The life and times of George Washington

Front matter

THE LIBR

THE

LIFE AND TIMES

Preface

The life and achievements of George Washington have already been described by so many able and

- accomplished biographers, that it might be deemed

- superfluous in any other writer to attempt the same _ task, or to add to the large number of works nowexisting on the subject. It is true, indeed, that the records of Washington's career which have been published, have in a great measure exhausted the subject, so far as the discovery and accumulation of facts in reference to him are concerned ; nor does the present writer presume to have made any researches which have brought to light details and incidents which were not previously known.

Nevertheless, it has been thought that the want still existed in our literature of a concise and condensed narrative of Washington's career, which would be suitable to the popular reader; for whose use the more aspiring style and ponderous bulk of other works on the same subject were not so well adapted. It was to supply this supposed necessity, that the present volume has been written. In preparing it the

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IV PREFACE.

author has made a careful selection of the more important events connected with the public and private career of this illustrious man ; and has narrated them in plain and simple language, a^^ I}eing best adapted to the purpose for vs'hich the volume was intended.

It had been useless on the part of the present writer, to have attempted an elaborate and extensive work upon a theme which has already been depicted by several of the master-minds of the age, with every charm of genius, and M'ith every characteristic of ability. He has therefore contented himself with endeavoring to portray the subject in an unassuming, though, as he hopes, an accurate and reliable manner; at the same time making use of the most authentic and authoritative sources of information having reference to it. Whatever imperfections may exist in the work, will be amply atoned for by the superior interest and dignity of the subject; for the life and public services of "Washington constitute one of those immortal taeraes, which no lapse of time or vicissitude of human afiairs can deprive of their resistless hold uprn the attention and admiration of mankind.

Chapter I

Genealogy of the Washington Family — Birth of George Washington— Deatli cf his Father — Influence of his Mother — His Education — His Early Promise and Youthful Characteristics paoe li

Chapter II

L:;arence Washington — The Fairfax Family — George Washington s desire for a Military Life — His Mother withdraws her Consent to his entering the Navy — Return to School, and Application to Mathematics — His Proficiency in Surveying — Falls in Love, and grows Melancholy — His Association with the Fairfax Family, and its Beneficial Effects — Hunting completes the Cure — His Survey of Lord Fairfax's Domains — His Appointment as Public Surveyor — The Perils of the Wilderness — The Bracing Effects of his Duties, Physically and Mentally — Qreenway Court — Influence of Hardy Toil and Qood Society Combined 21

CHAPTER IIL

french and English Disputes respecting the Valley of the Ohio — Grounds of their several Claims — The Ohio Company — Laurence Washington — His Liberal Policy — French Competition — De Bienville — His Plans — Christopher Gist, the Pioneer — His Expedition to the Frontier, and Operations with the Indian Tribes — His Negotiations, and their Success — His Return — The Attempt of loncaire — His 111 Success at Log-Town, and Letter to the Governor of Pennsylvania — The Indian Territories 32

Chapter IV

Hostile Preparations of the English and French — Washington appointed an Adjutant-General — Mount Vernon becomes a School of Arms — HI Health of his Brother Laurence — Ho accompanies him to Barbadoes — Laurence Washington proceeds to Bermuda — He returns to die at Mount Vernon — New Duties devolving on George Washington — The Ohio Tribes at Log- Town —Hostility of the Six Nations — Tanacharisson before the French Commandant — His Speech, and the Frenchman's Reply — French Intentions — Efforts of the Ohio Company — Captain Trent appointed on the Western Mission by Governor Dinwiddle — His 111 Success, and Return — Washington appointed to Succeed Him — Sets out in November, 1753.. 40 1* (V)

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Washington's Journey to the Ohio — Adventures and Observations on the Monongahela — His Companions — Log-Town anl the Sachems — Indian Diplomacy — loncaire — Arrival at Venango — The Results of Conviviality — The Wampum — La Force, the Commissary — Chevalier Legardeur — Affairs at the Fort — Efforts to Seduce the Sachems from their English Alliance — Trying Delays — DiflBcult Navigation of French Creek — Washington arrives at Venango — The Half-King's Faith in his English Brothers — The Homeward Route — Its Difficulties 46

Chapter VI

Perils in the Wilderness — Murdering-Town — Indian Treachery — A Night of Great Anxiety — Fearful Danger on the Allegheny — Fortunate Escape — Queen Aliquippa, the Watch-Coat, and the Fire-Water — Washington crosses the Blue Ridge — Chevalier de St. Pierre's Reply — The Mission of Captain Trent to Ohio — Washington raises Recruits — Dinwiddie finds the Virginians growing difficult to govern — His Efforts to raise Recruits — Captain Van Braam — Trials in Transportation — Contrecoeur at the Fork of the Ohio 54

Chapter VII

The March to "Little Meadows" — Correspondence with Dinwiddie »nd Lord Fairfax — The Disinterested Views of Washington — French Emis'sarics — Message from the Sachem — The Great Meadows, and Skirmish -wUh Jumonville — Its Results — AVashington's First Battle — Scarcity of Prcvisions — Death of Colonel Fry, and Promotions — Captain Maekey and the Independent Company — Prayers in Camp — Fight at Great Meadows, and Surrender of Fort Necessity — Thanks voted by the House of Burgesse« to the Troops — Exceptions made, and Reasons for them — End of Washington's First Campaign 61

CHAPTER VIIL

Governor Dinwiddie and his Views of the War — Difficulties with the Assembly — Grants from England, and Changes in the Army — Washington throws up his Commission — His Retirement to Mount Vernon — War be tween the English and French — British Plan of the Campaign — GeneraJ Braddock appointed Commander — Commodore Keppel and his Squadron — The Effect of Warlike Preparations on Washington — He joins the Staff of Braddock — His Flattering Reception, and Appreciation by the Governors in Congress — Preparations for the Expedition — Meeting of Officers at Alexandria— Sir John St. Clair and his Threats— Their Effects — George Crogan and his Influence — Captain Jack 72

CONTENTS, VU

Chapter IX

(P^neral Braddock — His DiflSculties about Means of Transportation — Aseisted by Benjamin Franklin — Dr. Hugli Mercer — Captain Gates — The Roads — Sir John St. Clair — Patriotism of Washington — He is seized with a Violent Fever — He recovers — Reaches the Camp — Plan of Attack on Fort Duquesne — Washington's Advice — Blind Obstinacy of Braddock — Ruinous Consequences — Dunbar — Defeat and Death of Oeneral Braddock — The Aggravated Disgrace — Exultation of Contrecoeur. 80

Chapter X

Washington in Command — Indian Ravages — Panic at Winchester — The Savages return to the Ohio — The Fate of the Expeditions against Niagara and Crown Point — Military Precedence — The Decision of General Shirley — Earl of Loudoun — Dangers at Greenway Court — — Great Alarms at Winchester — Tender Sympathies of Washington — lUiberality of the Virginia Press — Its Effects — Appreciation of Washington by the Speaker of the House of Burgesses — Parsimony of the Assemblies — Washington's Advice about the Forts — Great ineflSciency of the Military — Dinwiddle's Ambiguity — Fall of the Fort at Oswego 90

Chapter XI

Binwiddie and Lord Loudoun — Washington's Relations with them — His Advice respecting the Reduction of Fort Duquesne — Failure of the Expedition against Crown Point — Washington's 111 Health — He recovers, and resumes Command — Expeditions in the North — Expedition against Fort Duquesne — Washington's First Interview with Mrs. Custis — His Opinion and Advice respecting the Line of March — Fort Duquesne — The Engagement — Colonel Bosquet — Washington plants the English Standard on the Ruins of the Fort — His Marriage with Mrs. Custis 10ft

CHAPTER XIL

Washington in the House of Burgesses — His Residence at Mount Vernon — A Description of his Character — Enjoyments and Pursuits in Rural Life — Washington's Industry — He explores the Dismal Swamp — Courtly Habits in the Old Dominion — Washington the Model of a Virginia Gentleman , 109 nil CONTENTS.

