ving General Knox in
command at Newburg. On the twenty-sixth he had a formal public audience
with Congress, when that body presented a most affectionate address to
him, in which they said:--

"It has been the particular happiness of the United States, that
during a war so long, so dangerous, and so important, Providence
has been graciously pleased to preserve the life of a general, who
has merited and possessed the uninterrupted confidence and
affection of his fellow-citizens. In other nations, many have
performed eminent services, for which they have deserved the thanks
of the public. But to you, sir, peculiar praise is due. Your
services have been essential in acquiring and establishing the
freedom and independence of your country. They deserve the grateful
acknowledgments of a free and independent nation."

This honorable reception was grateful to the feelings of Washington,
for, next to the approval of his God and his conscience, he coveted that
of his country. Congress had already voted him a rarer honor, an honor
such as the senate of old Rome was fond of conferring upon the heroes of
the commonwealth. On the seventh of August they had--

"_Resolved_ (unanimously, ten states being present), That an equestrian
statue of General Washington be erected at the place where the residence
of Congress shall be established," and a committee appointed for the
purpose reported a plan for a pedestal to support the statue, with
historical _basso relievos_ upon it, and an appropriate inscription. But
this statue, like many other monumental testimonials, ordered by the old
Congress, was never made. Washington submitted to the unpleasant
operation of having a plaster-cast taken from his face, to be sent to
the sculptor in Europe who should be employed to execute the statue; but
the cast was broken, and as he would not submit to the manipulations
again, the effort was abandoned.

On the third of September the definitive treaty for peace was signed at
Paris, and by a proclamation dated the eighteenth day of October, 1783,
all officers and soldiers of the continental army, absent on furlough,
were discharged from further service; and all others who had engaged to
serve during the war, were to be discharged from and after the third of
November.

On the second of November, Washington, yet at Rocky Hill, issued his
last general orders, in which he addressed his soldiers as a father