E 312 135 Copy 1 ^r?^ .fBt,a ^x % *;. w LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. liptf. JSup^ri^^ !f u*. Shelf ijtt^S- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. -■«1 / THE Inaaaaral or OUR fiirst o i?r@5id@nt^ OF ^S^Q/i, AND Historic No RELATING TO COPYRIGHT- T(El^Ar291889. J, ■^■^shingto^* THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, 1889. Moss Engraving Co., N. Y. Cupyrighted 18k9 i April 29—30, May 1st, 1889. »X ^ Early on Monday morning, the 29th of April, the President of the United States and his Cabinet, and tlie Supreme Court of the United States, and other officials of distinction, will leave Washington and proceed via Philadelphia and Trenton to Elizubethport, in New Jersey, taking the same route that Wasliington took in going from Mount Vernon to New York, in April of 1789, to be inaugurated. At Elizabeth- port the Presidential party will take the Government tug " i'/.s^xi^c/i" and steam up New York Bay to the foot of Wall Street, passing, en route, foreign vessels and vessels from our own navy and boats of every description that will be ranged in line by the Navy Committee. These vessels will salute the Presidential party as the vessels in the harbor, in 1789, saluted Washington as he was rowed by thirteen pilots in an elegant barge up to the foot of Wall Street. On the arrival of the party at the foot of Wall Street, President Harrison will be met by tlie Mayor and the Committee and escorted to his headquarters. That eve- ning there will be a ball in the INIetropolitan Opera House, in this city, and it is pro- posed to make it the grandest ball that has ever been held in the city of New Y^ork. On Tuesday morning, April 30, it is proposed to hold brief religious services in St. Paul's Church, where Washington, Vice-President Adams, and the two Houses of Congress attended service on the day of Inauguration. As Doctor Provost, the Bishop of New York and the Chaplain of the Senate conducted the service a hundred years ago, so Bishop Potter, of New Y^ork, will conduct the service on April 30, next. He will be assisted by the Rev. Dr. Morgan Dix, the Rector of Trinity^and St. Paul's Churches, and a member of the Committee. President Harrison and other invited guests will be in attendance at the special service in St. Paul's Church. It was at nine o'clock, on the morning of the Inauguration, in 1789, that the doors of all churches in this city were thrown open for a brief service of prayer, and it is proposed, not only to have brief services of thanksgiving in the churches of New York, but also throughout the State and Union. The formal Literary exercises will take place on the steps of the Sub- Treasury,"corner Nassau and Wall Streets, at half-past ten o'clock. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., L. L. D , of Brooklyn, will offer the prayer. A poem is expected from the venerable Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Chauncey M. Depew will deliver the oration. The President of the United States will speak, and Archbishop Corrigan will pronounce the Benediction. At^ precisely twelve o'clock a salute of twenty-one guns will be given to the American flag from ships of war of every nationality in New Y'ork Harbor, and from the batteries of Castle William, and Forts Hamilton and Wadaworth ; then the grand Military Parade will march up Broadway and be review- ed at Madison Square CAPTAIN RALPH IZARD l>t -y iZi WASHINGTON. [From the original picture by G. Stuart, in the Athaeneum, Boston..] It is proposed to make the parade mure brilliant than any parade ever held in the city. It has been suggested that the entire National Guard in the State turn out. and such an event has not occurred in this city s^nce the close of the war. The Chair- man of the Military and Industrial parade is Col. S. Van Rensselaer Cruger. whose family has been prominent in this city for two hundred years. In the evening of April 30th, there will be a banquet at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Governors of many States have appointed commissioners to attend to the representation of their respective States, and it is probable the military of other sec- tions will be in line. On Wednesday, May 1st, an Industrial Parade will take place and it is expected that many of the States will be represented. During the month of April there will be an exhibition of Historical portraits in the Metropolitan Opera House, and also a Memorial Exhibition of Washington relics. The portraits will be limited to portraits of Washington and his Cabinet, and to members of the first Congress under the Constitution ; and it is expected that the chair that stood in Federal Hall, which Washington occupied as first President, the Bible used at the Inauguration, and other authenticated relics will be exhibited. Among the portraits promised, is one of George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart at Mount "Vernon, in 1797, and given by Washington to Alexander Hamilton. This portrait has never been photographed or engraved, and is a beautiful picture. It is now owned by Hamilton's