CHAPTER XIII.

Sickness and Death of young Custis-Departure of the French Fleet-Destinatior of the "Troops-Circular Letter to the States-Lincoln Secretary of War-Greene around unarleston-Head-quarters at Newburgh-The Temple-Case of Captain Huddy and Captain Asgill-Defeat of the English Ministry-Proposal to make Washington King-Settlement of the Case of young Asgill-Meeting of French and American Troops at King's Ferry-Destitution of the Officers-Washington's Views on the Subject-" Newburgh Addresses"-Proclamation of PeaceWashington addresses a Circular Letter to the States-Visits Northern Battle Fields-Disbanding of the Army-Evacuation of New York-Farewell to the Officers-Washington Surrenders his Commission to Congress-His Feelings on laying down Power-Visits his Land West-Improves his Farm-Interview with Lafayette, and Letter to him after his Departure-His Habits of LifeInefficiency of Congress-Washington's Views and Feelings respecting it-Society of the Cincinnati-Convention called to form a Constitution-Washington chosen President-The Constitution-Washington elected First President of the United States.

WHILE Yorktown was yet ringing to the acclamations of the allied armies, Washington received a blow which made. him for a time forget even the glorious victory which he had achieved. The only child of his wife, and beloved by him like an own son, had been from the commencement of the war his aid-de-camp. The mother's heart was wrapped ap in that youth, and often in battle his safety lay nearer the father's heart than his own. He rode by the chieftain's side during the siege of Yorktown, and saw with pride and exultation the British army march forth and lay down its arms. But this victory cost him his life. While the balls of the allied troops were demolishing the enemy's entrenchments without the camp, fever was desolating frightfully within. To this disease young Custis fell a victim. Immediately after he was attacked by it, Washington directed him to be removed to Eltham in New Kent, whither he was accompanied by his mother and Dr. Craik, the old family physician. The disease made frightful progress, and it was soon apparent that nothing could save him. A messenger

was immediately dispatched to Yorktown with the melancholy tidings. He arrived in the night. Instantly mounting his horse, taking with him but one officer, Washington started for the sick-bed of the sufferer. The two solitary horsemen galloped silently and swiftly forward, and just as day was breaking, reached the house where the young aid lay dying. Summoning Dr. Craik, Washington eagerly asked, "Is there any hope?" The doctor shook his head. He immediately retired into a private room where his wife joined him, and the two remained for a long time closeted together. Washington, with the tears of grief still depicted on his countenance, then remounted his horse and rode back to camp.

He had been exceedingly anxious to enlist the Count de Grasse in an expedition against Charleston, but the orders of the latter forbade his compliance. An attempt to obtain the use of the troops for nearer service was equally unsuccessful. Finding the fleet was about to set sail, Washington went on board the admiral's vessel to pay his respects and express his thanks to the Count, to whom also he presented two superb horses.

The latter having at length re-embarked that portion of the troops commanded by the Marquis St. Simon, sailed for the West Indies. Two thousand Continentals under St. Clair were dispatched to the aid of Greene in the South, while the remainder, under Lincoln, embracing those north of Pennsylvania, marched to their winter quarters in New Jersey-the light troops of New York joining their respective regiments in the Highlands. The French under Rocham beau remained in Virginia, the head-quarters of the latter being at Williamsburg. The prisoners being marched to Winchester, Virginia and Fredericktown, Maryland, Lord Cornwallis and the principal British officers went on parole to New York. Washington repaired to Philadelphia to con ult with Congress on the measures necessary to be adopted

for the next campaign. Lafayette in the meantime and many other French officers, had obtained leave to return to France, carrying back with them the warmest feelings of love and admiration for Washington.

