by (Washington, George) [Anon.]
[N.p.] Anonymous, 1800, small quarto, 22 manuscript pages, on laid paper, no watermark, tied with ribbon (not original) through two of three slits, front wrapper detached but present entitled: "In Eulogy on the life of General George Washington" Text somewhat worn, upper right hand corners somewhat dogeared, front wrapper worn and chipped, rear wrap missing, otherwise very good.
Apparently Unpublished Eulogy on Washington by a Military Man to his Fellow Soldiers.
This eulogy or oration written by an anonymous militia commander and likely read to his fellow "soldiers in arms," it extols the virtues of their fallen "Chieftain" on what would have been Washington's 68th birthday:
Sample of the Text:
"Countrymen & Fellow Citizens. Permit me by request your humble Eulogist, to address you, on this no less solemn than afflicting occasion.
The Parent of our rights, the Guardian of our liberties, the Saviour of our Country, is no more. The illustrious Washington, the accomplished Statesman, the intrepid Veteran, has discharged the demands of nature, and rests in dust. This day, sixty eight years past, ushered the deceased into being.
How are the mighty fallen – Not as Saul and Jonathan, in the field of Battle – but expired like Moses, on Pisgah's Mount, in the full vigour of age. …
The Hero of Monongahela witnessed to the world the same magnanimity of mind through the whole course of his life, as he did at the moment, when he saved a shattered army from impending ruin. And millions this day mourn the loss of their mighty Chieftain dead. … He conquered not like Alexander, to enslave millions, but to disseminate among them the rights and privileges of men. Like Cincinnatus he took the field but to silence the enemies of his Country & like him again retired to rural repose.
He was biased by no sinister motives, but was entreated by the purest principles of friendship, for his distressed Countrymen. And by his Patriotic exertions, liberated thousands from impending thralldom… He never took to his hallowed lips, the sacred name of Deity; but with the greatest reverence and awe – He united the characters of Moses and Joshua in leading and counseling the Armies of America. Like Moses he took us, when to all external appearance human aid could not avail. Although he resigned not his breath on Vernon's top, until like Joshua he led us into the promised land of freedom… In war he was our palladium in peace our oracle. … The moment when that the immortal sage was named to command our armies; Europe stood astonished, and Great Britain trembled to the center. The knew the worth of our Chief – to them his name was a host – this they were made sensible of even to a demonstration. … With what perfect composure did he command himself, at that precarious moment, when flying through the Jerseys, with an handful of undisciplined Militia, and they upon the point of deserting him, giving up their Country for loss With a voice more than human he rallied their remains, - Spoke and they obeyed – and set his Country free – It was here the Illustrious Chief turned the current of the American war, and rolled the tide of its baneful effects, upon an exulting foe, glutted with success. …
Soldiers in arms,
Permit me, to consider with you, on this trying occasion, and with you to lament the loss of your guide in war and friend in peace. The honorable name of Soldier, ought to involve in it, every thing that is great and good. The deceased War worn General, whose death you are now lamenting, gloried in the epithet of Soldier. Although the ages of many of you put it out of your power to be acquainted with his noble exertions, yet you are reaping the advantages which his noble soul aspired to. He in his life set you an example worthy the imitation of an Hannibal. By his intrepidity, he has taught you to defy death – and when your Country calls, his noble pattern, has declared that your lives are not your own. When his demanded his attention, he was the first to appear in the midst of danger and could not bear that a soiled tongue should couple with name of coward an American Veteran. If there are any in this assembly, who were present when he unfurled the banners of Independence, they will declare, what a torrent of anxiety swelled his benevolent soul, at that initial moment. The fate of your Country, the lives of you Parents, and your own existences, depended on that momentous event. With diffidence and a reserved dignity, which characterized him, above his comrades in war, he took the command of our forces. He organized into a regular army, a raw, although virtuous yeomanry, He led them on to victory. He subdued the enemies of our Country and gave peace to our American climes. Whilst the tear of sensibility steals from your cheeks, in commemoration of your departed Hero; Let this conflating plea, sooth the pangs of grief, that his happiness is now compleat. Let his virtue stimulate you, like him, when called upon, to tread in the paths of glory, and then you will receive the plaudits of your Countrymen, and rest like him, in eternal Bliss."
