The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
Surrender of Gen. Wash ington's
Commission.

Tomorrow, the 23d of December, will be
the centennial of the surrender to the Con-
gress Of the United States, by Gen. Washing
ton, Of the commission given to him, by that
body, as commander-in-chief of the army
which achieved the independence of the col
onies from Great Britain. One hundred years
have rolled away since that interesting event
took place. Congress was then sitting at An
napolis After the treaty of peace, which was
signed in November, General Washington
marched into the city of New York, took
down the British flag, and hoisted the stars
and stripes in its place. The last British sol
diers left New York on the 18th of the same
month On the 4th of December he assem-
bIed his officers and took an affectionate leave
of them, and then proceeded to Annapolis,
where Congress was in session. The route
of the chief to Annapolis, says the historian,
was continuous triumph. The people by
thousands flocked to the roadsides to see him
pass. On the 23d of December, he was in
trodaced to Congress, and in the presence of
that body, the governor and council of the
SIate, anu Il ldESS pooy VI PioiAAihOhO Ni'iNS"o
consisting of ladies and gentlemen of Mary
land and other states, he addressed the presi-
dent of congress and resigned his commission
as commander-in- chief The battles of the
revolution had been fought since he first APP
peared before congress to accept the command
of their armies, and now the eyes of new
born nation were upon him, and the voice of
liberated people proclaimed him their pre-
server Addressing the president ofcongress,
Gen. Washington said:
1.-THE great events on which my resignation
depended, having at length taken place, |
have now the honor 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
ourindependencea and sovereignty, and pleased
with the opportunity afforded the United
States of becoming a respectable nation,
resign with satisfaction the appointment l
accepted with diffidence-a dlfhdence IN my
abilities to accomplish SO arduous task,
which, however, was superseded by conf
dence in the rectitude OF our cause, the sup
mort of the supreme power of the Union, and
ished the work assigned me, retire from the
great theatre of action, and, bidding an affec-
tionate farewell to this august body, under
whose orders | have so long acted, here
offer my commission, and take leave OF all
the employments of public life.
The address having ended, says the histor-
ian. Gen. Washington advanced with great
dignity and delivered his commission into the
hands of Gen. Mifiin, the president of con-
gress, who on receiving it made an appropri-
ate reply. This interesting event, which took
place at Annapolis, on the soil of Maryland,
makes brilliant page in the history of the
state, and young and old will look BACK to it
from, the remote ages of posterity with pleas
ure, pride and patriotism.
The event will be eommemOrated by the
Maryland Historical Society by dinner at the
Carrcllton Hotel, Baltimore, this evening at
7o'clock. President Arthur, Gov. Hamilton,
Governor-elect McI.ane, Mayor Latrobe and
Others are among the invited guests.