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draw tears of blood from every American heart, sent
out his nobles and legions, to combat by his side, the
dignity of his manners and his unassuming merit
won their entire con dence : his integrity and con­
ciliating spirit united, as a band of brothers, nations
be re unknown to each other, and totally di erent
in manners, habits, and religion. Their union, of
which he was the sou], was a new omen of victo ,
and gai_ned r America the prize r which she bled
and contended : honourable peace and independence.
7. What but un ding laurels remained now r Washington, after satisfying his honest ambition, and steering the vessel of the American Republic through so many storms, into the safe harbour of liberty and · tranquillity? It remained r him to leave this im­ portant lesson to the chief of armies, vested with great commands; that magnanimity and true glory consist in laying their swords at their count 's et, when the object is attained, for which alone it was permitted to draw· them. It remained r him, a er abdicating public employments, to exhibit in the shade of retirement those private virtues which are the true undations of national prosperity. Dutiful to this moral principle, Washington, be re he left his army, stipulated r no personal reward, and even re sed all that could be o ered; unmind l of him­ self, he was only solicitous to obtain r bis ith l
legions a generous and liberal acknowledgment of their constancy and v.lour. This being e ected, as r as it depended on him, he resigned the insignia of his command to those om whom he had received it, and resumed the rank of a private citizen, carrying with him into his domestic retreat, the esteem, re­ spect, and veneration of an admiring world.
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