Return to Mt. Vernon-National Government-Army Views-Institution of Society of the Cincinnati-Letters to Maj.-Gen. Greene, on this Subject-Letter to Jefferson-His Portrait Painted for Count de la Solms -Letter to Count d'Estaing-Jewel Presented by French SeamenLetter to Robert Morris Concerning Bushrod Washington-Journey to Western Lands-Letter to the Commandant at Pittsburg-Letter to Tench Tilghman about Greenhouse—Lafayette's Visit-Letter to Chastellux-Western Tour with Lafayette-Letter about Horse for "Little Washington."

IT

T was a good omen which brought Washington to Annapolis on Christmas Eve. "I entered these doors an older man by near nine years than when I left them. Since that period we have been often locked up in frost and snow, and excluded, in a manner, from all kinds of intercourse." