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He arrived on the 19th, and on the next day informed Congress of his desire to resign into their

box of tin, containing, under lock and key, both that and the vouchers.

Total of Expenditures from 1775 to 1783 exclusive of Provisions from Commissaries and Contractors and of liquors, &c. from them and others

*Secret intelligence and service

Spent in reconnoitring and travelling
Miscellaneous charges

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. £3,387 14 4

1,982 10 0

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1,874 8

8

2,952 10

1

6,114 14 0

Expended besides, dollars according to the scale. of depreciation

Note.

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£16,311 17 1

104,364 of the dollars were received after March, 1780, and although credited forty for one, many did not fetch at the rate of a hundred for one, while 27,775 of them are returned without deducting any thing from the above account (and, therefore, actually made a present of to the public). (General Washington's account) from June,

. £16,311 17 1 1,717

1775, to the end of June, 1783 Expenditure from July 1, 1783, to December 13 (Added afterwards) from thence to December 28 Mrs. Washington's travelling expenses in coming to the General and returning

4

5 213 8 4

1,064 1 0

£19,306 11 9

Lawful money of Virginia, the same as the Massachusetts, or 14,479l. 18s. 94d. sterling.

"The General entered in his book-" I find, upon the final adjustment of these accounts, that I am a considerable losermy disbursements falling a good deal short of my receipts, and the money I had upon hand of my own: For besides the sums

«* Two hundred guineas advanced to General M'Dougal are not included in the 19827. 10, not being yet settled, but included in some of the other charges, and so reckoned in the general sum.”

hands the commission with which they had invested him as Commander in Chief of the American armies; and he asked in what form he should present his resignation. Congress resolved that it should be at a public audience on the succeeding Tuesday. When the moment of this interesting transaction arrived, the gallery was crowded with spectators; and many of the civil officers of the state and of the principal officers of the army, the French Consul-general, and a large body of respectable citizens were admitted to the floor of the Hall. The members of Congress, representing the sovereignty of the nation, were seated and covered, At twelve o'clock, General Washington was introduced and conducted to a chair. After a short interval the Secretary commanded silence. The President then informed the General, "that the United States in Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications." With dignity of manner suited to the occasion, he arose and addressed them:

"Mr. PRESIDent,

"The great events, on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself be

I carried with me to Cambridge, in 1775 I received monies afterwards on private account in 1777, and since which (except small sums that I had occasion to apply to private uses) were all expended in the public service; through hurry I suppose, and the perplexity of business (for I know not how else to account for the deficiency) I have omitted to charge the same, whilst every debit against me is here credited. July 1, 1783.”.

fore them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.

"Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable nation, I resign, with satisfaction, the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduousa task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

"The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increase with every review of the momentous contest.

"While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, Sir, to recommend in particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of Congress.

"I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life, by com

mending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendance of them to his holy keeping.

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Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewel to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.'

Having advanced to the chair and delivered the President his commission, he received from him the following reply:

"SIR,

"The United States in Congress assembled, receive, with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success, through a perilous and a doubtful war.

"Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds or a government to support you.

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"You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power, through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety, and independ

ence; on which happy event, we sincerely join you in congratulations.

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Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world: having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action, with the blessings of your fellow citizens; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command; it will continue to animate remotest ages,

"We feel, with you, our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers, who have attended your person to this affecting moment.

"We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you, we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give."

The General immediately retired from the hall of Congress. The minds of the spectators were deeply impressed by the scene. The recollection of the circumstances of the country at the time the commission was accepted, the events that had since taken place, and the glorious issue of the

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