grandson, Alexander Hamilton of New York. The Art Committee, which consists, among others, of Henry G. Marquand. Daniel Hunt- ington, F. Hopkinson Smith, Wm. E. Dodge, Charles Henry Hart, Lispenard .Stewart, and Richard Watson Gilder, is doing everything in its power to render the Art and Memorial Exhibition one of the most interesting and prominent features of the celebration. At the last session of the Legislature of this State a law was passed making April 30th a legal holiday. The President of the Committee is the venerable Hamilton Fish, whose father was a revolutionary patriot and a friend of Washington. The Chairman is Mayor Hugh J. Grant, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee is Elbridge T. Gerry, the grandson of Elbridge Gerry, a member of the first Congress under the Constitution, a Governor of the State of Massachusetts, and Vice-President of the United States. Mr. Asa Bird Gardner is the Chairman of the Naval Committee, and Ward McAllister, Secretary and Manager, has the details of the Entertainment Com- mittee in charge. Other members of the Committee include such well-known names as John Jay, Philip Schuyler, Robert Stuyvesant, .Tames M. Varnum. J Tallraadge Van Kensselaer, Wm. G. Hamilton, John A. King, Samuel D Babcock, Theodore Roosevelt, Seth Low, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Egerton L. Winthrop, and J. Pierrepont Morgan. EORGE Washington was born in Westmoreland Co. Va. on the 22'd of February, 1732, being the eldest son by the second mar- riage of his father, Augustine Washington, who died in 1743 ai the early age of forty-nine. The opportunities presented for the education of young Washington were somewhat limited, but when he left school at the age of sixteen he had mastered the branches of geometry, trigonometry and surveying, the knowledge of which became of great service to him in later years. MAI^THA WASHINGTON. [From the origin.al picture by Stuart.] When but fourteen years old his brother Lawrence obtained for him a midshipman's warrant in the British Navy, but a mother's solicitude for her son's safety interposed providentially and spared him for a higher destiny. Soon after leaving school he was entrusted with the responsible duty of surveying large tracts of land in the Allegheny mountains owned by Lord Fairfax, an intimate friend of the Washington family. This arduous task was performed so successfully that he was soon after appointed Public Surveyor. At the age of nineteen his reputation had made so favorable an im- pression upon the authorities of the State of Virginia, that he was appointed Adjutant General with the rank of Major, to assemble and exercise the militia of certain districts, as a defensive measure against the depredations of the Indians and the encroachments of the French. In 1751 he accompanied his brother Lawrence to Barbadoes, and re- mained there four months. Soon after Governor Dinwiddie came to Virginia the state was divided into four divisions, each containing several counties, and Washington's commission was renewed. The information that the French troops were about to establish forts on the Ohio River, caused Governor Dinwiddie to fear that the Indians would waver in their fidelity, and it was decided by him to entrust Major Wash- ington with the delicate and arduous task of communicatino; with the Commandant of the French forces, to enquire by what authority he presumed to invade the lands claimed by the Crown. Fortified with credentials and a passport he began the journey on October 31st, 1753. After encountering many hardships and traveling over 543 miles of rugged wilderness, he met M. de Saint Pierre, the Commandant, who in firm but politic terms refused to heed a request for the withdrawal of his forces. On his return journey Major Washington was fired upon by a treach- erous Indian, and in crossing the Allegheny he was accidentally thrown into the icy river, but form both of these mishaps he fortunately escaped unharmed. Arrangements to repel the invasion of the French were soon made by Governor Dinwiddie, and Major Washington was honored with the rank of Lieut. Colonel, second in command under Col. John Fry. His first action was against a party of French soldiers, in which engagement he was successful. The death soon after of Col. Fry placed Washington in com- mand. His conduct during the several encounters in this expedition was rewarded-with a vote of thanks by the House of Burgesses. He soon after assumed the post of aid-de-camp under General Braddock who was then advancing upon Fort Duquesne. During the action that followed Brad- dock's troops were put to flight after a sharp contest, in which two horses On the base of the Mor\umen.t is cut the following wording : On this site ii\ Federal Hall, April 30th, 1788. Geo5;ge Washington took the oath as the first President of the United States of America. ERECTED BY VOLUNTABY SUBSCRIPTION Under the auspices of the Chambei^ of Gommei^ce, State op New York, Nov. 26, 1883. ^^r^//i''-'/^^ami'9'to*fmKrimiMr-Ma^mKi;vmM^»^/^<'^ STATUE OF WASHINGTON. ■ [On the site of the old Federal