Life of George Washington: embracing anecdotes illustrative of his character ...

Front matter

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Preface

E present here, for the study of our youth, the history of the Father of his Country. When Napoleon, the most illustrious monarch of the elder nations, met an American at Toulon, he inquired of him, *' How fares your countryman, the great Washington?" By all sorts and conditions of men, throughout the world, his greatness and his goodness are acknowledged, and it is reasonable that we should be proud of him. He is our standard, by which we judge others who aspire to authority ; he is the model, by which the honourably ambitious endeavour to shape their own characters ; he is unlike all other heroes, for there is nothing in his actions or opinions to be concealed, nothing to be kept in the shade, nothing which does not tend to increase our love and admiration of him. It is very important, therefore, that everything respecting Washington

should be made familiar to the people. The first word of

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iV PREFACE.

infancy should be mother, the second, father, the third, Washington. Through life, his glorious example should be constantly before the citizen, to animate and encourage him in the performance of duty.

This little volume, written to interest and instruct the young, is from the most authentic materials. It is one of a series of works, of a similar description and purpose, which will be issued by its publishers.

Philadelphia, July, 1845.

COTs'TENTS.

Chapter I

Birth and Parentage of Washington— Anecdote of his Mother— Means of Education— Courage of Washington—His Early Life— He is appointed a Surveyor— Designs of the French— Washington is appointed an Envoy to the French Commandant— Extracts from his Journal on that occasion

—His Reception on his return ^He is Appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel

—A Night Attack— Washington garrisons Fort Necessity— Is attacked by the French, and forced to Surrender— Terms of Capitulation— Washington resigns his Commission— Is appointed an Aid by General Braddock— Defeat of Braddock— Washington is appointed Commander of the Virgmid Forces— The French Evacuate Fort Duquesne— Its occupation by the British— Marriage of Washington •

CHAPTER n.

Encroachments of the British Parliament on the Rights of the Colonies- Alarm of the Colonists— The First Congress-Religious Habits of Washington-He is elected by Congress to the Command of the Colonial Forces-His Remarks on his Election-He proceeds to the Head-Quarters of the Army-Arnold's Expedition-Troubles in the South-Attack on Fort Moultrie-Defeat of the British— Washington prepares to attack Boston— The British Evacuate the City

Chapter III

Washington proceeds to New York-Endeavours to put the City in a State of Defence-Is opposed by the Loyalists-Declaration of Independence-

VI CONTENTS.

Arrival of General Howe — Battle of Long Island — Skilful Retreat of the Americans — Washington abandons New York — General Howe proposes a Conference with the Americans — His terms rejected 61

Chapter IV

Washington retreats to White Plains — Is attacked by the British, and compelled to change his position — Capture of Fort Washington by the British —Dismay of the Americans — Insolence of the Tories — Destitution of the Army — Their Heroism — Capture of General Lee — Battle of Trenton — Critical situation of Washington — His withdrawal therefrom — Battle of Princeton — Moral effect of the victories of Trenton and Princeton — The British embark on board their Fleet 61

Chapter V

Campaign of 1777 — Arrival of Lafayette — Battle of Brandywine — Occupation of Philadelphia by the British — Battle of Germantown — Defeat of Baum and Breyman — Surrender of Burgoyne — Intrigue of Gates to displace Washington — Patriotism of Lydia Darrah — Disappointment of Howe — Skirmishing 75

Chapter VI

Sufferings of the Army at Valley Forge — Their unshrinking Patriotism — Parliament attempts to negotiate a Peace — Offers Pardon, but refuses to acknowledge the Independence of the Colonies — Congress will not entertain the Proposition — Treaty with France — Battle of Monmouth — Insubordination of General Lee — He is suspended — Siege of Newport 85

Chapter VII

Capture of Stony Point — Movements in the South — The British capture Charleston — Distress of the Americans — Reappearance of the British in New Jersey — They are again compelled to retreat — Arrival of French re

CONTENTS. Vll

mforcements — Washington meditates an attack on New York — Failure of his Plan 96

