"Though his excellency, General Washington, proposes in a short
time to retire, yet his illustrious actions and virtues render his
character so splendid and venerable, that, it is highly probable,
the admiration and esteem of the world may make his life in a very
considerable degree public, as numbers will be desirous of seeing
the great and good man, who has so eminently contributed to the
happiness of a nation. His very services to his country, may,
therefore, subject him to expenses, unless he permits her gratitude
to interpose.

"We are perfectly acquainted with the disinterestedness and
generosity of his soul. He thinks himself amply rewarded for all
his labors and cares, by the love and prosperity of his
fellow-citizens. It is true, no rewards they can bestow can be
equal to his merits. But they ought not to suffer those merits to
be burdensome to him. We are convinced that the people of
Pennsylvania would regret such a consequence.

"We are aware of the delicacy with which this subject must be
treated. But relying upon the good sense of Congress, we wish it
may engage their early attention."

President Mifflin forwarded a copy of these instructions to Washington,
because it was thought advisable not to lay them before Congress without
his knowledge and approbation. True to the consistency of his character,
Washington promptly declined the intended favor. "I can not but feel,"
he said, in reply to Mifflin, "the greatest obligations to the supreme
executive council of Pennsylvania. But as my sentiments on the subject
of their instructions have been long and well known to the public, I
need not repeat them to your excellency on the present occasion." All
proceedings on the subject were accordingly stopped.

With the opening of the spring of 1784, numerous visitors began to make
their way to Mount Vernon. Many of them were officers, and some of them
poor soldiers of the war just closed, who went to pay the homage of
their affections to the general under whom they had so long served with
delight. Others were persons of distinction, from the various states and
from abroad; and others went there out of mere curiosity, to see the
great man of the nation in his retirement. Every one received the
attentions of a generous hospitality from the master; and in these
offices he was nobly seconded by Mrs. Washington, whose cheerful