'With a heart full of love and
gratitude I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days
may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and
honorable.'
'I cannot come to each of you but
shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the
hand.'
Thus Washington addressed the assemblage at Fraunces Tavern on
December 4, 1783. It is a well-documented fact that Washington wept upon the
delivery of these words. We have relied principally on Benjamin Tallmadge’s
account.
If his account makes it appear that Washington was flushed with
sentimentality, do not be deceived. He was in fact in great distress over the
failure of Congress to meet the fiscal obligation it owed to the troops. He had
every reason to weep, having devoted his life to leading men in the endeavor to
establish a country in which everyone could exercise his freedom.
Washington resigned
his commission as commander in chief of the armies on December 23 and returned
to his home in Mt. Vernon. This, some historians declare, was the greatest act
of his life.
Read "Why Washington Wept" by Thomas Fleming.
10 comments:
We need more of Washington's selfless sense of purpose and duty today.
Washington stood head and shoulders above the great men that surrounded him. I agree with Shelly.
Shelly, that could but be greatly to our benefit!
Chuck, Washington was much more than most men. Thanks for your help with the blogging issue.
Vanilla, Yes he was. My 5th great grandfather was with him at Valley Forge, which is where my ancestor died.
We need another Washington right now. But, sadly, I don't think we will ever see that amount of self-sacrifice again in our life times. At least not within our government.
I watched a documentary on him not too long ago and it was very sad but inspiring at the same time.
He and his few soldiers that crossed the Delaware were truly something.
Shame on our government even then for leaving our soldiers so poorly armed and clothed.
My husband's family came here to this country before the revolution. They too fought for our freedom.
My husband is a direct descendant of Edward Hooper who signed the Declaration of Independence.
I can as his wife be a member of 'The Daughters Of The American Revolution'. But we can't afford $4,000 a year in dues.
This is wonderful tidbit of history. Thanks Vanilla!
Jackie:-)
Chuck, we all owe a debt of gratitude to your ancestor,and to all who have fought for our freedoms.
Jackie, you have a wonderful heritage. I have an aunt who had the genealogical verification to our heritage, since she aspired to join the DAR. The proofs were good, but I think the entry fee stood in her way, too.
Anyway, what I mean to say is gratitude to your ancestor for his courage.
Oh, that wouldn't happen today. What happened to us???
Lin, that, dear Reader, is the question.
Interesting post, since I'm currently reviving my love affair with the American Revolution. Just finished 2 books and am starting a third.
Shark, I am not nearly so well-versed in Revolutionary history as I should be, but I work on it bit by bit.
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