Chapter VIII

Treason of Arnold — Capture of Andre — Patriotism of Paulding, Williams and Van Wart — Escape of Arnold — Execution of Andre — Battle of the Cowpens — Symptoms of Sedition — Skirmishing in Virginia 107

Chapter IX

Feigned design to attack New York — Clinton deceived thereby — Expedition of the allied Forces against Cornwallis — Arnold invades Connecticut — Storms Fort Griswold — Siege of Yorktown — Surrender of Cornwalli's — Rejoicing of the Americans 122

Chapter X

Prospects of Peace — Departure of the French Forces — Washington prepares for another Campaign — Sir Guy Carleton appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces — Empowered to negotiate a reconciliation — Commissioners appointed for that purpose — Recognition of the Independence of the United States — Washington dismisses the Troops from service 129

Chapter XI

New York finally evacuated by the British — An affecting Scene — Washington resigns his Command — He retires to Mount Vernon — Devotes himself to Agriculture — Generosity of the Virginia Legislature — Disinterestedness of Washington — He is visited by Lafayette 137

Chapter XII

General Convention — Adoption of the new Constitution — Washington chosen President — His progress from Mount Vernon to New York — En-

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thusiastic reception at Trenton — At New York — Inaug*- iion — ^Extracts from his Inaugural Address — Reply of the Senate 148

Chapter XIII

Administration of Washington — Indian Difficulties — Negotiations with Spain

With England — With Morocco — Troubles with France — Imprisonment

of Lafayette — Efforts of Washington to procure his release — Unsuccessful attempt at escape — Washington's Farewell Address — Good advice. . . 164

Conclusion — Tribute of Gratitude — Removal and re-interment of Washington's Remains 216

LIFE

OF

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Chapter I

in the parish of Washington, Westmoreland County, Virginia, on the 22(1 of February, 1732. He was descended from a family which first became known about the middle of the 13th century. It was then a custom in England for gentlemen to take the name of their estates, and from William de Hertburn, owner of the manor of Washington, in Durham, descended the various branches of the Washington family in England and in this country. In 1538, Lawrence Washington, Esquire, was proprietor of the manor of Sulgrave, in Northamptonshire. One of his sons was a baronet, and married to a sister of the Duke of Buck ingham. Two others, John and Lawrence, emigrated to Virginia, where they became successful planters. John was the grandfather of George Washington, whose father, Lawrence Washington, at the time of his birth, resided near the banks of the Potomac, but soon after removed to an estate near Fredericksburg, where he died, after a sudden illness, on the 12th of April, 1743, at the age of forty-nine.

Mrs. Washington, on whom the education of her children now devolved, was a remarkable woman. She had much good sense, tenderness and assiduity. She had been very beautiful, and a great belle in the northern part of Virginia. Her manners, however, were unaffected, and she possessed all those domestic nabits which confer value on her sex. She lived until her son reached the highest pinnacle of glory, and it is related of her, that being at a ball given to him, at this period, she said to him when nine o'clock came, with perfect simplicity, " Come, George, it is time to go home." Her fears, combined with her affection, in his youth, prevented a measure, which, if persevered in, would have given a direction to the talents and views of her son, very different from that which laid the foundation of his fame. Young Washington, when only fifteen years old, solicited and obtained the place of a midshipman in the British navy ; but his ardent zeal to serve his country, then at war with France and Spain, was, on the interference of his mother, for the present suspended, and for ever diverted from the sea service. She lived to see him acquire higher honours than he ever could have obtained as a naval officer; nor did she depart this life till he was elevated to the first offices, both civil and mihtary, in the gift of his country. She was, nevertheless, from the influence of long established habits, so far from being partial to the American revolution, that she often regretted the side her son had taken in the controversy between her king and her country.

