longer necessary, he wishes to express the strong obligations he feels himself under for the assistance he has received from every class, and in every instance. He presents his

thanks in the most serious and affectionate manner to the general officers, as well for their counsel on many interesting occasions, as for their ardour in promoting the success of the plans he had adopted. To the com mandants of regiments and corps, and to the other officers, for their zeal and attention in carrying his orders promptly into execution; to the staff, for their alacrity and exactness in performing the duties of their several departments; and to the non-commissioned officers and private soldiers, for their extraordinary patience and suffering, as well as their invincible fortitude in action; to the various branches of the army; the general takes this last and solemn opportunity of professing his inviolable attachment and friendship. He wishes more than bare professions were in his power, that he was really able to be useful to them all in future life; he flatters himself, however, they will do him the justice to believe, that whatever could with propriety be attempted by him, has been done.

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And, being now to conclude these his.

last

last public orders, to take his ultimate leave in a short time of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honour to command, he can only again offer in their behalf his recommendations to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of armies.

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May ample justice be done them here,

and may the choicest of Heaven's favours, both here and hereafter, attend those who under the divine auspices have secured innumerable blessings for others. With these wishes, and this benediction, the commander in chief is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him will be closed for ever."

On the 25th of the same month the British evacuated New York, and general Washington made his public entry into it, where he was received with every mark of respect and attention. The hour now approached in which it became necessary for the general to take leave of his officers, who had been endeared to him by a long series of common sufferings and dangers. This was done in a solemn manner. The officers having previously assembled for the purpose, general Washington joined them, and, calling for a glass of wine, thus addressed them: "With

a

a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honourable."-Having drank, he added, "I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and take me by the hand." General Knox being next, turned to him: incapable of utterance, Washington grasped his hand, and embraced him. The officers came up successively, and he took an affectionate leave of each of them. Not a word was articulated on either side. A majestic silence prevailed. The tear of sensibility glistened in every eye. The tenderness of the scene exceeded all description. When the last officer had taken his leave, Washington left the room, and passed through the corps of light infantry to the place of embarkation. The officers followed in a solemn mute procession, with dejected countenances. On his entering the barge, to cross the north river, he turned towards the companions of his glory, and by waving his hat bid them a ́silent adieu. Some of them answered this last signal of respect and affection with tears; `and all of them hung upon the barge, which conveyed him from their sight, till they could

no

no longer distinguish in it the person of their beloved commander in chief.

The army being disbanded, the commander in chief proceeded to Annapolis, then the seat of congress, to resign his commission. On his way thither, he delivered to the comptroller in Philadelphia an account of the expenditure of all the public money he had ever received. This was in his own hand writing, and the entries were made in a very particular manner. Vouchers were produced for every item, except for secret intelligence and service, which amounted to no more than 1,982 10s. sterling.

The whole which in the course of eight years of war had passed through his hands amounted to no more than, £.14,479. 18. 94 sterling. Nothing was charged or retained as a reward for personal services; and actual disbursements had been managed with such œconomy and fidelity, that they were all covered by the above moderate sum..

15

After accounting, from his own motion, for all his expenditures of public money (secret service money for obvious reasons excepted) with all the exactness which established forms required from the inferior officers of his army, he hastened to resign into the hands of the fathers

S

fathers of his country the powers with which they had invested him.

This was done in a public audience. Congress received him as the founder and guardian of their republic. While he appeared before them, they silently retraced the scenes of danger and distress through which they had passed together. They recalled to mind the blessings of freedom and peace, purchased by his arm. They gazed with wonder on their fellow citizen, who appeared more great and worthy of esteem in resigning his power, than he had done in gloriously using it. Every heart was big with emotion. Tears of admiration and gratitude burst from every eye. This general sympathy was felt by the resigning hero, whose checks ran down with a manly

tear.

After a decent pause, he addressed Thomas Mifflin, the president of congress, in the following words:

"Mr. President,

"The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to