ΤΟ

THE YOUTH

OF THE UNITED STATES, IN THE HOPE THAT, FROM THE

EXAMPLE

OF THEIR COMMON FATHER,

THEY WILL LEARN TO DO AND SUFFER

WHATEVER

THEIR COUNTRY'S GOOD

MAY REQUIRE AT THEIR HANDS, THE FOLLOWING LIFE OF

GEORGE WASHINGTON,

IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED

By the

AUTHOR.

CHAPTER I.

Of George Washington's birth, family, and education.

Of his

mission to the French commandant on the Ohio, in 1753. His

military operations as an officer of Virginia, from 1754 to 1758,

and his subsequent employments to the commencement of

the American revolution,

CHAPTER II.

P. 13

Retrospect of the origin of the American revolutionary war. Of

George Washington, as member of Congress, in 1774 and 1775.

As commander in chief of the armies of the United Colonies

in 1775 and 1776, and his operations near Boston, in these

years,

P. 27

CHAPTER III.

CAMPAIGN OF 1776.

Of the operations of General Washington in New York and New

Jersey. The battle on Long Island. The retreat from York

Island and through Jersey. The battles of Trenton and Prince-

ton,

- p. 37

CHAPTER IV.

CAMPAIGN OF 1777.

Of the operations of General Washington in New Jersey and

Pennsylvania, in the campaign of 1777. The battles of Bran-

dywine and Germantown. Washington is advised by the Rev.

Jacob Duche, to give up the contest. The distresses of the

American army. Its winter quarters at Valley Forge. Gen-

eral Washington is assailed by the clamours of discontented

individuals and public bodies, and by the designs of a faction

to supersede him in his office as commander in chief,

CHAPTER V.

CAMPAIGN OF 1778.

P. 54

General Washington prepares for the campaign of 1778. Sur-

prises the British, and defeats them at Monmouth. Arrests

General Lee. Calms the irritation excited by the departure

of the French fleet from Rhode Island to Boston. Dissuades

from an invasion of Canada,

71

CHAPTER VI.

CAMPAIGN OF 1779.

The distresses of the American army. Gen. Washington calms

the uneasiness in the Jersey line. Finds great difficulty in sup-

porting his troops and concentrating their force. Makes a dis-

position of them with a view to the security of West Point.

Directs an expedition against the six nations of Indians, and

for the reduction of Stony Point. Paules Hook taken. A

French fleet expected to the northward, arrives on the coast

of Georgia. Washington unequal to offensive operations, re-

tires into winter quarters,

CHAPTER VII.

CAMPAIGN OF 1780.

p. 83.

General Washington directs an expedition against Staten Island.

Gives an opinion against risking an army for the defence of

Charleston, S. C. Finds great difficulty in supporting his army.

Kniphausen invades Jersey, but is prevented from injuring the

American stores. Marquis de la Fayette arrives, and gives

assurances that a French fleet and army might soon be expect-

ed on the American coast. Energetic measures of co-opera-

tion resolved upon, but so languidly executed, that Washing-

ton predicts the necessity of a more efficient system of nation-

al government. A French fleet and army arrives, and a com-

bined operation against New York is resolved upon, but the

arrival of a superior British fleet deranges the whole plan, p. 99

CHAPTER VIII.

CAMPAIGN OF 1781.

The Pennsylvania line mutinies. The Jersey troops follow their

example, but are quelled by decisive measures. Gen. Wash-

ington commences a military journal, detailing the wants and

distresses of his army. Is invited to the defence of his native

state, Virginia, but declines. Reprimands the manager of his

private estate for furnishing the enemy with supplies, to pre-

vent the destruction of his property. Extinguishes the inci-

pient flames of a civil war, respecting the independence of

the state of Vermont. Plans a combined operation against

the British, and deputes Lieut. Col. John Laurens to solicit

the co-operation of the French. The combined forces of

both nations rendezvous in the Chesapeake, and take Lord

Cornwallis and his army prisoners of war. Washington re.

turns to the vicinity of New York, and urges the necessity

of preparing for a new campaign,

P. 104

CHAPTER IX.

1782 and 1783.

Prospects of peace. Languor of the states. Discontents of the

army. Gen. Washington prevents the adoption of rash mea-

sures. Some new levies in Pennsylvania mutiny, and are quel-

led. Washington recommends measures for the preservation

of independence, peace, liberty and happiness. Dismisses his

army. Enters New York. Takes leave of his officers. Set-

tles his accounts. Repairs to Annapolis. Resigns his com-

mission. Retires to Mount Vernon, and resumes his agricul-

tural pursuits,

CHAPTER X.

p. 121

General Washington, on retiring from public life, devotes him-

self to agricultural pursuits. Favours inland navigation. De-

clines offered emoluments from it. Urges an alteration of

the fundamental rules of the society of the Cincinnati. Re-

grets the defects of the Federal system, and recommends a

revisal of it. Is appointed a member of the continental con-

vention for that purpose, which, after hesitation, he accepts.

Is chosen president thereof. Is solicited to accept the presi

dency of the United States. Writes sundry letters expres-

sive of the conflict in his mind, between duty and inclination.

Answers applications for offices. His reluctance to enter on

public life,

CHAPTER XI.

P. 154

Washington elected president. On his way to the seat of go-

vernment, at New York, receives the most flattering marks

of respect. Addresses Congress. The situation of the United

States in their foreign and domestic relations, at the inaugura-

tion of Washington. Fills up public offices solely with a view

to the public good Proposes a treaty to the Creek Indians,

which is at first rejected. Colonel Willet induces the heads

of the nation to come to New York, to treat there. The

North Western Indians refuse a treaty; but after defeating ge-

nerals Harmar and Sinclair, they are defeated by General

Wayne. They then sub nit and agree to treat.
A new sys-

tem is introduced for meliorating their condition,

CHAPTER XII.

p. 170

General Washington attends to the foreign relations of the Unit-

ed States, Negotiates with Spain. Difficulties in the way.

The free navigation of the Mississippi is granted by a treaty

made with Major Pinkney. Negotiation with Britain. Diffi-

culties in the way. War probable. Mr. Jay's mission. His

treaty with Great Britain. Opposition thereto. Is ratified.