of success awaited the blow, struck, and struck manfully for independence. Inspired with a religious confidence, resulting from his own pure intentions and the justice of his cause, his hopes of final triumph in the glorious contest seldom wavered. At times compelled to retreat, with a few sickly, ill clad, and almost disheartened troops, before the superior forces of the enemy, his men marking with the blood from their naked feet the frozen ground they trod upon, a patriotism that never faltered, and a confidence in Providence that never tired, sustained his own courage, and enabled him to impart a similar spirit to the troops under his command. The welfare of his country was alike the subject of his thoughts by day and his prayers by night. It was on an occasion of this kind that an honest Quaker near Valley Forge, in traversing the woods in the vicinity of the American encampment, discovered the great man on his knees and at prayer. When he related what he had seen, he made the prophetic remark: "If George Washington be not a man of God, I am greatly deceived; and still more shall I be deceived if God do not, through him, work out a great salvation for America.”

The limits of this sketch will not admit even of an outline of the events of the revolution. They are written on the pages of history, and inscribed on the hearts of the countrymen of Washington. From the commencement of the war to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, an almost continual succession of triumphs rewarded the efforts of the patriots of the revolution. Having concluded his part in the great drama, and secured his countrymen in the enjoyment of peace and independence, on the 4th of December, 1782, Washington took an affectionate leave of his old companions in arms.

Soon after, he presented himself before the

American Congress, and surrendered his commission, concluding a brief address to the president on that occasion with the following remarkable words. "Having

now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take leave of all the employments of public life."

On the return of peace he returned, like Cincinnatus, to the plough. He was not destined, however, long to enjoy the quiet of his own farm, and the peaceful occupations of a retired and agricultural life. In 1787, he was elected a member of the convention which framed the American constitution, and chosen by acclamation to preside over its deliberations. In the autumn of 1788, he was elected, by a unanimous vote, first president of the United States, and after having been once re-elected, he declined being again considered a candidate for that important station. At the close of his second term, he took leave of his fellow-citizens in a farewell address, which from the wisdom and patriotism which dictated it, has become scarcely less sacred in the eyes of American freemen, than the constitution which secures to them the enjoyment of the inestimable advantages which it cost them a seven years' war to gain. From his retirement to Mount Vernon, on this occasion, he never returned to the active duties of public life. In the language of a distinguished writer, "he came from his retirement at Mount Vernon accompanied by joyful acclamations of welcome, and he was followed thither by the love and veneration of millions of grateful people."

1

On the 14th of December, 1799, near the close of a century of which he was the noblest ornament, this great man expired, aged 68 years, and ere the commencement

of another month, the melancholy news had reached every corner of the country, exciting such a deep and universal grief, as the decease of no other mortal has ever occasioned. It was but a short time before this. event, that Napoleon Bonaparte, just as he was about to embark for Egypt, passed a high compliment upon his "Ah, gentlemen," said he, in reply to an allusion to the American general, "Washington can never be otherwise than well. The measure of his fame is full. Posterity will talk of him with reverence, as the founder of a great empire, when my name shall be lost in the vortex of revolutions."

name.

Among the earliest papers found in the archives at Mount Vernon, were the fragments of manuscripts written by Washington during his boyhood and youth. One hundred and ten rules are here written out and numbered. The source from which they were derived is not mentioned. They form a minute code of regulations for building up the habits of morals, manners, and good conduct in a young person. A few specimens will be enough to show their general complexion; and whoever has studied the character of Washington will be persuaded that some of its most prominent features took their shape from these rules thus early selected and adopted as his guide.

1. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

2. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

3. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

4. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

5. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you be not knowing therein.

6. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

7. When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

8. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, in what terms to do it; and in reproving, show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness.

9. Take all admonitions thankfully, in what time or place soever given; but afterwards, not being culpable, take a time or place convenient to let him know it that gave them.

10. Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself; for example is more prevalent than precepts.

11. Use no reproachful language against any one;

neither curse nor revile.

12. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

13. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashions of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to times and places.

14. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all causes of passion, admit reason to govern.

15. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

16. Undertake not what you cannot perform; but be careful to keep your promise.

17. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and with discretion, however mean the person be you do it to.

18. Be not angry at table, whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish a feast.

19. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously in reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents, although they be poor.

20. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

21. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS,

DECEMBER 8, 1790.

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate,

and House of Representatives,

In meeting you again, I feel much satisfaction in being able to repeat my congratulations on the favorable prospects which continue to distinguish our public affairs. The abundant fruits of another year have blessed our country with plenty, and with the means of a flourishing commerce. The progress of public credit is witnessed by a considerable rise of American stock abroad as well as at home; and the revenues allotted for this and other national purposes have been productive beyond the calculations by which they were regulated. This latter circumstance is the more pleasing, as it is not only a proof of the fertility of our resources, but as it assures us of a further increase of the national respectability and credit; and, let me add, as it bears an honorable testimony to the patriotism and integrity of the mercantile and marine part of our citizens. The punctuality of the former in discharging their engagements has been exemplary.

In conforming to the powers vested in me by acts of the last session, a loan of three millions of florins, towards which some provisional measures had previously taken place, has been completed in Holland. As well the celerity with which it has been filled, as the nature of the terms, (considering the more than ordinary demand for borrowing, created by the situation of Europe,) give a reasonable hope that the further execution of those powers may proceed with advantage and success. The secretary of the treasury has my direction to communicate such further particulars as may be requisite for more precise information.

Since your last session, I have received communications, by which it appears that the district of Kentucky, at present a part of Virginia, has concurred in certain propositions contained in a law of that state; in consequence of which, the district is to become a distinct member of the Union, in case the requisite sanction of