 CHAPTER 10 Washington Washington before Boston At this crisis Congress felt that it must make one more appeal to the king. This was done in a petition, couched in the most respectful language. It says, We beg to assure Your Majesty that, in spite of the sufferings of your loyal colonists during the present disagreement, we still cherish such tender consideration for the kingdom to which we owe our origin, that we are far from demanding any agreement incompatible with the dignity and prosperity of the mother country. Thus the English government had another opportunity of adopting a conciliatory course. It did not do so. London paid no attention whatever to Congress. The answer intended for the Americans was to be written by House Bayonets, and the English government had no doubt that their general would soon report the downfall of the rebellion, as they called this justifiable resistance. In the meanwhile Washington had appeared before Boston. An army chaplain has left us with the following characteristic picture of the American camp. It is very diverting to walk among the camps. They are as different in their forms as the owners are in their dress, and every tent is a portraiture of the temper and taste of the persons who encamp in it. Some are made of boards, and others are made of sailcloth. Some are partly of one and partly of the other. Again others are made of stone and turf, brick and brush. Some are thrown up in a hurry, others curiously wrought with wreaths and wives. To his discomforture Washington did not find what he had hoped for. The American army consisted of sixteen thousand men, instead of twenty thousand, as he had been told, and of these only fourteen thousand were fit for military service. He found brave men, but not a homogenous army, instead large and small bands of men armed in promiscuous fashion under leaders who were totally independent of each other. There was no artillery, and even the most rudimentary military organization was lacking. To make a military unit of this heterogeneous mass was the first task which lay before him. It was to be expected that the solution of this problem would be attended with extraordinary difficulties. He had to deal with sons of the forest, who, though brave, were, owing to their unrestrained and independent lives, unused to military discipline. Such a task was not to be accomplished in a few days or weeks, but needed a long time. Inside the city a picked body of eleven thousand men was quartered, splendidly armed, and well equipped with all that was necessary to carry on the war. Thus Washington found more than enough work awaiting him from the first day of his arrival at headquarters. He was now repaid for the careful training of his youth, and his habit of conscientiously carrying out whatever he undertook, of seizing upon the essentials of a matter, and of persevering with strict attention and diligence, to the end. What industry, strength, firmness, and patience were necessary to call forth that spirit, without which harmony and action would be lacking and enduring success could not be attained. Under the existing circumstances there was at first no other course open to him than to imitate the method of Fabius, the Delayer. Thus the year passed and nothing had been done by either side. At the end of December a part of the American troops who had only enlisted for the current year demanded to be mustered out. It was their right, and Washington let them go. There were about ten thousand men left in the camp before Boston, while the enemy inside had in the meanwhile been strengthened by reinforcements from England. The patriots of the country had no idea of the difficulties with which Washington had to struggle. Many had expected to read in the newspapers of battles and victories during the first days of Washington's command, and now a year had passed and nothing had been done. Two of Washington's letters of that time, both of them to Colonel Reed, give sufficient explanation of the situation. The first letter says, Search the vast volumes of history through, and I much question whether a case similar to ours is to be found, to wit, to maintain a post against the flower of the British troops for six months together, without powder, and at the end of them to have one army disbanded and another to raise, within the same distance of a reinforced enemy. It is too much to attempt. What may be the final issue of the last maneuver time only can tell. I wish this month were well over our heads. The second letter is dated in February of the next year, 1776, in which he says, I know the unhappy predicament I stand in. I know that much is expected of me. I know that without men, without arms, without ammunition, without anything fit for the accommodation of a soldier, that little is to be done, and, which is mortifying, I know that I cannot stand justified to the world without exposing my own weakness and injuring the cause by declaring my wants, which I am determined not to do, further than unavoidable necessity brings every man acquainted with. My own situation feels so irksome to me at times, that if I did not consult the public good more than my own tranquility, I should long air this have put everything to the cast of a die. So far from my having an army of twenty thousand men, well armed, etc., I have been here with less than one half of it, including sick, furloughed, and on command, and those neither armed or clothed as they should be. In short, my situation has been such that I have been obliged to use art to conceal it from my own officers. Washington worked tirelessly over the reorganization of the army. He paid heed not only to outward conditions, accoutrements, maintenance, etc., but he aimed to infuse a new spirit into the whole mass. Among his troops there were not a few wild fellows who led disgraceful lives. Washington issued an order which read as follows. At this time of public distress men may find enough to do in the service of God and their country without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality. It is a noble cause we are engaged in. It is the cause of virtue and mankind. Every advantage and comfort to us and our posterity depend upon the vigour of our exertions. In short, freedom or slavery must be the result of our conduct. There can, therefore, be no greater inducement to men to behave well. But it may not be amiss to the troops to know that if any man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself, or retreat from the enemy without the order of his commanding officer he will be instantly shot down as an example of cowardice, cowards having too frequently disconcerted the best-formed troops by their dastardly behavior. In camp this order of the day was attributed to a determination of the general's part to risk striking a blow. And it was so. It was his intention to occupy Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. On the night of the third to fourth of March, while he heavily bombarded the city to distract the attention of the enemy, the Heights were occupied and immediately fortified. This work was carried on with such zeal and success that the next morning at daybreak, when General Howe gazed up at the Heights he could not conceal his amazement and broke out with the words, The rebels have done more work in one night than my whole army would have done in one month. Washington was prepared for a furious onslaught from the enemy, for Dorchester Heights commanded the town, and therefore a repetition of the bloody fight at Bunker Hill was to be expected. Heavy rains for the next two days, however, prevented the British from advancing to the attack, while the Americans continued their work on the fortifications industriously. When the storm had subsided and Howe again inspected the work on the Heights, he decided that he dare not risk an attack. There was nothing left for him but the bitter alternative of evacuating the city and taking to the ships with his whole army. Immediately afterward Washington entered Boston. The news of this event aroused the greatest joy all over the country. Congress determined to cause a gold medal bearing the relief of Washington to be coined in commemoration of the liberation of Boston. With a humble heart the General thanked God for the victory that had been won. He was happy in the conviction that this event would strengthen the confidence of the Patriots. He would have been glad to dispense with the honor which was to be paid him, for he foresaw full well that the road to complete success in the establishment of independence was to be a long and arduous one. CHAPTER XI 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. Recorded by Aaron Parsons George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton The Declaration of Independence As all their representations and petitions for just treatment had been made in vain, the Americans felt that the time had come to declare this to the world and to explain that they considered themselves absolved from all their duties to England and resolved to form a state of their own. It was a solemn moment when the announcement was made to the people assembled before the House of Congress in Philadelphia on the 4th of July 1776 that the thirteen colonies of America had voted for the Declaration of Independence and the bell rang out upon which were engraved the words Liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. The peeling