the chief command of this army to Gen. Washington, who consented to accept in case Hamilton should be chosen second in command, with the title of inspector general. He succeeded in bringing the organization and discipline of the army to a high degree of excellence. The chief command devolved on him at the death of Washington in 1799.

CHAPTER VII.

TROUBLOUS TIMES.

President John Adams transmitted to the congress of the United States a letter received from Tobias Lear, Esq., private secretary to General Washington, communicating the sad intelligence that: "On the 14th day of December 1799, GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON breathed his last at Mount Vernon in the 69th year of his age." House of Representatives, Dec. 18, 1799, Philadelphia. Mr. Marshall rose and addressed the Speaker in the following words: "Information, Sir, has just been received that our illustrious fellow citizen, the commander-in-chief of the American army, and late President of the United States, Our Washington is no more! the hero, the sage, and the patiot of America, the man on whom in times of danger every eye was turned, and all hopes were placed, lives now only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted people."

The

"Philadelphia December 20. In consequence of the afflicting intelligence of the death of General Washington, Mrs. Adams's drawing room is deferred to Friday the 27th, when the Ladies are respectfully requested to wear white, trimmed with black ribbon, black gloves and fan, as a token of respect to the memory of the late President of the United States. Ladies of the officers of the general government will please to wear black.” "WASHINGTON IS NO MORE! How shall we express our grief on this distressing event; with what language shall we give vent to the full feelings of our hearts. It is true, he had reached the summit of human honor, and was ripe for immortal Glory. It is true, he had retired, in a degree, from public office, to the walks of rural life. It is true, the government of our country has devolved on wise and faithful men; Yet Washington was still our guardian, our pride and our defence. His reputation was a bulwark, and a shield, under whose broad and protecting shade America reposed with unbounded confidence. He led our armies amidst the perils of revolution to victory. His virtues, his wisdom hushed to peace the voice of discord, and consolidated these states under one firm government. Heaven lent him to us, to make us a nation, and to render us prosperous, powerful and happy. Having accomplished his high errand, he is now recalled and we are overwhelmed with grief. He was taken ill on Friday. An intimate friend asked him if he wished to have anything done on the

arrangement of his temporal affairs; he shook his head and replied, 'no I thank you, for my books are all posted to Tuesday.'"

"The Common Council of ALBANY N. Y., on hearing the melancholy tidings of the death of GENERAL WASHINGTON, came to the following resolution :

"RESOLVED, That the Bells of this City be tolled from three to five o'clock this afternoon; [Dec. 23d] and that the Members of this Board wear Crape round the left arm for the space of six weeks, as a testimony of respect to the memory of LIEUT. GEN. WASHINGTON, deceased."

During the tolling of the bells, minute guns were fired by the corps of U. S. Artillery stationed in this city, under the command of Captain John McClallen. The churches in this city were dressed in Mourning on Sabbath, and appropriate discourses delivered.

Funeral Procession in Albany.

Thursday, January 9th, 1800, was devoted by the citizens of Albany to the performance of military and civil honors in memory of the beloved and venerated Washington. The concourse of citizens, and inhabitants of the vicinity was uncommonly numerous. A deep and mournful silence hung over all ranks, and gave the most impressive testimony of a pervading heart-felt grief at the irreparable loss of a character uniting such unexampled virtue and public worth. The artillerists of the United States began the solemnities at daybreak, by firing sixteen guns in quick succession, and continued firing a gun every half hour until the signal was given by three guns for the procession to form. At ten oclock, the military paraded in Watervliet street, under the command of MAJOR SOLOMON VAN RENSSELAER of the army of the United States, as Marshal. Capt. McClallen as officer of the day, assisted by Adj. Wendell and Lieut. Treat directed the procession.

[In June, 1799, we find regarding Hearses: "It is in contemplation to bury on hearses, instead of bearing on the shoulders. This certainly will be an excellent substitute for bearers, who are inevitably exposed to the putrid exhalations of dead bodies, with which they are almost in living contact. It is to be hoped that no ancient prejudices in favor of an old custom will prevail against propriety and expedience, for the life of no man ought to be endangered if it can be avoided."]