buildii\g, now the U. S Sub-Treasury.] Ayere shot from under Washington and his coat pierced four times with bullets, while General Braddock received a mortal wound. The army was soon reorganized, and at the urgent request of friends he accepted command of the entire Virginia forces. The plan of action soon took a wider field and his forces were joined with other colonial troops under the command of Gen. Forbes, in an expe- dition against Fort Duquesne, which was occupied without a struggle on Nov. 25th, 1758. On his i-eturn he resigned his commission and returned to Mount Vernon. Daring this year he paid his addresses to Mrs. Martha Custis, and on Jan. 6th, 1759, was married to that estimable lady, mean- while having been elected to the House of Burgesses. At a Convention held in Williamsburgh, Va., on August 4th, 1774, delegates, were named, among whom were George Washington, Benjamin Harrison, and Patrick Henry, to attend the General Congress at Philadelphia — to meet on Sept. 5th. On the completion of the session Washington returned to MounL Vernon on October 27th. At the second assembly of Congress, May loth, 1775, George Wash- ington was again in attendance. During the session it was resolved to raise ten companies to reinforce the troops near Boston, and Washington was appointed Commander-in-chief of the American armies. His selec- tion was regarded with favor by the New England delegates. On the 2ist of June, 1775, he left Philadelphia for Cambridge, and while en route the news of the battle of Bunker Hill increased his anxiety to reach his post. The condition and discipline of the army at that fime was deplorable, and his attention during the remaining part of the year was given to its proper reorganization. On the 4th of March, 1776, possession was taken of Dorchester Heights, commanding the harbor of Boston, a point of so much strategic importance that it led to the evacuation of Boston on March 27th, when it was at once occupied by regiments under command of General Putnam. Congress immediately rendered a tribute to the Commander-in-Chief, a vote of thanUs was conveyed to him, and a gold medal was ordered to be struck in commemoration of the avent—fset' face on back cover). General Howe with his army in seventy-eight ships sailed at once for Halifax, but on the 28th of June returned to Sandy Hook. On July 9th, General W^ashington received from Congress the Declar- ation of Independence, written by the immortal Jefferson. It was read aloud to the army, and from that day the " United Colonies " were declar- ed free and independent states. During the following two months the works on New York Island were strengthened and the Forts Washington, and Constitution, were erected. Bv the middle of August the British force was increased to about 24,000 ~ f* 2; o < o l**t ii-^^f.- o Eh <1 o ,,.^'^s Mj /' p:-' ^^^:^mm e'^-n." o w :!! 1=) o Eh Ct^ D O Eh r««' ■X- Eh 02 o Eh O " — I .<1 men, besides a numerous fleet; aganist which Gen. Washington had ii,ooo men fit for active service, not including ollticers and those on the sick list. On the 27th of August the battle of Long Island was fought, with disas- trous ending for the Americans, and on the 30th the tFoops were with- drawn to New York, when it was thought advisable to remove to Haarlem Heights and Fort Washington. On the 15th of September, the British troops took possession of New York, driving the Americans from their posts. At this time Gen. Washington pressed upon Congress his views as to a thorough change in the military system, and it was at once resolved to effect a reorganization. On October 16, the position of the army was changed to White Plains; followed closely by the British army, and on the 28th the battle of Chatter- ton's Heights took place, the Americans being driven from their position. Gen Washington then assembled his army at Hackensack, N. J., the capture of Fort Washington having been foiced by Gen. Howe. The American army was then moved toward the Delaware River, to serve as a check against a supposed design on Philadelphia. Anticipating this event, Congress adjourned to Baltimore. On December 26, General Washington led his troops, numbering 2,400 men, upon Trenton, and after a sharp fight, the surrender of the British force of about 900 men was obtained. Headquarters were then placed at Trenton, but the superior force against the little army made it necessary to remove to Princeton, where an important engagement tool-c place Jan- uary 3d, resulting in a victory. During the winter of 1777, the Headquarters were located at Morris- town, and in the early part of the next summer the army was moved to the Hudson, thence back to the Delaware, and from there to German- town and later to Wilmington, with the intent of checkmating the maneu- vers of Lord Howe. On September 7th the battle of Brandywine was fought, the Americans being routed by their foes. This was followed by the battle of Germantown on October 4th. December l8th the army encamped at Valley Vorge for the winter- The hardships encountered by the little band of patriots during the following months were intense. On May 2d the news was received that the King of France had decided to recognize the Independence of the United States, in having signed a treaty of amity and commerce and a treaty of defensive alliance. This was haifed with joy by the army and the people, who recognized it as the precursor of speedy deliverance. On June 13th the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British took place — the army marching across New Jersey, and on the 23d the battle of Monmouth was fought. During the summer an expedition was made i 1 1 tew!