CONTENTS. Religious education of Washington-Record of his birth and bap- tism-Sponsors-Solemn vows of sponsors-Parental instruc- tion-Death of his father-The untamed colt-George is sent to Westmoreland-Pope's Creek Church-Goes to school- Peaceable disposition-Beloved by his companions-Adopts sundry rules of conduct-Is anxious to enter the British navy- Affection for his mother causes him to decline-Leaves West- moreland-Resides with his brother Lawrence at Mount Ver- non, and with his mother near Fredericksburg-Religious and moral instruction-Familiar with a pious work, "Contempla- His religious opinions-Northern journal-Letter to the State Governours-Judge Boudinot's opinion of his faith-Farewell address-Religion and morality essential to the welfare of mankind-French infidelity-The contagion thereof reaches America-Extracts from Robert Hall, Dr. Wardlaw, and Dr. His views of Divine Providence-Reflections on the doctrine-His belief in a particular Providence, firm and unqualified-Extracts from his letters, declaring his convictions on the subject, . . . 99 His devotional habits-Remarks on the duty of prayer-Prayers church in a state of decay-Instrumental in building a new one CHAPTER V. His respect for the Sabbath-Reflections on the Day by Dr. CHAPTER VI. His respect for the clergy-Solicits Governour Dinwiddie to ap- CHAPTER VII. His almsgiving-Reflections on the duty-Charity to the poor- 134 171 176 youth-Letter to Edward Snickers-Letter to Lund Washing- His filial love-Remarks on the virtue-His desire for the navy relinquished in deference to his mother's wishes-Letters to his mother-Extract from his diary-Visit to his mother at Freder- His conjugal love-The value of this virtue-Proofs of the same in His respect for superiors-Importance of such a spirit in comma- His self-denial-A painful but wholesome duty-Extracts from his journal-Trials of his early military life-Health impaired -Retires to Mount Vernon-On recovery of his health, resumes his command-Much discouraged in prosecuting the war-Plain- ness of dress-Difficulties during the revolutionary war-En- dured with great patience Letter to Major General Green- Visit of Colonel Meade, his former aid-de-camp-The simplici- His disinterestedness-Letter to John Robinson, speaker of the House of Burgesses-Disclaims selfish motives on entering into the service of his country-Losses under General Braddock- His humanity-Excellence of this virtue-Kindness to French prisoners-Letter to Governour Dinwiddie-Sympathy with those suffering by the French and Indian war-Letter to Gen- eral Gage-Instructions to General Arnold-Lord Chatham's son-Letter to the President of Congress-Proclamation, &c.- Expostulates with Lord Howe on cruel treatment of prisoners- His views of profane swearing, gaming, and drunkenness-Evil of these vices-Letters to Governour Dinwiddie in relation to them-Order issued to his troops in the French and Indian His views of war-Pernicious effects of war-Remarks of Robert CHAPTTR XVI. His views of duelling-His conduct under provocation in Alexan- His death-Account thereof by Tobias Lear-Death sudden- Resignation to the will of God-Mrs. Washington at his bed- side-Bible on the bed-Directions concerning his funeral- Posthumous honours-Public grief and lamentations at his INTRODUCTION. An account of the early years of WASHINGTON, will probably be regarded as a proper introduction to the following work. With such a chart, the progress of the reader will be rendered more easy, as he will not then be detained with explanations and references, otherwise unavoidable. Something of the kind becomes expedient, moreover, for other reasons entitled to weight. Of the many narratives published of this period of Washington's life, it is believed that none have been correct. The prominent facts may have been given, but not without striking errors and contradictions in them all. These, indeed, may not be of very great moment, but it certainly is desirable that the statements should be accurate. If the history is of any value, it is worthy of being exact in its details. The author cannot say that he has attained to perfect accuracy, in regard to all the facts, dates, &c., but he has been enabled to rectify sundry mistakes of former biographers, and to give, as he thinks, a record more faithful than any which has yet appeared. GEORGE WASHINGTON was born on the 22d of February, (N. s.) A.D. 1732. The place of his nativity was Pope's Creek, Washington parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. The estate on which he was born had been in possession of his family for about seventy-five years. It was originally settled by his great-grandfather, John Washington, an English gentleman, who had emigrated from the north |