Chapter XIII

Cku<:e» Icadini; to the Amorican Revolution — Restrictiong on Commerce and Manuftioture* — The Riirht to tax America, and other Orierance.o — The Stamp Act — Speech of Patrick Henry— Repeal of the Stamp Act— The Offensire Clause retained — The Equanimity of Washington— Lord Botetourt, his Character, and Death — The Henoral Court of Boston— WKshinj;. ton makes a Tour to the Ohio — His Affliction on the Death of Miss Custis — Difficulties as the Guardian of John Parke Custis — Earl of Duumore Gorernor of Virginia — The Tea thrown into the Sea at Boston — Boston Port Bill — Washington as Chairman and Delegate — His Enthusiastic Pfttriotism — Aflfairs in Boston, and Embarrassment of General Gage 115

Chapter XIV

First Continental Congress in Philadelphia — Its Proceedings- Washington at Mount Vernon — Generals Putnam and Lee in Boston — Their Antecedents — Major Gates and the Visitors at Mount Vernon — Le*'s Fondness for singular Pet* — Washington a Delegate to the Richmond Conrention — Speech of Patrick Henry — Washington's Conrictions corroborated — Battles of Lexington and Concord — The War begun — Views of Washington ^ 12«

Chapter XV

Ktban Allen and the Green Mountain Boys — Benedict Arnold — Capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point — Canada opened to the Patriots — The Second Congress appoints Washington Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army — His Remarks on the Occasion — He selects his Generals and Officers — British Reinforcements under Howe — Burgoyno and Clinton — Seiiure of the Heights of Charlestown — Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill — FortiticatioDS — Surprise of General Gage — The Battle of Bunker Hill— Its Results 135

CHAPTER XVL

Washington's Jonmey to the Army — Its Condition and Deficiency in Powder. Clothing, and Intrenching Tools — The Forces of the Enemy, their Position, superior Discipline, and Equipments — General Greene — The Commander-in-Chief enforces strict Discipline — His Establishment at Head-quart-ers — Great Anxiety in consequence of the want of Powder — Writes for a Supply to Ticonderoga and the Jerseys — Bold Project — Correspondence with General Gage — Its Effects — Description of Events transpiring at a Distance from Head-qnart«rs — Rivalry of Arnold and Allen — Projects for the Possession of Ca^ ada 147

CONTENTS. IX

Chapter XVII

Benedict Arnold — His Amtition — Throws up bis Commission — General Schuyler attempts the Conquest of Canada — His Correspondence with Washington — State of Canada — Schuyler makes a Treaty with the Six Nations at Albany — General Montgon)ery in Command — Indinns in Ciiinp at Cambridge — Montgomery and Schuyler on the Way to St. John's — Affairs in Boston — Operations in both Camps — Expedition intrusted ti. Arnold — Attack on St. John's abandoned — Capture of Ethan Allen — Montgomery in Command — Gallant Conduct of Arnold and his Men — Treason in the Camp — Falmouth Burnt — Capture of Chamblee — St. John's Capitulates — Arnold and his Troops reach Quebec — Their Intense Sufferings. 156

Chapter XVIII

Capture of Montreal and Escape of Carleton — Home Sickness and Insubordination — Mrs. Washington in the Camp — Arnold plants his Flag on the Heights of Abraham — His junction with Montgomery at Point-aux-Trembles — Their Attack on Quebec — Gallant Conduct and Death of Montgomery — Bravery of Arnold — He fortifies his Position and continues the Blockade of Quebec — Lord Dunmore in Virginia — Lee's Policy — Trials of Washington — Want of Patriotism in the Soldiers — General Greenes Influence 173