^ •^Ifi.ded^ii ., JHhH|» < w^^^^^^^W* $- ■■^^^Hl , -i'-wlH ' 1 "i. i^J r-^' 'iP^„^,. 6" o ■— I Q Q O W pq' P Q < J <^ p:^ D O <; I — 1 02 03 > — I X C5 I — » !> O O >— ( <: <<:<:,^ operations of a general character were carried on in Virginia, Connecticut and in the Middle States. The winter quarters were' established at Mor- ristown in 1 780. On the loth of July following word was received that naval and land forces from France had reached Newport, R. I., and it was decided that a combined eftort should be made against the British. The month of September following was made memorable by the treason of Arnold, who had arranged with Andre to deliver West Point into the hands of the enemy. Andre was stopped on the road by three patriots who inferred that he was a spy from the fact that papers were found secreted upon him. His guilt was soon established and being con- demned to death was executed October 2d. Arnold escaped to the British sloop Vulture, and soon after sailed for Chesapeake Bay, commanding the British troops as a partial reward for his betrayal. On the 6th of July following the American and French armies were joined at Dobb's Ferry and preparations were made for an attack on New York Island, but the project was abandoned because of the superior force of the British army. It was agreed to transfer operations to Virginia and on the 30th of September the seige of Yorktown began and was termi- nated on the 19th of October, when Cornwallis surrendered over seven thousand men. In the early part of 1782 a proposition to crown Washington as King was formulated by several ruling military officers and presented to him. His reply was a stern rebuke to the military spirit of its projectors, as will be seen from the tone of the following extract : " Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for your- self or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never com- municate as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of like nature. "I am. Sir, &c. Geokge Washington." On the 19th of April, 1783, the welcome intelligence was announced by proclamation that a treaty of peace had been signed at Paris and the army was disbanded on the i8th of October following. The British troops were then withdrawn from New York and embarked on their vessels November 25th. On the 23d of December General Washington presented his resigna- tion to the President of Congress then assembled at Annapolis, Md., ard proceeded to his home at Mount Vernon the same day. The offer by his countrymen of pecuniary reward for his services was declined, although offered with tact and delicacy. In the early part of 1787 Washington was appointed a delegate to a convention to consider defects of the Federal sysieni, and on May 14th was elected the president. During this session the Constitution of the United States was proposed to be substituted for the Articles of Confederation, and on September 17th it was signed by all the members present except three. It was then sent to Congress, which body then submitted it to the Legisla- tures of the several States to be submitted to appointed delegates for rati- fication. When these testimonials had been received, an act was passed by Congress appointing the tirst Wednesday in February, 1789, for the people throughout the Union to choose electors of a President of the United States. The eyes of the people were then turned to Washington as the one upon whom they should confer this great dignity, and by a unan- imous vote of the electors on the first Wednesday in March, 1789,' he was chosen the first President of the United States. John Adams was elected Vice-President. The election of Washington was received by the people with manifes- tion of great joy. On his journey to New Vork he was received every- where with evidences of welcome. His presence was announced by the firing of cannon, ringing of bells and military display. " A committee of Congress, consisting of three members of the Senate and five of the House of Representatives, was appomted to meet him in New Jersey and attend him to the city of New V'ork. To E'.izabethtown Point came many other persons of distinction, and the heads of the several departments of government. He was there received in a barge, splendidly fitted up for the occasion, and rowed by thirteen pilots in white uniforms. This was followed by vessels and boats, fancifully decorated, and crowded with spectators. When the Pre^ident's barge came near the city, a salute of thirteen guns was fired from vessels in the harbor, and