was mutual and indeed Lawrence showed a truly paternal interest in the bright, alert boy. Their father had no intention of sending another son abroad. He looked upon Lawrence as the natural head of the family after his death. He was satisfied that his probable successor had received a liberal education. Accordingly George was sent to the para-school. He applied himself eagerly to his task and thus laid a firm foundation, at least for the studies which he afterward prosecuted by himself. One trait of his character showed itself very early. He did all his work with the greatest conscientiousness and neatness. Not a stroke of his pen betrayed carelessness. Some of his school books which have been preserved bear witness to this. He showed the same care when any work about the house was required of him. He endeavored to do whatever he had to do, however insignificant it was or might seem to be, as perfectly as possible. Of course he was not capable of appreciating at that time how important this was in the development of his character. It was simply his early awakened sense of duty, reinforced by his earnest efforts to practice what he knew to be right. It was not until later that he realized the deeper significance of work as a means of strengthening the powers of the soul. There is no kind of work which may not be either well or ill done. If you put all your capabilities into it and the result is more or less satisfactory, you have accomplished even more than the success of a moment. You have been working for the growth of your inner self. For one who realizes this, the greatest drudgery has lost its sting. George was just as conscientious in everything which pertained to morals. He had a passionate disposition, but we learned that early in life he strove to curb his hasty temper by exercising deliberation and willpower. It was therefore customary among his school fellows, when disagreements arose, to take them to him, and his verdict was generally accepted, for they knew that he was willing to acknowledge himself in the wrong when his fiery temper had carried him away. It was justice and not the person that had wait with him. Another of his qualities, military talent, was early recognizable. It was an inheritance. There had been warriors among his ancestors, men of note of whom English chronicles tell us. Several of these had so distinguished themselves as to have been knighted. George's brother Lawrence was of a light temper and it now happened that he had an opportunity of becoming a soldier. British commerce in the West Indies had suffered heavy losses through piratical attacks by Spain and the English government determined to avenge itself. A fleet was fitted out and as England was the mother country of the Virginias, the recruiting drum was heard in the colony also. Lawrence volunteered and was given a captain's commission. It was no wonder that there was considerable excitement over all this in the home of the Washington's. George took the liveliest interest in his brother's equipment. He thought it very proper that the robbers, of whom he had heard many dreadful stories, should be punished and gazed at his brother's bright sword with delight and respect. He vowed that he too would sometime help to right the wrongs of his injured countrymen in time of need. He was told many tales of his valiant ancestors. It is no wonder that the picture of his brother as he had left home in his war trappings was constantly in his mind, nor that he begged for his letters after his father had read them to the assembled family to pour over them, especially when they had something to tell of the soldier's adventures. All these exciting experiences which filled his mind soon manifested themselves in his play in place of ball and games of the like nature. War became the great game. His comrades were divided into companies. He sketched plans and battles which were carried out. He determined the arms they were to use and held reviews. It never occurred to any of his little comrades to dispute him the rank which he bestowed upon himself. These occupations were also, although neither he nor anyone else suspected it, more or less of a preparation for his afterlife. Just as he had before this been the legislator for his little circle, he was now the military chieftain. But even when playing at soldier, the peculiarity of his character which led him to carry out everything he undertook with the greatest thoroughness was apparent. He knew what accomplishments a soldier must strive to acquire, and now we see him practicing these exercises with unflagging zeal with the object of making his body strong and supple, such as running, leaping, wrestling, tossing bars and the like. The leader of the little band strove to be in reality the first and foremost and wished to live up to his title. After taking part in the siege of Kratahena and the West Indies, Lawrence returned home. One can imagine with what interest George listened to his brother's recitals. What Lawrence learned of George's military exercises and play confirmed in him a plan which he had long ago formed and which had George's hearty approval. He proposed to his parents that as soon as George should have reached his fourteenth year, the boy should be allowed to enter the English service as a naval cadet, and the carrying out of the plan was actually considered. Lawrence himself intended to return to his regiment to seek advancement in the army, but never did so. Instead he fell in love with the daughter of a rich planter, William Fairfax. His advances were accepted and an engagement took place. His father was very much pleased to have his son enter into an alliance with the rich and highly esteemed House of Fairfax, but was not fortunate enough to live to see the wedding. George was eleven years old when he stood at the grave of his excellent father. The deceased left considerable property so that his children from both marriages were well provided for him. Lawrence received in this state on the banks of the Potomac where he took his young bride a few months later. According to the terms of the will, no guardian was appointed for the younger children, but they were left in charge of their mother, a proof of the confidence that the deceased had reposed in her. She was worthy of it. Irving says of her she was endowed with plain direct good sense, thorough conscientiousness and prompt decision. She governed her family strictly but kindly, exacting deference while she inspired affection. She was Washington's second wife and George her first-born was her favorite. In spite of this, or rather because of it, she was very strict with him, where she deemed it necessary to protect him from excesses, and her faithful care was rewarded. At that time Sir Matthew Hale's contemplations, moral and divine, was held in great esteem among the educated English colonists of Virginia. It was the mother's favorite book from which she not only drew strength and consolation for herself, but from which she also read aloud to her children. Her friends often found her thus occupied. She not only showed great insight in the selections which she made, but the deep spiritual feeling with which she read aloud from this, and sometimes from other writings, made a deep impression on her young heirs. Her enthusiasm was communicated to her children, and as the whole life and doings of the household were pervaded by a spirit of moral earnestness, these impressions received by the young minds were not easily effaced, but rather were confirmed. The copy of the above mentioned work, in which the name of Mary W. was written by his mother's own hand, remained a valuable memento in George's possession all his life, and he often declared that the precepts which it contained, expounded by the soulful voice of the mother, striving for the improvement of her children, had had a decisive influence on his whole life. The book is still preserved in the archives of Mount Vernon. George continued his school and home studies with unabated industry. It was not necessary to urge him on, but rather to warn him not to go too far in his zeal. He was filled with an ardent desire to acquire fresh insight, knowledge and skill, and something each day of his life. It was a true thirst for knowledge. Somewhat farther away than his first teacher, Hobby lived another named Williams, who widened the horizon of his schooling a little and to whom he now went to learn something of commercial bookkeeping. Although it was a dry subject, George made astonishingly rapid progress, inspired by the determination to acquire it as quickly as possible. In the realms of knowledge and skill, he played the role of conqueror, the will and memory were his weapons, which became sharper and more highly polished the more he used them. Careless and lazy school comrades appeared contemptible creatures to him. At this time he collected examples of all kinds of documents used in business and daily affairs. One of his collection bears the title Written Extracts, and we find among them prescriptions, checks, receipts, affidavits, forms of resignation, medals to property, leases, contracts, and wills. All these were copied with great care, the important words written in larger letters, so that they were easily to be distinguished. George had also made great progress in athletic attainments. He had been diligently practicing the exercises of which we have spoken, ever since it had been decided to let him enter the English service as an able cadet. He considered it a matter of course that a future soldier must employ himself systematically in strengthening his muscles and acquiring the greatest possible dexterity. The place is still shown in the neighborhood of his father's property where George threw a stone across the Rappahannock. He was also a fine horseman. On one occasion he mounted an unmanageable horse to the astonishment of all onlookers and was able to control it. In the meanwhile Lawrence had taken the necessary steps for his brother's entrance into the English Navy. A midshipman's warrant was obtained and his luggage was packed. But at the last moment his mother, after carefully reconsidering the matter, resolved not to let her son go out into the world so early. It was not a mother's weakness that led her to this determination. She had heard so much about the roughness of a seamen's life. Scarcely to be wondered at, she recoiled from a plan which meant removing her son completely from his mother's influence and cut him off from the help and advice of his relatives. His love and the respect which he had for her opinions helped to soften the disappointment. Later he was able to thank her for having at that time especially taken his destiny under such careful and earnest consideration. Before we follow his life history any further, let us notice a practice of his and early life. He kept a diary in which he noted everything that aroused his interest. Besides this he recorded significant ideas or thoughts which he found in books or heard from the lips of wise or experienced persons. It would be a very good thing for our young readers to follow his example in this. A portion of his diary bears the superscription for a behavior in company and conversation. Among them are some important truths and some of lesser significance. A number of extracts are given as they characterize George's aspirations so well and also in the hope that some readers may make a selection from among them and this is only a suggestion. With it begin a diary of their own. Here are a few examples. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present. In the presence of others sing not to yourself with a humming noise nor drum with your fingers or feet. Speak not when others speak. Sit not when others stand and walk not when others stop. Turn not your back to others especially in speaking. Jog not the desk or table on which another reads or writes. Lean not on anyone. They that are in dignity or office have in all places precedence but whilst they are young they ought to respect those who are their equals in birth and other qualities though they have no public charge. It is good manners to prefer those to whom we speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no sort we ought to begin. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive. In visiting the sick do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes. It savers of arrogance. Being to advise or apprehend oneself consider whether it ought to be in public or in private presently or at some other time also in what terms to do it and in reproving show no signs of collar but do it with sweetness and mildness. Mock not nor jest at anything of importance break no jest that are sharp or biting and if you deliver anything witty or pleasant abstain from laughing there at yourself. Wherein you reprove another be unblameable yourself whose example is more prevalent than precept. Use no reproachful language against anyone neither curses nor revilings. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of anyone. In your apparel be modest and endeavour to accommodate nature rather than procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals such as our civil and orderly with respect to time and place. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company. Let your conversation be without malice or envy for it is a sign of tractable and commendable nature and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern. Be not forward but friendly and courteous at the first to salute here and answer and be not pensive when it is a time to converse. If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained and be not obstinate in your opinion in things indifferent be of the major side. Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to parents, masters and superiors. Think before you speak that's not imperfectly nor bring out your words too hastily but orderly and distinctly. When another speaks be attentive yourself and disturb not the audience if any hesitate in his words help him not nor prompt him without being desired interrupt him not nor answer him till his speech be ended. Be not apt to relate news if you know not the truth thereof. When you deliver a matter do it without passion and indiscretion however mean the person may be you do it too. When your superiors talk to anybody hear them neither speak nor laugh. Be not tedious in discourse make not digressions nor repeat often the same matter of discourse. Be not angry at table whatever happens and if you have reason to be so show it not on a cheerful countenance especially if there be strangers for good humor makes one dish a feast. When you speak of God or his attributes let it be seriously in reverence and honor and obey your natural parents. Let your recreation be manful not sinful labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. End of chapter 1 Chapter 2 of George Washington This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Andrea Kotzer George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton The Surveyor After the plan of allowing him to enter the English service as a naval cadet had been abandoned George continued his attendance at school with the intention of preparing himself to become a surveyor until the completion of his 15th year he applied himself to these studies principally geometry and trigonometry. During his last summer at school he made surveys of the fields and meadows belonging to the schoolhouse and also of the neighboring plantations. This business, which was only practice for him he carried on as conscientiously as though he were obliged to take an oath as to its accuracy. Every detail pertaining to it such as drawings, calculations and references were carefully put on paper. There was not an inserted word nor a blot to be seen. If he did make a mistake he would erase it so cleverly that it could be discovered only on the closest inspection. One could see that it was a law of his being to do everything with the greatest neatness. But he was just as particular with regard to order and oversight. Irving says of him, nothing was left half done or done in a hurried and slovenly manner. The habit of mind thus cultivated continued throughout life so that, however complicated his tasks and overwhelming his cares in the arduous and hazardous situations in which he was often placed he found time to do everything and to do it well. He had acquired the magic of method which of itself works wonders. His education was very limited outside of mathematics. Probably he did not learn even the simplest rules of grammar in school. We may infer this from his notebooks of that period in which grammatical mistakes often occur. But even in grammar he made himself a master when once he had fixed his attention upon it. His careful consideration and comparisons with attentive reading of masterpieces of literature was a training which enabled him later to express himself in pure and correct language both in speaking and writing. And the reader will see from examples which we shall give that Washington became a master of style. But study alone could not have made purity, sincerity and directness the most prominent characteristics of his writings. His literary style was the mirror of his character. He appreciated his good fortune in having family connections which gave him the entree into several cultivated family circles. His brother Lawrence was happily married living in comfortable circumstances on his estate at Mount Vernon and George was often there. A few miles away was Belvoir the large property of Lawrence's father-in-law the above mentioned William Fairfax. This man had passed an eventful life. He was born in England, entered the army early, took part in several campaigns and was later appointed by the English government, governor and chief justice of an island of the East Indies. He had now been living in Virginia for several years where, for a long time, he had been president of the Royal Council of the Colonies. The home of this experienced and kindly man where there was a number of well-educated sons and daughters was also open to George. Having his eyes and ears open for all that was improving George learned many things at Belvoir. He also became acquainted there with an important and at the same time interesting personage a nobleman of the same name from England, a cousin of William Fairfax and therefore, since the marriage of George's step-brother a sort of relative of his. This Lord Fairfax was a man nearly 60 years old, over six feet tall, gaunt and raw-boned with light gray eyes, sharp features and an aquiline nose. In England, he had distinguished himself equally in the use of the sword and the pen. Through his marriage, he acquired boundless territories, so to speak, in Virginia, the whole region between the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, which later was found to extend to the Allegheny Mountains. By the desire of Lord Fairfax his cousin William had hitherto managed the property and Lord Fairfax had only recently arrived in Virginia to become acquainted for the first time with his truly princely domain. It was a wilderness, but what a wilderness! Let us take the opportunity of saying a word about Virginia. The Allegheny Mountains divide the state into three regions. The mountainous and romantic one with the celebrated natural bridge where Cedar Creek dashes along between perpendicular walls of stone 250 feet below the rock arch. That portion farther eastward with a sandy, marshy flat coast and the arable, rolling western portion bounded by the Ohio River. In the greater part of it, the soil is truly luxuriant. There is fine grazing for sheep as well as cattle. There is a variety of fields, oaks, plantains, nut and tulip trees, lindens, elms, ash, magnolia, chestnut, cherry and plum trees overgrown with wild grape and other vines in the beautiful forests and there is no lack of fish in game. Lord Fairfax had not dreamed that Virginia could be so beautiful and how delightful the task of reclaiming a section of this virgin soil in the midst of the primeval forest seemed to him. Empty and purposeless the pleasures of the city compared with the delights of life and labor in the cultivation of the wilderness. He was never tired of admiring the estate of his cousin. He no doubt had the same feelings as Chateaubriand under the same circumstances to which he has given utterance in the following words. What a fascinating mixture of social and natural life reigned there. By the side of a cypress wood, charming residue of the impenetrable wilderness was a nascent vegetation. Ears of corn trembled in golden waves around the roots of a fallen oak. Full sheaves, daughters of a single summer, stood upon the site of the ancient forest. Thick columns of smoke rose from the burning woods and floated away over the fertile fields while the plow slowly cut its way through the roots of the ancient trees. Surveyors were carefully staking out the boundaries of the new estate. The wild birds had deserted their nests. The dens of wild beasts were converted into roomy cabins. And every blow of the woodman's axe was a prophecy of the blessings which were soon to rest upon these fields. So the venerable but still vigorous Lord Fairfax resolved to settle down in the neighborhood and never to return to England. For a time he lived at Belvoir on the estate of his cousin. We must not conceal the fact that in spite of his enthusiasm for planter's life, Lord Fairfax had not forgotten to inquire whether the fox was a native of the American forests. He was passionately fond of fox hunting and if his question had not received a favorable answer, it is more than likely that his newly awakened love for America would soon have waned. However, foxes were very numerous amongst the forest animals of this region, a circumstance which lent fresh charm to the country. But there was still another consideration. On a fox hunt one must have at least one companion. But where should he find a horseman who could in some degree compare with the former dashing cavalry officer, especially in this hilly region, covered with thickets which had never been penetrated by a human being? The reader may perhaps, err this, have had an inkling that our George may have been a most welcome hunting companion in the grizzled lover of the hunt. And it was so. Lord Fairfax kept horses and dogs in the English style, and when the hunting season began, George rode out into the woods with him every morning and they seldom returned without trophies. The nobleman had seen but a small portion of his extensive Virginia estates. Neither had he any intention of riding through the wilderness to inspect it all. But he determined to have it surveyed, especially as he learned that people had already settled on certain portions of it without having any right to do so. Therefore he considered it very necessary to have it surveyed, so that in future the relations of settler to proprietor might be regulated according to law. Thus he was anxious to find a capable person to undertake the business. Whoever did so must, besides having a knowledge of the business, be conscientious and reliable, and must possess not a little courage. The matter was thoroughly discussed by Lord Fairfax, William Fairfax, and Lawrence Washington. The latter was able to show calculations and surveys which George had made shortly before this on his own property. The result of the conference was that Lord Fairfax felt perfect security in confiding the survey to our George, who had just completed his 16th year. He had taken it for granted that George would not refuse and he was not mistaken. It is evident that the commission was very flattering to George and that the execution of it was calculated to perfect him in his profession. In addition to this he was to receive a considerable sum of money for the work, which he would have been glad to do for its own sake. His diary tells us that he was to receive a doubloon