of this bell awakened the neighboring bells to life and these still others so that they echoed and re-echoed from village to village, from town to town and thus within a short time the whole expectant country learned that the great and momentous step had been taken that separated it completely and irrevocably from the mother country, a step to which English tyranny had forced the American people. Everywhere festivals were held to celebrate this great event. The inhabitants of Savannah organized a funeral procession and the effigy of George III was buried in front of the state house. One of the citizens pronounced a formal funeral oration in which he said, among other things. The king has broken his oath to the crown in the most shameless fashion. He has trodden the constitution of our country and the sacred rites of man under foot. For this we lay his political body in the grave, the corrupt to corruption, in the confident hope that it will remain buried forever and ever and never be resurrected to reign again over these free and independent states of America. All freedom loving people in Europe were in sympathy with the struggle across the ocean. Timid souls to be sure believed that this example would raise a storm everywhere against the monarchical form of government, although the Americans had been an example of long suffering patients. Had they not striven to maintain the monarchical form with admirable devotion? What had they asked of the king? Only that the laws of the land should be respected. Laws of the foundational pillars of all government, even the monarchic. It is certainly true that it was King George III and his ministers who broke the tie which bound the colonies to England, and that the colonies did not declare themselves an independent nation until all their sincere efforts for legislation had failed, owning to the obstinacy of the English government. Instead of giving them bread, it offered them a stone. Tyranny answered their respectful petitions with powder and lead instead of a conciliatory recognition of their rights. The Declaration of Independence is a masterpiece in style and contents. The Americans did not invite others to follow their example. Indeed, they deprecate this. For it says, prudence indeed will dictate that government's long-established should not be changed for light and transient causes, but, on the other hand, the intention is evident from the beginning of the document, of justifying their step before the whole world, while setting forth the true principles of government. It says, among other things, The history of the present King of Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having indirect object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their pretended acts of legislation. For imposing taxes on us without our consent, for depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury, for transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses, for abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province establishing therein an arbitrary government, for taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments. For suspending our own legislatures and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever, he has abdicated government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny. He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against our country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic insurrections among us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by every act, which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be ruler of a free people. Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. They too have been deft to the voice of justice and consanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace, friends. We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general Congress assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the world, for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them, and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. This declaration of independence, as well as the whole conduct of the Congress, won the admiration of the most brilliant thinkers of Europe, among them some who occupied thrones, but were watching without prejudice the progress of affairs. We shall mention only Frederick the Great, who, in his observations of the condition of the European governmental system, had given utterance to ideas on the aims of government, which were in complete accord with those being promulgated in the forests of America. The Patriots must now win freedom beneath its folds, or fall with honor. Many difficulties had been overcome, but still greater ones remained to be conquered. England was gathering all her strength together to subjugate the so-called rebels. New troops were sent to General Howe, including German subjects whom Great Britain had bought to use as executioners in America. The sale of subjects as mercenaries was of common occurrence during the heyday of the small principalities in Germany. The princes of Hesse, Beirut, Ansbach, Braunschweig, and Anhalt-Zerbst were engaged in this traffic. Hesse provided the greatest number, so the German mercenaries in America were generally called Hessians. The German mercenaries were generally called Hessians. The German mercenaries were generally called Hessians. So the German mercenaries in America were generally called Hessians. In Hesse, a man who tried to get out of trouble by running away and fell into the hands of the electric spies was handcuffed and gagged. Complaints by his parents were answered by putting the father in irons and the mother in prison. In the marketplace in Castle, English agents bought Hessian subjects for $100 apiece. Frederick the Great said with bitter irony, quote, let the lords of the country not forget to raise the duty on cattle also, unquote. Quote, no one, unquote, relates the celebrated Summa, quote, was safe from these traitors in souls, the princes. They tried all methods, persuasion, stratagem, deception. Even strangers of all kinds were attacked, locked up, and exported, unquote. While his subjects were being marched on board ship, Alexander of Beirut-Anspach stood on the banks of the main, ready to shoot down anyone who made an attempt to escape. In this way, 29,000 Germans were sold to the English as, quote, food for cannon, unquote. Quote, the thoughtful traveler, unquote, says an English lord, quote, cannot look upon the magnificent gardens of Wilhelmsburg at Castle without a sigh, for the blood money of the citizens of Castle and other places has been expended upon them, unquote. As we know, General Howe had been obliged to take refuge with his troops on the ships in Boston Harbor. It was his intention to land in another part of the country. Washington suspected that Howe had selected New York. Therefore he had sent the second officer in command of the American forces thither, and he followed him in haste. Howe's fleet had in the meantime joined the new fleet, so that the enemy was greatly in excess of the Americans in numbers. Howe landed on Long Island near New York. His object was to take that city and from thence cut off communications between the North and the South. A battle took place in which the Hessians especially greatly distinguished themselves by their bravery. They attacked the Americans with such desperation that it seemed as though these men, so brutally torn from their homes, were seeking death. The Americans were defeated. They were even in danger during the next few days of being surrounded on the island and taken prisoners. Therefore Washington determined under cover of night to embark with his little army. But while he was preparing at dusk for the execution of his plan and had given instructions to keep the campfires burning in order to deceive the enemy, no one suspected that treason was already at work to destroy the American army. A lady of English sympathies had sent a slave to the British to carry them word of the movements of the Americans. Fortunately the slave fell into the hands of Hessian soldiers who stood guard at the outpost. It availed him nothing to declare that he had a very important message for General Howe. The Hessians did not understand a word of the language of the frantically gesticulating negro. They thought he might be a spy, so bound him and took him into custody, not turning him over to orders until next morning. By this time, however, his message, which would have been worth a fortune to General Howe the night before, had lost its importance, for the embarkation was completed and the enemy whom he thought he had caught securely in a trap had disappeared. Under the existing conditions Washington had acted for the best, and he carried out the plan of retreat with admirable skill. He had been on horseback for forty-eight hours until all the enemy was embarked. Thus the nucleus of the American forces was saved, but their number was insignificant indeed compared with the enemies. Many a patriot was full of dark forebodings, and Washington passed many hours and days in which he was almost overwhelmed with fear that the good cause was doomed to defeat. But he was firmly resolved to remain true to it, even if its faithfulness should cost him his life. He who has dedicated himself to the service of his country is most faithful in its hour of need. After this battle on Long Island, a time of deep distress began