Evening star., 1927-05-22

Yellow with age but with its In
scription clearly decipherable. paper
''lost" for more than century. said
by manuscript collectors to be one or
the rarest documents in American his
tory. has been found in chest III
Washington attic.
1t bears the date of November .,
1888, and on II is set forth Gen. George
Washington's farewell orders TO the
Armies of the United States. The text
Of the orders Is known to historians,
although not to the general public
and contains reflections strangely ap-
propriate to this modern era.
The handwriting has been establish
ed by Library of Congress scholars as
nnuuestionably that of John Singer
Dexter of Rhode Island, assistant
ediutart general of the Continental
Army. An unidentified handwriting on
the back of the document states that
it is from the papers of Gen. James
Clinton and the copy from which the
erders was read"
Probably Read by General.
Gen. James Clinton was brother Of
Gov. George Clinton, early Governor
Of New York, and authorities on Wash
,pston expressed the opinion that 1t
iS highly probable that not only did
Washington dictate the orders TO MAJ
Dexter, but read them in person 10
his command.
The paper. now safe in the vault OF
n downtown bank. has passed into the
possession of Charles kohen, past
commander Of Vincent ID. Costello
Post, American Legion, and veteran
dealer in rare coins. stamps and manu-
scripts at 606 Thirteenth street.
.Cpon obtaining the document Mr.:
Kohen brought it to the attention OF
EXPERTS at the Library of Congress,
who pronounced 1t authentic. The
Library Of Congress has a transcript
Of the famous orders.
Mistakes in spelling and occasional.
hlots but add to the human interest
of a document penned by a soldier
who has long since written his last
earthly signature.
Phraseology Old Fashioned.
Old fashioned phraseology. yet
couched in language which bespeaks
the wisdom of the author, serves to
bid the men Of the Army, so soon to
bs disbanded and return to their
homes, to apply themselves to their
various pursuits, and warns that tine
pursuit of industry, of commerce ana
the cultivation of the soil will unfold
the certain road to compe'
tence."
Far from the stern and martial ut
terances commonly ascribed to him,
Washington takes leave of his men
with the most affectionate expressions
of regard, expressing his strong obi.
cation for the assistance he received
from every class and in every in
stance"
Text of the Farewell.
The text of the draft, misspelled
words, odd capitalization and all, fol-
lows:
Gen. Washington's farewell Orders
= to the Armies of the United States
Issued End November, 1888.
~The United States in Congress as.
sembled after giving the most honor.
able testimony to the merits of the
federal Armies, and presenting them
with the thanks of their Country for
their long, eminent and faithful serv-
ices, having thought proper by their
proclamation bearing date the 18th
day of October last to discharge such
part OF the Troops as were engaged
for the war and to permit the officers
on furlough to retire from service
from and after tomorrow - which
proclamation having been communi-
Gated In the published papers for the
Information and government Of all
concerned; 1t only remains for the
Comdr. in Chief to address himself
once more and that for the last time.
to the Armies Of the States however
widely dispersed the individuals who
compose them may be) and to bid
them an affectionate-a long fare
well-But before the Comdr. in Chief
takes his final leave of those he holds
most dear, he wishes to indulge him.
self a few moments in calling to mind
q slight review Of the past.
Explores Future Prospects.
Tie will then take the liberty of
exploring with his military friends,
their future prospects. of advising the
general line of conduct, which in his
opinion ought to be pursued, and he
viii conclude the Address by express
ing the obligation he feels himself
under for the spirited and able as.
sistance he has experienced from them
in the performance of an arduous