The bier was received on the left of the line, drawn up in open ranks with arms presented, the officers, colors, and music saluting. Minute guns firing at a distance, during the procession. At 11 o'clock by a signal of two guns, in immediate succession, the procession moved in the following order: Cavalry with swords reversed, Drums muffled, colors reversed and in mourning, Band of Music, instruments dressed in crape. Pall Bearers were: Col. Lush, Col. Wendell, Genls. Ten Broeck, Van Horne, Schuyler, Gansevoort. General's Horse, led by 2 black men in mourning with white turbans. Military Associations in uniform and full mourning. Law Society of young gentlemen wearing crape, with badges trimmed with black ribbon; their president in full mourning. Having arrived at the North Dutch Church, the procession halted, the troops formed in two lines, with open ranks; the whole body of military leaning on their arms reversed. The bier, preceded by the officers of government, and the clergy, passed through to the centre of the middle isle of the church. The officers of the army, the corporation of the city and the respective corporations then followed, succeeded by the several

societies in reversed order, the citizens following. As the bier was entering the church, a solemn chaunt, with accompaniments was sung by Miss Lilly. The walls, pulpit and the stage erected for the orator, were draped with black cloth. The solemnities in church were opened with prayer by the Rev. John Bassett. Funeral Oration by Wm. P. Beers, Esq. Concluding Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Nott. Anthem in full chorus. The vocal accompanied by instrumental music was very fine. The bier was then removed in front of the church where the last military honors were paid to the memory of the deceased. While the procession was moving the bells of the respective churches were tolled, they all had been previously muffled. The military presented a splendid appearance.

On Saturday, February 22d 1800, Washington's birthday, a sermon was preached by the Rev. John B. Johnson (at the request of the legisla ture of the state) on the death of Washington. The text was from 1st Chronicles, 29th chapter, 28th verse: "And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour." The church also at this time was draped with black. In the afternoon an oration was delivered in the court-house. Our beloved Washington is no more! He has descended to the house appointed for all living, followed by the tears of a nation.

Dear Sir,

General Hamilton to the Secretary of War.

New York, August 8th, 1800. Major Rensselaer, who was eldest captain of dragoons before the late augmentation of the army, was under that augmentation promoted to a major. He has some time since devoted himself to military affairs, as a profession for life, and is unwilling to quit. For my part I have conceived there was a discretion in the president on this subject, which may be exercised in favour of the major. A field officer for the cavalry appears to me in every view proper. For the character of Major Van Rensselaer, as an officer, I refer you to Gen. Wilkinson, with whom he served. The inquiry I know will result greatly in his favour, and as a man, there is none more worthy: he is a kinsman of Mrs. Hamilton. With esteem and regard A. HAMILTON.

The Hon. Samuel Dexter, Secretary of War.

Dear Sir:

Gen. Hamilton to Gen. Wilkinson.

I have received your letter from Washington, my wishes in every thing. accord with yours. I shall be glad of every opportunity of brightening the charm. As soon as possible I will send you the information you desire. A change of office has deranged my Military papers and will occasion some delay. Major Rensselaer unwilling to quit goes to ascertain the possibility of remaining. I am of opinion that the thing is still in the discretion of the President. You I know are his friend. Yours truly

To General Wilkinson.

A. H.

General Hamilton was a noble man, quick to do justice to others if in his power. In speaking of General Washington, between whom and himself a coolness had taken place towards the close of the war, and the colonel had left General Washington's family, he says, "all appointments to office, wherein he was especially called to exercise his own judgment, he nobly divested himself of sympathy or antipathy, and made what he considered the fitness of the agent to the office the ground of his choice.

There had been for sometime such a standing, or misunderstanding, between us, that I had no more expectation of office, than I had of being appointed pope's nuncio, when I received the invitation to take charge of the treasury department." The coolness was caused by the following malapropos casualty. The army was encamped in New Jersey, General Washington was just mounting his horse, to visit his advanced post, when he recollected a letter he had recently received from the British commander, which it occurred to him he might have occasion for whilst at the lines. He called Colonel Hamilton, and requested him, to hand the letter to him. The colonel returned to the office, but not being able to place his hand on it, reported, that it was mislaid. The general replied, "I must have it." Search was again made without effect, and Colonel Hamilton returning, repeated that the letter had been mislaid, and expressed his sorrow at not being able to find it. The general rejoined with warmth, "Sir, you shall find it." Hamilton was astonished, but replied promptly, "I shall find it, sir, but must let you know, that in addressing me, you do not speak to a menial." The occasion was honorable to the parties; it furnished General Washington an occasion for the display of his magnanimity, and Col. Hamilton an opportunity to assert his personal dignity and independence of mind. Colonel Hamilton retired from head quarters, but was appointed to the command of a battalion in the elite corps, at the head of which he stormed a redoubt during the seige of New York before the surrender of Cornwallis. Whilst secretary of the treasury, he was ex officio one of the cabinet counselors of President Washington; and such was the confidence reposed by that great man in his integrity and ability, that he rarely ventured upon any executive act of moment without his concurrence.