for the Americans, of which we get a clear picture from Washington's letters. He wrote to the President of Congress, quote, Our situation is truly distressing. The check our detachments sustained in the battle on Long Island has dispirited too great a proportion of our troops and filled their minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to brave and manly opposition in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, intractable and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have gone off in some instances almost by whole resonance, by half ones, and by companies at a time. This circumstance of itself when fronted by a well-appointed enemy superior in numbers to our whole collected force would be insufficiently disagreeable. But when their example has infected another part of the army and destroyed all discipline, our condition is still more alarming. All these circumstances fully confirm the opinion I ever entertained, that no dependence could be put in a militia. I am persuaded and as fully convinced as I am of any one fact that has happened, that our liberties must of necessity be greatly hazarded, if not entirely lost, if their defense is left to any but a permanent standing army. I mean one to exist during the war. Obedience, order, discipline are only possible with such an army. Two days later he wrote, Our affairs have not undergone a change for the better. The militia under various pretenses of sickness, etc., are daily diminishing, and in a little time I am persuaded their number will be very inconsiderable. In spite of all this he still preserved enough calmness of soul to say a few words in defense of the faltering one. He wrote to a friend, Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life unaccustomed to the din of arms, totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill, when opposed to troops regularly trained, disciplined and appointed, became timid and ready to fly from their own shadows. Besides, the sudden change in their manner of living brings on sickness in many and in patients in all, and an incongruable desire of returning to their respective homes. A few days later, however, when he saw his best divisions giving way before a small company of Hessians, he lost the composure which nearly always distinguished him. He dashed in among the fleeing men, pulled his pistols from the holsters, and aimed them at his own soldiers, crying, Are these the men with whom I am expected to defend my country? Despair seized the general. It seemed as though he sought death, for he drew rain while his men deserted him, and the enemy was only fifty paces distant. His adjutant seized his horse's bridle and led him away almost by force. The retreat was continued. Congress was kept informed of the situation, and at last they determined to raise a new body of troops. But the carrying out of this measure took time. Men were not so quickly to be found, and when enlisted had to have some little military training. The enemy, on the other hand, feeling encouraged by their late successes, were seeking to put the finishing touch to their opponents as quickly as possible. Other things helped to complicate the difficulties with which the American army had to contend. There were still many secret adherents of the British government in the United States. They now raised their heads once more and tried, wherever they found an opportunity, to aid the English army. Some of the states even sent recruits to General Howe. Under such circumstances, what other alternative had the general then again to play the role of Fabius, to avoid the enemy, and postpone the decisive moment to a more favorable time? Many people, however, who were in sympathy with Congress, but did not know any particulars about the existing military conditions, became impatient with Washington's tactics. The difficulty was that a public explanation of the condition of affairs would have still more depressed the patriots and have encouraged the enemy in proportion. He was even attacked behind his back by ambitious men who, not understanding the situation, united for his downfall, and for the purpose of transferring his rank and authority to another. For the sake of his country, he bore even this indignity, in never entering his mind to quarrel with his intriguing enemies. Instead, he worked de-fatiguitably for the cause of freedom. He carried on by far the greater part of the business at headquarters without any help. His correspondence with Congress alone took up a good deal of his time. The laws that were passed in Congress had to be referred to the governments of the several states for ratification, and the manner in which the laws were enacted made fresh negotiations with the 13 state governments necessary at every juncture. We can readily see how all this complicated the work of the Commander-in-Chief, and what indefatigable energy, what self-control and patience were necessary not to lose sight of the end and view and not to fall into faults, either of rashness or negligence. In order to judge how comprehensive Washington's correspondence was during the war and his public life afterward, we have only to learn that the letters written by his own hand and the answers to them, which were afterward carefully collected, fill two hundred folium volumes. They are a precious bequest to the American people. Quote, Whoever wishes to understand the whole greatness of the father of our country, the grandeur and repose of his character, his unalterable aims and gigantic strength must go to the font of his letters and reports. Unquote. These were the work of his own pen. But besides these, what a work remained to be done. There was no end of conferences with professional men in the most various branches of activity. His strength and his time were in demand on all sides. It seems a marvel that a single man was able to attend to so many things at the same time, that misjudgment did not embitter him, and that the situation which seemed hopeless to most people did not discourage him. New York fell into the hands of the enemy, also Fort Washington, and the general had to withdraw his troops still farther. Lee, who tried to join him, was taken prisoner. End of Chapter 12 George P. Upton Washington crosses the Delaware There are times in the history of every nation when the deepest sentiments of the people are revealed. The young American nation was passing through such a period. Let us listen to Thomas Paine, whose writings greatly aided the American cause. He said, It is astonishing to see how suddenly a panic arises and how rapidly it spreads throughout the country. Every nation is, at times, subject to such panics, but they have their good side. The panic is of short duration and the heart is of short duration. It is astonishing to see how suddenly a panic arises and how rapidly it spreads throughout the country. The panic is of short duration and the heart is then firmer and more determined. Such panics are the touch-tone of sincerity and hypocrisy. And truly, this period of hardship was of real advantage to the country, for the unreliable elements came to light while the true patriots were the more clearly recognized. Congress gave expression to its renewed confidence in Washington's ability by making him independent dictator of the military forces for six months. Before, however, the news of this proof of confidence reached him. He had proceeded to the execution of a daring plan by the success of which he hoped greatly to strengthen the courage of some and remove the faint-heartedness of others. December had set in with great severity so that the British were not anxious to follow up their victories. How went into winter quarters with his regiments, thinking that he could afford to wait for more favorable season before beginning to stamp out the expiring sparks of the rebellion? In the disposition of the troops at winter quarters the same method was pursued as in the attacks. The Hessians were placed at the front. Washington, who had made the necessary observations of the situation of the enemy, learned that the Hessians laid twelve or fifteen miles the other side of the Delaware River in and about Trenton. Washington's whole army consisted of seven thousand men. These he divided into three columns, which were to cross the Delaware simultaneously at three different points and attack the enemy. Christmas night was chosen for the attempt. Washington at the head of the first column of twenty-four hundred men whom he had chosen to lead himself arrived at the river as night fell. A fierce north wind drove snow and hail into the faces of the Americans and the water was full of floating ice. Under these circumstances crossing the river was not only difficult but very dangerous. Washington had counted upon reaching the other side by midnight. On such a night and against such odds of storm and ice this was impossible and it was not until three o'clock that the last of the troops were landed. The column carried twenty field pieces with them. About four o'clock all was in order and the march on Trenton began. The storm continued to rage. How was this march to end? They were to meet an enemy of ten times their strength who in case they had learned of the plan would doubtless have taken up favorable positions to receive them. It was uncertain whether the other two columns had been able to cross. Later it was found that they had not crossed until