THE appearance of this address in the gazettes of the United States, struck every where a damp on the spirits of the people. To be thus bidden farewell by one to whom, in every time of danger, they had so long and so fondly looked up, as, under God, their surest and safest friend, could not but prove to them a grievous shock. Indeed many could not refrain from tears, especially when they came to that part where he talked of being soon to be "consigned to the mansions of rest."

DURING the next and last session that he ever met congress, which began on the 7th of December, 1796, he labored hard to induce that honorable body mstantly to set about the following public works, which, to him, appeared all important to the nation. 1st. Societies and institutions for the improvement of agriculture.

2d. A navy.

3d.. A military Academy.

4th. A manufactory of arms. 5th. A national university.

On the 4th of March, 1797, he took his last leave c 1 Philadelphia. Having ever been an enlightened and virtuous republican, who deems it the first of Buties to honour the man whom the majority of his ..ountrymen had chosen to honour, Washington could not think of going away, until he had first paid his espects to the man of their choice. It was this that retarded his journey--it was this that brought him to the senate chamber.

ABOUT eleven o'clock, while the members of congress, with numbers of the first characters, were assembled in the senate hall, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mr. Adam's, a modest rap was heard at the door. Supposing it to be the president elect, the attention of all was turned to the entry, when, lo! instead of Mr. Adams and his suite, who should appear but the honoured and beloved form of Washington, without attendants, and in his plain travelling dress Instantly the joy of filial love sprung up in all hearts

glowed in every face; and bursted forth in involun tary plaudits from every tongue. Presently Mr. Adams entered with his attendants; but passed on in a great measure unnoticed. The father of his country was in the presence of his children, and perhaps for the last time; who then could divide his attentions Riveted on his face was every glistening eye; while busy memory, flying over the many toils and dangers of his patriot life, gave the spectators up to those delicious thoughts from which no obtruder could break them without a sigh.

HAVING just waited to congratulate Mr. Adams on his inauguration, and very heartily to pray that his government might prove a great joy to himself "and a blessing to his county," he hastened to Mount Vernon; to close in peace the short evening of this laborious lite; and to wait for a better, even for that" rest which remaineth for the people of God."

He carried with him the most fervent prayers of congress, that "Heaven would pour its happiest sunshine on the decline of his days." But this their pray er was not fully answered. On the contrary, with respect to his country, at least, his evening sun went down under a cloud.

THE French directory, engaged in a furious war with England, turned to America for aid. But Washington, wisely dreading the effects of war on his young republic, and believing that she had an unquestioned right to neutrality, most strictly enjoined it on his people by proclamation. This so enraged the directory, that they presently gave orders to their cruizers, to seize American ships on the high seas

-that equal path which God had spread for the nations to trade on! Washington had sent out generaCharles C. Pinckney to remonstrate against such iniquitous proceedings. The directory would not receive him! but still continued their spoliations on our wide-spread and defenceless commerce, ruining numbers of innocent families. Still determined, ae eording to Washington's advice, "so to act as to put

our enemy in the wrong," the American government dispatched two other envoys, Gen. Marshall and Elbridge Gerry, to aid Pinckney. But they fared no better. Though they only supplicated for peace! though they only prayed to be permitted to make explanations, they were still kept by the directory at a most mortifying distance; and, after all, were told, that America was not to look for a single smile of reconciliation, nor even a word on that subject, until her envoys should bring large tribute in their hands!! This, as Washington had predicted, instantly evapo rated the last drop of American patience. He had always said, that, "though some very interested or "deluded persons were much too fond of England "and France to value America as they ought; yet "he was firmly persuaded, that the great mass of "the people were hearty lovers of their country; and,

as soon as their eyes were open to the grievous injuries done her, would assuredly resent them, like "men, to whom God had given strong feelings, on "purpose rights." to guard their

His prediction was gloriously verified. For, on hearing the word tribute, the American envoys instantly took fire!! while the brave Gen. Pinckney, (a revolutionary soldier, and neither Englishman nor Frenchman, but a true American,) indignantly exclaimed to the secretary of the directory" Tribute, sir! no, sir! the Americans pay no tribute! tell the directory, that we will give millions for defence, but not a cent for tribute."

Soon as this demand of the directory was told in America, the glorious spirit of '76 was kindled like a flash of lightning, from St. Mary's to Maine. "What!" said the people every where," shall we, shall Americans! who, rather than pay an unconstitutional three-penny tax on tea, bravely encountered a bloody war, with Britain, now tamely yield to France to beggar us at pleasure? No! Millions for defence, but not a cent for tribute," was nobly reverberated throughout the continent

WAR being now fully expected, the eyes of the nation were instantly turned towards Washington, to head her armies against the French. He readily consented; but, at the same time, observed that there would be no war "The directory," said he, "though mad enough to do almost any thing, are yet not quite so mad as to venture an attack, when they shall find that the spirit of the nation is up." The event showed the usual correctness of his judgment for, on discovering that America, though very willing to be the sister, had no-notion of being the slave of France-on learning that Washington was roused, and the strength of the nation rallying around him and also that the American tars, led on by the gallant Truxton, had spread the fiery stars of LIBERTY, blasting on every sea the sickly fleurs-de-luce, of gallic piracy, the directory very sagaciously signified a disposition to accommodate. Mr. Adams immedi ately dispatched three new envoys to the French republic. By the time they got there, the French republic was no more! Bonaparte, believing that volatile people incapable of governing for themselves, had kindly undertaken to govern for them; and ha ving, en passant, kicked the directory from their seats, he seized their ill-managed power, and very leisurely mounted the throne of the Bourbons. Dazzled with the splendor of his talents and victories, the great nation quietly yielded to his reign; and with a happy versatility peculiar to themselves, ex changed the tumultuous and bloody "Ca ira," for the milder notes of" vive l'empereur." With this

wonderful man, the American envoys found no difficulty to negotiate; for having no wish to re-unite America to his hated enemy, Britain, he received them very graciously; and presently settled all their claims in a satisfactory manner. Thus lovingly did the breath of God blow away once more the black cloud of war, and restore the bright day of peace to our favoured land! But Washington never lived to

rejoice with his countrymen in the sunshine of that peace; for before it reached our shores, he had closed his eyes for ever on all mortal things.

CHAPTER XII.

THE DEATH OF WASHINGTON.

And when disease obstructs the labouring breath, When the heart sickens and each pulse is death, Even then Religion shall sustain the just;

Grace their last moments; nor desert their dust.

IF the prayers of millions could have prevailed, Washington would have been immortal on earth. And if fulness of peace, riches, and honours could have rendered that immortality happy, Washington had been blessed indeed. But this world is not the place of true happiness. Though numberless are the satisfactions, which a prudence and virtue like Washington's may enjoy in this world, yet they fall short, infinite degrees, of that pure, unembittered felicity, which the Almighty parent has prepared in heaven for the spirits of the just.

To prepare for this immensity of bliss, is the real errand on which God sent us into the world. Our preparation consists in acquiring those great virtues, purity and love, which alone can make us worthy companions of angels, and fit partakers of their exalted delights, Washington had wisely spent his life in acquiring the IMMORTAL Virtues. "He had fought the good fight against his own unreasonable affections. He had glorified God, by exemplifying the charms of virtue to men. He had borne the heat and burden of the day his great day of duty: and the evening of old age being come, the servant of God