LITMIR.BIZ

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was the animating spirit and the controlling power throughout that great struggle. On the 2d of November, 1783, he took final leave of the army, and resigned his commission on the following 23d of December. Retiring to Mount Vernon, which he had visited but once during the war, he resumed the peaceful life of a country gentleman. These were happy days, his time being fully occupied with his large estate, which required a tour of inspection each day. His servants were many; but he gave personal attention to their welfare. His guests were numerous; yet all were entertained with a bountiful hospitality. One ceremony was never omitted at Mount Vernon, and that was a daily visit to his old war-horse, Nelson, to pat his head. Washington rode him when receiving the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. The war ended, Nelson’s work was over; carefully tended, he lived to a good old age, but by his master’s strict orders, no service was ever again required of him.

      In 1784, Washington crossed the Alleghanies to visit his lands in western Virginia, and planned the Potomac and the James River canals. In 1787, he was sent as a delegate to the convention held in Philadelphia for the purpose of deciding on the best mode of governing the United States. The result of their labors was the federal Constitution, under the provisions of which Washington was unanimously chosen first President, with John Adams as Vice-President. Owing to a delay in the assembling of the members of the first National Congress, the inauguration could not take place until April 30, 1789. Washington’s journey from Mount Vernon to New York, temporarily the seat of government, was the triumphant progress of a hero; young and old, rich and poor, vied with one another to do him honor. Being re-elected, he took his second oath of office on the 4th of March, 1793. Appreciating the fact that America’s true policy was to keep clear of all European alliances, on the 22d of April of the same year, he issued his famous proclamation of neutrality, to restrain the United States from taking any part in the French Revolution.

      Wearied with his long public service, and not deeming it for the best interests of the country that he should enter upon a third term, on the 16th of September, 1796, Washington published his “Farewell Address.” His tenure of office expiring on the 4th of March, 1797, he once more sought the tranquil enjoyment of life at Mount Vernon. War-clouds were gathering on the horizon; and when hostilities with France seemed inevitable, he again responded to the call of his country, and accepting on the 3d of July, 1798, the appointment of lieutenant-general and commander-in-chief, began the organization of an army. The difficulties were, however, settled without an appeal to arms, though Washington did not live to know it. Riding over his estate on the 12th of December, 1799, during a snow-storm, he contracted a severe chill from which he never seemed to rally, and died on the 14th, saying to Dr. Craik, his physician, “I die hard; but I am not afraid to go.” His funeral occurred on the 18th, Reverend Thomas Davis preaching the sermon, a schooner lying in the Potomac firing minute-guns, and his favorite horse being led after the coffin. Richard Henry Lee pronounced a eulogy before both Houses of Congress, in which occurred the since oft-quoted words—“first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” Napoleon ordered all the standards and flags in the French army to be bound with crape for ten days, and the British fleet of sixty ships-of-the-line, lying at Torbay, England, lowered their flags to half-mast upon hearing the sad intelligence. Sincerely mourned by the whole civilized world, his memory to-day is cherished as that of no other man has ever been, and the passing years but add to the lustre of his fame. Beautifully has it been said of him, “Providence left him childless that his country might call him father.”

ARTEMUS WARD.

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      Artemus Ward, born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, in 1727, graduated at Harvard College in 1748. Soon after, he entered public life as a representative in the Colonial Assembly, and later was a delegate in the first Provincial Congress, and justice of the peace in his native town in 1752. Having gained some reputation for military ability during the French and Indian War, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Massachusetts troops on the 19th of May, 1775, and held that rank until the arrival of Washington at Cambridge. Though nominally in command during the battle of Bunker Hill, he remained in his camp and took no active part in determining the events of that day. On the 19th of May, 1775, he was made brigadier-general, and on the 17th of June, 1775, he was commissioned as senior major-general by the Continental Congress, being the first officer of that rank appointed by that body. Owing to impaired health, however, he resigned on the 23d of April of the year following, but at the request of Washington, continued to act until May. From that time until his death, he held responsible legislative and judicial positions, and served in the former one for sixteen years. Possessed of high integrity and unyielding principles, his judicial conduct won for him much praise, especially during Shays’ Rebellion in 1786. He died in his native town on the 28th of October, 1800.

CHARLES LEE.

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      Charles Lee, born in 1731 at Dernhall in Cheshire, England, was destined by his parents, from his earliest youth, to the profession of arms; his education, therefore, was such as to further that purpose. In 1758, he came to New York with the British forces designed for the conquest of Louisburg, and served with distinction during the French and Indian War. Returning to England at the close of the war, he threw himself with characteristic ardor into politics; but finding this too tame a pursuit, he offered his services to Poland, then to Russia against the Turks, and in 1773 returned to America, where, on the 17th of June, 1775, he was appointed second major-general of the Continental forces—Washington at the same time being made commander-in-chief, though from his experience and brilliant achievements abroad, Lee had hoped for the latter appointment himself. His first service was the putting of New York City in a good state of defence. In March, 1776, Congress ordered him south, and in conjunction with General Moultrie, he defeated the British at Charleston, South Carolina, in the battle of the 28th of June, with the fleet of Parker under Lord Cornwallis. Moultrie won the victory, although it was conceded to Lee. Moultrie constructed the famous Palmetto Fort on Sullivan’s Island.

      In October, Lee was recalled to New York; here his jealousy of Washington blinded his better judgment and led him into a series of indiscretions which after the battle of Monmouth subjected him to a court-martial, some of the charges being “disobedience of orders,” “misbehavior before the enemy,” and “disrespect to the commander-in-chief.” The court found him guilty of these charges, and Congress, after considerable delay, on Monday the 10th of January, 1780, resolved, “That Major-General Charles Lee be informed that Congress have no further occasion for his services in the army of the United States.” Retiring to his estate in Berkeley County, Virginia, he led the life of a hermit, shunning society and devoting himself to agricultural and literary pursuits. His dwelling was a rudely built house containing one large room, chalk-marks on the floor taking the place of partitions and indicating where the various apartments should be. Wearying of this life, and his farm proving unprofitable, he went to Philadelphia to make arrangements for selling it. While attending to this business, he was attacked by a fatal illness and died there on the 2d of October, 1782, at the age of fifty-one.

JOHN PHILIP SCHUYLER.

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      John Philip Schuyler, born at Albany on the 22d of November, 1733, was of Dutch origin. He was the second son of John Schuyler, who was the nephew of Peter Schuyler—a native of Albany, born in 1657. At the age of twenty-two he received the appointment of commissary under Lord Howe, and rendered valuable service throughout the French and Indian War. In 1755, he recruited a company for the army and was commissioned its captain, taking part in the battle of Lake George. His health failing, he was obliged to transfer his command at Ticonderoga to General Montgomery. After the peace of 1763, he turned to the management of his private affairs. Inheriting a large property, much of which was covered with valuable timber, he transported the latter in his own vessels down the Hudson River to New York City, where he found a favorable market. Cultivating large fields of flax, and there

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