the veto of a Roman tribune, put a stop to all further proceedings; for the legislature could not proceed to hostile measures while the executive was negociating. The man who, in his military capacity, had saved us from Great-Britain, now, in his civil character, saved us from ourselves. The people, though divided in parties, were so fully convinced of the rectitude and purity of the conduct of Washington, that on a second election they elevated him to the same exalted station, with an unanimous voice. If my time, or your patience, permitted, I would go over the civil administration of our late president, and point out to you his judicious arrangements for making us happy at home, and respectable abroad-for protecting our commerce-for encouraging our agriculture-for giving vigor to our internal police, by calling into office upright and able men, in every department. I would dilate, with particular pleasure, on his unwearied endeavors to preserve the country in peace. While some of our citizens were for France, and others for EnglandWashington was for the United States, and with great address preserved us on both sides from the horrors of war. On these subjects I cannot dwell, and therefore hasten to observe, that after having served his country with great ability, and fidelity, for eight years, in the office of president, he once more retired to private life, covered with honors, and followed by the love and gratitude of all the people. Previous to this event he gave his last parting advice to the citizens of the United States, in the form of a valedictory address. This is in all your hands. Teach it to your children, in the house, and by the way, lying down and rising up, going out and coming in. It is an invaluable legacy-perhaps there never was so much important instruction-so much good advice given by any mere man in the compass of so few words, as was done by Washington on this, and a similar occasion, when he retired from military command.

OUR departed friend had not enjoyed his beloved retirement two years, when his country again called for his services. The rulers of France, having entirely departed from the principles on which they set out, plundered our commerce, insulted our ministers of peace; and some of their agents went so far as to threaten us with invasion. This imposed a necessity to organ

ize an army, and prepare for the last extremity. All the world knew, and Washington, though the most modest of men, could not but know, that his name, at the head of our army, would either deter any European power from invading us; or if they 'should madly make the attempt, would unite all our citizens as a band of brothers for the common defence. He there-fore accepted the appointment, and though on the verge of three-score years and ten, stood ready and pledged to take the field, whenever the necessities of the country required it. In this attitude, and with a fixed resolution to serve his country in the last ebb of his life, and with the last drop of his blood, our father has been suddenly snatched from us. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity. Well may you mourn on such an occasion. Well may you shroud yourselves and your churches in black. Well may the citizens of these states, from NewHampshire to Georgia, mingle their tears in one great flood of grief. It was wise and proper to set apart a day free from business and care, to give undisturbed vent to your sorrows. Who now will wield the sword of our country against our enemies? Many brave and good officers we yet have; but none, like Washington, can by their very names strike terror into the breasts of an invading enemy. None, like Washington, can unite all hearts and hands in the common defence.

HAVING finished an historical review of the life of our departed friend, bear with me a few minutes while I attempt to draw his character. For the sake of those who have never seen general Washington, it may be worth while to observe, that his person was graceful, well proportioned, and uncommonly tall.When he was cheerful, he had a most engaging countenancewhen grave, a most respectable one. There was at all times an air of majesty and dignity in his appearance.

His learning was of a singular kind; he overstepped the tedious forms of the schools, and by the force of a correct taste and sound judgment, seized on the great ends of learning, with out the assistance of those means which have been contrived to prepare less active minds for public business. By a careful study of the English language, by reading good models of fine writing;

1

and, above all, by the aid of a vigorous mind, he made himself master of a pure, elegant, and classical style. His composition was all nerve; full of correct and manly ideas, which were expressed in precise and forcible language. His answers to the the innumerable addresses, which on all public occasions poured in upon him, were promptly made, handsomely expressed, and always contained something appropriate. His letters to congress his addresses to that body on the acceptance and resignation of his commission-his general orders as commander in chief his speeches and messages, as president-and, above all, his two farewell addresses to the people of the United States, will remain lasting monuments of the goodness of his heartof the wisdom of his head-and of the eloquence of his pen.

