748

JOHN ADAMS DECLARED PRESIDENT-SPURIOUS LETTERS DENOUNCED.

[1797.

viewing the same, and accompanying the state- | sting of its poison, and place in the same point ment with a collection of letters and papers re- of view, both the weakness and malignity of lating to the transactions therein adverted to. their efforts. "From a desire," writes he, "that the state- Although the prospect of retirement is ments be full, fair, calm, and argumentative, most grateful to my soul, and I have not a wish without asperity or any thing more irritating to mix again in the great world, or to partake in the comments than the narration of facts, in its politics, yet I am not without my regrets which expose unfounded charges and assertions, at parting with (perhaps never more to meet) does itself produce, I have wished that the let the few intimates whom I love, and among ter to Mr. Pinckney may be revised over and these, be assured, you are one. * * The over again. Much depends upon it, as it relates remainder of my life, which in the course of to ourselves, and in the eyes of the world, what-nature cannot be long, will be occupied in rural ever may be the effect as it respects the gov-amusements; and though I shall seclude myerning powers of France." self as much as possible from the noisy and bustling world, none would, more than myself, be regaled by the company of those I esteem, at Mount Vernon; more than twenty miles from which, after I arrive there, it is not likely that I shall ever be."

On the morning of the 3d of March, the last day of his official career, Washington addressed a letter to the Secretary of State on the subject of the spurious letters, heretofore mentioned,*

The letter to Mr. Pinckney, with its accompanying documents, was laid before Congress on the 19th of January (1797), to be transmitted to that minister. "The immediate object of his mission," says Washigton in a special message, was to make that government such explanations of the principles and conduct of our own, as by manifesting our good faith, might remove all jealousy and discontent, and maintain that harmony and good understand-first published by the British in 1776, and subing with the French Republic, which it has been my constant solicitude to preserve. A government which required only a knowledge of the truth to justify its measures, could but be anxious to have this fully and frankly dis-life, but conceived it a justice due to his charplayed."

sequently republished during his administration, by some of his political enemies. He had suffered every attack on his executive conduct to pass unnoticed while he remained in public

acter solemnly to pronounce those letters a base forgery, and he desired that the present letter might be "deposited in the office of the Department of State, as a testimony to the truth to the present generation and to poster

In the month of February the votes taken at the recent election were opened and counted in Congress; when Mr. Adams, having the highest number, was declared President, and Mr. Jefferson, having the next number, Vice-ity." President; their term of four years to commence on the 4th of March next ensuing.

Washington now began to count the days and hours that intervened between him and his retirement. On the day preceding it, he writes to his old fellow-soldier and political coadjutor, Henry Knox: "To the wearied traveller, who sees a resting place, and is bending his body to lean thereon, I now compare myself; but to be suffered to do this in peace, is too much to be endured by some. To misrepresent my motives, to reprobate my politics, and to weaken the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are objects which cannot be relinquished by those who will be satisfied with nothing short of a change in our political system. The consolation, however, which results from conscious rectitude, and the approving voice of my country, unequivocally expressed by its representatives, deprive their

On the same day he gave a kind of farewell dinner to the foreign ministers and their wives, Mr. and Mrs. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, and other conspicuous personages of both sexes. "During the dinner much hilarity prevailed," says Bishop White, who was present. When the cloth was removed Washington filled his glass: "Ladies and gentlemen," said he, "this is the last time I shall drink your health as a public man; I do it with sincerity, wishing you all possible happiness."

The gaiety of the company was checked in an instant; all felt the importance of this leavetaking; Mrs. Liston, the wife of the British minister, was so much affected that tears streained down her cheeks.

On the 4th of March, an immense crowd had gathered about Congress Hall. At eleven

* Life of Washington, vol. iii, 8vo, pp. 360, 361.

ACCLAMATIONS OF THE PEOPLE-WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON:

o'clock, Mr. Jefferson took the oath as Vice- | Nelly Custis, and George Washington LafayPresident in the presence of the Senate; and ette, with his preceptors. proceeded with that body to the Chamber of the House of Representatives, which was densely crowded, many ladies occupying chairs ceded to them by members.