Chapter XIX

Condition of th'* Army — Knox brings Ammunition — Lee sent to New Yoik to prepare Defences and fortify the Hudson — Takes the Command in Canada — British Theatricals — Washington's Anxiety — Preparation to take Dorchester Heights — The Heights Captured, and Surprise of the British — Their Preparations for Embarkation from Boston — Washington enters Boston in Triumph — Congress passes a Vote of Thanks to Washington, and a Gold Medal is struck, representing him as the Deliverer of the City — Destination of the British Fleet — The Service divided into two Departments by Congress — General Lee appointed to the South — General Thomas to Canada — Putnam commands New York — General Greene in command at Long Island and Brooklyn 183

Chapter XX

The Defence of New York and the Hudson — Disastrous News from Canada — Washington's Appearance in Congress — Its Important Consequences — The American Forces compelled to retire from Canada — A Consjuracy, and its Suppression — The Declaration of Independence — The British Forces in the Vicinity of New York — On Staten Island — In the Hudson — Disputed Question of Command between Gates and Schuyler — The British Forced

X CONTENTS.

to give up toeir Attempt on Charleston — The Success c£ General Lee and Colonel Moultrie — Washington commends the Behavior of the American Troops 193

Chapter XXI

Advice of Colonel Reed — Arrival of Foreign Troops to aid the British — Sectional Differences of the Americans, and how Washington treated them — Illness of General Greene — Preparations for Action on both Sides — The Unguarded Pass — The Midnight March — The Battle of Long Island — Defeat of the Americans — Washington's Distress — The Retreat from Long Island — Lord Howe and the American Commissioners.... 208

CHAPTER XXIL

Need of a Standing Army — New York evacuated by the Ameri'-ans — The British in New York — Successful Skirmish, and its Effects — The Army put on a New Footing — Battle on Chatterton's Hill — The British take Fort Washington — Intelligence from the North — Fort Lea abandoned — Washington at Hackensack — General Lee's Tardiness — The Movements of Washington — He reaches Trenton — Proclamation of Lord Howe and his Brother — Washington crosses the Delaware — Philadelphia in Danger — Washington's Appeal to Lee — The Capture of that General — Washington appointed Military Dictator.... 221

CHAPTER XXIIL

Washington reinforced — Gates refuses to co-operate — Plan of Attack on Trenton — Passage of the Delaware — Battle of Trenton — Capture of the Hessians — The Troops receive a Bounty, and remain — General Howe surprised — He sends CornwalUs to New Jersey — Cornwallis at the Assunpink — His Confidence of Success — Masterly Movements of Washington — Cornwallis out-generalled — Battle of Princeton — Death of General Mercer — Effects of the Battle — Increasing Reputation of Washington in consequence of these Victories 245

CHAPTER XXIV.

Washington's Proclamation — Correspondence with General Howe — 111 Treatment of American Prisoners — Washington's Perplexity respecting the British Fleet — Lafayette's First Meeting with Washington — March of the American Army through Philadelphia — The British at the Head of the Elk — Washington on the Heights at Chadd's Ford — Battle of the Brandywine — Its Incidents — The British in Philadelphia — Bold Scheme of Washington — He attacks the British at Germantown — Battle of Germantown — Its Results 25i

CONTENT.*.

CHAPTER XXV.

Ihe American Camp atWhHe Marsh — Winter Encampment at Valley Forge — Spurious Letters — Origin, Development, and Conclusion of the Conway Cabal — The Loyalty of Lafayette — The Magnanimity of Washington- Reliance of the General on the God of Armies — An Affecting Incident. 274

CHAPTER XXVI.

Bufferings of the Army at Valley Forge — Baron Steuben — Treaty with France — "Conciliatory Billa" of Lord North — Sir William Howe succeeded by Sir Henry Clinton — Peace Commissioners — Their Reception and Departure — The British evacuate Philadelphia — Their March through the Jerseys — Battle of Monmouth — Conduct and Court-Martial of General Lee — Arrival of the Count d'Estaing — Operations of the Allies against Newport — Its Failure, and the Result — Campaign of 1779 — The Massacre of Wyoming avenged — Arrival of the French Fleet under De Ternay, and Army under Count de Rochambeau 281

CHAPTER XXVn.