There had been serious divisions in the federal party on account of President Adams's course in the appointment of diplomatic agents for the negotiations with the French government before that government had officially signified its willingness to receive them. Timothy Pickering and James McHenry were in Adams's cabinet but opposed to him. McHenry was desired to resign, which he did, and Samuel Dexter had been chosen secretary of war. The event caused much excitement, bitter animosities prevailed, while criminations and recriminations ensued. The alien and sedition laws were used adroitly by the democrats to excite the people against Adams's administration and the federal party. Burr, the most unscrupulous intriguer of the day, worked incessantly; the result was, the triumph of the democratic party over the federalists.

Extract of a Letter from Gen. Wilkinson to the Secretary of War.

City of Washington, August 9th, 1800. * * * General Hamilton warmly recommends the retention of Major Van Rensselaer in service; but I fear the ground he takes is not tenable, though the circumstance is undoubtedly essential to the service, and is devoutly to be desired, as the major is a gem worthy preservation. A squadron of cavalry without a leader, is an unseemly thing; and not unlike a body without a head, from which much good cannot be expected. Mr. Van Rensselaer's pretensions to patronage are peculiarly strong. On the 20th August, 1794, he received a shot through his lungs, at the head of the troop. At the reduction of the then army, he continued in service, and on the levy of the late contingent force he was taken from his troop and promoted to a majority. The disbanding this force has, I fear,

thrown him out of service, unless you may judge proper to retain him on the ground of expediency, until the president or legislature may be consulted. Certain it is, he is essential to the formation and discipline of the squadron, which, without a chief, presents an original spectacle. But he was among the disbanded at the reduction of 1800; and after that period, although anxious for a military appointment to which he would have done honour, his politics, as a good federalist, opposed an insuperable bar to his applications. The strong party feeling between federalists and democrats was strongly developed.

Sir,

Governor Jay to the Secretary of War.

Albany, 19th Nov., 1800. Whether a major for the cavalry of United States should be retained in service, is a question on which it would not be proper for me to make any remarks. But if it should be deemed expedient, that such an officer should be retained, I take the liberty of informing you, that, from what I have heard and know of Major Solomon Van Rensselaer, who wishes to devote himself to the military profession, I really think he merits the attention of government.

His qualifications and conduct as an officer have probably been made known to you by Gen. Wilkinson and others. His character here as a citizen and a gentleman attracts general esteem; and for my own part, I consider him as one of the most valuable and promising young men that I know. I have the honour to be, with great respect,

Sir, your most obedient servant,

The Honourable Samuel Dexter, Esq., Secretary at War.

JOHN JAY.

Governor Jay, perceiving it was the policy of the democratic party or those in power, not to accede to his suggestions, subsequently gave to Major Van Rensselaer the best office in his gift, adjutant general of New York state. Regarding which, Gen. V. R. says; "Soon after, I received the appointment of Adjutant General of the militia of this state, under that great and good man Gov. Jay. This appointment I held during the respective administrations of his successors Governors George Clinton and Lewis; for nine years during Governor Tompkins's administration, and, though subsequent to the events on which the mention of these facts is intended to bear, for nearly the whole period of Governor DeWitt Clinton's." These marks of consideration and of confidence were from such high sources, and justly obtained. After the completion of John Jay's mission to England to obtain the evacuation of the forts which that power still held on the frontiers of the United States contrary to the treaty of 1783; compensation for losses suffered by American merchants from the seizure of their vessels, having cargoes for France &c., he was elected to the gubernatorial chair for the second time in 1795, two days before he landed at New York.

He was the first governor who set the beautiful example of proclaiming a day of public thanksgiving in this state. In 1815, he was appointed president of the Westchester Bible Society, and in the ensuing year, one of the vice presidents of the American Bible Society; in 1821, he became president of this society, which office he held till 1828, when he resigned on account of the infirmities of age. He died at Bedford May 17, 1829, aged 84 years. Mrs. Jay accompanied her husband to Europe and on leaving Paris in 1784, among the souvenirs presented by Madame de la Fayette to her, were two arm-chairs, embroidered by her own hands. The