JEDIDIAH MORSE.

1789.

No person who had not the advantage of being present when General Washington received the intelligence of peace, and who did not accompany him to his domestic retirement, can describe the relief which that joyful event brought to his labouring mind, or the supreme satisfaction with which he withdrew to private life. From his triumphant entry into New York, upon the evacuation of that city by the British army, to his arrival at Mount Vernon, after the resignation of his commission to Congress, festive crowds impeded his passage through all the populous towns; the devotion of a whole people pursued him with prayers to Heaven for blessings on his head, while their gratitude sought the most expressive language of manifesting itself to him as their common father and benefactor. When he became a private citizen, he had the unusual felicity to find, that his native state was among the most zealous in doing justice to his merits; and that stronger demonstrations of affectionate esteem (if possible) were given by the citizens of his neighborhood, than by any other description of men on the continent. But he has constantly declined accepting any compensation for his services, or provision for the augmented expenses which have been incurred by him in conse quence of his public employment, although proposals have been made

in the most delicate manner, particularly by the states of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The virtuous simplicity which distinguishes the private life of General Washington, though less known than the dazzling splendor of his military achievements, is not less edifying in example, or worthy the attention of his countrymen. The conspicuous character he has acted on the theatre of human affairs, the uniform dignity with which he sustained his part, amidst difficulties of the most discouraging nature, and the glory of having arrived through them at the hour of triumph, have made many official and literary persons, on both sides of the ocean, ambitious of a correspondence with him. These correspondencies unavoidably engross a great portion of his time; and the communications contained in them, combined with the numerous periodical publications and news-papers which he peruses, render him as it were the focus of political intelligence for the new world. Nor are his conversations with well informed men less conducive to bring him acquainted with the various events which happen in different countries of the globe. Every foreigner of distinction, who travels in America, makes it a point to visit him. Members of Congress and other dignified personages do not pass his house, without calling to pay their respects. As another source of information, it may be mentioned, that many literary productions are sent to him annually, by their authors in Europe; and that there is scarcely one work written in America on any art, science, or subject, which does not seek his protection, or which is not offered to him as a token of gratitude. chanical inventions are frequently submitted to him for his approbation, and natural curiosities presented for his investigation. But the

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multiplicity of epistolary applications, often on the remains of some business which happened when he was Commander-in-Chief, sometimes on subjects foreign to his situation, frivolous in their nature, and intended merely to gratify the vanity of the writers, by drawing answers from him, is truly distressing, and almost incredible. His benignity in answering, perhaps increases the number. Did he not husband every moment to the best advantage, it would not be in his power to notice the vast variety of subjects that claim his attention. Here a minuter description of his domestic life may be expected.

To apply a life, at best but short, to the most useful purposes, he lives as he ever has done, in the unvarying habits of regularity, temperance, and industry. He rises, in winter as well as summer, at the dawn of day; and generally reads or writes some time before breakfast. He breakfasts about seven o'clock on three small Indian hoecakes, and as many dishes of tea. He rides immediately to his different farms, and remains with his labourers until a little past two o'clock, when he returns and dresses. At three he dines, commonly on a single dish, and drinks from half a pint to a pint of Madeira wine. This, with one small glass of punch, a draught of beer, and two dishes of tea (which he takes half an hour before sun-setting) constitutes his whole sustenance till the next day. Whether there be company or not, the table is always prepared, by its elegance and exuberance, for their reception; and the General remains at it for an hour after dinner, in familiar conversation and convivial hilarity. It is then that every one present is called upon to give some absent friend as a toast; the name not unfrequently awakens a pleasing remembrance of past events, and gives a new turn to the animated colloquy. General Wash

ington is more chearful than he was in the army. Although his temper is rather of a serious cast, and his countenance commonly carries the impression of thoughtfulness, yet he perfectly relishes a pleasant story, an unaffected sally of wit, or a burlesque description, which surprises by its suddenness and incongruity with the ordinary appearance of the object described. After this sociable and innocent relaxation, he applies himself to business, and about nine o'clock retires to rest. This is the rotine, and this the hour he observes, when no one but his family is present; at other times, he attends politely upon his company until they wish to withdraw.

Notwithstanding he has no offspring, his actual family consists of eight persons.* It is seldom alone. He keeps a pack of hounds, and in the season indulges himself with hunting once in a week; at which diversion the gentlemen of Alexandria often assist.

Agriculture is the favourite employment of General Washington, in which he wishes to pass the remainder of his days. To acquire and communicate practical knowledge, he corresponds with Mr. Arthur Young, who has written so sensibly on the subject, and also with many agricultural gentlemen in this country. As improvement is known to be his passion, he receives envoys with rare seeds and results of new projects from every quarter. He likewise makes copious notes, relative to his own experiments, the state of the seasons, the

*The family of General Washington, in addition to the General and his Lady, consists of Major George Washington (Nephew to the General and late Aid de Camp to the Marquis de la Fayette) with his wife, who is a niece to the General's Lady-Col. Humphreys, formerly Aid de Camp to the General—Mr. Lear, a gentleman of liberal education, private Secretary to the General-and two Grand Children of Mrs. Washington.

nature of soils, the effects of different kinds of manure, and such other topics as may throw light on the farming business.

On Saturday in the afternoon, every week, reports are made by all his overseers, and registered in books kept for the purpose: so that at the end of the year, the quantity of labour and produce may be accurately known. Order and economy are established in all the departments within and without doors. His lands are enclosed in lots of equal dimensions, and crops are assigned to each for many years. Every thing is undertaken on a great scale; but with a view to introduce or augment the culture of such articles as he conceives will become most beneficial in their consequence to the country. He has raised this year, two hundred lambs, sowed twenty seven bushels of flax seed, and planted more than seven hundred bushels of potatoes. In the meantime, the publick may rest persuaded, that there is manufactured under his roof, linen and woolen cloth, nearly or quite sufficient for the use of his numerous household.

EXTRACT from a Biographical Sketch of Washington by, JEDIDIAH MORSE, D.D., in his "American Geography or a view of the present situation of the United States of America." Elizabeth-Town, (N. J.) 1789: 8vo. Dr. Morse, of whom a brief notice will be found on a succeeding page, prepared at New Haven in the twenty-third year of his age, (1784), a small geography for the use of schools, which was the first work of the kind in America. This was followed by larger geographies and gazetteers of the United States, from materials obtained by travelling and correspondence—especially that of Jeremy Belknap, the historian; Thomas Hutchins, the geographer; and Ebenezer Hazard. For thirty years no important competitor appeared in this field of literature, and translations of his works were made into the French and German languages. He has been termed the "father of American geography."