The means of education, one hundred years ago, were in this country very inferior to those which my young readers enjoy. There were no common schools, and the richest inhabitants did not, in most cases, attempt to give their children more instruction than was necessary to fit them for the discharge of ordinary business. George Washington's first teacher was a tenant of his father, named Hobby, who lived to see his pupil commander of the American armies ; and he used to boast that he had '" laid the foundation of his greatness." He afterwards went to the school of a Mr. Williams, where he maintained that standing among boys which he was destined to sustain among men. Such was his character for veracity that his word was sufficient to settle a disputed point with the scholars, who were accustomed to receive his award with acclamations ; and such his reputation for courage as well as firmness, that though he never, on any occasion, fought with his fellows, he never received either insult or wrong. He was as much beloved as respected, and when he left school, it is said that the scholars parted from him with tears.

Washington's mother was very fond of fine horses, insomuch that when, on one occasion, she had become possessed of a pair of handsome greys, she caused them to be turned out to pasture in a meadow in front of the house, from which they could at all times be seen from the window of her sitting-room. It chanced that she, at one time, owned a favourite young horse, which had never been broken to the saddle, and no one was permitted to ride him. On some occasion, a party of youths, on a visit to the house, proposed, after dinner, to mount the colt and make the circuit of the pasture. No one could do it, and many were defeated in attemptinpf to mount, or thrown from the colt's back afterwards. George succeeded, however, and gave the favourite such a breathing that he at length fell under his rider, who immediately went and told his mother what he had done. Her reply deserves to be recorded. " Young man," said she, '• I forgive you, because you have the courage to tell the truth at once ; had you skulked away, I should have despised you."

The contemporaries of Washington have generally represented his early life as grave and thoughtful, but docile, inquisitive, and diligent. His love of military affairs was always apparent. He would form his schoolmates and other associates into companies, and with them parade, march, and fight mimic battles. There was a certain adjutant Muse, well acquainted with military tactics, who taught him the manual exercise, and loaned him the best books of that day on the art of war; and a Monsieur Van Braam instructed him in fencing. He was also very fond of all sorts of athletic sports, of running, jumping, wrestling, tossing bars, and other feats of agility and bodily exercise. These practices were continued by him, indeed, in mature life. It is related of him, that his character for judgment and sincerity was so high as to win the deference of other boys, who were accustomed to make him an arbiter in their disputes with each other, and never were dissatisfied with his decisions.

The manuscript school-books of Washington have been preserved, and they indicate the natural cast of his mind. Among them is a Book of Forms, such as notes of hand, receipts, bills of exchange, deeds, and wills, written out with his own hand, before he was fifteen years old. The most interesting of these books, however, is one called Rules of Behaviour in Company and Conversation; consisting of maxims and regulations of conduct, drawn from various sources, which he made at about the same period. It inculcates the moral virtues, strict courtesy in his social intercourse, and, above all, the practice of a perfect self-control.

Soon after he left school, Washington went to reside with his elder brother, Lawrence, at his place on the Potomac river, called Mount Vernon, in honour of the admiral of that name. Lawrence Washington had married a daughter of Wiiham Fairfax, a gentleman of great wealth and influence in the colony, who lived at Belvoir, a short distance from Mount Vernon, and with his family George now became intimate. William Fairfax was a distant relative of Lord Fairfax, an eccentric nobleman, who was at this time residing at Belvoir. Lord Fairfax was owner of one of the largest estates in America. It was between the Potomac and Rappahannoc rivers, and stretched across the Alleghany mountains. It was unsurveyed, and settlers were beginning to select and occupy the finest parts of it. To enable him to claim rents, and give legal titles, it was necessary that the land should be divided into lots, and accurately measured. He had formed a very high opinion of Washington's abihties, and determined to intrust to him these important duties. It was in iMarch, 1748, just a month after his sixteenth birth-day, that, with young George Fairfax, William Fairfax's eldest son, Washington set out upon his first surveying expedition. It was a most laborious and fatiguing service. The season was stormy, and still cold ; the rivers were swollen by the recent rains, so as to be impassable except by swimming the horses, and the forests were pathless and trackless. But he performed his duty in such a manner as to give perfect satisfaction to his employer, and establish his professional reputation. He soon after received a commission as a public surveyor, and for three years was almost constantly engaged in this pursuit, strengthening his habits and constitution by hardships and exposures, and increasing all the while his reputation for integrity, energy, and ability.

