The Life of George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the American Army, Through the Revolutionary War; and the First President of the United States, Volumes 1-2Phillips, Sampson,, 1858 |
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Page 13
... dangers which induced other Virginians to decline the com mission of envoy on this occasion , led Mr. WASHING TON with ardour to seek the appointment . Ост . 31 . 1753 The very day on which he received his commission he commenced his ...
... dangers which induced other Virginians to decline the com mission of envoy on this occasion , led Mr. WASHING TON with ardour to seek the appointment . Ост . 31 . 1753 The very day on which he received his commission he commenced his ...
Page 15
... danger of this embassy are not easily conceived by persons in the bosom of civilized life . " From the 1st to the 15th of December , " says Major WASHINGTON , " there was but one day in which it did not rain or snow incessantly , and ...
... danger of this embassy are not easily conceived by persons in the bosom of civilized life . " From the 1st to the 15th of December , " says Major WASHINGTON , " there was but one day in which it did not rain or snow incessantly , and ...
Page 21
... danger , to which the character of his enemy exposed him , and advised to employ the ranging companies of Virginia to scour the woods , and prevent ambuscades ; but not looking for an enemy capable of serious opposition , he without ...
... danger , to which the character of his enemy exposed him , and advised to employ the ranging companies of Virginia to scour the woods , and prevent ambuscades ; but not looking for an enemy capable of serious opposition , he without ...
Page 22
... dangerous conflicts of this hour , Colonel WASHINGTON exhibited that self possession and determined courage , which are essen tial to the officer . To his quick discernment and sound judgment , the preservation of the defeated troops ...
... dangerous conflicts of this hour , Colonel WASHINGTON exhibited that self possession and determined courage , which are essen tial to the officer . To his quick discernment and sound judgment , the preservation of the defeated troops ...
Page 24
... danger in their fortresses , and were unable to protect the open country . The inhabitants on the ex- treme frontier , instead of uniting their force for mutual safety , fell back and communicated their fears to more interiour places ...
... danger in their fortresses , and were unable to protect the open country . The inhabitants on the ex- treme frontier , instead of uniting their force for mutual safety , fell back and communicated their fears to more interiour places ...
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Common terms and phrases
adopted Ameri American army appointed attack attempt body British army camp campaign character circumstances citizens Colonel WASHINGTON Commander in Chief communicated conceived conduct confidence Congress consequence Constitution corps Count d'Estaing danger defence detachment disposition duty effect endeavour enemy engaged establish event execution exertions expected expedition experience expressed favourable feelings force Fort Mifflin France French friends garrison Gene Governour gress happiness honour hundred Indians induced influence INGTON Island Legislature letter liberty Lord Lord Cornwallis Lord Loudoun manner measures ment military militia mind Minister Mount Vernon nation necessary neral New-Jersey New-York North river occasion officers opinion orders party passed patriotism peace Philadelphia present President provisions publick reason received Red Bank regiment rendered resolution respect retirement retreat secure sentiments sion Sir Henry Clinton situation soldiers spirit superiour thing thousand tion treaty troops United Virginia WASHING wish York Island
Popular passages
Page 187 - It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world; so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it ; for let me not be understood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend...
Page 182 - Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
Page 184 - Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?
Page 183 - As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible ; avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating peace, but remembering also that timely disbursements to prepare for danger, frequently prevent much greater disbursements to repel it...
Page 178 - The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish government, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established government. All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency.
Page 187 - Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation ? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground ? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?
Page 186 - The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible.
Page 190 - I anticipate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment. of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government — the ever favourite object of my heart — and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers.
Page 180 - Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally. THIS spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed ; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
Page 182 - If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation, for though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit which the use can at any time...