Evening star., 1942-03-15
Washington's Book Reveals 1916 War Costs

filed 1t Is not deemed necessary for ac-
countants to receive any official papers.
unless a warrant for any balance is due,
but your exceuency having in your &C
counts, clearly displayed that degree Of
candor and truth and that attention you
have constantly paid to every denomina-
ton of civil establishments, which in
variably distinguish all your actions,
could not resist the inclination felt Of
transmitting you these papers, in hopes
it may prove a matter Of some satisfac-
ton to you"
Where is there a greater tribute to
Washington's honesty and regard for
the public's interests than that written
by this man.
His military career about to end,
Washington went to New York to say
farewell to the officers of the Army.
Accompanied by Gov. Clinton and at
tended by many civil and military officers
and large number of inhabitants on
horseback. Gen. Washington made his
public entry into the city, where he was
received with every mark of respect and
attention. His military course was now
on the point of terminating and previous
to divesting himself of the supreme COM
mand, he was about to bid adieu to his
comrades in arms.
This historic interview took place on
December 4, l783 at FraunceS Tavern,
Broad and Water streets, New York City.
At noon the principal officers Of the
Army assembled at the tavern and Short
ly afterward their beloved commander
entered the room. His emotions were
too strong to be concealed. Filling
glass, he turned to them and said,
With a heart tuu of love and gratitude.
noD take ledue OF you; most de-
Doutly Dish that your latter days may
be as prosperous and happy as gour
former ones haze been glorious and
honorable" Having drunk, he added,
II can not come to each OF you to take
my leaue, but shall be obliged to you,
ii each OF you l0al come and take me
by the hand" Gen. Knox, being near
est, turned to him. Incapable of utter
ance, Washington grasped his hand and
embraced him. In the same affectionate
manner he took leave of each succeed
ing officer. In every eye was the tear
of dignified sensibility and not a word
was uttered to interrupt the majestic
silence and tenderness Of the scene.
Leaving the room, he passed through
corps of light infantry and walked to
White Hall, where a barge waited to
convey him to Powles Hook.
The whole company followed in mute
and solemn procession with detected
countenances, testifying feelings of mel
ancholy which no language can describe.
Having entered the barge, Washington
turned to the company and waving his
hat, bade them silent adieu They paid
him the same affectionate compliment
and after the barge had left them, re-
turned in the same solemn manner to
the place where they had assembled.
From New York, Washington jour-
neyed to Baltimore and then to Ann
apolis, Nd, where on December %, 1888,
he appeared before the Council Of the
Nation, to claim the indulgence of re-
tirement and to resign the authority
with which he had been invested.
We can dismiss the entire vocabulary
Of superlatives and set aside all the
terms that are used to describe the quail
tiles Of this great general, statesman,
financier and accountant. In the plain
est possible language we have mentioned
and shown the meticulous way in which
he administered the costs of the war in
1776 and the reader will rise from the
bare record with an appreciating sense
Of his usefulness and greatness such as
no high-hown general panegyric could
possibly produce.