Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/47

Rh ous fabric of our independency and national character must rest."

Washington took final leave of the army in general orders of November 2, in accordance with a proclamation by congress of October 18. He accompanied Gov. Clinton in a formal entry into New York, after its evacuation by the British, on November 25. On December 4, after taking affetionate leave of his principal officers at Fraunce's tavern, he set off for Annapolis, and there, on December 23, 1783, he presented himself to "the United States in congress assembled," and resigned the commission that he had received on June 17, 1775. "Having now finished," said he, "the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." "You retire," replied the president of congress, "from the 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." The very next morning, as we are informed by Irving, Washington departed from Annapolis, and "hastened to his beloved Mount Vernon, where he arrived the same day, on Christmas eve, in a frame of mind suited to enjoy the sacred and genial festival."