Milford chronicle., 1931-12-04
WashingtOn's Farewell
To His Officers

General WashingtOn's last meet
ing with his officers took place in
the back parlOr of Black Sam I'raun-
ces' Tavern, 14S years ago this De-
cember 4.
On this day, we are told by the
United States George Washington
Bicentennial Commission, George
Washington called together for the
last time the officers OF the Revo-
lutionary Army, then stationed in
I New York City. These were the men
with whom for eight years he had
counseled and fought and starved in
the war of independence. 1t was
not necessary to say farewell.
{ All realized the significance of the
( summons from their chief. And
when, shortly after noon, General
Washington entered the room they
knew he had come to give them
their last orders" A month previ-
ously he had said goodbye to his SOL
diers and Sub-alterns, had sent most
of them back to their fall plOughing.
But now he must take his leave OF
these, his veteran brother officers,
who had shared with him in meas
ure the heavy burden of command.
The tavern they were meeting in
had associations of itself. In the
days before men began to gather in
knots on street corners and 10 stop
their buggies at cross roads, to talk
of "inalienable rights" and taxation
without representation" this tavern
had had for a device on its sign the
head of Queen Charlottee, and was
known in New York as Queens
Head Tavern"
But when Samuel Fraunces, stew
ard, began to invite the murmurers
in the streets into his back parlOr
to continue their talk of liberty, the
name was changed to "Fraunces
Tavern" Later when the Revolu-
tion broke out in earnest and BLACK
Sam" Fraunces was active on the
Colonial side the place became more
and more a resort for "Rebels."
This historic old house still
stands at the corner of Broad and
Pearl Streets, and is visited annu-
ally by thousands of tourists.
The room where Washington and
his officers assembled, known as the
Long ROOM" ten days before has
been the scene of an elaborate din
ner in Washington's honor cele-
brating the evacuation of New York
by the British Candles had then
blazed from the chandeliers, bands |
had played, toasts had been given
and tributes paid amid loud ap-
plause.
But this December noon the
chamber was undecorated. The only
sound was the clank of swords as
the officers came to attention at the .
entrance of their Commander. In all
the years. of campaigning they had
never seen Washington as visibly
moved as he was at that moment.
Without any formal preliminaries
he began to speak.
with a heart full of love and
gratitude | now take leave of you.
| most deyoutly wish that your lat
ter days may be as prosperous as
your former have been glorious and
honorable"
And with these simple words he
turned to General Knox, who hap
pened to be standing at his side,
and embraced him.
Gentlemen" he then addressed
Lhc other officers, 81 cannot come to
each of 70 uto take my leave, but ]
shall be obliged if each of you will
come and take me by the hand"
They gathered around him then
10 shake his hand in long. firm
clasp. There was little said on
either side. 1t is this scene that
painters have depicted so often
surrounded by his Off
GERS in full dress uniform, many of
hem almost overcome by emoIien.
It was the end of an association of
eight years, years of starvation,
,alumny, misunderstandings, as
we'll as of triumphant accomplish
nents.
The boat was waiting for him at
he water front, ready to take him
o the Jersey shore on the first lap
# his journey to Annapolis to pre-
ent to the Continental Congress
lis resignation as Commander-in-
'hief of the Continental forces.
When the final farewells had been
the officers accompanied
heir chief to the harbor, making an
isle through the cheering and sob
ing troops drawn up to present
rms for the last time to their COM
nander.
Washington stepped into the boat
by General Won SteuDen
gho was to make the journey with
i'm. Turning then, as the boat
ulled off, he fitted his hat in a last ]
esture of farewell to the gentlemen
yho had served him so well. !
yuTnAysC n0rAYun 7