Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/68

 FATHERS OF THE REVOLUTION

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ington now proceeded to the important task of selecting a cabinet, a supreme court, minister? to foreign courts, and a multitude o»* smaller officials, his intimate knowledge of men, and his almost superhuman judg- ment, enabling him to name a list of unap- proachable excellence. In 1790 the seat of government was removed to Philadelphia, where Washington, at the close of his sec- ond presidential term, received John Adams as his successor, he having refused to be a candidate for a third term, in an address of classical beauty, and breathing sentiments of fervent patriotism and lofty political philosophy. During his administration he sent a force of regulars and militia to quell the. Indian disturbances on the frontier. With the aid of Hamilton, he formed a sub- stantial basis for governmental finances, a task of the greatest magnitude owing to the utter worthlessness of existing Continental currency, and the breaking down of the national credit. On the occasion of the war between France and England he issued a proclamation of neutrality in which he ex- pressed sentiments which were subsequent- ly celebrated in the **Monroe Doctrine": to hold aloof from Europe * * * and take lio interest in the balance of power or the fate of dynasties." On September 18, I7')3, he laid the corner stone of the capitol build- ing at Washington City. In 1794 he sup- pressed the ''Whiskey Insurrection."
 * Thc new power 1 the United States) meant

After retiring from the presidency, Wash- ington returned to private life at Mount Vernon. In 1796 he presented to "Liberty Hall Academy." in Rockbridge county, Vir- ginia, one hundred shares of stock lvalue ^50,000) of the old James River Company, given him by the Virginia legislature as a

token of esteem and admiration, with these v;ords: "To promote literature in this ris- ing empire, and to encourage the arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart, and if the donation which the gen- erosity of the legislature of the common- wealth has enabled me to bestow upcm Liberty Hall — now by your politeness called Washington Academy — is likely to prove a means to accomplish these ends, it will confibute to the gratification of my de- sires." In 1798 the threatened war with France necessitated arrangements for a pro- visional army, and Washington was com- missioned lieutenant-general and com- mander-in-chief. He appointed Alexander Hamilton chief of staff, and gave himself to the duties of organization with his old- time vigor, but war was happily averted. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. trom Harvard in 1776: from Yale in 17S1 ; from the University of Pennsylvania in 1783: from Washington College (Mar}- land) probably in 1784; and from Brown I'niversity in 1790. He was a fellow of the American Academy of .Arts and Sciences, and member of the American Philosop!\ioa! Society.

On December 12, 1799, while busied on his estate, he took a severe cold which de- veloped into acute laryngitis, and after be- ing bled three times, sank rapidly, and breathed his last on December 14. He was buried in the family vault at Mount V'er- nt»n, and although a vault was prepared under the capitol at Washington City, the state of Virginia would not consent to the removal of the body. His birthday was made a national holiday by act of Congre5?s. His name stands first in Class M, ruleri and statesmen, in the Hall of Fame of Co-

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