several hours later. Toward eight o'clock the vanguard of the first column was greeted with rifle shots which gave the alarm to the division of Hessians occupying Trenton. They had scarcely assembled before Washington appeared before the city and began the attack. They made at first a gallant defense but when their colonel fell they laid down their arms. Thus about one thousand men, among them twenty-four officers fell into the hands of the Americans. Several hundred men saved themselves by flight which would not have occurred had the other two columns of Washington's forces succeeded in crossing the river in time to occupy the bridges according to his orders. Discretion led him for the present to be satisfied with the success already won. The enemy was in the neighborhood with the bulk of his forces and it was to be expected would immediately try to wipe out the disgrace it had suffered. Washington recrossed the Delaware. With this staring feet crossing the river and the successful battle at Trenton had magical effect upon thousands of citizens. Wherever the captured Hessians were taken the people turned out to see them. They had shown themselves to be the most dangerous foes of the Americans in battle. They had become brutalized through war and misery had led them into committing many deeds of violence in the towns and country. The prisoners were now in danger of having the vengeance of the people visited upon them for the outrageous committed by them or their comrades. Washington issued a manifesto in which he explained that these men had not voluntarily come to America to fight against the liberties of the people but were the victims of the tyranny of a prince who had sold them like cattle wherefore he bespoke pity for them instead of revengeful feelings. His appeal had the desired effect. In the meantime, Washington learned that instead of pursuing him the British had retired. He then determined to risk a second blow. Four days after the first attempt he crossed the Delaware again. General Howe sent Lord Cornwallis with 8,000 men against him. Washington took up a strong position and repulsed several attacks of the British. Lord Cornwallis was full of confidence for in the first place his army was greatly in excess of the enemies in numbers and besides he was expecting reinforcements. So as he expressed it he thought he had caught the fox in his lair. He did not dream that Washington had no intention of remaining at the fortified place until it should please his excellency Lord Cornwallis to attack him with his reinforced army. To be sure the campfires still blaze through the night upon the spot which had been occupied by the Americans the day before but when morning dawned and Cornwallis looked upon the empty lair with astonishment and disgust. Washington, who had marched around him with his troops was in his rear at Princeton several miles away. There he fell upon the reinforcements intended for Lord Cornwallis three British regiments and a fierce encounter took place. The British defended themselves desperately and for quite a while the outcome was uncertain. The danger for the Americans was growing greater every moment. The fact of finding the camp deserted in the morning together with the distant cannonating must long ago have enlightened Cornwallis as to the enemy's movements. Suppose that he should come up and attack the Americans in the rear while they were still engaged in the struggle with his reinforcements. They must gain the victory and that right soon. The Americans who had been greatly encouraged by the victory at Trenton four days previously fought with wonderful inter-apidity. They were inspired too by the ardor of their general. Wherever the fight was fiercest he was to be seen that tall manly figure glowing with the fire of battle was a magnificent sight. Often the general was lost to the view of his anxious men amid the smoke of battle and they trembled at the thought of what would become of the cause if death should overtake him now. Such superhuman efforts could not fail of success. The enemy fled leaving five hundred men dead and wounded on the battlefield and three hundred more prisoners in the power of the enemy. Washington's soldiers were wonderfully elated. One of them wrote shortly afterward, we felt as though resurrected from the dead recruits flocked into our lines, old soldiers re-enlisted. Another soldier wrote of Washington's conduct in the battle. The army loves the general mightily but one thing they criticize about him, he is too careless of his person in every battle. His personal courage and the wish to enkindle his troops by his own example makes him forget all danger. Washington now went into winter quarters in the mountainous region about Morristown. Took up an invulnerable position and continued to molest the enemy by sending out marauding parties to such an extent that they found it necessary to withdraw from the neighborhood. In Europe also, before the crossing of the Delaware, the American cause was considered lost. Now confidence that America would be able to establish her independence was reawakened both at home and abroad. In France there was an enthusiastic espousal of the cause of the American people and their heroic general. In England many gave Washington the honorable title of the American Fabius. End of Chapter 13 Chapter 14 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 Anita Sloma Martinez George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton Chapter 14 Lafayette Kostushko Stoivan France was the country where enthusiasm for America was first kindled and where it burned most brightly. The struggle of a people for their liberties found great sympathy there because the French people had for a long time suffered deeply under the misrule of the Bourbons and the discontent was already brewing which, a few years later, led to such a terrible outbreak. There are those who put the American war for independence and the French Revolution in the same category. But what a gulf there is between the two historical events. The cause, tyranny of the ruler, was the same in both instances, but the conduct of the Revolution, the aim and consequences were as different from one another as the Anglo-Saxon character is from that of the Latin. We must again recall the fact that the Americans had been anxious for a long time to re-establish the old ties which had been so recklessly loosened by the rulers on a constitutional basis and that it was not until they had exhausted every possible means of reconciliation and until the government had closed every avenue of legal justice against them that they set to work to create a new constitution for themselves. In all their operations they never so far forgot themselves and misused the property of the church. On the contrary, their action was consecrated by religion. It was and remained their standard in the creation of a new constitution. What a contrast to the French people who in breaking the fetters of their slavery overthrew the altars of religion at the same time. America gained her liberties in a reverent spirit through earnest work while France, possessed by madness, rent herself and did not succeed in shaking off the bonds of tyranny. Though under new circumstances it gave itself grandiose names to deceive itself and others. What do the differing manifestations of the popular spirit mean? The Americans belong to the great Anglo-Saxon race which has a deeply religious spirit. To them the laws of government mean a reflection of the eternal laws which find their expression in religion. Their object is to bring the laws of the state into harmony with the tenets of religion to make it an animating and illuminating force in the life of the state. Thus in seeking to develop earthly life they draw from a divine source. It is different with the Latin race in whom this deep religious strain is absent. This is most clearly apparent in the French nation. They have had many political revolutions without gaining any permanent constitutional advantages and they will probably continue to teach the world that a people, however talented they may be in some directions, will nevertheless never reach the harbor of a well-ordered political status unless the aspiration dwell within them continually to purify and elevate their moral condition by serious examination of themselves. This criticism refers to the French people as a whole that there were excellent individuals among them no one will dispute and these were full of enthusiasm for the struggle for liberty in the forests of America. One of the noblest among them was Lafayette. He was nineteen years old an officer, handsome, rich, happily married and his family was one of the most influential in France. He had the prospect of a brilliant position at court but he despised the luxurious life there. It was revolting to him to see how the taxes which were squeezed out of the people were wasted and as the frivolous and bewildering Parisian life was very distasteful to him he had retired to live on one of his estates far from the capital where he passed happy days in the society of his beautiful, amiable and well-educated wife but his love of liberty urged him continually to devote himself to the great work of emancipation Bata tells us, filled with the enthusiasm which great events usually inspire in noble natures he made the cause of the Americans his own with that peculiar ardour which