Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

MONUMENTS OF

WASHINGTON'S PATRIOTISM,

AN APPEAL

TO THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, THE OFFICERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, VISITERS, AND CITIZENS OF THE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA, AND OTHERS.

WHATEVER has a tendency to enlarge and improve the sphere of Education, Morals, and Industry, is worthy of the consideration and patronage of the Philanthropist, the Statesman, and the Christian,the great conservators of the public weal.

General GEORGE WASHINGTON on receiving his commission as Commander-in-chief of the Army of the United States, made known to Congress that he would receive for his services nothing more than his actual expenses. During the whole period of the Revolutionary war he kept a daily account of his expenses, including moneys paid for secret services, in obtaining information from within the enemies lines. This account, in his own hand-writing, consisting of fifty-four pages, folio, he exhibited to the auditing officers of the Government, which was admitted and settled agreeably to his statement. The account is neatly and correctly stated, in conformity with the mercantile system of keeping and stating accounts, and shews his accurate knowledge of this important branch of education, so necessary to all who are in the receipt and disbursement of moneys. It includes a scale of the depreciation of the continental money, of which a fac simile of bills of different denominations is annexed, issued by Congress for the support of the war. There is also annexed a work of his in 1758, when a Colonel, commanding the Virginia troops, under General Forbes, of the British army, in an expedition against Fort Du Quesne, (now Pittsburgh,) which was drawn up at the request of General Forbes, exhibiting the line of march and plans for the battle, in the event of its being required. An exact fac simile of these doc

2

uments, taken from the archives of the Government, is now presented to the public for sale, in a neat folio volume, handsomely bound. It also includes sundry valuable and interesting documents in relation to General Washington's military command and civil administration, with his last address, or legacy, to the American people.

From the particularities of the charges in his account, and places of the expenditure, shewing the movements of the army, it may be considered as an appendix to the history of the war, and a valuable relic of the Father of his country.

The profits of this work are designed to establish an institution to be called "Washington's Manual Labour School and Male Orphan Asylum."

The system of education proposed for the pupils will have respect to their habits as well as their knowledge, so essential to the usefulness and happiness of man. It will combine useful labour and science, and will act reciprocally in its benefits. The mind will be relieved from an exaction which too often proves fatal to health, and the body will gain vigour from active employment.

The first edition of this work being nearly all disposed of, a second is now offered to the public, with many interesting additions, and a good likeness of Washington, from the painting in the Senate Chamber by Peale.

This work is placed by the original publishers in the hands of thirteen trustees, by assignment, for the special purpose of establishing the institution before mentioned. The trustees are James L. Edwards, Michael Nourse, Thomas Sewall, M. D., Peter Force, J. W. Hand, J. G. Whitewell, John Coyle, Thomas F. Hunt, Joseph Thaw, Anthony Preston, Leonidas Coyle, John P. Ingle, and P. W. Gallaudet. It was expected before this time to have commenced the institution on a moderate scale, but unavoidable circumstances have rendered it inexpedient: should the present edition meet the patronage of the public, it will enable the Society to commence the plan. It is proposed that the useful labour adverted to, will einbrace agriculture, horticulture, and some of the mechanic arts. After a few years the pupils will contribute by their labour towards their support. This establishment may afford a fair opportunity of ascertaining how far boys taken from the lowest, most destitute, and

[graphic]

3

unpromising classes of society, may be so trained up to the state of manhood, as in a great measure to defray their expenses, and become useful members of the community.

Without descanting upon the benefits of the system of education which unites useful labour with science, it is sufficient to say, that the fair experiments which have been made, both in Europe and in this country, especially by Felenburg's Institution in Switzerland, near Berne, particulars of which may be seen in the Edinburgh Review, No. 61, (1818) prove most incontestably its decided superiority over all others for popular instruction; and, from the structure of our Government, it is peculiarly adapted to our institutions, and the habits and enterprise of our people. At this enlightened age, when Christianity and philanthropy are exerting their mighty influence throughout the world, to add to the sum of human happiness, it is confidently hoped that our own favoured country will not linger in the rear of duty, and prove delinquent to the appeals of a good cause that is struggling to gain a useful existence.

[blocks in formation]

Fac Simile of Washington's Accounts.-Washington appointed Commander-inChief. His acceptance of the Appointment.-His Commission.-Circular Letter from Washington to the Governours of the several States.-Resolution of Congress for erecting an Equestrian Stature of Washington.-Washington's Visit to Princeton. Address to him by the President of Congress. His Reply.-Farewell Orders to the Army. Answer of the Officers.-Washington taking leave of the Officers of the Army.-His Speech on resigning his Commission. Answer to, by President of Congress. His Inauguration as President of the United States. His Speech. Answer of the Senate. President's Reply. Answer of the House of Representa. tives. President's Reply to the House.-Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving. -Farewell Address to the People of the United States.-Letter of Washington, accepting the command of the Army, in 1796.-An Eulogium on the character of Washington, by Major William Jackson, one of his Aides.-Constitution of the United States, with the Amendments.

[graphic]
« ZurückWeiter »