French Fleet blockaded — Interview between the Commanders — Its Result — Revolt of the Pennsylvania Line — Wise Conduct of Wayne, and Plan of Washington with the Jersey Line — Articles of Confederation — Battle of the Cowpens — Affair of M'Gowan's Ford — Proclamation of Cornwallia — State of Greene's Army — Retreat of Cornwallis — French Fleet in the Chesapeake — Washington at Newport — Operations of Lafayette — The Enemy at Mount Vernon — French Auxiliaries — Attack on New York abandoned — Robert Morris — The March of the Allies Southward — Siege of Yorktown — Surrender of Cornwallis 293

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Washington urges Preparations for another Campaign — Reasons — The Newburg Addresses, and Conclusion of the Matter — Views of a Peace Establishment, and Circular Letter to Governors of States — Peace proclaimed Washington's Farewell Address to the Army — Affecting Scene in Parting with his Officers — Resignation of his Commission and Retirement to Mount Vernon — He engages in Agricultural Pursuits — Is chosen First President of the United States — Adoption of the Constitution — Washington's Duties, and his Illness — He recovers — His Rules respecting Appointments — The Funded Debt — The National Bank established — Duty imposed on Liquors Distilled in the United States 309

XU CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXIX,

Apportionment Bill — Differences in the Cabinet — Effects of the French Revolution — Development of Parties — The Citizen Genet — His Insolence- Western Insurrection quelled — Treaty with Great Britain — The Excitoment it produced — The President refuses to give up the Papers of Instruction — His Farewell Address — Retirement from OflBee — Mount Vernon — Danger of a War with France — Washington appointed Commander-in- Chief — Pacification — Rural Scenes — Last Illness and Death of Washington 332

CHAPTER XXX.

Profound Impression produced by Washington's Death — Estimate of his Character — His Intellectual Qualities — His Military Talents — His Administrative Abilities — His Character when regarded as a Whole — Proceeiiinga in Congress in Honor of his Memory — Remarks of Mr. Marshall — Resolutions — Address of the Senate — Reply of the President of the United States — Funeral Services at Mount Vernon 349

I. Washington's Farewell Address 363

II, Statement of Mr. David C. Claypoole 393

III,

Report made by William Rawlo, Esq., to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, December 16, 1825 396

IV,

Letter from Chief Justice Jay to Richard Peters, Esq., March 29th, 1811, Published in the Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania... 399

V.

Extract from the "Writings of Washington" — President AVashington to James Madison, May 20th, 1792 — James Madison to President Washington, June 20th, 1792 — • Mr. Madison's Draft — Hints, or Heads of Topics 411

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Chapter I

OENEALOGY OF THE WASHINGTON FAMILY — BIRTH OF GEORGE TTASH* INGTON — DEATH OF HIS FATHER — INFLUENCE OF HIS MOTHER — HIS EDUCATION — HIS EARLY PROMISE AND YOUTHFUL CHARACTEBISTIC3.

"When William the Conqueror devastated the territory of England north of the Humber, for the purpose of punishing the revolt of the Northumbrians, the estates of the vanquished became the spoils of his Norman followers, and the chief dignities in Church and State were conferred upon them. Durham, in which the bones of St. Cuthbert were entombed after their removal from the shrine of Holy Island, on Lindisfarne, became a city of great importance, and the see enjoyed privileges of an extraordinary character. The bishop appointed by the conqueror was invested with great power, as being more subservient to the purpose of William than were the proud and turbulent nobles of the period, and as creating a bulwark against the inroads of the Scots, whose incursions frequently assailed the border. The Bishop of Durham was created a Count Palatine, the see was erected into a palatinate, and temporal and spiritual authority 2 (13)

