ing against all works of fiction was far less strong than it had been when, a few years before, Sir Anthony Absolute pronounced the circulating library to be an evergreen12 tree of diabolical knowledge. "Evelina" and "Camilla" had appeared, had been read with admiration, and had shown that a popular novel might be written without an amour or a debauch. From letters and journals still extant, it should seem that, with the exception of the few novels named, the staple reading was of a serious character. After years of patient toil, Gibbon had lately put forth the third volume of his majestic work; Robertson had published the first readable history of America.

WASHINGTON RESIGNS HIS COMMISSION (DECEMBER, 1783).

66

M'MASTER'S HISTORY OF THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES."

There would seem to be an eminent propriety, especially at this time (December, 1883), in concluding the "Historical Reader" with an account of Washington's resignation of his commission, which occurred just a hundred years ago, December 23, 1783.

1 WHEN the year 1784 opened, the revolution had been accomplished. The preliminary articles had been signed on the thirtieth of November, 1782, and the return of peace everywhere celebrated with bonfires, with rockets, with speeches, and with thanksgiving on the nineteenth of April, the eighth anniversary of the fight at Lexing ton. The definitive treaty had been signed at Paris on the third of September, 1783, and was soon to be ratified 2 by the United States in Congress assembled. The last remnant of the British army in the east had sailed down

the Narrows on the twenty-fifth of November, a day which, under the appellation of Evacuation Day, was long held in grateful remembrance by the inhabitants of New York, and was, till a few years since, annually celebrated with fireworks and with military display.* Of the Continental army scarce a remnant was then in the service of the States, and these few were under the command of General Knox. His great work of deliverance 3 over, Washington had resigned his commission, had gone back to his estate on the banks of the Potomac, and was deeply engaged with plans for the improvement of his plantation. The retirement to private life of the American Fabius, as the newspapers delighted to call him, had been attended by many pleasing ceremonies, and had been made the occasion for new manifestations of affectionate regard by the people. The same day that 4 witnessed the departure of Sir Guy Carleton from New York also witnessed the entry into that city of the army of the States. Nine days later, Washington bid adieu to his officers. About noon on Thursday, the fourth of December, the chiefs of the army assembled in the great room of Fraunces's Tavern, then the resort of merchants and men of fashion, and there Washington joined them. Rarely as he gave way to his emotions, he could not on that day get the mastery of them. As he beheld drawn 5 up before him the men who, for eight long years, had shared with him the perils and hardships of the war, he was deeply moved. He filled a glass from a decanter that stood on the table, raised it with a trembling hand, and said: "With a heart full of love and gratitude I now take leave of you, and most devoutly wish your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable." Then he drank

* Evacuation Day was celebrated in New York, November 25, 1883.

to them, and, after a pause, said: "I can not come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged if you 6 will each come and shake me by the hand." General Knox came forward first, and Washington embraced him. The other officers approached one by one, and silently took their leave. A line of infantry had been drawn up extending from the tavern to Whitehall Ferry, where a barge was in waiting to carry the commander across the Hudson to Paulus Hook. Washington, with his officers following, walked down the line of soldiers to the water. The streets, the balconies, the windows were crowded with gazers. All the churches in the city sent forth a joyous din. Arrived at the ferry, he entered the barge in silence, stood up, took off his hat, and waved farewell. 7 Then, as the boat moved slowly out into the stream amid the shouts of the citizens, his companions in arms stood bareheaded on the shore till the form of their illustrious commander was lost to view. From Paulus Hook he journeyed by easy stages to Annapolis, where Congress was then in session. The news of his approach was spread throughout the country by the post-riders, and the many villages and towns that lay along his route vied with each other in doing him honor. At every step he was met by committees from the selectmen, who, in addresses full of allusion to Cincinnatus, thanked him for the great things he had done for his country, and assured him of the un8 dying love and gratitude of his fellow-citizens. Addresses of congratulation and thanks were voted by the Legislatures of New Jersey, of Pennsylvania, and of Maryland. The American Philosophical Society at Philadel phia turned from the consideration of learned papers on Improved Methods of Quilling a Harpsichord, and Observations on the Torporific Eel, to do homage to the great chief, and their example was speedily followed by

innumerable religious and mercantile organizations in the State. It was not till Friday, the nineteenth of the month, that he reached Annapolis. Gates and Small-9 wood, who had served under him in the war, met him, with many of the chief characters of the place, a few miles from the city and escorted him to town. As he entered the streets his arrival was made known to the citizens by the discharge of cannon. On Monday, Congress gave him a dinner in the ball-room, where toasts were drunk to the United States, to the army, to the most Christian King, to the Peace Commissioners, and to the virtuous daughters of America. When night came, the Stadt-house was lit up, and a ball given by the General Assembly. The day following his arrival he dispatched 10 a letter to Congress announcing his wish to resign his commission, and asking that he might be informed in what manner it would be most proper to tender his resignation: whether in writing, or at a public audience of Congress. General Mifflin replied that it should be at a public audience of Congress, and appointed noon of the twenty-third of December, 1783, for the ceremony. In the mean time a committee was appointed to make such preparations as the occasion seemed to require. On the committee were Jefferson, who sat for Virginia; Gerry, who represented Massachusetts; and McHenry, who cast his vote in the name of the State of Maryland. Long 11 before the hour on the twenty-third the gallery and floor of the hall of Congress were filled with ladies, with high functionaries of the State, and with many officers of the army and navy. The members of the House, twenty in number, were seated and covered as representatives of the sovereignty of the Union. The gentlemen present were standing and uncovered. At noon Washington was announced, and escorted by the Secretary of Congress to

a seat which had been made ready for him in front of the President's chair. After a short silence General Mifflin informed him that the United States in Congress assem12 bled were prepared to receive his communication. Washington then arose, and, with that dignified composure which never deserted him even when musket-balls and cannon-shots were whistling around him, delivered a short and solemn address, which of all his writings is most fa13 miliar to the men of this generation. Having returned his commission into the hands of the President, that official thanked him, in the name of the people of the United States, for the patriotism with which he had responded to the call of his country, and the ability with which he had defended her invaded rights. "You retire," said he, “from the theatre of action with the blessings of your fellowcitizens, but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command; it will continue to animate 14 the remotest ages." The same evening Washington bid adieu to Annapolis, and, attended by the Governor of Maryland to the confines of the State, made all speed toward Mount Vernon, which he reached on Christmas

eve.