Sketches of Gen. TVashingtori's Private Character, iii 



qf his country, was his undeviating aim; and its independence, 

 his leading-star. 



Had I not prescribed to myself bounds, which I will not 

 overleap, I could trace, distinctly, through these letters, the 

 the most prominent features of his farewell address. These 

 do not appear so well matured, or expressed, as they finally 

 were. But the senti7nents are substantially similar : though 

 some may be said to be in a state of adolescence ; — if such 

 an expression be allowable. 



These letters, if there were none others, would convince any 

 who candidly doubted on the subject, how unnecessary 

 literary assistance to him would have been, for all useful 

 and necessary purposes, had his leisure, or inclinations, 

 permitted him to depend solely on himself. I am not at 

 liberty (nor is it required in this feeble sketch of his private 

 character) to adduce passages in frequent proof. I may, 

 however, without regard to this point, and without any 

 nice selection, mention an instance of his rigid adherence 

 to duty, at the expense of his private accommodation and 

 enjoyment. We who passed tjhrough the vicissitudes of 

 our revolution, well recollect, that the years 1779 and 1780, 

 were among the most distressful iEras, of the variegated pro- 

 gress through our contest. It was in the winter of one of 

 those years, that the occurrence happened, which I have 

 mentioned in volume first, page 232. He was pressed by 

 many personal friends, and particularly by one possessing 

 his confidence, and to whom he addressed one of the letters 

 I have noticed, dated '-'■ Middle Brook^ December 12th, 177ff," 

 to spend his winter in Philadelphia; where all would join 

 in rendering his time happy, and his situation personally 

 accomodatory. He writes in reply, from the patriotic feelings 

 of his heart; — and without affectedly quoting the inapplicable 

 examples of Hannibal and Capua ; — 



" Were I to give into private conveniency and amuse- 

 ' ment, I should not be able to resist the invitations of my 