The French, as tlie first European discoverers of that river, claimed all that immense region whose waters run into the Mississippi. In pursuance of this claim, in the year 1753, they took possession of a tract of country supposed to be within the chartered Hmits of Virginia, and were proceeding to erect a chain of posts from the lakes of Canada to the river Ohio, in subserviency to their plan of connecting Canada with Louisiana, and limiting the English colonies to the east of the Alleghany mountains. The high character which Washington had gained is shown by the fact that now, when he was not yet twenty-one years of age, he was selected by the royal governor of Virginia, to convey a letter to St, Pierre, the French commandant on the Ohio, remonstrating against the prosecution of these designs, as Hostile to the rights of England. The young envoy was instructed to ascertain the objects of the enemy; to conciliate the affection of the native tribes ; and to procure as much useful intelhgence as possible. In the discharge of his duty, he set out on the 15th of November, from Will's Creek, then an extreme frontier settlement, and pursued his course through a vasst unexplored wilderness, amid rains and snows, over rivers of difficult passage, and among hostile tribes of Indians. When his horses were disabled, he proceeded on foot, with a gun in his hand and a pack on his back. He observed every thing with the eye of a soldier, and particularly designated the forks of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers (the spot where Fort Duquesne was afterwards built, and where Pittsburg now stands) as an advantageous position for a military post. Here he secured the confidence of several nei^hbourinoj Indians, and persuaded them to accompany him. With them he ascended the Alleghany river and French Creek, to a fort on the river le Boeuf, one of its western branches, where he found Le Gardeur de St. Pierre, the commandant on the Ohio, delivered to him Governor Dinwiddie's letter, and receiving his answer, returned with it to Williamsburg on the seventy-eighth day after he had received his appointment. The patience and firmness which he displayed on this occasion merited and obtained a large share of applause. A journal of the whole was published, and inspired the public with high ideas of the energies both of his body and mind. From this interesting journal, the first publication of W^ashington, we here present some extracts :

" I took," he says, " my necessary papers, pulled off my clothes, and tied myself up in a watch-coat. Then, with gun in hand, and pack on my back, in which were my papers and provisions, I set out with Mr. Gist. The next day, after we had passed a

B place called Murdering Town, we fell in with a party of French Indians who had lain in wait for us. One of them fired at us, not fifteen steps off, but fortunately missed. We took the fellow into custody, and kept him till nine o'clock at night, then let him go, and w^alked the remaining part of the night without making any stop, that we might get the start so far as to be out of the reach of pursuit the next day, since we w^ere well assured they w^ould follow our track as soon as it was light. The next day we continued travelling until quite dark, and got to the river about two miles above Shanopin. We expected to have found the river frozen, but it was not, except about fifty yards from the shore. The ice, I suppose, had broken up above, for it was driving in vast quantities.

" There was no wav of s^ettincp over but on a raft, which we set about with but one poor hatchet, and finished just after sunsetting. This was a whole day's w^ork. We next launched it — then w^nt on board and set oflf — but before we were half over, we were jammed in the ice in such a manner that we expected every moment our raft to sink, and ourselves to perish. I put out my setting-pole to try and stop the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the rapidity of the stream threw it with such force

^=^fi//_Btfrra-GiHON

WASHINGTON CROSSING THE ALLEGHANY.

against the pole, that it jerked me out into ten feet water ; but I fortunately saved myself by catching hold of one of the raft-logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could not get to either shore, but were obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our raft and make for it.