for every full day's work, which is about $7.50 in our money. He first went home to get his mother's permission to undertake the business. Every ambitious youth will appreciate what his feelings were, how his heart glowed at the thought of telling his mother of this honor which had befallen him, and which was to be in every way so profitable. End of Chapter 2 Recording by Andrea Kotzer Chapter 3 of George Washington This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt translated by George P. Upton Chapter 3 Three years in the wilderness Young Washington was tall and of athletic build which together with his men made him seem older than he was. It did not occur to anyone to treat the 16-year-old youth like a boy. His principal qualities were earnestness, decision, candor, and modesty. In the spring of 1748 he set out on his surveying expedition accompanied by the 22-year-old George, son of William Fairfax and a Negro all three on horseback. At that time the beautiful chain of the blue-rich mountains formed the western boundary of the inhabited Virginia. The little party was obliged to traverse these in order to reach the territory which they were to survey. The tops of the mountains were still covered with snow and ice while spring had already spawned the valleys with flowers. They had to ride over rocky passes and through thickets to reach their destination. The greatest difficulty they encountered was in crossing the mountain torrents swollen by the melting snows but courage and resourcefulness helped them to surmount all obstacles. Crossing a pass, they at last reached the chief valley of Virginia which is nearly five miles broad and very beautiful. The clear river which flows through it was called the Daughter of the Stars by the Indians because of its loveliness. George art did himself in glowing descriptions of the region in his diary but from the moment when real work began there is not a trace of such descriptions to be found in a book. From that time he lived only for his work as it was seldom that the little company chanced upon the hut of a squatter George and his companions spent most of their nights around a campfire in the forest. Their food consisted for the most part of wild turkeys. A fork shaped stick was spit and a chip of wood to plate. Of course George had to expect and be prepared to meet with so that he and his companions had armed themselves. It was natural that the Indians should not be very friendly to the settlers. They looked upon the country as their property and upon the white squatters as interlopers and robbers. There was much cruelty practised on both sides. Fairly considered one must admit that the Indians had shown themselves incapable of any kind of communal development and it would have been a pity for such an enormous territory immensely rich in some portions to have remained in the sole possession of a race which was incapable of civilisation and which probably never numbered over 100,000 people. In contrast to the Indians, the increase of the Europeans was extraordinary. In his own peculiar but essentially just manner, this was once commented upon by an Indian chief called by the Americans little turtle in a speech to the whites. It is a strange and incomprehensible thing about the white people. Scarcely two generations have passed since you set foot on our soil and already you cover it like a swarm of insects while we, aborigines who have lived here no one knows how long are almost as few in number as the deer which we hunt. To be sure you pale faces know how to make use of a piece not much bigger than my hand. On a patch only 15 or 20 times as great as this room a white man will raise enough food to keep him for a full year. He takes another bit of land grown with grass and herbs and raises his cattle upon it which supply him with milk and meat. We red men on the contrary need immense territories for the deer which we kill and which scarce provides us with food for two days needs a great region in which to attain its proper growth. And when we have killed two or three hundred deer it is the same as though we had destroyed all the grass and woods on which they subsisted. The white man spread out like oil on a blanket while we melt away like snow in the spring sunshine and if we do not soon adopt new ways it will be impossible for the race of red men long to survive. But the Indians showed themselves incapable of learning new ways. George who had seen no Indians here to fall met a band of about 30 warriors one day. One of them carried a skull of an enemy as a penult in front of the procession. It would have gone hard with the little company if the Indians had attacked them which would no doubt have happened if they had shown any signs of fear. A small present of liqueur procured them the spectacle of war downs. The Indians kindled a fire in the midst of an open space and seated themselves in a circle around it. Then the chief began to extol their deeds of valour. His voice and gestures becoming more and more animated. The warriors sat with bowed heads as in a dream. Suddenly, as though awakened by the glowing description of their heroic deeds a warrior sprung up and began a curious wild dance. One after another followed this example until most of them were leaping about the blazing fire emitting frightful cries and seeming more like demons than human beings. Music was not lacking for this spectacle. One savage drummed on the deer skin which was stretched over a kettle half filled with water and another played upon an instrument made of a hollow cord which contained a number of pieces of shot and was decorated with a horse tail. The survey was completed and in little more than a month's time George arrived at Mont Vernon where he gave an account of his work to Lord Fairfax and received the acknowledgement of his complete satisfaction. Young Washington had with the accomplishment of this piece of work taken his diplomat so to speak as a surveyor. His repetition was established and before he was 17 he received the appointment as public surveyor and his work from this time was officially accepted by the public authorities of Virginia. He received orders from many quarters and for three years devoted himself to his growing business. We may know how conscientiously he did his work from the fact that this day in Virginia the surveys are relied upon which are officially recorded under his name. Lord Fairfax immediately made arrangements for the cultivation of a beautiful portion of his large property on the other side of the brood ridge. He laid out a gentleman's estate of 10,000 acres of pasture and farmland which he called Greenway Court. The greater part of the three years George spent in a beautiful but lonely forest. What a contrast this is to the innovating life of many youths in our great cities. The grounding presence of nature strengthened and steeled him in body and mind. The solitude of the wood stimulated him to dwell upon the novelist thoughts and emotions. In the intervals of work he spent more or less time with his step-brother, Lauren's father-in-law and Lord Fairfax. Association with these men of fine-breeding captured his manners from deteriorating in spite of his life in the wilderness. It is not surprising that he gained confidence in himself through his work and because of the confidence with which it was accepted by everyone else. And the labor of these three years was of still greater advantage to him in another way which he did not appreciate until later. How could the young surveyor dream that before long he should be traversing the same region as a soldier? It is always most important in the conduct of a war to know the configurations of the country well. As an engineer, Washington had surveyed his future in the theater of war and carefully noted down his observations. End of Chapter 3 Recording by Cheyenne Arrowsmith Chapter 4 of George Washington This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton Chapter 4 The Ambassador That man alone deserves to live who consistently makes a good use of his life. He who does not do so really does not live at all, at least not in a human sense. He who understands life does not bury his talent but constantly develops his gifts for his own good and that of his fellow men, and such a life is a worthy one. George Washington was now 19 years old and already his fellow citizens gave him credit for a high degree of manly courage and judgment. This is proved by a circumstance which we are now going to relate. The borders of Virginia were often disturbed by attacks by the French and Indians so that the colonial government decided to prepare the men capable of bearing arms, or the militia defense. Virginia was divided into districts over each of which an officer with the rank of major and the title of Adjutant General was placed. The pay was 150 pounds sterling yearly. This officer was expected to bring the militia of his district up to the highest grade of military efficiency. The high reputation which George Washington had won caused him to be offered such a post. He was thoroughly in accord with the tastes of his earliest youth as we have already learned. But while accepting it he appreciated thoroughly all the responsibilities of the position. His first and most earnest care was to make himself master of all the knowledge and duties of his rank. Under the tutelage of his brother and of other officers who had seen active service he studied the science of war and perfected himself in the use of the sword. Thus he was acquiring a new profession in which he was to gain honor and fame. Before he had an opportunity however of testing his abilities in his new position he had a painful duty to perform for his beloved brother Lawrence whose lungs had become so affected that the doctors advised him to seek relief in the milder climate of the West Indies. The sick man wished George to accompany him and he could not refuse such a request from his dearly beloved brother. They set sail in the fall of 1751 returning in mid-summer of the following year George enriched by new experiences and impressions but distressed with the fear that his brother would not regain his health. The sick man had also given up hope and only came back because he wished to die at home. He did die very soon afterward mourned sincerely by all who had been closely related to him or had had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with his amiable personality. Lawrence left a widow and little daughter. He had given his brother a part of his large fortune and made him executor of his will. The estate of Mount Vernon was to go to his daughter or in the event of her death without heirs to George. The widow was to enjoy the income from his estate for life. As soon as Washington had settled these affairs he returned to his military duties. Governor Dinwiddy had in the meanwhile divided Virginia into four districts and Washington now twenty years old was given charge of one of them. It was his duty to train the officers as well as the men of his district in military tactics. There was a particular reason for the new military partition of Virginia by the Governor and for the zeal with which he was placed on a militia on a war footing. A quarrel had broken out between the English and French for the possession of the fertile lands stretching from the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River. The English Governor Dinwiddy took possession of them for England and the Governor of Canada for France. Both sides sought to gain over the Indian tribes that lived on the land or near it both parties claimed a right to the Ohio region. It would have been hard to tell where the title really lay but both sides were determined not to give way but to let matters come to a crisis. This was why Governor Dinwiddy was so anxious to get the Virginia militia ready for action. The command came from England to erect two forts on the Ohio but while the letter containing this order was crossing the ocean