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conflict conspired to give the scene the most lively interest.

His country being exalted to the dignity of a sovereign and independent nation, General Washington with great satisfaction resigned the arduous duties and high responsibility of his military command. He repaired to Mount Vernon, in the delightful prospect of spending the residue of his days in the bosom of domestic life.

With an immaculate character he had passed through all the complicated transactions of a revolutionary war; and had established an immortal reputation as a soldier and à patriot, throughout the civilized world. To his retirement he carried the profound veneration and most lively affection of his grateful countrymen. In the estimation of his friends, the measure of his honour was full. The extent of their wishes was, that no unpropitious event might take place to tarnish the lustre of his reputation; but that in peace he might descend into the grave, with his laurel crown unfad, ed on his head.

CHAPTER X.

General Washington in Retirement-His Pursuits-Votes of Congress and of the Legislature of Virginia respecting himHis Visitors and Correspondents—His Plans to improve the Navigation of the Potomack and James' Rivers-Declines the grant of Virginia-His Advice to the Cincinnati-State of Public Affairs-National Convention-General Washington its President Federal Constitution recommended and adopted. General Washington requested to consent to administer the Government-He is chosen President of the United StatesSets out for the Seat of Government-Attention shown him on his Journey-His Reception at New York.

1784.] PEACE being restored to his country upon the broad basis of independence, General Washington with supreme delight retired to the pursuits of private life. In a letter to Governor Clinton, written three days after his arrival at Mount Vernon, he thus expressed the grateful feelings of his heart on being relieved from the weight of his public station. "The scene is at length closed. I feel myself eased of a load of public care, and hope to spend the remainder of my days in cultivating the affections of good men, and in the practice of the domestic virtues."

This sentiment was more fully expressed to the Marquis La Fayette. "I have become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomack, and under the shadow of my own vine and own fig tree,

free from the bustle of a camp, and the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments, of which the soldier who is ever in pursuit of fame, the statesman whose watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own, perhaps the ruin of other countries (as if the globe was insufficient for us all), and the courtier who is always watching the countenance of his Prince in the hope of catching a gracious smile, can have very little conception. I have not only retired from all public employments, but am retiring within myself, and shall be able to view the solitary walk and tread the paths of private life with heartfelt satisfaction. Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with all; and this, my dear friend, being the order of my match, I will move down the stream of life, until I sleep with my fathers."

But delighted as he was with his domestic enjoyments, he found it to be the work of time to divest himself of the feelings and habits formed in his public station. "I am just beginning," said he in a letter to a friend, "to experience the ease and freedom from public cares, which however desirable, takes some time to realise; for strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that it was not until lately I could get the better of my usual custom of ruminating as soon as I awoke in the morning, on the business of the ensuing day; and of my surprise at finding, after revolving many things in my mind, that I was no longer a public man, or had any thing to do with public trans

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actions. I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveller must do, who, after treading many a painful step with a heavy burden on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, having reached the haven to which all the former were directed. and from his housetop is looking back and tracing with an eager eye, the meanders by which he escaped the quicksands and mires which lay in his way, and into which none but the all-powerful Guide and Dispenser of human events could have prevented his falling."

Soon after the proclamation of peace, Congress unanimously resolved to erect at the place which should be established as the permanent seat of government, an equestrian statue of General Washington. This resolution, however, has not yet been carried into effect.

Virginia also bore an honourable testimony of the sense entertained of the services of her distinguished citizen. In a spacious area in the centre of the capitol of this state, she erected a marble statue of him, with the following inscription on its pedestal.

"The General Assembly of the commonwealth of Virginia have caused this statue to be erected as a monument of affection and gratitude to GEORGE WASHINGTON, who, uniting in the endowments of the HERO the virtues of the PATRIOT, and exerting both in the establishment of the liberties of his country, has rendered his name dear to his fellow citizens, and given the world an immortal example of true glory."

In addition to these expressions of public veneration, innumerable addresses from literary and

other incorporations were presented to him, which, in ardent language, expressed the veneration universally felt for his character, and the admiration entertained for his services. His well balanced mind bore these public and private honours without a symptom of vanity or pride.

The pursuits of General Washington at this period were a renewal of habits formed at an earlier part of life, and a recurrence to employments in which he ever took delight; and he experienced nothing of that dissatisfaction and tedium of which gentlemen often complain, who leave the cares of a public station for the silent scenes of retirement. The improvement of American husbandry engaged his close attention, and in the prosecution of plans adapted to this purpose, he entered into a correspondence with Mr. Arthur Young, and other distinguished European agriculturists. The result of their information, and of his own experience, he applied to amend his farming implements, to improve his breed of cattle, and in various experiments suited to the soil he cultivated. The plans which succeeded with him, he recommended to the farmers around him.

But even in the shade of Mount Vernon, the time of General Washington was not wholly at his own disposal. Every foreigner of distinction who visited the United States was urgent for an introduction to the late Commander in Chief; and every American of any consequence, who was about to cross the Atlantic, was ambitious to obtain letters from him to celebrated characters in Europe. With numbers of the officers of the late army,

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