750

WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON-LAWRENCE LEWIS.

[1797.

pleasant anticipations: "Retired from noise | quire a second edition of it. But it may strike myself and the responsibility attached to pub- you that in this detail no mention is made of lic employment, my hours will glide smoothly any portion of time allotted for reading. The on. My best wishes, however, for the pros- remark would be just, for I have not looked perity of our country will always have the first into a book since I came home; nor shall I be place in my thoughts; while to repair build- able to do it until I have discharged my workings and to cultivate my farms, which require men; probably not before the nights grow close attention, will occupy the few years, per- longer, when possibly I may be looking in haps days, I may be a sojourner here, as I am Doomsday Book." now in the sixty-fifth year of my peregrination through life."*

In his solitary rides about Mount Vernon and its woodlands, fond and melancholy A letter to his friend James McHenry, Sec- thoughts would occasionally sadden the landretary of War, furnishes a picture of his every-scape as his mind reverted to past times and day life. "I am indebted to you," writes he, early associates. In a letter to Mrs. S. Fair"for several unacknowledged letters; but never fax, now in England, he writes: "It is a matmind that; go on as if you had answers. You ter of sore regret when I cast my eyes toward are at the source of information, and can find Belvoir, which I often do, to reflect that the many things to relate, while I have nothing to former inhabitants of it, with whom we lived say that could either inform or amuse a Sec- in such harmony and friendship, no longer reretary of War in Philadelphia. I might tell side there, and the ruins only can be viewed him that I begin my diurnal course with the as the mementoes of former pleasures." sun; that, if my hirelings are not in their The influx of strange faces alluded to in the places at that time, I send them messages of letter to Mr. McHenry, soon became oversorrow for their indisposition; that, having put whelming, and Washington felt the necessity these wheels in motion, I examine the state of of having some one at hand to relieve him from things further; that the more they are probed a part of the self-imposed duties of Virginia the deeper I find the wounds which my build- hospitality. ings have sustained, by an absence and neglect of eight years; that, by the time I have accomplished these matters, breakfast (a little after seven o'clock, about the time I presume you are taking leave of Mrs. McHenry) is ready; that, this being over, I mount my horse and ride round my farms, which employs me until it is time to dress for dinner, at which I rarely miss seeing strange faces, come, as they say, out of respect to me. Pray, would not the word curiosity answer as well? And how different this from having a few social friends at a cheerful board! The usual time of sitting at table, a walk, and tea bring me within the dawn of candle light; previous to which, if not prevented by company, I resolve that, as soon as the glimmering taper supplies the place of the great luminary, I will retire to my writing table and acknowledge the letters I have received; but when the lights are brought I feel tired and disinclined to engage in this work, conceiving that the next night will do as well. The next night comes, and with it the same causes for postponement, and so on. Having given you the history of a day, it will serve for a year, and, I am persuaded, you will not re

*Letter to William Heath. Writings, xi. 199.

* * *

With this view he bethought him of his nephew Lawrence Lewis, the same who had gained favor with him by volunteering in the Western expedition, and accompanying General Knox as aide-de-camp. He accordingly addressed a letter to him in which he writes: "Whenever it is convenient to you to make this place your home, I shall be glad to see you. As both your aunt and I are in the decline of life, and regular in our habits, especially in our hours of rising and going to bed, I require some person (fit and proper) to ease ine of the trouble of entertaining company, particularly of nights, as it is my inclination to retire (and unless prevented by very particu lar company, I always do retire) either to bed or to my study soon after candle light. In taking those duties (which hospitality obliges one to bestow on company) off my hands, it would render me a very acceptable service." 17 # In consequence of this invitation, Lawrence thenceforward became an occasional inmate at Mount Vernon. The place at this time possessed attractions for gay as well as grave, and was often enlivened by young company. One great attraction was Miss Nelly Custis, Mrs.

Er. 65.]

MISS NELLY CUSTIS-WASHINGTON'S COUNSEL IN LOVE MATTERS.