possessed most people at that time and particularly the French. He felt it to be just and sacred burning with the desire to take part in the struggle he had latest plan of going to their country before the American ambassadors in Paris and they had confirmed him in his resolution but when they received news of the disasters on Long Island and were almost in despair of the success of the revolution they were honourable enough to advise him not to go they even told him that in the terrible situation in which they were placed they did not have the means to fit out a ship to carry him to America the undismayed young man is said to have answered and now was the time when their cause most needed help that his departure would have all the more effect because the people were so discouraged and finally that if they could not provide a ship for him he should fit one out at his own expense what he had said came to pass the world was amazed this decision on the part of a man of such rank gave rise to all kinds of rumours the French court perhaps because it did not wish to offend England forbade the Marquis to embark it was even said that ships had been sent out to capture him the waters of the Antilles in spite of all this he tore himself from the arms of his lovely young wife and set sail Lafayette landed safely in America and presented himself immediately before the President of Congress shortly before this there had been some unfortunate experiences with Frenchmen French officers had presented themselves with high pretensions to rank and compensation Lafayette offered to serve as a common soldier and to pay his own expenses his bearing and appearance immediately won the confidence of the earnest men in Congress and he was accorded the rank of Major General Washington received him at headquarters with open arms and a particularly intimate friendship sprang up between them which was terminated only by death Lafayette found many opportunities of proving his capabilities on the battlefield a noble pole the celebrated Thaddeus Kostushko also dedicated his sword to the American struggle for independence from youth he had been distinguished by a noble and generous nature at the Institute for Cadets at Warsaw he soon surpassed all his fellow students through his indefatigable devotion to his studies as an officer he became acquainted with the daughter of the rich and aristocratic Marshal of Lithuania Joseph Sosnowsky and was soon hopelessly enamored of her both of them were young, handsome, intellectual and full of enthusiasm for all that was good and beautiful seemingly created for each other her father thought otherwise for he wished for a son-in-law of rank and wealth on his knees and with tears Kostushko begged the Marshal for his consent to the union of their hearts insolent words and threats were his answer in vain the Marshal's wife and daughter threw themselves at his feet he threatened to put his daughter in a convent then the lovers resolved to fly together the execution of the plan took place on a dark night but their secret was betrayed and the Marshal sent a number of armed horsemen after the pair a struggle took place and Kostushko seriously wounded sank to the ground when he awakened after a swoon of several hours he found himself lying in his own blood beside him lay a white veil which his beloved had lost in the moment of danger this he kept and wore always as a sacred treasure upon his person in all his battles Kostushko came to America to triumph or die in the war for independence he presented himself without means or any letters of introduction whatever to the commander-in-chief General Washington what do you wish to do? asked the general who was always laconic I have come to fight as a volunteer for the independence of America was the equally short and fearless answer what are you capable of doing? the general asked further and Kostushko answered with his characteristic noble simplicity put me to the test it was done and Washington soon recognized the abilities of the noble pole with the rank of colonel he was on the staff of several generals when the British were pursued on their retreat from Philadelphia Kostushko at the head of a band of volunteers performed marvels of valor Lafayette who was chief in command of that section of the army which was pursuing the enemy asked on the evening of that fierce day's work who the leader of those volunteers was someone told him he is a young pole of noble lineage but poor his name if I am not mistaken is Kostushko the volunteers were encamped about a half hours ride distant Lafayette galloped thither straight away had Kostushko's tent pointed out to him and entered it there he found the hero still covered with dust and blood sitting at a table his head resting on his arm and with a map spread out before him from that time the two were close friends we must also mention a German who played a prominent role in the war for independence Baron Stuyven he was a graduate of the Prussian military academy the foremost one in Europe as Washington declared and in him America had a general who was able to accomplish wonders in discipline without understanding a word of English he undertook the office of inspector general which was offered him and he understood how to train these free men so that a word or a look was sufficient to carry out his orders with absolute precision later the government made him a present of 26,000 acres for the eminent services rendered to the United States during the war and on this property he settled down like him many Germans had come to America to help complete the great task of the emancipation of the people from tyranny whole regiments were formed of German immigrants and American descendants of Germans and these Washington considered among his most daring and reliable troops End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 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 15 Peace is Declared it was a seven years holy war which the Americans were obliged to wage dark times were still to follow times in which even among the best men the belief in a successful outcome was shaken in regard to military organization and discipline there was still much to be desired for the measure of it which had been successfully introduced by Baron Steuben had not immediately permeated the whole army indeed the whole military body was as yet only in process of formation and at the same time the situation was such that unprecedented feats of endurance had to be required of the soldiers they were very badly off in the matter of arms and other necessaries often even proper food was wanting clothing and weapons were scarce Congress had been obliged to resort to the introduction of paper money which was copied in England sent over in quantities and by this means reduced in value as the enemy commanded the seas and occupied first one part of the country then another taking possession relentlessly of whatever they wanted trade and commerce were extinguished and misery and want were prevalent among the inhabitants what would have happened had the country not possessed in Washington a commander whose example was always an inspiration to others and whose words of wisdom always appeal to hearts and heads in war the soldier is readily inclined especially when he is in need to take possession of whatever seems necessary or desirable by force we read of wars in which the peaceable inhabitants suffer equally from friend and foe in this respect even Congress closed an eye when it became known that parts of the American army had taken forcible possession of provisions not so the commander in chief in this matter also he strove for the just and the right course he urged Congress to regulate the supplies for the army and showed the unfortunate consequences which must ensue if it became their custom to take possession of the necessaries of life by force such a proceeding he says in one of his letters must even though it should afford temporary relief have the most disastrous consequences eventually it spreads discontent, hatred and fear amongst the people and never fails even among the best discipline troops to fan the flame of degeneracy, plunder and robbery which is later hard to subdue and these habits become ruinous not only to the populace but especially to the army I shall consider it as the greatest of misfortunes if we are reduced to the necessity of adopting such methods in spite of all this the general was continually the victim of slanders foolish people misunderstood him ambitious ones strove to procure his position like general Lee earlier in the war general Gates now schemed to supersede the commander in chief in some parts of the army there were mutinies to Congress which demanded relentless punishment Washington said one must consider that the soldiers are not made of stone or wood invulnerable to hunger and thirst, frost and snow it sometimes happened that the roads were marked with the bloody footprints of the soldiers who were mostly without shoes even in winter at the same time he appealed to the soldiers explained to them with urgent words the situation of their country the dignity of their profession and the demands which the country had a right to make on them among other things he said our profession is the most chaste of any even the shadow of a fault sullies the purity of our praiseworthy deeds while appealing thus to the better elements in human