" The cold was extremely severe, and Mr. Gist had all his fingers and some of his toes frozen. The water was shut up so hard that we found no difficulty in getting off* the island the next morning on the ice, and proceeding to Mr. Frazier's. We met here with twenty warriors who were going to the southward to war; but coming to a place at the head of the Great Kenawha, where they found seven people killed and scalped, (all but one woman with light hair,) they turned about and ran back, for fear the inhabitants should rise, and take them for the authors of the murders. They report that the bodies were lying about the house, and some of them torn and eaten by the hogs. As we intended to take horses here, and it required some time to find them, I went up three miles to the Yohogany to visit Queen Allequ^ppa, who had expressed great concern that we had passed her in going to the fort. I made her a present of a watch-coat and a bottle of rum, which latter was thought much the best present of the two."

In the midst of such wild scenes, were the first years devoted by Washington to the service of his country passed. It might have been expected that this apprenticeship to savage warfare would have made his deportment rough and his disposition ferocious. But it was not so. In the whole course of his after-life he maintained a mild courtesy to all mankind, and throughout his long mihtary career not one act of cruelty was ever laid to his charge. His piety and principles placed him above the reach of contamination, and neither adversity nor prosperity could corrupt his mind or influence his manners. The gold was too pure to become rusted by any vicissitudes.

The House of Burgesses was then in session, when he arrived at Wilhamsburg, and Washington happening to enter the gallery, the speaker immediately rose, and moved that " the thanks of the House be given to Major Washington, who now sits in the gallery, for the gallant manner in which he executed the important trust lately reposed in him by his excellency Governor Dinwiddle." Every member of the House now rose and saluted Washington with a general bow, and the sentiment of the speaker was echoed by more than one member expressing his sense of his merit and services. Washington in vain attempted to make his acknowledgements for this high honour. His voice failed him, and the frame that never before or after trembled in the presence of an enemy, now faltered under the compliments of assembled friends. It was then that the speaker, noticing his embarrassment, made him this just and memorable compliment, — " Sit down. Major Washington ; your modesty is alone equal to your merit." It will appear in the sequel that this modesty accompanied him through his whole life, and while it acted as a stimulus to new exertions, checked every feeling, or, at least, exhibition, of pride at their success. Though, in all probability, aware of his superiority over other men, this consciousness never operated to diminish his ardour to increase it by every means in his power ; nor did he ever yield to the common foible of youth, which converts premature honours into an excuse for a total remission of all future efforts to deserve them.

The French were too intent on their favourite project of extending their empire in America, to be diverted from it by the remonstrances of a colonial governor. The answer brought by Washington induced the assembly of Virginia to raise a regiment of 300 men, to defend their frontiers and maintain the right claimed in behalf of Great Britain over the disputed territory. Of this George Washington was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and advanced with two companies, early in April, as far as the Great Meadows, where he was informed by some friendly Indians, that the French were erecting fortifications in the fork between the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers ; and also, that a detachment was on its march from that place towards the Great Meadows. War had not been yet formally declared between France and England, but as neither was disposed to recede from their claims to the lands on the Ohio, it was deemed inevitable, and on the point of commencing. Several circumstances were supposed to indicate a hostile intention on the part of the advancing French detachment. Washington, under the guidance of some friendly Indians, in a dark rainy night sur prised their encampment, and, after firing once^ rushed in and surrounded them. The commanding officer, Mr. Jumonville, w-as killed, one person escaped, and all the rest immediately surrendered. Soon after this affair, Col. Fry, the chief officer, died, and the entire command devolved on Washington, who speedily collected the whole regiment at the Great Meadows.