was in a large degree conferred upon the bishops of this diocese. In those distant times, landed property was held by feudal' tenure only; and abbots, bishops, lords, and barons, were obliged to furnish the king with military service. Whenever occasion rendered it necessary, and the banner of St. Cuthbert was unfurled, the feudatories of the prelate were required to take the field. William De Hertburn, whose surname was probably derived from the name of a village on the banks of Tees, called Hartburn, was one of the knights who held lands in the Palatinate of Durham. The first mention of this family occurs in 1183, at which period history declares that William De Hertburn exchanged Hertburn, his manor and village, for those of Wessyngton, and the family thenceforth took the name of De Wessyngton. Mention is made in 1264 of William Weshington, of Weshington, who assisted his sovereign in the unfortunate battle of Lewes ; and in the reign of Edward HI., the name of Sir Stephen De Wessjaigton occurs in the list of gallant knights who tried their skill in arms in the tournament at Dunstable. "Various members of this family were distinguished in the events which afterward transpired, and in many scenes of glory and chivalry in which the Douglasses and Percys were conspicuous. When Henry VIII. confiscated the monasteries, he conferred on Laurence Washington, who had been Mayor of IS'orthampton, the manor of Sulgrave in 1538, which, with other lands, had belonged to the monastery of St. Andrews.

In 1646 Sir Henry Washington, a colonel in the royal army, displayed great gallantry in the defence of Worcester; and manifested a spirit of chivalry and heroic resistance which has transmitted his name with renown to posterity. The Sulgrave family had ever been the adherents of the Stuart dynasty. Among the emigrants to the New "World who sought to escape the vengeance of Cromwell, which was excited against those who had attempted a general revolt, were John and Andrew Washington, great-grandsons of the grantee of Sulgrave, who landed in Virginia in 1657. The brothers purchased an extensive tract of land in Westmoreland County, between the rivers Potomac and Rappahannock. Near the place M'here Bridges Creek falls into the Potomac, John took up his abode, and married Miss Anne Pope. He became an extensive planter, a member of the House of Burgesses, and the leader of the Virginia forces against the Seneca Indians. His grandson Augustine was born in 1694, and was twice married. His first union was in 1715 to Jane Butler, of Westmoreland County, daughter of Caleb Butler. Four children were the fruit of this union, two of whom died in childhood. The survivors were Laurence and Augustine Washington, whose mother died in November, 1728. Augustine Washington married, in 1730, a beautiful young lady named Mary Ball. She bore him four sons and two daughters. The younger daughter, called Mildred, died in infancy; the other was named Elizabeth. The second son was called Samuel ; his brothers were John Augustine, and Charles ; and the eldest of the four was one whose name history loves to record, and which nations bless, — the father and founder of American freedom.

George Washington was born on Feb. 22d, 1732. on Bridges Creek, the old homestead of the family. His father, soon after his birth, removed to Stafford County. The house in which he resided was situated on an elevation ; and a meadow near it, bordering on the Eappahannock, was the playground of the boy who was destined to bear such a conspicuous part in the history of his country.

Virginia, in those days, did not possess the advantages, in an educational point of view, which she afterward attained. The facilities for instruction were few, and the capabilities of teachers were of an humble character. To complete the education of their sons, the rich planters usually sent them to England ; and this course was adopted frequently, in different parts of the land, till a much later date. "While George was yet a child, Augustine Washington sent his eldest son Laurence to England to puraue his studies, considering him, at the age of fifteen, as the head of the family.

As soon as George was old enough, he was sent to the best school which the neighborhood afforded. It formed a striking contrast to the schools that have since grown up in the land ; for it was of very little pretension, and presided over by one of his father's tenants, whose name was Hobby, who, to the dignity of preceptor, added that of parish sexton. Reading, writing, arithemetic, and such elementary branches, were doubtless the amount of what young Washington was then taught. At the same time, it should be remembered that he reaped the advantages of mental and moral instruction from his father at horae ;

and, as will afterward appear, from his excellent rnother.

Laurence returned from England when George was seven or eight years of age. There existed a very strong attachment between the brothers. Laurence viewed George as a remarkable specimen of rectitude and truth, and the boy won his afiections and a claim to his protection ; while, on the other hand, George looked up to his brother, with his manly and cultivated mind, as a fit model for imitation, and thus, at an early age, these sentiments of affection and admiration impressed their influence on his future sentiments.

