Maintaining his pacific system at the expense of no duty, America, faithful to herself, and unstained in her honour, continued to enjoy the delights of peace, while afflicted Europe mourns in every quarter under the accumulated miseries of an unexampled war; miseries in which our happy country must have shared, had not our pre-eminent Washington been as firm in council as he was brave in the field.

Pursuing steadfastly his course, he held safe the public happiness, preventing foreign war, and quelling internal discord, till the revolving period of a third election approached, when he executed his interrupted but inextinguishable desire of returning to the humble walks of private life.

The promulgation of his fixed resolution stopped the anxious wishes of an affectionate people, from adding a third unanimous testimonial of their unabated confidence in the man so long enthroned in their hearts. When before was affection like this exhibited on earth? -Turn over the records of ancient Greece-Review the annals of mighty Rome-Examine the volumes of modern Europe;-you search in vain.-America and her Washington only afford the dignified exemplification.

The illustrious personage called by the national voice in succession to the arduous office of guiding a free people, had new difficulties to encounter: The amicable effort of settling our difficulties with France, begun by Washington, and pursued by his successor in virtue as in station, proving abortive, America took measures of self-defence. No sooner was the public mind roused by a prospect of danger, than every eye was turned to the friend of all, though secluded from public view, and grey in public service. The virtuous veteran, follow

ing his plough, received the unexpected summons with mingled emotions of indignation at the unmerited ill-treatment of his country, and of a determination once more to risk his all in her defence.

The annunciation of these feelings, in his affecting letter to the President, accepting the command of the army, concludes his official conduct.

First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life: Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding; his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting.

To his equals he was condescending; to his inferiors kind; and to the dear object of his affections exemplarily tender: Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand; the purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues.

His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life: Although in extreme pain, not a sigh, not a groan escaped him; and with undisturbed serenity he closed his well-spent life. Such was the man America has lost!-Such was the man for whom our nation mourns!

Methinks I see his august image, and hear, falling from his venerable lips, these deep-sinking words:

"Cease, sons of America, lamenting our separation: Go on, and confirm by your wisdom the fruits of our joint councils, joint efforts, and common dangers. Reverence religion; diffuse knowledge throughout your land; patronize the arts and sciences; let Liberty and Order

be inseparable companions; control party-spirit, the bane of free government; observe good faith to, and cultivate peace with, all nations; shut up every avenue to foreign influence; contract rather than extend national connexion; rely on yourselves only-be American in thought and deed. Thus will you give immortality to that union, which was the constant object of my terrestrial labours: Thus will you preserve undisturbed, to the latest posterity, the felicity of a people to me most dear; and thus will you supply (if my happiness is now aught to you) the only vacancy in the round of pure bliss high Heaven bestows."

HENRY LEE was born in Westmoreland County, Va., January 29th, 1756, and died on Cumberland Island, Georgia, March 25th, 1818. He graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1773, was a Captain of Bland's cavalry in 1776, and joined the main army in September, 1777, In 1778 he was made a major, and joined the Southern army in January, 1781, as lieutenantcolonel. In 1786 he was a delegate to Congress, and in 1792 was made Governor of Virginia. He was much beloved by Washington, and gained honorable distinction in every post he was called to. While a member of Congress in 1799, he delivered the oration which we reprint entire, and in which occurs the celebrated phrase, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," for the utterance of which he will always be remembered. These words were, however, first used in the resolutions passed by the House of Representatives, December 19th, 1799, on the death of Washington, (p. 56,) which although offered by John Marshall, were really prepared by Mr. Lee. The oration was published with the title, "A funeral oration in honor of the memory of George Washington, late General of the Armies of the United States, prepared and delivered at the request of Congress, at the German Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, on Thursday, the 26th December, 1799, by Major General Henry Lee." 4to, pp. 20, Philadelphia, 1800, with an allegorical plate engraved by Trenchard & Weston. Many editions were printed in 8vo., among which were those of Brooklyn, Boston, London, Portsmouth and Philadelphia.

GOUVERNEUR MORRIS.

1799.

BORN to high destinies, he was fashioned for them by the hand of nature. His form was noble-his port majestic. On his front were enthroned the virtues which exalt, and those which adorn the human character. So dignified his deportment, no man could approach him but with respect-none was great in his presence. You all have seen him, and you all have felt the reverence he inspired; it was such, that to command, seemed in him but the exercise of an ordinary function, while others felt a duty to obey, which (anterior to the injunctions of civil ordinance, or the compulsion of a military code) was imposed by the high behests of nature.

He had every title to command-Heaven, in giving him the higher qualities of the soul, had given also the tumultuous passions which accompany greatness, and frequently tarnish its lustre. With them was his first contest, and his first victory was over himself. So great the empire he had there acquired, that calmness of manner and of conduct distinguished him through life. Yet, those who have seen him strongly moved, will bear witness that his wrath was terrible; they have seen boiling in his bosom, passion almost too mighty for man; yet, when just bursting into act, that strong passion was controlled by his stronger mind.

Having thus a perfect command of himself, he could rely on the

full exertion of his powers, in whatever direction he might order them to act. He was therefore clear, decided and unembarrassed by any consideration of himself. Such consideration did not even dare to intrude on his reflections.

Hence it was, that he beheld not only the affairs that were passing around him, but those also in which he was personally engaged, with the coolness of an unconcerned spectator. They were to him as events historically recorded. His judgment was always clear, because his mind was pure. And seldom, if ever, will a sound understanding be met with in the company of a corrupt heart.

In the strength of judgment lay, indeed, one chief excellence of his character. Leaving to feebler minds that splendor of genius, which, while it enlightens others, too often dazzles the possessor; he knew how best to use the rays which genius might emit, and carry into act its best conceptions.

So modest, he wished not to attract attention, but observed in silence, and saw deep into the human heart. Of a thousand propositions he knew to distinguish the best; and to select among a thousand the man most fitted for his purpose. If ever he was deceived in his choice, it was by circumstances of social feeling which did honor to his heart. Should it, therefore, in the review of his conduct, appear that he was merely not infallible, the few errors which fell to his lot, as a man, will claim the affections of his fellow men. Pleased with the rare, but graceful weakness, they will admire that elevation of soul, which, superior to resentment, gave honor and power, with liberal hand, to those by whom he had been offended. Not to conciliate a regard, which, if it be venal, is worth no price; but to draw forth in your service the exercise of talents, which he could duly estimate, in