751

Washington's grand-daughter, who, with her | a competent knowledge of him? Is he a man brother George W. P. Custis, had been adopted of good character? A man of sense? For be by the General at their father's death, when assured, a sensible woman can never be happy they were quite children, and brought up by with a fool. What has been his walk in life? him with the most affectionate care. He was * * * Is his fortune sufficient to maintain fond of children, especially girls; as to boys, me in the manner I have been accustomed to with all his spirit of command, he found them live, and as my sisters do live? And is he one at times somewhat ungovernable. I can gov- to whom my friends can have no reasonable obern men, would he say, but I cannot govern jection? If all these interrogatories can be satboys. Miss Nelly had grown up under the spe- isfactorily answered, there will remain but one cial eye of her grandmother, to whom she was more to be asked; that, however, is an impordevotedly attached, and who was particular in tant one. Have I sufficient ground to conclude enforcing her observance of all her lessons, as that his affections are engaged by me? Withwell as instructing her in the arts of housekeep- out this the heart of sensibility will struggle ing. She was a great favorite with the Gen- against a passion that is not reciprocated.” * eral; whom, as we have before observed, she delighted with her gay whims and sprightly sallies, often overcoming his habitual gravity, and surprising him into a hearty laugh.

She was now maturing into a lovely and attractive woman, and the attention she received began to awaken some solicitude in the General's mind. This is evinced in a half sportive letter of advice written to her during a temporary absence from Mount Vernon, when she was about to make her first appearance at a ball at Georgetown. It is curious as a specimen of Washington's counsel in love matters. It would appear that Miss Nelly, to allay his solicitude, had already, in her correspondence, professed a perfect apathy toward the youth of the present day, and a determination never to give herself a moment's uneasiness on account of any of them." Washington doubted the firmness and constancy of her resolves. "Men and women," writes he, "feel the same inclination towards each other now that they always have done, and which they will continue to do, until there is a new order of things; and you, as others have done, may find that the passions of your sex are easier raised than allayed. Do not, therefore, boast too soon, nor too strongly of your insensibility. *** Love is said to be an involuntary passion, and it is, therefore, contended that it cannot be resisted. This is true in part only, for like all things else, when nourished and supplied plentifully with aliment, it is rapid in its progress; but let these be withdrawn, and it may be stifled in its birth, or much stinted in its growth. Although we cannot avoid first impressions, we may assuredly place them under guard. When the fire is beginning to kindle and your heart growing warm, propound these questions to it. Who is this invader? Have Il

*

*

*

The sage counsels of Washington, and the susceptible feelings of Miss Nelly, were soon brought to the test by the residence of Lawrence Lewis at Mount Vernon. A strong attachment for her grew up on his part, or perhaps already existed, and was strengthened by daily intercourse. It was favorably viewed by his uncle. Whether it was fully reciprocated was uncertain. A formidable rival to Lewis appeared in the person of young Carroll of Carrollton, who had just returned from Europe, adorned with the graces of foreign travel, and whose suit was countenanced by Mrs. Washington. These were among the poetic days of Mount Vernon, when its halls echoed to the tread of lovers. They were halcyon days with Miss Nelly, as she herself declared, in after years, to a lady, from whom we have the story: "I was young and romantic then," said she, "and fond of wandering alone by moonlight in the woods of Mount Vernon. Grandmamma thought it wrong and unsafe, and scolded and coaxed me into a promise that I would not wander in the woods again unaccompanied. But I was missing one evening, and was brought home from the interdicted woods to the drawing-room, where the General was walking up and down with his hands behind him, as was his wont. Grandmamma, seated in her great arm-chair, opened a severe reproof."

Poor Miss Nelly was reminded of her promise, and taxed with her delinquency. She knew that she had done wrong-admitted her fault, and essayed no excuse; but, when there was a slight pause, moved to retire from the room. She was just shutting the door when she overheard the General attempting, in a low voice, to intercede in her behalf. "My dear,"

*MS. Letter.

GEORGE WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE-ADDRESS TO MR. MONROE. observed he, "I would say no more-perhaps I hope I may add, to the uninterrupted possession she was not alone." of your estates, and the confidence of your country."