it had already taken possession of part of the disputed territory. The English Governor now determined to send an emissary to the French commander to make a last attempt at a peaceable adjustment as well as to get some knowledge of the strength of the enemy and of his position. The Governor found no one so well fitted for this mission as George Washington. It was a difficult piece of work. It meant a journey of not less miles, principally through a region that was neither quite uninhabited nor peopled by Indian tribes of uncertain temper. An advantage in the negotiations was only to be gained by conducting them with the utmost circumspection and courage. Washington did not refuse the office which the Governor had offered him although he clearly recognized the difficulties of the mission. He immediately prepared for the eventful journey. He had, besides his fencing master, an interpreter and four frontiersmen, of whom too were Indian traders. The journey was begun during the raw November days of 1753. The progress of the little company was much impeded by storms and snow. They had to forward streams and cross rivers on quickly improvised rafts. As they were nearing their goal they met with Indians who were friendly English. One chief told them that he had explained to the French commander in a speech that the French had no right to take possession of the land. Of course the chief had not written his discourse but he had preserved it word for word in his memory and could repeat it for Washington who had the interpreter translate it for him and he wrote it all down in his diary. As the speech is a very characteristic one we shall give a part of it here. Remember that it was addressed to the French commander. Fathers, said he, you are disturbers of this land by building towns and taking it from us by fraud or force. We kindled a fire long ago at Montreal where we desired you to stay and not to come and intrude upon our country. I now advise you to return thither for this land is ours. If we could come in a peaceable manner like our brothers the English we should have traded with you as we do with them. But that you should come and take our possessions by force and build houses upon them is what we cannot submit to. Both you and the English are white. We live in a region between you both. The land belongs to neither of you. The great spirit allotted it to us as a home. I dare you, as I have desired our brothers the English, to withdraw, for I will keep you both at arm's length. Whoever most regards this request by them we will stand and consider them friends. Our brothers the English have heard this and I now come to tell it to you. The Indian chief told them, however, that the French had won over several Indian tribes completely. After a few days Washington set out once more. The exceedingly difficult and dangerous journey to the headquarters of the French commander in the northern Ohio country lasted just one day less than six weeks. The Frenchman received Major Washington politely but when the purpose of the mission was explained to him refused any discussion of the disputed question, for he claimed that as a soldier his sole duty was to carry out his government. Thereupon Washington took all the more pains to fulfill the second part of his task and to obtain the most exact information possible relative to the strength of the French garrison and the situation of the fortifications. When he had informed himself sufficiently on these points he started for home. The return was also very dangerous and toilsome. Several times the little company was pushed by Indians who were friendly to the French and for weeks they encamped on the snowy ground. Once Washington came near being drowned in a rushing stream. He notes this in his diary thus, There was no way for getting over but on a raft which we set about with but one poor hatchet and finished just after sunsetting. This was a whole day's work. We next got it launched then went on board of it and set off. But before we were half way over we were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft would sink and our cells perish. I put out my setting pole to try to stop the raft that the ice might pass by when the rapidity of the stream threw it with so much violence against the pole that it jerked me out into ten feet of water. But I fortunately saved myself from the cold of one of the raft logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts we could not get to either shore but were obliged as we were near an island to quit our raft and make to it. After such an adventure think of the night on a desert island and they could not even expect succor in the morning but the unexpected happened. Cakes of ice piled up on one side of the island in such a way that they were able to regain the shore. In the middle of January, 1754, Washington reached home and the next day made his report to the Governor. End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of George Washington This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Tom Mack Tucson, Arizona George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt translated by George P. Upton Washington's First Battles It was now clear to the Governor that the French were determined to defend what they called their right to the disputed territory. Therefore he considered it wise to proceed against them without delay. He believed that procrastination would only benefit the enemy by giving them time to strengthen their position. Accordingly he called the assembly of Virginia together, laid his plan before it and urged its speedy execution. The Burgesses however met his demands at first with great coldness. It was said that the rights of the mother country England to the Ohio region were in any case of a very doubtful nature. If however the King of England wished to support his claims to it he should send over soldiers from England. Finally however they agreed to grant 10,000 pounds for the enlistment of troops. Washington had shown himself so capable in every respect in carrying out the mission requested to him that the governor did not hesitate to offer him the chief responsibility of the troops but he declined the honor as quote the responsibility was too great for his youth and inexperience end quote. The governor then appointed the English Colonel Joshua Fry an intelligent and experienced officer commander in chief and Washington was persuaded to accept command with the title of Lieutenant Colonel. They immediately set out on their march. Washington leading the vanguard which consisted of only three companies. On the Ohio frontier he had an opportunity to strike the first blow by attacking a French scouting party which had come out to pick him off. Only one Frenchman saved himself by flight. The rest were either killed or taken prisoners. Indians took part in this skirmish against the French. A letter which Washington sent a few days later to the governor shows what an ardent soldier he was quote your honor may depend I will not be surprised let them come at whatever they will and this is as much as I can promise but my best endeavors shall not be wanting to effect more. I doubt not you may hear I am beaten but you will hear at the same time that we have done our duty in fighting as long as there is a shadow of hope close quote at this time Fry suddenly died and the governor again invited Washington take command of the troops this time elated by his recent victory he did not refuse the call the march was resumed under great difficulties he was joined by a great many Indian families who proved themselves useful as scouts but they were not to be counted on during an engagement it turned out later that some of these savages were sent into his camp as spies by the French the march now took him through a mountainous region the horses were worn out and there were so few of them they managed not only to carry heavy burdens but also to take turns in dragging the field pieces the commander encouraged officers and men by word and example he loaded his horse with baggage and went afoot himself after a march of several days they reached an old encampment where some entrenchments had been thrown up the men were thoroughly exhausted it had been raining incessantly for several days and for a whole week there had been no bread Washington resolved therefore to rest for a few days in this spot and await the arrival of expected provisions here they were suddenly attacked by an overwhelming number of the French it was at an early hour in the morning when the enemy fired upon them Washington who was prepared had his troops march out to the plane the French however continued firing from ambush and it was soon evident that in spite of their superior numbers they did not intend to give up their favorable position but that their object was rather to entice their foes into the forest but Washington avoided this fell back into his entrenchments and ordered his troops to be very careful of their ammunition and to fire only when there was some chance of success the French who had Indian warriors in their service were posted on a thickly wooded height from whence they kept up a sharp fire all day it rained without intermission the trenches filled with water and the muskets became more and more useless toward evening the French called out that they wanted to parley but as Washington believed the enemy was only anxious to spy out his camp he paid no attention to the demand after a while another message came from the French adding that they did not wish to enter the camp and asking that an officer should be sent to them for whose safety they pledged their honor Washington consented to this and the result of the conference which now took place was that Washington agreed to an honorable capitulation by his firmness and valiant resistance he had succeeded in concealing his real situation which had become desperate because the provision wagons had remained so far behind that the troops were entirely without food and the ammunition was very nearly exhausted if the French had been informed of the miserable condition of the entrenchments for the restoration of which nothing could be done they never would have agreed to such a capitulation and if the battle had been continued Washington and his troops would probably have been doomed to destruction the next morning he left the entrenchments with military honors and they were once occupied by the French Washington had done the best which could be done under the circumstances for which he and his soldiers received the acknowledgement of the Governor and the House of Burgesses Washington had one serious obstacle to contend with during the whole campaign the militia was receiving less pay than the British soldiers he now took up this subject anew the continuance of the rule was evidently equivalent to contempt for the Virginia militia but in fact it was admitted fought heroically as his demands were not exceeded to in regard to several other regulations he was not in accord with the Governor he demanded his dismissal but his retirement did not last long the following year two well-equipped British regiments under command of General Braddock landed and Washington was persuaded by the new commander he expressed himself with noble candor to a friend on his reasons for this step I do not think I should be blamed if I believe that I deserve some praise considering that my only object in taking part in this campaign is the commendable wish to serve my country neither ambition nor desire of gain move me to this step I hope that this is clearly by my going as a volunteer with no expectation of pay or any hope of receiving a command as I am firmly convinced that General Braddock is not at liberty to give me any post which I would accept end quote the march to the Ohio was immediately commenced and there certainly would have been important results achieved if only the valiant British general had been more willing to listen to good advice in haughty security he