The military ardor of his ancestors had an effect on the mind of Laurence Washington, and he gratified his military taste by joining the expedition of Admiral Vernon, commander-in-chief in the West Indies ; for which he embarked in 1740, in his twenty-second 3^ear. He received a captain's commission, and served with honor under Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth, in their joint expedition. He was present at the inefl'ectual attack on Carthagena ; was distinguished there by his bravery ; and was one of those who unflinchingly bore the enemy's fire, while his party retired with a loss of six hundred killed and wounded. This event gave his brother such a bias toward a military life, that his very recreations were afterward of a martial character. His plaj'mates he turned into soldiers, and with reviews, parades, and sham-fights, he thus became, at a tender age, a commander and a hero.

George Washington, at the age of eleven, was left 2* B after his father's death in 1743, with the other children of the second marriage, under the guardianship of his mother, whose good sense, conscientiousness, and excellent qualities, exacted deference while inspiring aifection, formed the mind and stamped indelibly the moral character of her son. Both by precept and by example she inculcated the lessons by which a warm temper, inherited from herself, was governed and directed ; and by her the principles of his future conduct were founded on the most rigid justice and equity. It was her wont to call her children around her, and read from some favorite work of morality and religion. Then flowed from her lips the instructions which guided the future man, and which will affect the race for good till the latest posterity. Those who desire to know the basis of the moral character of Washington, will discover it by perusing Sir Mattheu'' Hale's " Contemplations, Moral and Divine," the favorite manual of his mother; in which volume her name was written with her own hand, preserved by her son with religious care, and still deposited in the archives of Mount Vernon. Mary Washington inculcated those principles, and inspired those sentiments, by which her son was guided throughout life ; which rendered him one of the best, as well as one of the greatest, of men.

Washington's father being deceased, and Hobby's course of learning no longer suited to his wants, George was sent to the school of Mr. Williams, at Bridges Qreek, and resided with Augustine. Hia own purpose, and the object of his friends, were, to fit him for ordinary business life ; he never made any attempt to acquire a knowledge of the classics ; nor does he seem to have had any inclination for such studies as the learned languages, rhetoric, or the belles lettres ; though, at a more recent period, he gave some attention to the French. His education was plain and eminently practical; and his manuscript school books which are yet preserved, display great neatness and correctness. In a book of arithmetic still remaining at Mount Vernon, is an attempt to portray forms and faces, probably those of his school- mates; but in other respects it presents a business-like appearance. One thing of infinite service to him in after-life, both in the management of his estate and at the head of armies, was his practical and lawyer-like acquaintance w^ith business forms. All sorts of mercantile and legal papers, bills of exchange, bonds, notes of hand, and deeds, gave him skill in keeping accounts; and monuments of his diligence are yet to be seen in financial affairs posted up in books, with his own hand, and relating to all the transactions of his property, dealings with persons at home or abroad, and accounts with Government. He had the good sense to appreciate physical education, which, by means of the athletic exercises of running, wrestling, pitching bars and quoits, exerts more influence on the mind than is generally supposed, and tends greatly to produce the mens sana in sano corpore. In these exercises Washington took the lead among his young associates ; and the muscles of his large and powerful frame had attained such development, at this early period, that tradition points out the place where, when still a boy, he cast a stouo across the Rappahannock ; and anecdotes yet attest his achievements as a horseman, in which he excelled, so as to be able to mount and manage the most ungovernable steed. These accomplishments, and the rigid principles of justice and impartial probity on which his conduct was regulated, in the most minute particulars, rendered him an umpire among his young associates, from whose decisions there was no appeal ; and the type of the future man was visible in the fact that, as he was their chosen military chief at an earlier age, he had now became their young legislator. One thing in particular, at every period of his career, prominently characterized him ; and that was his reverence for the Supreme Being, the acknowledgment of his control of human affairs, and of the superintending Providence that directs all sublunary fivents.