mentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation.

"But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with.

"As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire."

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draught a commission and instructions for the general.

The persons chosen to compose the committee, were Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. J. Adams.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1775.

Met according to adjournment.

The committee appointed to draught a commission to the general reported the same, which, being read by paragraphs and debated, was agreed to as follows:

IN CONGRESS.

The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina:

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq.

We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be general and commander-in-chief of the army of the United Colonies, and of all the forces now raised, or to be raised by them, and of all others who shall voluntarily offer their service, and join the said army for the defence of American liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof: And you are hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you shall think for the good and welfare of the service.

And we do hereby strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers, under your command, to be obedient to your orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties.

And we do also enjoin and require you, to be careful in executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict discipline and order to be observed in the army, and that the soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all convenient necessaries.

And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect by the rules and discipline of war, (as herewith given you,) and punctually to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this, or a future Congress of these United Colonies, or committee of Congress.

This commission to continue in force until revoked by this, or a future Congress.

By order of the Congress,

Ordered, That the same be fairly transcribed, signed by the President, attested by the secretary, and delivered to the general.

Resolved unanimously, Whereas, the delegates of all the Colonies, from Nova Scotia to Georgia, in Congress assembled, have unanimously chosen George Washington, esq., to be general and commander-in-chief of such forces as are, or shall be, raised for the maintenance and preservation of American liberty; this Congress doth now declare, that they will maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, the said George Washington, with their lives and fortunes in the same cause.

Address of the President of Congress to George Washington, and his reply, 26th August, 1783:

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1783.

Congress being informed of the arrival of the commander-in-chief in the neighborhood of Princeton:

Ordered, That he have an audience in Congress to-morrow at twelve o'clock.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1783.

According to order, General Washington attended, and being introduced by two members, the President addressed him as follows:

SIR: Congress feel particular pleasure in seeing your excellency, and in congratulating you on the success of a war, in which you have acted so conspicuous a part.

It has been the singular happiness of the United States, that during a war so long, so dangerous, and so important, Providence has been gra ciously pleased to preserve the life of a general, who has merited and possessed the uninterrupted confidence and affection of his fellow-citizens. In other nations many have performed services, for which they

have deserved and received the thanks of the public. But to you, sir, peculiar praise is due. Your services have been essential in acquiring and establishing the freedom and independence of your country. They deserve the grateful acknowledgments of a free and independent nation. Those acknowledgments Congress have the satisfaction of expressing to your excellency.

Hostilities have now ceased, but your country still needs your services. She wishes to avail herself of your talents in forming the arrangements which will be necessary for her in the time of peace. For this reason your attendance at Congress has been requested. A committee is appointed to confer with your excellency, and to receive your assistance in preparing and digesting plans relative to those important ob. jects.

To which his excellency made the following reply:

MR. PRESIDENT: I am too sensible of the honorable reception I have now experienced, not to be penetrated with the deepest feelings of gratitude.

Notwithstanding Congress appear to estimate the value of my life beyond any services I have been able to render the United States, yet I must be permitted to consider the wisdom and unanimity of our national councils, the firmness of our citizens, and the patience and bravery of our troops, which have produced so happy a termination of the war, as the most conspicuous effect of the divine interposition and the surest presage of our future happiness.

Highly gratified by the favorable sentiments which Congress are pleased to express of my past conduct, and amply rewarded by the confidence and affection of my fellow-citizens, I cannot hesitate to contribute my best endeavors towards the establishment of the national security in whatever manner the sovereign power may think proper to direct, until the ratification of the definitive treaty of peace, or the final evacuation of our country by the British forces; after either of which events, I shall ask permission to retire to the peaceful shade of private life.

Perhaps, sir, no occasion may offer more suitable than the present to express my humble thanks to God, and my grateful acknowledgments to my country, for the great and uniform support I have received in every vicissitude of fortune, and for the many distinguished honors which Congress have been pleased to confer upon me in the course of the war.