nature he had the satisfaction of seeing that his procedure was meeting with success the iron hand of severity in its attendant horrors he kept for the most extreme cases but in these he let the military laws take their course inexorably mutineers were sometimes shot and spies were delivered up to the rope in the fall of 1777 the fortunes of war were twice in quick succession favourable to the British in the battles of the Brandywine and Germantown a second British army under Burgoyne was to advance from Canada Washington had sent a division to meet him under Gates and Arnold an engagement took place which was undecided but soon afterward at Saratoga the British general was obliged to capitulate and Congress was notified that this fortunate day's work has given us six generals and five thousand soldiers five thousand guns and twenty seven cannon with their ammunition during the campaign we have besides taken two thousand prisoners among them several of the higher officers this success ripened a project which had been under consideration for a long time an alliance with France there's not love of the newly constructed nation that induced the French government to declare herself openly as an ally of America but hatred of England whom she wished to weaken as much as possible Joy was great among the American people over the conclusion of the alliance however comparatively little was done by France who moreover intended to reimburse herself for the assistance rendered by acquiring lands Americans after all had to rely principally on their own exertions and resources as England now had two enemies to contend with she redoubled her efforts with great vigor General Howe who for years had been boasting and had so often announced that in a short time the rebels would be completely routed but had never reached this goal was recalled and replaced by General Clinton to a greater extent than had ever been done before the Indian tribes of the Iroquois and Creeks were urged by British agents to undertake marauding expeditions in the American settlements they even offered themselves as leaders of these murderous bands they spread fire and murder through the American colonies to the full extent of their power the consequence was a campaign in which the colonists sought to revenge themselves but this was not the only result the resistance of the Americans was inflamed by the fact that the British had let loose these bands of savages who practiced many unheard of cruelties even amongst women and girls patriotism had been awakened in the breasts of the women and a youth or man who did not show himself ready to serve his country was now looked upon with scorn there were many battles in which first one side then the other gained the advantage at last through clever generalship Washington who had the French troops also under his command was successful in shutting up General Cornwallis in Yorktown having had several successes the British general had become too daring and adventure too far to the front by means of counter-marches Washington managed to conceal his intentions from General Clinton very successfully Cornwallis' cry for help reached the British commander too late I cannot hold Yorktown for any length of time if you cannot relieve me you may expect the worst the engagement was opened with the combined forces and soon afterward October 19th 1781 Cornwallis capitulated nearly eight thousand of the British were taken captive and two hundred cannon were seized not a prisoner was harmed although it was well known that a short time before this American prisoners had been murdered by the British everywhere the conviction spread that American independence was assured Lafayette who had greatly distinguished himself in leading a storming column wrote to Count Morpah the peace is played out the fifth act is just ended on receiving the news Franklin said hearty thanks for the glorious news the young Hercules has strangled his second serpent in the cradle in England also it was recognized more and more that the colonies cannot again be brought under our dominion a new ministry took the reins negotiations were begun and at last on September 3rd 1783 peace was formally declared between Great Britain and the American Republic whose independence was thereby recognized End of Chapter 15 Chapter 16 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 16 Washington's farewell to the army America was free it had won its freedom by an heroic struggle and now came the task of making a wise use of this freedom one who had contemplated the character of the American people as it had revealed itself during the preliminaries to the war and during its progress must have said to himself a circumspect and therefore secure procedure in the affairs of the new government is to be expected from a people of such character and yet immediately after the conclusion of peace the Republic was in great danger the nucleus of the army consisted of men who for years had been weaned from the occupations of peace Congress had granted them a bonus of several years' pay but after that the prospect remained of their being obliged to return to their former occupations this did not suit them they had had an opportunity of comparing their position with that of the French soldiers with whom they had fought side by side in the French army the officers were in great part young nobles to whom the profession of arms was a sort of charitable institution and haven of refuge what a contrast between these gold embroidered marquees counts and cadets and the plainly dressed officers of the American army in their outward appearance the American officers could not even compare with the common French soldiery the spruce musketeers and grenadiers of the French line thus the American soldiers thinking more of their own advantage in position than that of the general good considering that the soldier would be better off if the country were ruled by a king conceived the wish that the free form of government which had arisen during the war should be set aside and a monarchical form substituted for it if this had been the general demand of the country there would have been nothing to be said against it the discussion as to whether the republican or monarchic form of government is the better is an idle one nations have lived happily under one as well as the other the happiness of a people does not depend on a particular form of government so much as on the respect for law and on the self-sacrificing devotions of individuals to the welfare of the state the wish for a monarchy proceeded only from the selfish desires of one class of course if they wish to carry out their plan it was necessary to fix upon some prominent man and who else should this be but Washington a reputable officer Colonel Lewis Nicola was appointed to notify the commander in chief of the wishes of the army he did this very tactfully in a letter a constitution with a king at the head he said was the best form of government for America Washington was requested to work toward this end taking it first a more modest title and later calling himself king for many a man in the general's position this would have been a temptation impossible to resist with the consenting nod the army would have proclaimed the commander in chief king if the army had made him king to be sure he would have then been obliged to come to their terms there is no doubt that had Washington obeyed that voice his fame would have been sullied for all time the majority would have been coerced for the sole purpose of ministering to the selfishness of the minority foundation principles expressing the will of the majority had already been formulated during the terrible struggle and were sealed with the heart's blood of the nation and in this constitution a crown had no place frankly considered what was now proposed to Washington was that he should make himself guilty of treason to the people the most zealous fighter against the destruction of constitutional government was expected to commit this detestable crime as the witches had shown Macbeth a golden circlet so now Washington was tempted with a sparkling crown ah but he was not a Macbeth ambitious greed held no place in his great and pure soul this will I give you if you will sin the greatness of your fortune shall be worthy of the greatness of the crime thus though disguised in innocent form read the words of the venomous old serpent of ambition the liar the destroyer of human happiness not for a moment did Washington allow himself to become entangled in the web of temptation he immediately sent the following answer to the Colonel with a mixture of great surprise and astonishment I have read with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal be assured sir no occurrence in the course of this war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed in which I must view with abhorrence and reprehend with severity for the present the communication of them will rest in my own bosom unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which seems to me big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country if I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable at the same time injustice to my own feelings I must add that no man possesses a more serious wish to see ample justice done to the army than I do and as far as my power and influence in a constitutional way extend they shall be employed to the