1783. [Gen. Washington's account] From June Dec. 1775 to the end of June 1783 Expenditure from July 1, 1783, to Dec. 13 213 84 [Added afterward] from thence to Dec. 28 lawful money of Virginia, the fame as the Maffachusetts, or £. 14,479 18 9: sterling. The general entered in his book" I find upon the final adjustment of these accounts, that I am a confiderable lofer-my disbursements falling a good deal fhort of my receipts, and the money I had upon hand of my own: for befides the fums I carried with me to Cambridge in 1775, I received monies afterwards on private account in 1777 and fince, which (except small fums that I had occafion now and then to apply to private ufes) were all expended in the public fervice: through hurry, I fuppofe, and the perplexity of business (for I know not how elfe to account for the deficiency) I have omitted to charge the fame, whilft every debit against me is here credited. July 1, 1783." Happy would it have been for the United States (you will be likely to add-and for Great Britain) had each person who has handled public money been equally exact and punctual! General Washington, after delivering in his accounts, haftened to Annapolis, where he arrived on the evening of the 19th of December. The next day he informed congrefs of his arrival in that city, with the intention of asking leave to refign the commiffion he had the honor of of holding in their fervice, and defired to know their 1783. pleasure in-what manner it would be most proper to offer his refignation whether in writing or at an audience. They refolved that it fhould be at a public audience, the following Tuesday at twelve o'clock. The general had been so reserved with regard to the time of his intended refignation, that congrefs had not the least apprehenfion of its being either fo foon or so fudden. When the day was arrived, and the hour approached 23. for fixing the patriotic character of the AMERICAN CHIEF, the gallery was filled with a beautiful group of elegant ladies, and some graced the floor of congrefs. On this were likewise the governor, council and legislature of Maryland, feveral general officers, the conful general of France, and the respectable citizens of Annapolis. Congrefs were feated and covered, as reprefentatives of the fovereignty of the Union, the fpectators were uncovered and ftanding. The general was introduced to a chair by the fecretary, who, after a decent interval, ordered filence. A short pause enfued, when the honorable Thomas Mifflin, the prefident, informed the general, that "the United States in congrefs affembled were prepared to receive his communications :" on which he rose with great dignity, and delivered this addrefs" Mr. Prefident, The great events on which my refignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my fincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before them, to furrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the fervice of my country. Cc 2 "Happy 1 "Happy in the confirmation of our independence and fovereignty, and pleafed with the opportunity afforded the United States, of becoming a respectable nation, I refign with fatisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence-a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish fo arduous a tafk; which however was fuperfeded by a confidence in the rectitude of our caufe, the support of the fupreme power of the union, and the patronage of Heaven. "The fuccefsful termination of the war has verified the moft fanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interpofition of Providence, and the affiftance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous conteft. "While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I fhould do injuftice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar fervices and diftinguished merits of the gentlemen who have been attached to my perfon during the war. It was impoffible compofe my family Permit me, fir, to the choice of confidential officers to "I confider it as an indifpenfable duty to clofe this last act of my official life by commending the interefts of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the fuperintendence of them to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work affigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affec 3 tionate tionate farewel to this auguft body, under whofe orders 1783. I have fo long acted, I here offer my commiffion, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." The general was fo powerfully impreffed, with the great and interesting scenes that crowded in upon his imagination while fpeaking, that he would have been fcarce able to have uttered more than the clofing period. He advanced and delivered to the prefident his commiffion, with a copy of his addrefs. Having refumed his place, he received in a standing posture the following anfwer of congrefs; which the prefident delivered with elegance; but not without fuch a fenfibility as changed, and spread a degree of palenefs over, his countenance. "Sir, The United States in congress assembled receive, with emotions too affecting for utterance, the folemn refignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with fuccefs through a perilous and a doubtful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the facred charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds of a government to support you. You have conducted the great military conteft with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to dif play their martial genius, and tranfmit their fame to pofterity. You have perfevered, till thefe United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, fafety and independence; on which happy event we fincerely join you in congratulations. Cc 3 "Having 1783. сс Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world: having taught a leffon useful to those who inflict and to those who feel oppreffion, you retire from the great theatre of action, with the bleffings of your fellow-citizens but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command, it will continue to animate remoteft ages. "We feel with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interefts, of those confidential officers, who have attended your perfon to this affecting moment. "We join you in commending the interefts of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, befeeching him to difpofe the hearts and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded them, of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life fo beloved, may be foftered with all his care; that your days may be happy as they have been illuftrious; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." To fee on the one hand, fo great and amiable a character taking his leave of public employments to spend his future days in retirement; and his country on the other acknowledging his unprecedented merit, and with the most affectionate embraces loading him with their bleffings, exhibited a scene that drew tears from many of the fpectators. When the business was clofed, his excellency immediately fet out for his feat at Mount Vernon in Virginia. The governor of Maryland accompanied him to South river, with the warmest wishes of |