Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

person and character; of their condolence in the late afflicting dispensation of providence, and intreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General GEORGE WASHINGTON, in the manner expressed in the first resolution. As the sentiments of that virtuous lady, not less beloved by this nation than she is at present greatly afflicted, can never be so well expressed as in her own words ; I transmit to Congress her original letter.

IT would be an attempt of too much delicacy, to make any comments upon it; but there can be no doubt, that the nation at large, as well as all the branches of the gov ernment, will be highly gratified by any arrangement which may diminish the sacrifice she makes of her individual feelings.

United States, Jan. 8, 1800.

JOHN ADAMS.

SIR,

MRS. WASHINGTON's LETTER.

Mount Vernon, Dec. 31, 1799.

WHILE I feel with keenest anguish, the late dispensation of Divine Providence, I

cannot be insensible to the mournful tributes of respect and veneration, which are paid to the memory of my dear deceased husband and, as his best services and most anxious wishes, were always devoted to the welfare and happiness of his country, to know that they were truly appreciated, and gratefully remembered, affords no inconsiderable consolation.

TAUGHT by the great example, which I have so long had before me, never to oppose my private wishes to the public will, I must consent to the request made by congress, which you have had the goodness to transmit me, and in doing this, I need not, I cannot say, what a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to a sense of public duty.

WITH grateful acknowledgment and unfeigned thanks for the personal respect, and evidences of condolence, expressed by Congress and yourself, I remain very respectfully, sir, your most obedient and humble

servant,

MARTHA WASHINGTON.

The President of the United States.

T

BIOGRAPHICAL OUTLINE

OF

General George Washington,

BY J. M. WILLIAMS

WHEN a man of so much importance, and an object of such general estimation, as the illustrious character under consideration, is removed from the busy theatre of life, a more than ordinary curiosity is excited, to know in what manner he exercised his being, and by what degrees he rose to an elevation so renowned and so glorious.

THE late GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, was born in Virginia, in the parish of Washington, in Westmoreland county, on the 22d day of February, 1732: his father, Mr. Augustine Washington, was the owner of an ample estate, comprehending a large plantation and a farm, in Virginia, and a gentleman of enviable endowments and much respectability. The ancestors of this valued

man arrived in that part of America, from the county of York, in Great-Britain, in the year 1657, and established a settlement in King George's county. During the first movement of the revolutionary war, the late General WASHINGTON had three brothers and one sister living, viz. Samuel, John, and Charles, each of whom had estates of consequence-the lady was married to Colonel Fielding Lewis.

THE general's father married twice, and our political saviour was the first issue of the second marriage; his education was conducted under the superintendence of his father, who had his boy trained up in those exercises and feats of activity and hardihood, as steeled his young nerves and fitted him for the purposes of an enterprising life by this judicious proceeding, he was rendered muscular and healthful, and, as the mind is greatly dependent on the body, his intellect became sound, and his apprehension lively. His hours of study were guided by a private tutor, who infused that correct taste for composition, which he has so charmingly exemplified in his correspondence and official papers; and those sentiments of morality,which

made his philosophy amiable and his prac

tice noble.

THE prominent course of his tuition involved the theory of the Latin language, the problems of Euclid, and the prosody of his vernacular tongue. His father died when he was a boy, and he fell under the guardianship of his elder brother, Mr. Lawrence Washington. When admiral Vernon was employed in the reduction of Carthagena, this gentleman accompanied the expedition, and had the command of a company in the colonial troops; at the termination of that exploit, he returned and married the daughter of the Hon. William Fairfax, of Bellevoir. He took his lady to the family seat, which he civilly denominated Mount Vernon, in remembrance and in honour of the gallant admiral, who had expressed a predilection for the talents and spirit of the young American. This gentleman was created adjutant general of the Virginia militia, and died soon after the appointment. The daughter of this gentleman, and his second brother, being deceased, General WASHINGTON Succeeded to the family patrimony, and sat down as the legiti mate lord of an extensive and rich domain.

« AnteriorContinuar »