utmost of my abilities to affect it should there be any occasion let me conjure you then if you have any regard for your country concern for yourself or posterity or respect for me to banish these thoughts from your mind and never communicate as from yourself or anyone else a sentiment of the like nature in the same spirit he took his farewell of the army and announcing the declaration of peace after he had recalled the heroic deeds which they had done on the battlefield he paid his tribute to them for the manner in which they had discarded all narrow provincial prejudices made up as they were of the greatest variety of elements and had become a harmonious body a patriotic brotherhood he urged them to maintain in times of peace the reputation which they had won that his friend should not forget that thrift wisdom and industry the virtues of the citizen in private life were not less valuable than the brilliant qualities of courage endurance and initiative in war that officers and men should live amicably with the other citizens and strive with all their might to preserve and strengthen the government of the United States if this should not be done the honor and dignity of the nation would be lost forever he took particular leave of his officers at a banquet taking his glass of wine in his hand he said with a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you most devoutly wishing that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable after lifting the wine to his lips and drinking a farewell benediction he added while his voice trembled with emotion I cannot come to each of you to take my leave but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand with deep emotion general Knox who stood nearest to the general went to him and held out his trembling hand overcome by his feelings Washington could not speak a word and could only embrace the general affectionately the other officers followed and not an eye remained dry there had been some men in Congress who considering the ominous examples in history had not been free of anxiety lest Washington might not easily relinquish his powerful position after peace had been won they were now reassured at a solemn session of Congress he laid down his office in the address which he gave on this occasion he said among other things happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause the support of the supreme power of the union and the patronage of heaven the successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations and my gratitude for the interposition of providence and the assistance I've received for my countrymen increases with every view of the momentous contest in closing he said I consider it is an indispensable duty to close this last act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping having now finished the work assigned me I retire from the great theater of action and bidding an affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted I hear offer my commission and take my leave of all the employments of public life Washington then handed his Marshall staff to the president the president replied to the address and said among other things having defended the standard of liberty in this new world having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and to those who feel oppression you retire from the great theater of action with the blessings of your fellow citizens but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command it will continue to animate remotest ages we join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation before his departure Washington sent a letter to General Steuben in which he cordially acknowledged the debt which America owed to him and his German countrymen for the effective assistance rendered in the work of freeing the colonies and added that Steuben might consider him a true friend and be assured that if there should be any opportunity of giving practical proof of this friendship he should not fail to do so Washington refused any remuneration and accepted only compensation for the expenses and outlay which he had incurred presenting an account which contained the smallest details of his expenses then this great wise and good man returned to his county seat at Mount Vernon to pass the rest of his life in quiet retirement his manner of life there is best shown by a letter which he wrote to Lafayette at length I have become a private citizen free from the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life I am soliciting myself with those tranquil enjoyments of which the soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame the statesman whose watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own perhaps the ruin of other countries as if this globe was insufficient for us all and the courtier who is always watching the countenance of his prince in hopes of catching a gracious smile can have very little conception envious of none I am determined to be pleased with all and this my dear friend being the order of my march I will move gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my father's hospitality was one of the principal virtues practiced at Mount Vernon a glass of wine and a piece of mutton are always to be had wrote Washington to Lafayette whoever is satisfied with these will always be welcome if he expects more he will be disappointed private persons as well as the government had vainly tried to induce Washington to accept a reward for his services a stock company which had been formed on Washington's advice to make two rivers navigable receive the approval of Congress for its work the opportunity was seized as a new means of rewarding him for he was responsible for the drawing up of the well considered plan the board of directors determined to turn over to him one hundred and fifty shares at one hundred pounds sterling each the presentation was made in such a way that Washington feared that a refusal to accept might be construed as a lack of respect therefore he accepted the shares adding however that he intended to use them for the public welfare and in his will we read that he set aside that some for the building of a university in the central part of the United States End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 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 Larry Wilson George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton Last Days Washington had enjoyed the pleasures of retirement on his estate for four years when his country again claimed his services for the general good and he was unanimously elected president of the United States he had misgivings as to his ability to fulfill the duties of the highest office in the government his success in the military field he argued did not guarantee that he was capable of becoming a wise administrator the people however thought otherwise in the countless decrees and orders which Washington had issued during the long period of the war the great statesman had been a parent as well as the great general and especially at the moment when the Constitution which had been amended in the meanwhile was to receive its first trial everyone felt that no hand could hold the rudder of state so securely as Washington's his friends urged him to sacrifice his love of private life once more for his country he hesitatingly accepted today he writes in his diary on April 16th 1789 I bade farewell to private life and domestic felicity I am so overwhelmed with care and painful emotion that words fail me to express it I have set out on the journey to New York to obey the call of my country with the best intentions to serve her in every possible way but with poor prospect of fulfilling her expectations his journey resembled a triumphal procession the inhabitants of Trenton paid him particular honors and remembrance of his memorable crossing of the Delaware twelve years previously triumphal arches were erected on the bridge very inappropriate inscriptions and little girls in white dresses strewn the path which the choice of the people was to tread with flowers a gaily decorated vessel guided by thirteen pilots in the name of the thirteen states brought him into New York Harbor the love of the people touched and encouraged him but did not suffice to quite banish the burden of care which the contemplation of all the difficulties which were awaiting him had laid upon him it was to be read in his face and in his whole bearing he said in his inaugural address it would be peculiarly improper to admit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that almighty being who rules over the universe who presides in the council of nations and whose providential age can supply every human defect that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge in tendering this homage to the great author of every public and private good I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own nor those of my fellow citizens at large less than either no people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States the close says there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness between duty and advantage between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of the public prosperity and felicity since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation this regards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply perhaps as finally staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people