moved his battalions forward led by the music of the military bands as though he were on a parade ground sending out scouts seemed to him a measured noting cowardice and not caution he was therefore soon surrounded by swarms of Indian foes and very soon the enemy knew the strength and destination of the company it was on the 9th of June when the British fell into an ambush shade where a terrific fire poured in on them from the French and Indians who had taken up sheltered positions a greater part of the soldiers of the vanguard fell among them 26 officers a still greater number were wounded and General Braddock paid for this with foolhardy rashness with his life it was almost a miracle that Washington was saved as long as Braddock was alive Washington went dashing to and fro with orders from one threatened point to another when the commander had fallen he sought the most dangerous places trying to save the day and many of the enemy recognized him as a dangerous foe who knew how to inspire his men to renewed order by admonition and example the number of Indians who had for some time been directing a well-aimed fire at him finally desisted when the fruitlessness of their efforts led them to believe that the great spirit had taken the man under his protection a chieftain told this afterward Washington himself believed that God had protected him for he wrote to a friend quote but by the all-powerful dispensations of providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation for I had four bullets through my coat and two horses shot under me and yet escaped unhurt though death was leveling my companions on every side of me end quote it was owing to his courage and coolness that at least a part of the army was saved throughout the country there was but one opinion of Washington's ability a preacher delivered the following eulogy from the pulpit quote as one who has distinguished himself on this occasion I must mention that heroic youth Colonel Washington whom I cannot hope providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country he wrote Washington retired to Mount Vernon which he had in the meanwhile inherited through the death of his brother's daughter but he retained the post of adjutant general and tried by appropriate drilling and ordinances to prepare the militia under him for efficiency in active service the defeat of Braddock had frightened the Virginians out of their indifference and it was recognized that money and troops must not be spared if the constantly increasing menace of war was to be suppressed everyone wished to entrust Washington with the chief command as the reader has already learned his mother was not one of those timid creatures who shrink from every breath of danger and extinguish every spark of courage in the breast of their sons still the lively picture of dangers with which her son had been threatened in the last battle moved her to beg him with tears to give up military service forever he sought tenderly to reassure her by speaking of God who is master of life and death and he added quote if the command is pressed upon me by the general voice of the country and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected to it would reflect dishonor on me to refuse it and that I am sure must and ought to give you greater uneasiness than my going in an honorable command end quote but he was not willing to undertake such an exceedingly difficult post as that of commander in chief without making conditions with clear insight into the requirements of the situation he demanded that the commander in chief have a voice in the choice of his officers punctual payment of their salaries and a complete revision of all the commissary department according to principles proposed by him all this was granted and soon proved advantageous to the war footing of the army later he introduced another law in the house of burgesses which gave the military courts the right to punish murderers and deserters and by which even gaming drinking, cursing and loose life were to be appropriately punished it took a determined man like Washington not only to have those laws passed but to enforce them one of the principal tasks of his campaign was to drive the French out of Fort Duquesne in Ohio and in this he succeeded thereby the power of the French on the Ohio was destroyed and for the last and most difficult part of the task which had occupied him for several years and so extraordinarily employed his faculties was finished the Indian tribes that had been on the French side now came over to the victors and made overtures of peace which were accepted when Washington had accomplished this honorable task he laid down his command and retired to private life end of chapter 5 recording by Tom Mack Tucson, Arizona recording by Michael Fasio George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt translated by George P. Upton Chapter 6 A Year of Peace Washington was twenty-seven years old when he settled at Mount Vernon in the hope of enjoying a life of peaceful domesticity it was his good fortune to find a life companion who was his equal in mind and tastes this was Martha Custis a beautiful young widow two lovely children a boy of six and a daughter of four years Washington's fortune was already a handsome one since he had inherited Mount Vernon and through his marriage it was increased by one hundred thousand dollars his union was not blessed with children but Washington brought up his step-children as carefully as though they had been his own quote I hope he wrote to a friend shortly after his marriage quote he now arranged a plan of life his greatest inclination was to occupy himself with farming and gardening he also intended to enjoy the treasures of art and literature but it is only a few months after his marriage that we find him again engaged in public affairs at Williamsburg the seat at the assembly where the representatives of the colonies held their sessions he had not sought a nomination contrary to the public affairs he had not sought a nomination contrary to the usual custom in the colonies he had not even put himself in touch with the voters it was the unbounded confidence of the people alone which had given him the election if he had only considered what was personally most agreeable to himself he would have remained on his beautiful estate but duty as the true patriot understands it left him no choice it must have been a consolation to his family that the sessions of the assembly usually lasted but a few months in each year when Washington's election was announced in the assembly he was determined by a vote of the house to mark his installation by a signal testimonial of respect accordingly as soon as he took his seat Mr. Robinson, the speaker in eloquent language dictated by the warmth of private friendship returned thanks on behalf of the colony for the distinguished military services that had entered his country Mr. Robinson became so carried away by enthusiasm and the warmth of his feelings and used such fiery language that the young hero was greatly embarrassed he stood up to acknowledge the honor done him but his embarrassment was so great that he began to tremble violently and could not utter a word he blushed, stammered and remained speechless the speaker then came to the rescue with a presence of mind intact which would have done honor to Louis XIV in the happiest and proudest moments of his life quote sit down Mr. Washington unquote he said with a reassuring smile quote your modesty equals your valor and that surpasses the power of any language I possess unquote it has often been noted that great men are especially apt to be overcome with confusion on their first attempt at speaking in public with the intellect of those whom they are to address together with a modest estimate of their own powers causes their timidity while a high opinion of one's own talents and a low estimate of the intellectual caliber of one's hearers often leads to an overweening self-confidence this timidity to which earnest natures are prone disappears gradually it was so with Washington he never became a brilliant orator indeed he never made a set speech in spite of this his influence as a representative was exceedingly important with the same conscientiousness which we have noted thus far in all his work he studied every question which came before the assembly the demands of duty coincided with his old habit of constantly striving to widen his intellectual horizon through faithful study as his powers of judgment were very keen and he followed the discussions with strict attention his expositions which were generally short had almost always great weight his mode of expression was simple as it did not deal with appearances but was always to the point thus it happened that a few of his pertinent remarks were often sufficient to change the trend of the discussion completely when he arose to speak everyone paid attention what does Washington say about this or that question this was often heard amongst the members his principal guide was the ardent wish to make himself useful to his country this was expressed in his whole attitude which never showed the slightest trace of frivolity he was scarcely ever late at the meetings or went away before the close in this respect also he showed himself to be a true patriot and thoroughly a bright man and with all what childlike gaiety and light-heartedness he could exhibit in his family circle or in the society of intimate friends the advice which Washington gave to his nephew when he was about to take his seat in the assembly is notable quote if you wish he said to him to hold the attention of those present I can only advise that you speak seldom and only on important points with the exception of matters pertaining to your constituents in the first case make yourself thoroughly acquainted beforehand with the question do not allow yourself to be carried away by undue ardor and do not rely too much on your own judgment a dictatorial tone though it may sometimes be convincing is always irritating unquote he still had the greater part of the year in which to follow his favorite pursuits which were as has always been remarked of an agricultural nature and Mount Vernon was a magnificent country seat Washington Irving says quote the mansion was beautifully situated on a swelling height crowned with wood and commanding a magnificent view up and down the Potomac the grounds immediately about it were laid out somewhat in English taste the estate was apportioned into separate farms devoted to different kinds of culture each having its allotted laborers much however was still covered with wild woods seemed with deep dels and runs of water and indented with inlets haunts of deer and lurking place of foxes the whole woody region along the Potomac from Mount Vernon to Bellevue and far beyond with its range of forests and hills and picturesque promontories afforded sport of various kinds and was a noble hunting ground unquote Washington himself speaks to the place in one of his letters and from his description one can see how fond he was quote no estate in united America unquote he says quote is more pleasantly situated in a high and healthy country in a latitude between the extremes of heat and cold on one of the finest rivers in the world a river well stocked with various kinds of fish and all seasons of the year and then the springless shad herrings base carp sturgeon etc in great abundance the borders of the estate are washed by more than 10 miles of tide water several valuable fisheries appertained to it the whole shore in fact is one entire fishery unquote a great plantation in Virginia at that time was like a little principality the principal house which was occupied by the owner was the seat of power in a neighboring house lived the steward or overseer of the slaves who was the prime minister of the little kingdom connected with his house were kitchens workshops and stables there was a crowd of negro servants hanging about the buildings in manor house the number who worked in the fields was still greater and their neat cabins formed a little village a well laid out garden belonged to each cabin the barnyard swarmed with fowls and negro children disported themselves before the cabins in the sunshine with these hints the reader can complete the picture of Mount Vernon in his own mind the owners in the colony who like the marrow vignians of old left the management of their estates entirely in the hands of their stewards only requiring the payment of the income so that they might enjoy as many luxuries as possible but this was not so at Mount Vernon Washington was the prince and father of his little kingdom almost daily and generally on horseback he visited his fields pastures fisheries and mills as a result on this tour of inspection with guilt buttons let us take the opportunity of presenting a picture of the stately man as it has been drawn for us Washington's dignified bearing was without pride his firmness without obstinacy or arrogance his outward appearance was equally harmonious the effect of his gigantic stature Washington was over six feet tall was modified by beauty and perfect proportion he was like a grand building in which the complete symmetry of the separate parts gives it charm his fiery nature was held in check by good sense his courage was never foolhardy nor did his caution ever proceed from fear his reliable judgment was the result of a good memory industry and hard work with him never degenerated into unsociability or moroseness when Washington drove to church with his family or went on a visit to William Fairfax or some other relative or friend the state coach with its four horses was brought out then the black servants, coachmen and overseer donned gorgeous liveries but how is this the reader will perhaps ask did Washington own slaves in answering this question one must take into consideration that Washington was born into a slave community the custom of a country puts its stamp on each and every native citizen we shall never be able to judge any historical personage without carefully studying the customs of the period and the intellectual tendencies of his time not until this has been done can the question be asked how did this man stand in relation to the prevailing opinions and customs of his time slavery was an ugly blot on the state especially the slavery which was inaugurated during the Christian era nothing is so fertile and expedience as human selfishness it was represented to these most Christian majesty King Louis XIII of France that free Negroes would not accept Christianity that if they were made slaves it would be an easy matter to make Christians of them furthermore they said the Negro tribes have the custom of killing their prisoners of war should we introduce slavery into our colonies those tribes would no longer kill their captives but would sell them to us in this way we should save their lives and this would make slavery an advantage to them unquote this reasoning appealed to the king and thus this wrong which had been introduced by the Portuguese became lawful among the French it was not long before it was customary for the Portuguese, Spanish, French and English settlers to import Negroes the number of Negroes who were kidnapped is estimated at 40 millions the sins of the fathers had been visited heavily on the children as we know and the sacrifice of much blood was necessary to give back to the Negroes those human rights of which they had been despoiled returning to our history in order that we may not judge falsely we must inquire what attitude Washington took in regard to this institution in the midst of which he had grown up the first answer is toward his slaves he was like a wise father caring for his children what he did for them in later times we shall relate at the end of the story he did not overburden his slaves with work but he did not allow them to be idle idleness seemed almost worse to him than an over-plus of work nature is one great workshop those organisms which no longer work fall into decay useful work preserves and stimulates the body and mind of man laziness is the forerunner of mental decay he who turns away from all useful occupations is subject to wicked thoughts therefore the old proverb is full of truth quote Satan finds work for idle hands to do unquote he who governs others must be careful to keep them properly employed everybody has at least one person to command himself let him take care that this person does not give way to idleness to fashion one's own character is the highest kind of task but he alone accomplishes this who is careful to do his work to perfection in this sense every human being has an opportunity to perfect himself whether he uses an eel walks behind the plow or whether the pen is his implement as long as a man works under compulsion he is on a low plane of development he is exposed to the danger of perishing it is only the influence from without that it holds in compulsion is after all a blessing for him through it he may not reach a high degree of efficiency from the moment however that a man begins to follow his calling with the avowed purpose not only of fulfilling the duties of his position but endeavors to grow morally and intellectually he belongs to a higher order of humanity all benefactors of the human race have been of this higher order they labored in the sweat of their brows and still were happy in the thought that their work was equally of advantage to themselves and to others through labor and sorrow their lives gained value in this order of humanity there are of course different degrees of rank to one who belongs to it however the way is open to the summit of human felicity anyone may seek this path whatever station in life he may occupy only fulfill the duties which your position demands of you and this happy goal may be yours conscientiousness and faithfulness may be bitter but how many squander their thoughts and feelings on unworthy objects good fortune is always close beside us and doing our duty is the magic formula which makes it our own in regard to a true estimate of the value of work the example of Washington and his friends among them we at once think of the splendid Franklin has not been without its fruits among Americans the Frenchman Laboulet has said quote press the more we comprehend that the man who works is the true nobleman and that he who does nothing is a man whom we have much to forgive however rich he may be in the United States the man who does nothing is considered an enemy of society mothers protect their daughters from him and all sensible people withhold their respect from him that he who does nothing will end by doing evil is the right conclusion of the Americans unquote Washington's work consisted in regulating the labor of his servants overseeing them and disposing the right forces in the proper places as we have said he was as anxious to keep his slaves from being overworked as he was to keep them from idleness in his diaries we find notes of how he managed to preserve the balance he noted exactly how much this or that piece of work progressed in a given time and made a plan for the day's work in accordance with this observation of course he took into consideration the delays which are inevitable under certain conditions the best of all was that he often lent a hand himself one great feature of the evil which slavery brought into the world consisted in the feeling which grew up among the masters that any form of farm work or manual labor was degrading as the slaves had to do all of this degrading work they felt that they were under a curse these were the common views of antiquity and during the slavery times in the American colonies they began to acquire a fresh hold it is somewhat of a question whether even now more sensible opinions prevail among those who call themselves aristocrats at Mount Vernon the slaves often saw their master at work in the garden or in the fields at one time he spent several days in the smithy with his negroes fashioning a new plow of his own invention the work was carried out to his satisfaction and thereupon the negroes saw him set to work plowing up a new piece of meadowland one of his mills was in danger of being destroyed by a flood in a pouring rain he marched out of the head of his servants and helped to do the work which was needful in order to save the building Washington was in the habit of rising very early in the winter long before daybreak he did not wish to disturb others however in the early morning hours he lit his own fire and read and wrote until breakfast was ready for the family which in summer was seven o'clock and in winter at eight o'clock he then took two cups of tea and with them a few hoe cakes at two o'clock he died although he was rich his table was very simple at dinner he drank two glasses of wine and sometimes he took cider he went to bed at nine o'clock he kept a complete record of the many kinds of work which were carried on on his estates with separate books for letter copies thus he was able to maintain a complete and clear oversight over his affairs the principal product of the plantations was tobacco which was an important article of export to England there were several lading places on the Potomac River for the tobacco which was grown for the market on the mountain for an estate it was not long before Washington had acquired such a reputation for reliability and square dealing with the foreign merchants that they considered it unnecessary to have a fair faxes and bales which bore his stamp he was very fond of exercising hospitality as his diaries tell us we find in them the names of all the men who later became celebrated in the colonies especially during the fox hunting season his house was often the meeting place for neighboring lovers of the sport for he found hunting in agreeable relaxation among the visitors one of whom was the venerable lord Fairfax there were a number of highly educated gentlemen to have intercourse with men of this kind was as great a necessity for him as was the reading of good books but his activities extended beyond the borders of his own estate with men of congenial minds he discussed a plan for draining and turning into pasture land a great swamp nearly 30 miles long and 10 miles wide he made the necessary inspection himself both on foot and on horseback the tour was exceedingly twillsome and dangerous in many spots at certain places he found thick forests of cypresses cedars and foliage trees with long moss hanging from the branches again he was obliged to force his way through thickets of thorn and creepers his horse often sunk to its haunches in the marsh it was then necessary to proceed on foot over the uncertain ground and after making a reconnaissance to make his way back to the horse over the same dangerous path in this way he penetrated from several directions into this unknown wilderness until he had as clear an idea of it as possible and then he drew up a plan for draining and making the marsh airable the fact that the plan had been drawn up by Washington and that he considered its execution entirely feasible was sufficient to cause a number of well-to-do people to form a company to take up the work it took but a few years to transform this wild region into a splendid strip of land composed of fruitful fields and grassy pastures these occupations were very congenial and Washington wished for nothing more earnestly than that he might be allowed to pass his whole life in the same manner but Providence had ordained otherwise an event happened which this law-abiding subject never could have desired for he was devoted to the mother country the colonies quarreled with England and it was this circumstance which suddenly tore him from his peaceful existence End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of George Washington This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Michael Fosya George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton Chapter 7 A Quarrel with the Mother Country We must now consider the reasons for the quarrel with the mother country Woe to the lawbreaker The lawbreaker causing this disagreement was the English government According to the English Constitution new taxes could not be laid upon the people without the consent of their representatives It now suddenly occurred to the government to tax the colonies without asking their permission Thus it was acting contrary to the principles of the Constitution All right thinking people will agree that one of the saddest spectacles in history is to see a government whose sacred duty it is to be the guardian of the law working for its overthrow The Anglo-American disagreement furnishes this mournful spectacle Lord Camden one of those astute statesmen in England who foresaw the consequences of such action said to Franklin quote In spite of your oft-protested love for England I know that some day you Americans will shake off the bonds which unite you to us and raise the flag of independence unquote was afterward recalled and the reasons for it were sought and not in vain The English government seems to have been possessed by a spirit of lawlessness at that time while the American colonies were distinguished just at the same period in an extraordinary degree by a high regard for law Thus Lord Camden saw the day approaching when the unjust demands of the government would arouse the resistance of the Americans Franklin had assured Camden from the thoughts of his countrymen then a separation from the mother country and the formation of an independent state Franklin, indeed, added the words quote that is until you treat us shamefully unquote to which Lord Camden answered significantly quote that is true and that is precisely one of the reasons which I foresee will bring this to pass unquote Lord Camden's predictions were fulfilled by a representative of King George arbitrarily imposed duties upon certain articles in the colonies this illegal procedure was answered by the American population refusing to buy the taxed goods sent over from England the act was annulled but not on the ground of unlawfulness but because it was determined to tax a class of goods which it was thought America could not do without the government said to itself contracts shall be legal only when they are executed upon stamped paper as there are innumerable contracts entered into between the merchants and the colonies and stamps must be purchased for them there will be no alternative the inhabitants will be compelled to pay the tax which we shall lay upon these documents here it made another mistake the Americans in their business dealings now employed only verbal promises and oaths the English tax agents could not sell a single stamped paper there was more or less unrest here and there the evident injustice of the measure caused some outbreaks among the people but the leaders tried to keep the agitation within legal bounds even yet Washington was far from thoughts of a separation he wrote to a friend quote I can testify that in fact independence is neither the desire nor for the interest of the colonies but unquote he added quote you may be sure that not one of them will ever allow those valuable rights to be destroyed which are essential to the happiness of a free country and without which life liberty and property are without security unquote parliament was blind enough to give its approval to the arbitrary measures of the government in spite of this the wish was general among the great majority of American citizens that matters should not come to a real break the question was prayed over in the churches the decisions were sent to London to the king and the parliament Washington wrote to a member of that body quote the repeal to whatever cause owing ought much to be rejoiced at four had the parliament of Great Britain resolved upon enforcing it the consequences I can see would have been more diaphragm than is generally apprehended both to the mother country and her colonies all therefore who are instrumental in procuring the repeal title to the thanks of every British subject and have mine cordially unquote the stamp act was now annulled but again only because nothing had been accomplished by it the evil intent toward the American colonies remained it was not long before the English government with the assistance of parliament imposed a new duty on tea paper, glass and painters colors this embittered everyone anew immediately leagues were formed in several colonies whose members pledged themselves not to buy goods imported from England except in case of the greatest necessity it was hoped that this would cause English citizens at home to persuade the government to cancel this new duty Washington wrote to a friend quote at a time when our lordly masters in Great Britain will be satisfied with nothing less than the deprivation of American freedom it seems highly necessary that something should be done to avert the stroke and maintain the liberty which we have derived from our ancestors but the manner of doing it to answer the purpose effectually is the point in question that no man should scruple or hesitate a moment to use arms in defense of so valuable a blessing is clearly my opinion yet arms I would beg leave to add should be the last resort the durnier resort we have already it is said to prove the inefficacy of addresses to the throne and remonstraces to parliament how far then their attention to our rights and privileges is to be awakened or alarmed by starving their trade and manufacturers remains to be tried the northern colonies it appears are endeavoring to adopt this scheme in my opinion it is a good one and must be attended with salutary effects provided it can be carried pretty generally into execution unquote this letter of Washington shows the attitude of the best men of the time toward the illegal measures of parliament but England went farther still along the hazardous path on what she had entered one wrong begets another it was determined to treat the resistance to the duties as high treason as the American judges would not agree to this the government arbitrarily introduced new courts composed of British naval officers whose attitude was assured beforehand besides this it set aside magistrates this again contrary to the laws of the land and created new ones finally it was ordained that in future all of the more serious crimes should be tried in England instead of in the colonies this despotic behavior increased the bitterness in the minds of the Americans here and there their anger blazed up one heard of bloody encounters between the American populace and British soldiers the latter gave the Americans the nickname of Yankees which in the Iroquois tongue meant cowardly and bad the people retorted by calling the British soldiers crabs and bloodhounds in allusion to their red uniforms for a time ships which brought tea from England were refused admission to Boston Harbour whereupon the harbour was surrounded by British ships the harbour claimed that the refusal of tea ships would no longer be tolerated this so aroused the ire of the Bostonians that it was determined to destroy the tea a band of men disguised as Indians boarded the ships at night and 342 chests of tea were thrown into the water in consequence of this act the port of Boston was closed by the British that was a heavy blow for the city whose commerce was practically destroyed by this measure the inhabitants did not yield upon this the English government through the parliament in London instructed the other colonies to treat the inhabitants of Massachusetts as rebels arguments were made in parliament for and against this course a general who denounced the attitude of the citizens of Boston with extreme bitterness said that he would pledge himself to drive the whole lot of American rebels from one end of the world to the other with five regiments of infantry others defended the Americans Wilkes showed that the British had adopted an unjust and inequitable course against the colonists quote it is our ministers unquote he continued quote who wished to lose the bonds which unite North America with Great Britain while the colonists wish for nothing but peace freedom and security unquote he adjured parliament to adopt a more just procedure towards them quote it is possible unquote he concluded quote that you might be able to burn Boston or to place a strong garrison there but the whole province will be lost to you from this moment I see America's independence growing and gathering strength I see her in her freedom attaining a greatness equal to the richest and mightiest empires in the world do you wish to push the Americans to desperation good you will see them defend their property with that courage which hatred of tyranny inspires with the courage that comes down to them from our illustrious forefathers who fought in defense of their threatened liberties unquote the warning was in vain the majority in parliament shared the blindness of the ministry and not only the inhabitants of Boston but of the whole province were declared rebels that is they were put under military law this was equal to a declaration of war as soon as the decree was made known in Massachusetts the representatives of the colony met at Salem and from there issued a call to all the American colonies to a general congress the call was accepted by nearly all of them though the delegates from Georgia did not arrive until later Philadelphia was chosen as a place of meeting and the first continental congress convened on the 4th of September 1774 the greater part of the 51 members were thoughtful dignified men Washington was the most distinguished amongst them he had written a short time before this to a friend quote what is it we are contending against is it against paying the duty of three pence per pound on tea because burdens him no it is our right only that we have all along disputed if I had no doubt that the British parliament had a right to tax us without our consent and contrary to our charters and our constitution I should consider in treaties and in treaties only the sole means through which we should seek redress but my firm conviction is that the British parliament has no more right to put its hand in my pocket than I have to put mine into my neighbors unquote the proposal to open the congress with prayer was adopted unanimously the minister began his petition with God's aid in a just cause with the words of the 35th Psalm quote plead my cause oh lord with them that strive with me fight against them that fight against me take hold of shield and buckler and stand up for mine help unquote next a quote declaration of rights unquote was drawn up which stated the lawful rights of the colonies clearly and concisely furthermore the resolution to refrain from buying English goods until the unlawful demands had been withdrawn was renewed and finally an address to the English people a memorial to the American people and a petition to the king were framed they were anxious not to destroy the possibility of a peaceful adjustment even at the last moment the English people were addressed with firmness and dignity quote you have been told quote quote that we are rebels who are weary of submission to authority and seek independence be assured that this is calamity grant us the same freedom that you enjoy and we shall glory in our union with you and esteem it our greatest happiness we shall always be ready to sacrifice all that lies in our power for the welfare of the empire we shall consider your enemies our enemies and your interests our interests but should you be determined to allow your ministers to trifle with human dignity should neither the voice of justice nor the precepts of the law nor the basis of the constitution nor feelings of humanity deter you from shedding our blood we must declare to you that we shall never debase ourselves to become the slaves of any minister or of any nation in the world quote the