THE powers of his mind were in some respects peculiar. He was a great practical, self-taught genius-with a head to devise, and a hand to execute projects of the first magnitude and greatest utility. Happily for his country he was not under the dominion of a warm imagination; but he possessed, in an eminent degree, what was of infinitely more consequence-a correct, solid judgment. This was improved by close thinking, and strengthened by daily exercise. Possessing a large proportion of common sense, uninfluenced by prejudice, passion, or party spirit deliberately weighing in the balance of a sound judgment, the possible and probable consequences of every step he took, and being always under the influence of an honest, good heart, he was imperceptibly led to decisions that were wise and judicious. It is not pretended that he was infallible; but it may, with truth, be asserted, that in the multiplicity of business, on which he had to decide, his errors were as few in number, as venial in their nature, and as unimportant in their consequences, as could reasonably be expected in the prssent imperfect state of the wisest and best of men.

ENEMIES he had, but they were few, and chiefly of the same family with the man, who could not bear to hear Aristides always called the just. Among them all, I have never heard of one who charged him with any habitual vice, or even foible. There are few men of any kind, and still fewer of those the world.

calls great, who have not some of their virtues eclipsed by corresponding vices. But this was not the case with general Washington-he had religion without austerity-dignity without pride-modesty without diffidence-courage without rashnesspoliteness without affectation-affability without familiarity. His private character, as well as his public one, will bear the strictest scrutiny. He was punctual in all his engagements— upright and honest in his dealings-temperate in his enjoyments-liberal and hospitable to an eminent degree-a lover of order systematical and methodical in all his arrangements. He was the friend of morality and religion-steadily attended on public worship-encouraged and strengthened the hands of the clergy. In all his public acts he made the most respectful mention of Providence; and, in a word, carried the spirit of piety with him, both in his private life and public administration. He was far from being one of those minute philosophers, who believe that "death is an eternal sleep ;" or of those, who, trusting to the sufficiency of human reason, discard the light of divine revelation.

To dwell on all the virtues of general Washington, would protract my oration beyond the going down of the sun. I must therefore confine myself to a few. Among the many that present themselves, his patience and spirit of accommodation deserve particular notice. He had to form soldiers of freemen; many of whom had extravagant ideas of their personal rights.He had often to mediate between a starving army, and a high spirited yeomanry. So great were the necessities of the soldiers, under his immediate command, that he was obliged to send out detachments to seize on the property of the farmers at the point of the bayonet. The language of the soldier was, "Give me clothing-give me food-or I cannot fight—I cannot live." The language of the farmer was, "Protect my property.” In this choice of difficulties, general Washington not only kept his army together, but conducted with so much prudence, as to command the approbation both of the army and of the citizens. He was also dependent for much of his support on the concurrence of thirteen distinct, unconnected legislatures. Animosities prevailed between his southern and northern troops; and

there were strong jealousies between the states from which they respectively came. To harmonize these clashing interests-to make uniform arrangements from such discordant sources and materials, required no common share of address. Yet so great was the effect of the modest, unassuming manners of general Washington, that he retained the affection of all his troops, and of all the states.

BRAVERY is indispensible in a military man, though it stands lowest in the least of the virtues of a great officer. Our hero possessed a great share of it. In battle he was the bravest among the brave. When the service required it, he cheerfully

risked his person. Of this I could enumerate many instances. I could particularly relate, that on New-York island, and at the battle at Princeton, he was so far in front of his troops, and exposed to so much danger, that the preservation of his life can only be accounted for by those who believe in a particular providence. Having so many more important matters before me, I cannot dwell on this subject. How rich in reputation must that general be, whose courage must be thrown in the back ground, to give place for the display of his more important virtues?

GENERAL WASHINGTON also possessed equanimity in an eminent degrees One even tenor marked the greatness of his mind, in all the variety of scenes through which he passed. In the most trying situations he never despaired, nor was he ever depressed. Propositions, supported by plausible assignments, were made to him by honest, but despairing, timid Americans, to save himself and his country, by negociating at the head of his army; but in the lowest ebb of affairs, he spurned at every such proposal. The honors and applause he received from his grateful countrymen, at more fortunate periods, would have made any other man giddy, but on him they had no mischievous effect. He exacted none of those attentions: but when forced upon him he received them as favors, with the politeness of a well bred man. He was great in deserving them, but much greater in not being elated with them.

Z