he wrote to his friend Lafayette honesty, industry and temperance are the qualities to make us a great and happy people this path to the attainment of the people's happiness is as plain and straight as a ray of light he would not accept a salary even as president he considered it a great boon to be in a position to render services to the state without remuneration with grave earnestness he took up the labors of his position in order to master the difficulties that awaited him on all sides a heavy load of debt was hanging over the country commerce and trade needed encouragement and the frontier suffered much from the depredations of Indian tribes with the outbreak of the French Revolution new difficulties arose Washington considered the events in Paris a natural consequence of previous misgovernment but in spite of his esteem for certain Frenchmen he soon felt that the moral earnestness essential for the attainment of true liberty was lacking among the masses of the French people his prophetic soul already foresaw what the end of the movement would be he pointed out the erratic qualities of the French people and the bloody acts of revenge of which they were guilty and continued there certainly are reefs and sandbars enough on which the ship of state may be wrecked and in this case a much more disastrous despotism will result from the movement than that from which the people have suffered before whatever was sound in the French Revolution was brought back by the French who had fought in America unfortunately the sound ideas as we know did not long prevail and with the reaction came corresponding bestial degeneration the fate which overtook King Louis XVI moved Washington profoundly never in his life those close to him have told us had he been so crushed and bowed down as when the news of Louis's execution was received the horrors in France had their echoes in America clubs were formed which presented the claims of the French Jacobins a picture was published by them with the inscription Washington's funeral in which he was represented standing under the guillotine they did not conceal their intention of ignoring the president and the constitution Washington stood firm amidst party storms as he had once stood on the Delaware when storm and ice threatened to destroy his bark this firmness and the further development of the bloody drama in France caused the extreme party in America gradually to lose its influence with the people and finally to disappear Washington was elected president for the second time in 1793 the eight years of his administration were very prosperous ones his interpretation and administration of the constitution have always been considered the standard among the best of his successors for their actions at the end of his second term when Washington learned that the people really intended to confer on him for the third time the highest honor in the land he begged his fellow citizens to put the rudder of state into younger hands and in an official declaration he decisively declined a reelection he also took leave of the nation at the same time giving them some golden words of advice of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity religion and morality are indispensable supports in vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens the mere politician equally the pious man ought to respect and to cherish them a volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity let it simply be asked where is the security for property for reputation for life if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail an exclusion of religious principle in closing he said and that after 45 years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest for a year and a half thereafter he led a life of tranquil happiness on his estate in the country on the 12th of December 1799 during a ride he was overtaken by a storm and took a severe cold all the treatment was unavailing his breathing became very painful he said to the doctor with unclotted glance and in a calm voice doctor I die hard but I am not afraid to go I believe from my first attack that I should not survive it my breath cannot last long in the evening at 10 o'clock he sank to eternal rest his death took place December 14th 1799 in his 68th year in his will Washington freed his slaves providing at the same time for the old and infirm among them and setting aside large sums for the founding of a university of a free school for poor children End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 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 Larry Wilson George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt translated by George P. Upton Blessed be his memory John Marshall announced the death of Washington and the House of Representatives in a trembling voice The emotion with which this news was received was so profound that the session had to be suspended In conformity with his expressed desire the deceased was buried on the grounds of his estate without pomp and without any funeral oration Members of the Order of Freemasons, whose noble principles he had always practiced during his lifetime silently cast a shower of white roses into his grave In the House of Representatives the speaker's chair was hung with black and the members were mourning during the remainder of the session The above mentioned John Marshall pronounced a touching eulogy on Washington and made a proposal which was unanimously seconded This was that a committee should be named to consider how best to honor the memory of Washington The man who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen What was the secret of the mysterious power in Washington which enhanced all his talents and gave him control over men and events? It was reason ruling his passions, his modest deference to the judgment of others, his just consideration of the rights and claims of others his deliberation and promises and undertakings, the deep earnestness of his nature the respect compelling firmness of his actions, his strong sense of duty in carrying out his work the high regard for the voice of conscience which he exacted of himself even in his youth Washington had a horror of gambling which he called the source of all vice, the destroyer of character and health the child of greed, the brother of injustice, the father of depravity He looked upon war only as a means towards peace, for his sole object was the welfare of the people His triumphs in war were in themselves but as dross to him, if they had not guaranteed liberty and the assured development of the prosperity of the country In making appointments to positions of trust he never allowed considerations of friendship or relationship to influence him and even his opponents admitted that no man's sense of justice in this regard was more unbending than his How touching it is to note that at every stage of his glorious career the longings prevailed to return to the employments of country life from the field of war to the shade of his own vine and fig tree on the banks of the Potomac to escape from the publicity of official life to the happy domestic circle to withdraw into the sweet retirement of an inner life which gave him a happiness of which the ambitious soldier and the anxious statesman know nothing The Christian world can scarcely find in the life of a public man another example of such religious conviction, such humility and such a deep sincere purpose to emulate Christ's example in justice, charity, brotherly love, moderation and equanimity of soul And it was not only his admirers who conceded to him the highest attributes of wisdom, moderation and justice in intellectual, ethical and political fields but also his opponents and enemies in examining his life wherever we look the absolute sincerity of the man's nature is apparent in every direction the study of his life gives us the most fruitful incentives and examples It teaches a lesson to those who doubt the real power of virtue His sterling worth eclipses all false brilliancy and his life has given us a higher standard in our judgment of the great characters in history a standard which had almost been lost during centuries of despotism The dazzling events and brilliant deeds in the life of a Napoleon lowered the standard for a time but were not able to destroy it End of Chapter 18 Appendix 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 Larry Wilson George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt Translated by George P. Upton Appendix The following is a chronological statement of the principal events connected with this narrative 1732, birth of Washington 1748-51, surveyor 1751, adjutant of Virginia troops 1753, commander of a military district 1753-54, mission to French authorities 1754, appointed lieutenant colonel 1755, Braddock's defeat 1758, reduction at Fort de Canes 1759, marriage 1775, delegate to continental congress 1775, appointed commander in chief 1776, British evacuate Boston 1776, American defeat Long Island 1777, victory of Princeton 1777, defeat at Germantown 1778, drawn battle at Monmouth 1781, surrender of Cornwallis 1783, resigned his commission 1787, president of constitutional convention 1789, elected president of the United States 1793, re-elected president of the United States 1796, farewell address to the people 1799, death End of appendix End of George Washington by Ferdinand Schmidt, translated by George P. Upton