386 APPENDIX. 



chair of government would do it. In a word, my dear sir, I am too 

 far advanced into the vale of life to bear such buffeting as I should 

 meet with in such an event A mind that has been constantly 

 on the stretch since the year 1753, with but short intervals and 

 little relaxation, requires rest and composure ; and I believe that 

 nothing short of a serious invasion of our country (in which case 

 I conceive it to be the duty of every citizen to step forward in its 

 defence) will ever draw me from my present retirement. But, 

 let me be in that or in any other situation, I shall always remain, 



Your sincere friend, and affectionate humble servant, 

 His Excellency G. WASHINGTON. 



GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 



MARTHA WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL.* 



MOUNT VERNON, January 15, 1800. 



DEAR SIR, When the mind is deeply affected by those irrep- 

 arable losses which are incident to humanity, the good Christian 

 will submit without repining to the dispensations of Divine Prov- 

 idence, and look for consolation to that Being who alone can pour 

 balm into the bleeding heart, and who has promised to be the 

 widow's God. But, in the severest trials, we find some allevia- 

 tion to our grief in the sympathy of sincere friends ; and I should 

 not do justice to my sensibility, was I not to acknowledge that 

 your kind letter of condolence of the 30th of December was 

 grateful to my feeling. I well knew the affectionate regard which 

 my dear deceased husband always entertained for you, and there- 

 fore conceive how afflicting his death must have been to you. 

 The quotation which you have given of what was written to you 

 on a former melancholy occasion, is truly applicable to this. The 

 loss is ours ; the gain is his. 



For myself, 1 have only to bow with humble submission to the 

 will of that God who giveth and who taketh away, looking for- 

 ward with faith and hope to the moment when I shall be again 

 united with the partner of my life. But, while I continue on 

 earth, my prayers will be offered up for the welfare and happiness 

 of my friends, among whom you will always be numbered, being, 



Dear Sir, 

 Your sincere and afflicted friend, 



MARTHA WASHINGTON. 



* This letter was in response to a letter of condolence, written after the 

 death of General Washington. 



