vages and destruction wherever they went; that had involved thousands of all ages in distress; occasioned unusual transports of joy in the breasts of the whole body of the people. Throughout the United States, they displayed a social triumph and exultation, which no private prosperity is ever able to inspire. A day of thanksgiving was appointed by congress, who went in procession to church, to offer up their grateful acknowledgments for the signal success of the campaign.

This year, 1781, terminated in all parts A. D. of the United States in favour of the Ame1781. ricans. It began with weakness in Carolina, mutiny in New-Jersey, and devastation in Virgi nia; nevertheless in its close, the British were confined to their strong holds in or near NewYork, Charleston, and Savannah, and their whole army was captured in Virginia. They, in the course of the year, had acquired much plunder, by which individuals were enriched, but their nation was in no respect benefited.

On the last day of the year, Henry Laurens was released from his long confinement in the Tower of London. To this fact we have hitherto but barely alluded. He was committed a close prisoner on the 6th of October, in the preceding year, on suspicion of high treason. This gentleman had been deputed by congress to solicit a loan for their service in the United Netherlands; and also to negociate a treaty between them and the United States. On his way thither he was taken by the Vestal frigate; and though he threw his papers overboard, yet enough were recovered to ascertain the object of his mission. In the course of his imprisonment, he was offered his liberty, if he would acknowledge his error, which he indignantly refused.

:

Afterwards, when his son arrived in France as the special minister of congress, he was requested to beg that he would withdraw himself from that post to which he replied, "My son is of age, and has a will of his own; if I should write to him in the terms you demand, it would have no effect. He is a man of honour, he loves me dearly, and would lay down his life to save mine; but I am sure he would not sacrifice his honour to save my life, and I applaud him."

1782.

A few months after the surrender of lord Cornwallis, the British evacuated all their posts in South Carolina and Georgia, and retired to the main army in New-York. Early in the ensuing spring, Sir Guy Carlton arrived in New- A. D. York, and took command of the British army in America. Immediately on his arrival he acquainted general Washington and congress, that negociation for peace had been commenced at Paris. On the 30th of November, the provisional articles were signed, by which Great-Britain acknowledged the independence and sovereignty of the United States of America, and these articles were ratified by a definitive treaty. Thus ended a long and arduous conflict, which eventually gave to the American states a rank among the na tions of the earth.

A. D.

1782.

Toward the close of this year, congress issued a proclamation, in which the armies of the United States were applauded and discharged from their duties. On the day preceding their dismission, general Washington issued his farewell orders in the most endearing language. The evacuation of New-York took place in about three weeks after the American army was discharged; and in the evening there

was a display of fire-works, which exceeded every thing of the kind before witnessed in the United States.

The hour now approached when general Washington was to take leave of his officers, who had been endeared to him by a long series of common sufferings and dangers. This was done in a solemn manner: "With a heart full of love and gratitude," said he, "I now take leave of you-I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your former ones have been glorious and honourable." The officers came up successively, and he took an affectionate leave of each of them. When this scene was over, the general left the room, and passed through a corps of light-infantry to the place of embarkation. The officers followed in procession. On entering his barge, he turned to the companions of his glory, and by waving his hat bid them a silent adieu. Some of them answered this last signal of respect and affection with tears; and all of them hung upon the barge which conveyed him from their sight, till they could no longer distinguish in it the person of their beloved commander in chief.

He proceeded to Annapolis, then the seat of congress, to resign his commission. On his way thither, he delivered to the comptroller in Philadelphia, an account of the expenditures of all the public money he had ever received. This was in his own hand writing, and every entry was made in a particular manner.

In every town and village through which the general passed, he was met and saluted by public and private demonstrations of joy. His resignation was accepted in a public manner, at which a great number of distinguished persons were pre

sent; and never was there witnessed a more interesting scene*. Immediately on his resignation, Mr. Washington hastened to his seat at Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potowmac, in Virginia,

At a proper moment, general Washington addressed Thomas Mifflin, the President, in the following words: "Mr. President,

"The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations, and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest.

While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and di tinguished merits of the persons who have been attached to my person during the war: it was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate; permit me, sir, to recommend in particular those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of congress.

I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God,

where he earnestly hoped to spend the remainder of his days in an honourable retirement.

and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life."

To this the President returned an appropriate answer.