Resignation, by George Washington, of the office of commander in-chief, to Congress, and answer of the President of Congress, 23d December, 1783.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1783.

Congress assembled: Present, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

A letter, of this day, from the commander-in-chief, was read, informing Congress of his arrival in this city, with the intention of asking leave to resign the commission he has the honor of holding in their service, and desiring to know their pleasure in what manner it will be most proper to offer his resignation; whether in writing or at an audience. Whereupon,

Resolved, That his excellency, the commander-in-chief, be admitted to a public audience, on Tuesday next, at twelve o'clock.

Resolved, That a public entertainment be given to the commander-inchief on Monday next.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1783.

Congress assembled: Present as before.

According to order, his excellency the commander-in-chief was admitted to a public audience, and being seated, the President, after a pause, informed him, that the United States in Congress assembled were prepared to receive his communications: Whereupon he arose, and addressed as follows:

[To revive the recollection of this scene, and to renew, in the breasts of the American people, the emotions of gratitude, affection, and veneration, that swelled the hearts of Statesmen, Legislators, Warriors, and other citizens, on that ever-memorable occasion, much care has been taken to bring here to view the living Washington as he then appeared in the Congress Hall. Fortunately, the affectionate providence of his native state secured, in the best manner, the means of transmitting the semblance of those venerated features and form to posterity. The marble statue by Houdon, in the state-house at Richmond, is the most authentic likeness of George Washington extant; from this has been taken all that could be obtained from marble, the rest has been derived from the best paintings, and both combined by the artist who has produced this copy.

The sword is taken from the original, now in the Patent Office at Washington. Washington is here represented in the manner that he desired to be, as will be seen by the following memoranda and correspondence:

BY THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA, on Tuesday, the 22d June, 1784, it was

Resolved, That the executive be requested to take measures for procuring a statue of General Washington, to be of the finest marble and the best workmanship, with the following inscription on its pedestal :

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

HAVE CAUSED THIS STATUE TO BE ERECTED

AS A MONUMENT OF AFFECTION AND GRATITUDE TO

GEORGE WASHINGTON;

WHO,

UNITING TO THE ENDOWMENTS OF THE HERO THE VIRTUES OF THE PATRIOT, AND EXERTING BOTH IN ESTABLISHING THE LIBERTIES OF HIS COUNTRY,

HAS RENDERED HIS NAME DEAR TO HIS FELLOW CITIZENS,

AND GIVEN THE WORLD AN IMMORTAL EXAMPLE

OF TRUE GLORY.

[Tradition says that this brief but noble tribute was penned by James Madison on his knee, in the midst of the legislature of Virginia, of which he was then a member.]

Accordingly Governor Harrison applied to Mr. Jefferson and Dr. Franklin, then in Paris, to engage a statuary. Mr. Houdon was engaged, and came to America, in 1785, in the same vessel with Dr. Franklin. He took from Mr. Jefferson a letter to Washington, from which the following is an extract:

FROM JEFFERSON TO WASHINGTON.

"Paris, 10 July, 1785 "Mr. Houdon would much sooner have had the honor of attending you, but for a spell of sickness, which long induced us to despair of his recovery, and from which he is but recently recovered. He comes now, for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. He is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. He has had a difficulty to withdraw himself from an order of the Empress of Russia; a difficulty, however, that arose from a desire to show her respect, but which never gave him a moment's hesitation about his present voyage, which he considers as promising the brightest chapter of his history. I have spoken of him as an artist only; but I can assure you also, that, as a man, he is disinterested, generous, candid, and panting for glory: in every circumstance meriting your good opinion. He will have need to see you much while he shall have the honor of being with you; which you can the more freely admit, as his eminence and merit give him admission into genteel societies here."

FROM WASHINGTON TO HOUDON

"Mount Vernon, 26 September, 1785. "SIR,-By a letter, which I have lately had the honor to receive from Dr. Frankin, at Philadelphia, I am informed of your arrival at that place. Many letters