Two independent companies of regulars, one from New York, and one from South Carolina, shortly after arrived at the same place. Col. Washington was now at the head of nearly 400 men. A stockade, afterwards called Fort Necessity, was erected at the Great Meadows, in which a small force was left, and the main body advanced with a view of dislodging the French from Fort Duquesne, which they had recently erected, at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers. They had not proceeded more than thirteen miles, when they were informed by friendly Indians, " that the French, as numerous as pigeons in the woods, were advancing in a hostile manner towards the English settlements, and also, that Fort Duquesne had been recently and strongly reinforced." In this critical situation, a council of war unanimously recommended a retreat to the Great Meadows, which was effected without delay, and every exertion made to render Fort Necessity tenable. Before the works intended for that purpose were completed, Mons. de Villier, with a considerable force, attacked the fort. The assailants were covered by trees and high grass. The Americans received them with great resolution, and fought, some within the stockade, and others in the surrounding ditch. Washington continued the whole day on the outside of the fort, and conducted the defence with the greatest coolness and intrepidity. The engagement lasted from ten in the morning till night, when the French commander demanded a parley, and offered terms of capitulation. His first and second proposals were rejected ; and Washington would acccept of none short of the following honourable ones, which were mutually agreed upon in the course of the night. " The fort to be surrendered on condition that the garrison should march out with the honours of war, and be permitted to retain their arms and baggage, and to march unmolested into the inhabited parts of Virginia." The legislature of Virginia, impressed with a high sense of the brave and good conduct of their troops, though compelled to surrender the fort, voted their thanks to Col. Washington and the officers under his command, and they also gave three hundred pistoles to be distributed amonor the soldiers eno^aged in this action, but made no arrangements for renewing offensive operations in the remainder of the year 1754.

In the course of the next winter, orders were received, that officers who had commissions from the king, should be placed above those belonging to the province, without regard to their rank. The feeling of what was due to him as an American, prevented Washington from submitting to this unjust regulation, and he resigned his commission. Many letters were written to him, to persuade him not to do so ; and he answered them, with an assurance that he would " serve wilhngly, when he could do so without dishonour." His eldest brother had died, and left to him a farm called Mount Vernon, situated in Virginia, near the Potomac river; he took possession of it, and began to employ himself industriously in its cultivation. While he was thus engaged, General Braddock was sent from England, to prepare and command troops for the defence of Virginia, through the summer. Hearing of the conduct of Washington as an officer, and of his reasons for giving up his commission, he invited him to become his aid-de-camp. He accepted the invitation, on condition that he might be permitted to return to his farm when the active duties of the campaign should be over. The army was formed of two regiments of British troops, and a few companies of Virginians. The third day after the march commenced, Washington was taken ill, with a violent fever. He would not consent to be left behind, and was laid in a covered wagon. He thought that it was very important to reach the frontier as soon as ' possible, and he knew the difficulties of the way ; tie therefore proposed to General Braddock, who asked his advice, to send on a part of the army, while the

Other part moved slowly, with the artillery and baggage-wagons. Twelve hundred nien were chosen, and General Braddock accompanied them; but though not cumbered with baggage, their movements did not satisfy Washington. He wrote to his brother, that, " instead of pushing on with vigour, without minding a little rough road, they were halting to level every molehill, and erect bridges over every brook." What seemed mountains to them, were molehills to the ardent temper of Washington. His illness increased so much, that the physician said his life would be endangered by going on, and General Braddock would not suffer him to do so, but gave him a promise to have him brought after him, so soon as he could bear the ride. He recovered sufficiently, in a short time, to join the advanced troops ; and though very weak, entered immediately on the performance of his duties.

General Braddock proceeded on his march without disturbance, until he arrived at the Monongahela river, about seven miles from Fort Duquesne. As he was preparing to cross the river, at the place since called Braddock's Ford, a few Indians were seen on the opposite shore, who made insulting gestures, and then turned and fled as the British troops advanced. Braddock gave orders that the Indians should be pursued. Colonel Washington was well acquainted with the manner in which the French, assisted by Indians, made their attacks ; and being aware of the danger into which the troops might be led, he earnestly entreated General Braddock not to proceed, until he should, with his Virginia rangers, search the forest. His proposal offended Braddock, who disregarded the prudent counsel, and ordered his troops to cross the river ; the last of them were yet wading in it, when the bullets of an unseen enemy thinned the ranks of those who had been incautiously led into the entrance of a hollow, where the French and Indians were concealed by the thick underwood, from which they could securely fire on the English. In a few moments, the fearful warwhoop was sounded, and the French and Indians rushed from their shelter on the astonished troops of Braddock, and pursued them to the banks of the Monongahela.