WASHINGTON,

OR

LIBERTY RESTORED.

Now had the slow-pac'd wain of sable night
Ascended heaven's mid-steep, and in her train
The starry host with all their glittering gems
Spangled the expanse; now was creation hush'd
In the soft dews of sleep, all but the mind
Of great Columbia's chieftain, im no sleep
But anxious care possess'd, and troubled thoughts
How he might shield his country from those ills
Which now on every side assail'd her round;
E'en in his very camp disease had spread
So thick her noisome vapours, that he fear'd
No efforts on his part could save the rest
From the grim jaws of death, and to these ills
Were added mutiny, and discontent,

5

10

Whose clamorous tongues pervaded all the camp: 15 Nor wanted cause; oft without food, or clothes,

Expos'd to all the inclemencies of sky,

Nor day, nor night, nor season brought relief.
E'en Congress' self unable to supply

Q

The army's wants, was yet perforce impell'd
To adopt such measures as necessity,

20

Not prudence dictates, and increas'd tenfold
The evil that was meant to remedy.
Pondering on these, and various other ills,
Thus to the Almighty Being the hero pray'd;
"Almighty Power! who on the human breast
Didst from the first ingrave the sacred love
Of thy celestial freedom, making man
After thy likeness! Oh! in mercy sparé,
Benignant Being! in mercy spare our sins.
Thou know'st how often, and how fervently
My soul hath yearn'd for peace; how oft essay'd
To stop the effusion of the human blood;

Alas! thou know'st how vain; in thee alone

25

30

I put my trust; Oh! guide my erring thoughts, 35
Teach me to know thy will, and to obey
That will when known, that thus the path of right

21. To adopt such measures &c.—Compare the note at b. i. ver. 275; and Ramsay, ii. 222_5. “In addition to the disasters from short crops, and depreciating money, disorder and confusion pervaded the departments for supplying the army. Systems for these purposes had been hastily adopted, and were very inadequate to the end proposed," &c. Ib. 188. See Life of W. iii. 40—3. “ Mistaking a real depreciation of money for the extortion of avarice on the wants of the publick an attempt was made, under the recommendation of Congress, to limit prices by law; and this limitation, if persisted in, would once more have produced a famine," &c. Ib. 403-4. See iv. 245--7, 256. 264--7., where Washington complains of the defects of the State system, and the consequent want of power in Congress. I see one head gradually changing into thirteen. I see one army branching into thirteen; and instead of looking up to Congress as the supreme controuling power of the United States, considering themselves as dependent on their respective states," &c. See 361,

May lead to virtue, happiness, and thee.
But if thy justice must o'ertake our sins

Thy will, Omnipotent! thy will be done."
Thus pray'd the chief, when to his ravish'd eyes
A radiant form appear'd, whose lucid robe
Flow'd to her feet, while all around was pour'd
Ambrosial fragrance; and with voice divine
Thus she address'd Columbia's pious Chief;
"Beloved Son! thy virtuous prayer is heard,
And now by Heaven's all-wise decree I come,
To shield Columbia from her numerous foes,
And by thy means to give to future men
Freedom's eternal boon; the time shall come
When e'en thy foes, who now with madden'd ire
Break the first precept of their heavenly guide,
And do themselves to others what themselves
Would not be done unto; the time shall come
When they with loudest voice, and gratitude
Shall hail fair freedom's orb; that orb once risen
Shall never set, but shall eternal shine
Diffusing light, and love throughout the world.
But evils yet must pass, before that time
That blessed time arrive, for happiness
Lies up the steeps of pain. But now attend,
While to thy gladden'd heart I pour fresh balm
Of joy and comfort; Britain's haughty flag,
That rul'd despotick o'er that element

40

45

50

53

60

66

Which Heaven gave free to man, thus making power,
And right synonymous, has dar'd provoke
Russia's great empress to defend the laws

1

4

70

Of nature, and of nations: Neutral Powers
Have guaranteed the rights of God and man.
But this the least; for mighty Louis hears
Columbia's plaints, and even now at hand
His crowded squadrons, which by aid divine
Wrapt in celestial clouds have pass'd the foe,
Enter thy joyous havens; greet them, Son!
With love fraternal, and without delay
Instant to York-town speed your troops combin'd,
And there again we'll meet thee." Thus she spake,
And vanish'd, but by her empyreal gait
Was known, confest the Seraph Liberty.
O'erpower'd the hero sank, and on his knees 80
Pour'd forth his silent gratitude to God.

75

But soon was rous'd; for lo! the trumpet's sound
Joyous announc'd great Gallia's sons arriv'd.
Now had the morn thro'.the eastern gate of heaven
Diffus'd her roseate beams, when Fayette's spirit 85

68. Neutral Powers &c.-On the armed neutrality formed by Russia, Sweden, and Denmark, in the year 1780, see Ramsay, ii. 209-211; Life of W. iv. 369. 373: Belsham, iii. 40-1-2. Let us (said lord Lansdowne, an. 1797,) endeavour to regain the good opinion of Europe, which we have lost by our pride and rapacity; let us proclaim freedom to neutral nations; and by thus recognizing the commercial liberty of the world, we should be the first to profit by it." Belsham, vi. 359.

70. mighty Louis,—See book i. ver. 362.

85. Fayette's spirit—" The marquis de la Fayette, whose letters to France had a considerable share in reconciling the nation to patronize the United States, was among the first in the American army who received the welcome tidings of the treaty. In a transport of joy, mingled with an effusion of tears, he embraced general Washington, exclaiming: The king, my master, has acknowledged your independ ence, and entered into an alliance with you for its establish

Brooking no equal in Columbia's cause,
With eager haste to Washington conducts
His kindred chieftains, mighty Rochambeau,
The brave de Grasse, St. Simon's noble fires,
The valiant Ternay, and de Barras' skill,
With that sage minister whose ardent zeal
Had triumph'd o'er Columbia's enemies,
The prudent Gerard; these with Chastelleux,
Du Portail, Choisy, and some other chiefs
Now met Columbia's hero, when in few

90

95

ment.' The heartfelt joy, which spread from breast to breast, exceeded description. The several brigades assembled by order of the commander in chief, their chaplains offered up publick thanks to Almighty God, and delivered discourses suitable to the occasion. A feu de joie was fired, and, on a proper signal being given, the air resounded with Long live the king of France'-poured forth from the breast of every private in the army." Ram ay, ü. 68.

88. Rochambeau, &c. The French troops, convoyed by marquis de Ternay, left France on the 1st of May, 1780, under the command of the count de Rochambeau, but did not arrive at Rhode Island till the 10th of July following. See Ramsay, ii. 192. The count de Grasse with a French fleet of 28 sail of the line entered the Chesapeak in August 1781. The troops on board of this fleet were commanded by the marquis de St. Simon. Ib. 260. A French fleet of 8

sail of the line, under the count de Barras, entered the Chesapeak in the night of September 7th, 1781, at the time when admirals Graves and de Grasse were manoeuvring near its mouth. Ib. 261.

93. The prudent Gerard, ( or Girard)— He was one of the secretaries of H. M. C. Majesty's council of state, and had been employed in the negotiations between France and America; afterwards he was sent as minister plenipotentiary to the United States. Ramsay, ii. 65. 88; Life of W. iv. 20.

94. some other chiefs-Among others may be named M. d'Estouches, who commanded the French fleet after the death of de Ternay; the baron de Viominel, &e.