The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-01-01
WHEN GEN. WASHINGTON
RESIGNED HIS COMMISSION
A Memorable Scene Was Enact
ed at Annapolis, Dec. %, 1883

General George Washington's sur
render of his commission as Comman-
der n-Chief of the Continental Army
on December %, 1888, to Congress,
which was then sitting at Annapolis,
Maryland, was one of the most men,
orable scenes connected with the Rev
dictionary War, according to the Di-
vision of Information and Publica-
tin of the George Washington Bicen-
tennial Commission.
Washington had left New York City
on December 4, after bidding a fond
farewell to his officers at the FAM
GUS Fraunce's Tavern in that city.
AS he approached the city of Annap-
oils, his coming was announced by
the discharge of cannon, the ringing
of bells and the cheers of the inhabi-
, tants.
He arrived at Annapolis on Deem
Der 10 and was met on the outskirts
of the city by Generals Gates and
Smallwood, accompanied by leading
citizens of the town. On the follow
ing day he dined with the president
of the Congress, Gen. Thomas Mifflin,
/ in company with members of that
body and the principal military and
civil officers of the State. On Deem
Der %, Congress gave General Wash
| ington a public dinner, followed by a
! ball at the State House.
| The following day, December %
1888, General Washington appeared
in the Congressional chamber, and, be-
ing seated, General Mifflin Informed
him that the United States in Con-
gress assembled, were prepared to re-
ceive his communication. General
! Washington arose and said, in part:
Mr.. President: The great events
upon which my resignation depended
! having at length taken place, l have
now the honor of offering sincere con-
/ CALCULATIONS to Congress, and Of pre-
! senting myself before them to sur
render into their hands the trust com.
mitted to me, and to claim the indul-
gence of retiring from the service OF
my country.
In this Enthusiastically simple
fashion did George Washington lay
down the reins of authority. These
few simple lines marked the termina-
ton of eight and half years of de-
voted and unselfish service, unsur-
passed in the history of the world
The storm and stress Of military cam.
paigning was over. Victory and indie.
pendence had won. The leaders task
had been successfully carried out.
Following the ceremonies at the
State capitol, General Washington de-
parted for Mount Vernon, where he
arrived on Christmas Eve. It is moi
hard to imagine with what satisfac'
ton and gratitude he, to whom home
was the dearest place in the world, re-
turned to Mount Vernon, which he had
seen only once since the beginning OF
the Revolution some eight years be.
fore.
1t must have been with deep sigh
of relief that he sat down once again
by his own freside, for all through
the war the one longing that never
left his mind was for the banks OF the
Potomac. He liked its quiet occupa'
lions and wholesome sports, and the
open-air existence. He felt that ne
had earned his rest and all the tenn
perate pleasures and employments
that came with it, and he fondly be-
| lieved that he was about to renew the
habits which he had abandoned to be-
come commander of the Continental
Army. Four days after his return
he wrote to Governor Clinton, of New
York: "The scene is at last closed.
feel myself eased of load of public
care. 1 hope to spend the remainder
of my days in cultivating the affec-
lions of good men and in the practice
of domestic virtues"
Into the old life of the proprietor OF
large estate he threw himself with
zest and thankfulness, more than hap
py to straighten out the affairs of the
estate, much disordered by his abb
sence. In the midst of these employ
ments, too, he attended closely to his
domestic duties. At frequent inter-
walls he journeyed to Fredericksburg
to visit his mother, to whom he was
always a dutiful and affectionate son.
He watched over Mrs. Martha Wash
ington's grandchildren, and two or
three nephews of his own, whose ed
ucation he had undertaken, with all
the snlicitude of a father, and at the
expense of much thought and many
wise letters of instruction and ad-
vice.
However, with all his longing for
repose and privacy, General Washing
ton could not separate himself from
the great problems which he had
solved, or from the solution of the
still greater problems, witch he, more
than any other man, had brought into
existence. The new nation needed the
counsel and service of George Wash