E 312 1227 1855 PREFACE. THE following publication originated in the author's wish to place within reach of the great body of his countrymen, an authentick biography of General WASHINGTON. Judge Marshall, in his valuable life of this illustrious patriot, has embraced not only the settlement and general history of the North American Colonies; but also the political history of the United States. His work is therefore necessarily too expensive to be obtained by all classes of American people. The writer of these memoirs apprehended, that by publishing the life of WASHINGTON in a compressed form, he should enable those of his fellow citizens, who are not in possession of Marshall, to leave to their posterity a memorial of a man, who was pre-eminently distinguished as a Soldier and Statesman. General WASHINGTON was from his youth de voted to his country his character therefore cannot be portrayed, without bringing into view many important publick transactions. The plan of the writer has been to notice no individual or evert, further than was necessary to display the principal character. He has made Judge Marshall his leading authority for facts, and has in some measure followed him in the order of events. The histories of the war by Doctors Ramsay and Gordon, and several original writings have been consulted; but he trusts, that greater liberty has not been taken with any of them than is fair and honourable. The few facts, which have not before been published, were received immediately from confidential friends of General WASHINGTON, or from gentlemen who, in respectable official situations, were members of his family during his military command. It has been the endeavour of the author to display the character of the man who is the subject of the work, by exhibiting in a connected view his actions and his writings; and he has, as far as possible, made this exhibition in the person of General WASHINGTON. He has not conceived that he was writing for men of erudition, but for the unlettered portion of the community; and he has for their benefit more particularly studied simplicity of style. Should he be so happy as to obtain their approbation, he will receive an ample reward of his labour. He entertains no expectation of acquiring literary fame by this publication; but he hopes to escape the disgrace of having written a useless bock. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. His Birth-Education-Appointed an Adjutant Ge sion Colonel WASHINGTON'S Marriage-His Management of the Estate of Mount Vernon-Appointed a Judge of the County Court, and a member of the Virginia Legislature-Chosen a member of the first Congress -Appointed Commander in Chief of the American Forces-Arrives at Camp-Arranges the Army- Deficiency of Arms and Ammunition-Colonel Ar- nold detached to Quebec-Success of American Cruis- ers-Evils of temporary Enlistments-An Attack General WASHINGTON marches the Army to New York-Fortifications of the City and River--Inde- pendence declared-General Howe lands on Staten Island-Interview between General WASHINGTON and Colonel Patterson-State of the British and American Forces-Camp at Brooklyn-Battle on Long Island-Retreat from it-The City and Island of New-York evacuated-Manœuvres at White Plains-Fort Washington taken--General Howe invades New-Jersey-Depression of the Americans -General WASHINGTON invested with new Powers |