The Life of George WashingtonThis work is a general biography of General and President George Washington, with most attention paid to his military career and his Presidential administration. The appendices contain the will of President Washington, as well as the inventory of Mount Vernon upon his death. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
acute laryngitis administration adopted American Revolution Andirons arrived battle battle of Princeton Bedstead Boston British brother brought called campaign character cold Colonel colonies command Commander-in-chief commenced Congress constitution Count d'Estaing course Craik Custis Dandridge death debt decease disease draught duties England eral Fairfax Farewell Address Fort Duquesne France French friends George Washington give and bequeath Hamilton History House House of Burgesses Indians ington Island James River Canal John Julius Cæsar Lafayette land larynx Lawrence Lear letter Looking-glass Lord Lord MACAULAY Magazine Mahogany Chairs March Memoirs ment military Miscellanies Mount Vernon mucous membrane o'clock Ohio papers party passed peace Pennsylvania Philadelphia Poems Political possession Potomac President respect retire Revolutionary royal army royal forces Samuel Henley Sermons Sir William tain throat tion Tongs treaty troops United Virginia Wash Window Curtains York
Popular passages
Page 159 - I can only say, that there is not a man living, who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of it ; but there is only one proper and effectual mode by which it can be accomplished, and that is by legislative authority ; and this, as far as my suffrage will go, shall never be wanting.
Page 45 - October last, I have not slept above three or four nights in a bed, but, after walking a good deal all the day, I have lain down before the fire upon a little hay, straw, fodder, or a bearskin, whichever was to be had, with man, wife, and children, like dogs and cats ; and happy is he, who gets the berth nearest the fire.
Page 253 - ... the latter, while both descriptions are in the occupancy of the same proprietor, it not being in my power, under the tenure by which the dower negroes are held, to manumit them.
Page 150 - Mr. President, — The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to' congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.
Page 254 - And I do moreover most pointedly, and most solemnly enjoin it upon my Executors hereafter named, or the survivors of them to see that this clause respecting Slaves and every part thereof be religiously fulfilled at the Epoch at which it is directed to take place without evasion neglect or delay...
Page 164 - Union, at a time and place to be agreed on, to take into consideration the trade of the United States ; to examine the relative situation and trade of the said States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony...
Page 153 - Having now finished 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 so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.
Page 255 - And to my mulatto man, William, calling himself William Lee, I give immediate freedom, or, if he should prefer it, (on account of the accidents which have befallen him, and which have rendered him incapable of walking, or of any active employment,) to remain in the situation he now is, it shall be optional in him to do so; in...
Page 75 - But, by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability, or expectation ; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, though death was levelling my companions on every side of me...
Page 90 - If you speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far the greatest orator ; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor.