Evening star., 1933-02-05

have so generally expressed In their
affectlonate addresses to YOU. Believe
me, sir, no one can more cordially ap-
prove OF the wise and prudent measures
OF your administration. They ought
TO inspire universal confidence and
will. no doubt, combined with the state
Of things, call from Congress such laws
and means as will enable you to meet
the full force and extent of the crisis.
Satisfied, therefore, that you have
sincerely wished and endeavored to
avert war, and exhausted. to the last
drop, the cup of reconciliation, We can
with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for
the justice of our cause; and may con-
fidently trust the final result to that
kind Providence, who has heretofore,
and so often, signally favored the
people of these United States.
Thinking in this manner and feeling
how incumbent it is upon every person
Of every description to contribute at
all times to his country's welfare, and
especially in moment like the present
when everything we hold dear and
sacred is so seriously threatened, have
finally determined to accept the COM
mission of commander in chief of the
Armies of the United States, with the
reserve only that l shall not be called
into the field until the Army Is in a
situation to require my presence or it
becomes indispensable by the urgency
of circumstances.
''In making this reservation, I ber
1t to be understood that do not mes.
to withhold any assistance to arrange
and organize the Army. which you
think I can afford. I take the liberty
also to mention that I must decline
having my acceptance considered as
drawing after 1t an immediate charge
upon the public; or that I can receive
any emolumentS annexed to the ap-
pointment, before entering into Stu
alton to incur expense.
The Secretary of War being anxious
to return to the seat of Government,
have detained him no longer than was
necessary to full communication upon
the several points he had in charge.
With very great respect and consid-
Grafton, have the honor to be, dear
sir, your most obedient
Humble servant,
go. WASHINGTON"
Death.
The Secretary Of War referred to as
having borne the commission to Wash
ington and won his acceptance, was
James McHenry Of Maryland Later
rOlG N1Cf1clHJ, lIlc
ment of which Francis Scott Key wrote
''The Star Spangled Banner" was
named for him.
The recent discovery of the old copies
of the Federal Gazette by Mrs. Morgan
clears up, once for all, the authenticity
of this second appointment and its an
nouncement to the public. Mrs. Nor
gans discovery has established a new
claimant for honorS as the first news
paper to print the news of Washington's
death. For many years the Ulster
County Gazette of January 4, 1900, was
regarded as the first paper to print the
announcement. The Library of Congress
has purchased the obituary copy of the
Ulster County Gazette at high price
because Of its distinction, but only last
year, the Library acquired a copy OF
the Poughkeepsie Journal, Of December
81, 1899, containing the mournful an
nouncement But, in the 18-month file
of copies of the Frederick Gazette,
discovered by Mrs. Morgan, is the issue
of December 25, 1899, containing the
news, dated from Georgetown. Wash
ington had died on December IA, but
news Travelled slowly and there were
none but weekly newspapers.
Washington did not live to see the
war with France which he expected, but
it is significant that he regarded France,
rather than England, as the National
enemy at the time. Up to the eve Of
the War of 1872 1t was uncertain
whether hostilities should be against
England or France.