Notwithstanding the disasters that had befallen the British army, there were no indications that the government intended to relax its efforts to reduce the colonies. But fearing such would be the impression of the different States, causing them to put forth less energy, Washington, in consultation with Congress, issued two circular letters to themone asking for supplies, and the other stating the condition and prospects of the army. Said he, "The broken and perplexed state of the enemy's affairs, and the successes of the last campaign on our part, ought to be a powerful incitement to vigorous preparation for the next. Unless we strenuously exert ourselves to profit by these successes, we shall not only lose all the solid advantages that might be derived from them, but we shall become contemptible in our own eyes, in the eyes of our enemy, in the opinion of posterity, and even in the estimation of the whole world, which will consider us a nation unworthy of prosperity, because we know not how to make a right use of it." Notwithstanding all his efforts, however, there was a general belief that the war was virtually over. Still the government did not act on this basis. Money was sought from France, General Lincoln was appointed Secretary of War to give greater energy and efficiency to that department, and every effort made to put the nation in a posture to renew hostilities the coming spring.

While these events were transpiring at Philadelphia, Greene, with his suffering, half clad army, was gathering closer and closer round the enemy in Charleston. The British general, however, maintained his position till the next autumn, when, despairing of help, he at length agreed to evacuate the place and on the 14th of December marched

his troops to the ships, pursued close by the column of Wayne. A short time previous to this, the gallant Laurens was killed in resisting a foraging party.

Washington having spent the winter in constant and arluous correspondence, repaired in the middle of April to the amp at Morristown, and a few days after continued his journey, and took up his quarters at Newburgh.*

An event happened at this time which exasperated the inhabitants of the colonies greatly, and filled Washington with the deepest indignation. Captain Huddy, commanding a small detachment in Monmouth county, New Jersey, was seized by a party of refugees and taken to New York. A few days after, he was dragged from prison, and carried by Captain Lippincott, at the head of a band of refugees, to Middletown, and there hung. This gallant officer, unmoved by the brutality and ribaldry of his enemies, met his fate with perfect composure. Washington, acting under the decision of a Council of War, immediately wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, demanding that Lippincott should be given up. The British general refusing to comply with the demand, it was determined to execute an English prisoner of equal rank. Lots being drawn by the officers, a young man, only nineteen years of age, named Captain Asgill, was designated as the victim. The extreme youth of this officer rendered it still more painful for Washington to adhere to his original determination. Previous to his ascertaining who was to be the sufferer he had said, "Keenly wounded as my feelings will be, at the deplorable destiny of the unhappy victim, no gleam of hope can arise to him but from the conduct of the enemy themselves." And again, "I will receive no application, nor answer any letter on the subject, which does not inforın me that ample satisfaction is made for the death of Captain Huddy on the perpetrators of that horrid deed.”.

The building he occupied has been retained in its original state, and is now owned by the State of New York, and made the depository of relics of the Revolution.

In the meantime Sir Guy Carleton arrived in New York to assume the command in place of Clinton. Previous to his departure great changes had taken place in the aspect of affairs in Parliament. On the 2d of March, General Conway introduced a resolution, declaring that a further prosecution of the war in America for the purpose of subduing the colonies was impracticable. The Ministerial party endeavored to dispose of this by a motion to adjourn. The House divided, when the ministry was found to be in a minority of nineteen. Conway then moved that an address, based on that resolution, be presented to his Majesty. The die was cast. The news spread like, the wind, and in a short time the city was in a state of intense excitement. Lord Stormount, anticipating some public demonstration, "wrote to the lord mayor and aldermen to prevent, if pos sible, illuminations in the city." They were accordingly prevented; but in the gallery on the top of the. Monument there blazed more than a hundred lamps. Long and loud acclamations rent the air, announcing to Lord North that the hour of his overthrow had come. The different ambas sadors from the various courts of Europe immediately hurried off expresses to announce the momentous news. king's reply to the address was equivocal, but to every one acquainted with the state of affairs it was evident that the opposition had gained a permanent ascendency. On the 20th, Lord Surrey made a formal motion respecting the removal of ministers. Lord North interrupted him, saying that the ministry was about to resign their duties. As a last desperate expedient to retain their places, the Cabinet

*

The

* Vide Journal and Letters of Curwen, by George Atkinson Ward, page 336. It was on this occasion Lord Surrey happened to espy Arnold in the House, and sent him a message to depart, threatening, in case of refusal, to move for breaking up the gallery; to which the general answered, that he was introduced there by a member; to which Lord Surrey replied, he might, under that condition, remain, if he would promise never to enter it again—with which General Arnola complied."-Vide Curwen's Journal and Letters by Mr. Ward.