king as well as the ministry and parliament persisted in their blindness the greatest english statesman chatham warned his countrymen in vain and pleaded with enthusiasm but fruitlessly the just and honorable cause of the americans quote when your lord ships quote look at the papers transmitted us from america when you consider their decency firmness and wisdom you cannot but respect their cause and wish it to make it your own for myself i must avow that in all my reading and i have read through citities and have studied and admired the master states of the world for solidity of reason force of sagacity and wisdom of conclusion under a complication of difficult circumstances no body of men can stand in preference to the general congress at philadelphia quote when he said i rejoice that america has resisted three millions of people so dead do all the feelings of liberty as voluntarily to submit to be slaves would have been fit instruments to make slaves of the rest quote not only in washington's whole previous life and career but particularly his attitude at the congress caused his countrymen to look to him with the greatest confidence when one of the most prominent members patrick henry was asked on his return home whom he considered the most important man among the members he answered quote if you refer to eloquence rutledge of south carolina is by far the greatest orator but if you speak of thorough knowledge and sound judgment without question colonel washington is the greatest man in that body unquote it was a comfort to all who had reached the conclusion that the day of conflict was not far distant that washington not only had great gifts as a statesman but had already proved himself an accomplished soldier end of chapter 7 chapter 8 of george washington this is a librivox recording all librivox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit librivox.org george washington by ferdan n schmitt p upton a trial of arms the best men in england had appealed to the sense of justice and fairness of the government and of parliament without effect the colony of massachusetts was placed under military rule the order was given to seize the military stores in the colonies and the beginning was made in boston at this a quite of indignation resounded throughout the country it was no longer possible not to perceive that tyranny was determined to set its foot on the necks of the american people patriots assembled ready to give their lives for the preservation of their rights the abolition of a second armory at concorde led to a conflict the british were 800 strong the americans but 80 when the british had accomplished their purpose they began their march back to boston but this retreat proved calamitous they were surrounded by the americans who had received reinforcements and who continually attacked them their loss was frightful and not one of the 800 would have reached boston had not the british general sent out a troop of 1000 men to meet them the americans had not been able to save their stores at concorde but this success was a great encouragement to them they had fought against picked and well disciplined troops while they were only an untrained band of citizens and farmers armed with any kind of weapon that came to hand they were good hunters and knew well how to make use of each tree and ridge and stone wall from behind which to fire a mode of fighting sharp shooting which later was used by all armies was now heard from hamlet to hamlet from village to village and from town to town whoever had the freedom of his country at heart and a just hatred of tyranny took his musket from the wall girded on his sword and bade his dear ones farewell these plain people ready to assemble at a moment's notice the minute men did not stop to don uniforms simple blouse over their clothes the well to do were their powdered wigs shortly before this the british soldiers had made fun of the blouses and wigs but after the disastrous retreat from concorde to boston all their waggery deserted them from all sides the americans began their march on boston which was in the hands of the enemy the city was soon surrounded on the landside of boston americans their first duty was to observe the enemy and not to allow them to enter the country the situation was hard on the citizens who were under the eyes of the british and could not make a move the british general gauge fearing that the inhabitants might embrace some favorable opportunity to rise against him promised to allow them to join their comrades and marched out of the city if they would leave their arms behind they delivered up their weapons whereupon he broke his word and detained them as hostages to the joy of the british and the despair of the americans english ships appeared one day in the harbour they brought reinforcements of 4000 men under general howl an arrogant man who believed that it would be the easiest thing in the world to disperse the americans he had been made commander in chief of the british army in the colonies what he now heard on landing in boston of the retreat of the british from concord must have somewhat shaken his feeling of security for he did not in accordance with his boastful words proceed immediately to attack the besieging american troops instead the first move was made by them in a single night they had thrown up entrenchments close to the city to take these general howl sent out the whole british force against the enemy both sides fought desperately the american riflemen had twice repulsed the british and would probably have met further attack successfully had not their ammunition given out thus the brave men were obliged to retreat after the third assault but they retired in good order leaving the enemy too exhausted to think of pursuing them the british held the battlefield but how brilliantly the untrained defenders of liberty had met the well disciplined and picked troops of the enemy led by their experienced generals the loss of the americans was but 453 while the british had lost 1054 men i have never heard of such slaughter within so short a time said general howl this was the battle of bunker hill and the americans who fell there richly merited the monument which was after were directed on this spot to their memories everyone felt that troops inspired with such a spirit would know how to defend the liberties of their country when washington heard of the battle he cried with profound emotion the freedom of the country is assured the entrenchments were in the possession of the british but the battle had not raised the siege of boston end of chapter 8 chapter 9 of george washington this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org george washington by ferdan ann schmitt translation by george p upton chapter 9 washington chosen commander in chief on the 10th of may 1775 the continental congress again assembled the means of defense for all the colonies was taken under consideration washington took the principle part in these deliberations as he had been chosen chairman of all the committees on military affairs the situation now called for the appointment of a commander in chief there were able men in congress who had served as officers in the british army and one or another of them rather expected to be chosen for the position in the first battles the pursuit of the british and the bloody battle of bunker hill able leaders had also arisen there were a few who made great efforts to get the appointment while washington refrained from influencing anyone in his own behalf as indeed was his custom under like circumstances throughout his life at last on the 15th of june a vote was taken and when the votes were counted it was found that washington with the exception of his own vote had been unanimously elected he expressed his thanks to the members for the confidence they had shown in him and promised to serve his country faithfully but added that he feared the task would be too great for him in closing he said lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation i beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room that i this day declare with the utmost sincerity i do not think myself equal to the command i am honored with he looked upon his election as a providential call which it would be very wrong to refuse it was his intention to exert his powers to the utmost the hope that god would lend him aid in accepting this appointment he made a great personal sacrifice to his country for he was not spurred by ambition and he comprehended clearly the magnitude of the task which was set before him his tastes inclined towards the delights of peaceful domestic life the activities of the garden and fields and now he was selected to conduct military operations which he must have known would even under the most favorable circumstances keep him away from his family and his home for a long time to come but piety in a strong sense of duty filled his manly soul and only a slight tinge of sadness marks the letters which he wrote immediately after the appointment he wrote to his wife whom he loved tenderly you may believe me when I assure you in the most solemn manner that so far from seeking this appointment I have used every endeavor in my power to avoid it not only from my unwillingness to part from you and the family but from a consciousness of its being a trust too great for my capacity and I should enjoy more real happiness in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding abroad I shall rely constantly on that providence which is heretofore preserved and be bountiful to me not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall I shall feel no pain from the toil or danger of the campaign my unhappiness will flow from the uneasiness I know you will feel from being left alone I therefore beg that you will summon your whole fortitude and pass your time as agreeably as possible nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this and to hear it from your own pen to a friend he wrote the cause of my country has laid a difficult and dangerous duty upon me but I hope that the all wise providence which guides human destinies will enable me to fulfill this duty faithfully and with success as commander in chief the sum of $500 a month was granted him but he positively refused any remuneration for his services he said that he would keep an account of expenses which he might incur in the public service and that if these should be paid it was all that he wished a prominent member of Congress the accomplished John Adams wrote to a friend there is something charming to me in the conduct of Washington a gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon the continent leaving his delicious retirement his family and friends sacrificing his ease and hazarding all in the cause of his country his views are noble and disinterested in the official letter of appointment which was delivered to him on the 20th of July a tribute was paid to his love of country his courage his kindness and the conscientiousness which he had shown under all circumstances and to the purity of his life as the day for his departure for the army drew near everyone who had not yet seen him endeavored to do so at the request of the officers he reviewed several companies of militia all were delighted with his military bearing Washington Irving says rarely has the public ideal of a commander been so fully answered he was now in the vigor of his days 43 years of age stately in person noble in his demeanor calm and dignified in his deportment as he sat his horse with manly grace his military presence delighted every eye and wherever he went the air rang with acclamations the brilliant wife of John Adams wrote in a letter to a friend dignity ease and complacency the gentleman and the soldier look agreeably blended in him modesty marks every line and feature of his face those lines of Dryden instantly occurred to me mark his majestic fabric he's a temple sacred by birth and built by hands divine End of chapter 9