This eulogy or commemorative address is apparently unpublished. The author's allusion to New Jersey, which he refers to as "here", within the text, may offer a hint to its origin. (Inventory #: 31263)
Apparently Unpublished Eulogy on Washington by a Military Man to his Fellow Soldiers.
This eulogy or oration written by an anonymous militia commander and likely read to his fellow "soldiers in arms," it extols the virtues of their fallen "Chieftain" on what would have been Washington's 68th birthday:
Sample of the Text:
"Countrymen & Fellow Citizens. Permit me by request your humble Eulogist, to address you, on this no less solemn than afflicting occasion.
The Parent of our rights, the Guardian of our liberties, the Saviour of our Country, is no more. The illustrious Washington, the accomplished Statesman, the intrepid Veteran, has discharged the demands of nature, and rests in dust. This day, sixty eight years past, ushered the deceased into being.
How are the mighty fallen – Not as Saul and Jonathan, in the field of Battle – but expired like Moses, on Pisgah's Mount, in the full vigour of age. …
The Hero of Monongahela witnessed to the world the same magnanimity of mind through the whole course of his life, as he did at the moment, when he saved a shattered army from impending ruin. And millions this day mourn the loss of their mighty Chieftain dead. … He conquered not like Alexander, to enslave millions, but to disseminate among them the rights and privileges of men. Like Cincinnatus he took the field but to silence the enemies of his Country & like him again retired to rural repose.
He was biased by no sinister motives, but was entreated by the purest principles of friendship, for his distressed Countrymen. And by his Patriotic exertions, liberated thousands from impending thralldom… He never took to his hallowed lips, the sacred name of Deity; but with the greatest reverence and awe – He united the characters of Moses and Joshua in leading and counseling the Armies of America. Like Moses he took us, when to all external appearance human aid could not avail. Although he resigned not his breath on Vernon's top, until like Joshua he led us into the promised land of freedom… In war he was our palladium in peace our oracle. … The moment when that the immortal sage was named to command our armies; Europe stood astonished, and Great Britain trembled to the center. The knew the worth of our Chief – to them his name was a host – this they were made sensible of even to a demonstration. … With what perfect composure did he command himself, at that precarious moment, when flying through the Jerseys, with an handful of undisciplined Militia, and they upon the point of deserting him, giving up their Country for loss With a voice more than human he rallied their remains, - Spoke and they obeyed – and set his Country free – It was here the Illustrious Chief turned the current of the American war, and rolled the tide of its baneful effects, upon an exulting foe, glutted with success. …
Soldiers in arms,
Permit me, to consider with you, on this trying occasion, and with you to lament the loss of your guide in war and friend in peace. The honorable name of Soldier, ought to involve in it, every thing that is great and good. The deceased War worn General, whose death you are now lamenting, gloried in the epithet of Soldier. Although the ages of many of you put it out of your power to be acquainted with his noble exertions, yet you are reaping the advantages which his noble soul aspired to. He in his life set you an example worthy the imitation of an Hannibal. By his intrepidity, he has taught you to defy death – and when your Country calls, his noble pattern, has declared that your lives are not your own. When his demanded his attention, he was the first to appear in the midst of danger and could not bear that a soiled tongue should couple with name of coward an American Veteran. If there are any in this assembly, who were present when he unfurled the banners of Independence, they will declare, what a torrent of anxiety swelled his benevolent soul, at that initial moment. The fate of your Country, the lives of you Parents, and your own existences, depended on that momentous event. With diffidence and a reserved dignity, which characterized him, above his comrades in war, he took the command of our forces. He organized into a regular army, a raw, although virtuous yeomanry, He led them on to victory. He subdued the enemies of our Country and gave peace to our American climes. Whilst the tear of sensibility steals from your cheeks, in commemoration of your departed Hero; Let this conflating plea, sooth the pangs of grief, that his happiness is now compleat. Let his virtue stimulate you, like him, when called upon, to tread in the paths of glory, and then you will receive the plaudits of your Countrymen, and rest like him, in eternal Bliss."
This eulogy or commemorative address is apparently unpublished. The author's allusion to New Jersey, which he refers to as "here", within the text, may offer a hint to its origin. (Inventory #: 31263)
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