Evening star., 1933-02-05
Washington's Second Command
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIN.

At a time when the entire American
Nation has been shocked at the repu-
diation by France OF her obligation to
meet an installment on the debt to this
country, it is interesting to note that
George Washington, whose companions
in-arms were Lafayette and other
Frenchmen who aided in the American
Revolution, was suspicious Of France
and ready for war.
1t is httle-known fact that, after
he had resigned his commission as
commander in chief Of the Army, after
ne had served two years as President,
Washington again, on appointment OF
President John Adams, accepted his
second command. 1t is especially In
teresting that his reason for doing so
was fear that French hostility might
lnlure the Nation he had fathered.
The fact that Washington did accept
a second command has been disputed
by some historians. Copies of the Fed
eral Gazette, published at Frederick,
Md, which recently were discovered by
Mrs: Anna Bowers Morgan, definitely
establish the truth Of the matter The
issue of September S, 1898, contains
correspondence which tells the full
story.
The Gazatte prints the following
communication to the Senate of the
United States:
Gentlemen of the Senate:
"Believing the letter received this
morning from Gen. Washington will
give high satisfaction to the Senate,
transmit them copy Of it, and con-
graduate them and the public on this
great event, the generals acceptance OF
his appointment as lieutenant general
and commander in chief of the Army.
JOHN ADAMS"
The communication appends the fol-
lowing letter:
MOUNT VERNON, 18th July, 'ss.
Dear Sir:
Il had the honor, on the evening of
the llth instant, to receive from the
hand OF the Secretary of War, your
1aVor OF the 7th announcing that you
nave, with the advice and consent OF
the Senate, appointed me lieutenant
general and commander in chief Of the
Armies raised or to be raised for the
services of the United States
L cannot express how greatly af-
fected am at this new proof of public
confidence and the highly flattering
manner in which you have been pleased
TO make the communication; at the
SAINT IAliC AluoI llOt CUllCcdl lIUIl
you my earnest wish that the choice
had fallen upon man less declined in
years. and better qualified to encounter
the usual vicissitudes of war.
You know, sir, what calculation l
have made relative to the probable
course of events, on my retiring from
Office, and the determination had con-
soled myself with of closing the rem
nant Of my days in my present peace
ful abode: you will therefore be at no
loss to conceive and appreciate the SEN
satlon I must have experienced to
bring my mind to any conclusion that
would pledge me, at SO late a period of
LIE. to leave scenes I sincerely love, to
enter upon the boundleSs field of public
action. incessant trouble and high re-
sponSibility
States Attitude Of France.
1T was not possible for me to remain
ignorant of or Indifferent to recent
transactions. The conduct of the di-
rectory of France toward our country;
their insidious hostility to its Govern
ment; their various practices to with
draw the affection of the people from
1t: the evident tendency of their acts,
and those of their agents, to counte-
nance and lnyigorate opposition; their
disregard to solemn treaties and the
laws OF nations; their war upon our
defenseless commerce; their treatment
of our ministers of peace. and their
demands amounting to tribute could
not fail to incite in me corresponding
sentiments with those my countrymen