from the Battery. At the landing he was again saluted by a discharge of artillery, and was joined by the Governor and other officers of the State, and the corporation of the city. A procession was then formed, headed by a long military train, which was followed by the principal officers of the State and city, the clergy, foreign ministers, and a great concourse of citizens. The procession advanced to the house prepared for the reception of the President. The day was passed in festivity and joy, anVar. " In his inaugural speecli, after expressing his deep sense of the magnitude of the trust confided to him, the struggles his mind had undergone in deciding to accept it, and a consciousness of his deficiencies, he added ; * In this conflict of emotions, all I dare aver is, that it has been my faithful study to collect my duty from a just appreciation of every circumstance by which it might be affected. AH I dare hope is, that, if in accepting this task I have been too much swayed by a grateful remembrance of former instances, or by an affectionate sensibility to this transcendant proof of the confi- dence of my fellow citizens, and have thence too little consulted my incapacity, as well as disinclination for the weighty and imtried cares before me, my error will be palliated by the motives which misled me, and its consequences be judged by my country with some share of the partiality in which they originated ' With these sentiments, and with fervent supplications to the Almighty Being, whose guidance and overruling Providence he acknowledged in all the events c " his life, he commenced the arduous duties of Chief Magistrate of the nation." On the expiration of his term of office he was again chosen President for a second period of four years beginning March 4th, 1793. Although reluctant to serve, the earnest solicitations of his friends caused him to defer his return to private life. Toward the close of his second term he published his Farewell Address to the people. This determination to retire was regretted by many who hoped that he would again accept the honor. When relieved from official responsibilities he at once departed for Mount Vernon, assuming the role of a private citizen, leaving behind the gratitude of the people for his great services, which even the asperity of party spirit could not weaken. On the third of July, 1798, he was again confirmed Commander-in- chief of the armies of the United States. From this time to the end of his life a great part of his attention was taken up with the duties pertaining thereto. The immediate cause of Washington's death was incurred by exposure in a storm of rain and sleet, from which he contracted a cold while riding about his farms to give directions to his managers. The next day the symptoms were so severe that at his request he was bled by one of his overseers. The operation failed to give the desired relief and messengers were despatched for Drs. Craik and Brown Thftir efforts were unremitting, but unavailing. The last moments of his illness were thus written by Mr. Josiah Lear, the super- intendent of Washington's pri- vate affairs : "About ten o'clock" (Saturday, a, m , December I4th, 1799 ) " he made several attempts to speak to me before he could effect it. At length he said : ' I am just going, Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault in less than three days after I am dead. I bowed assent, for I could not speak. He then looked at me again and said : ' Do you under- stand me?' I replied, ' Yes. ' "Tis well,' said he. pin STATUE BY M, HOUDIN, ERECTED BY THE STATE OF VIRGINIA [Placed in the Capitol at Richmond. Said to be the best representation of the original model that exists. About ten minutes before he ex- ;d ( which was between ten and eleven o'clock', his breathing became easier. He lay quietlj' ; he withdrew his hand from mine, and felt his own pulse. I saw his countenance change. I spoke to Dr. Craik, who sat by the fire. He came to the bedside. The General's hand fell from his wrist. I took it in mine, and pressed it to my bosom. Dr, Craik put his hand over his eyes, and he expir- ed without a struggle or a sigh. " While we were fixed in silent grief, Mrs. Washington, who was sitting at the foot of the bed, asked with a firm and collected voice : ' Is he gone V I could not speak, but held up my hand as a signal that he was no more, ' 'Tis well,' said she, in the same voice, 'all is now over; I shall soon follow him; I have no more trials to pass through.' ' On Wednesday, December i8th, at three o'clock the solemn cere- mony was performed. The body was placed in the family vault at Mount Vernon, attended by the troops, clergy, Free Masons, relatives and others. Thus closed the career of one of the sublimest characters whose virtues and deeds have been chronicled on the tablets of ages — mourned by a great people in whose remembrance his name and fame will be ever cherished. MARTHA WASHINGTON [Froro. the Painting by Woolaston ] ^"^^j^^MhM^m^MMt^ i ^ LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS III 0" oil 711 639 6 ■t -^ ■*v|P!l fMi^'^ m \:m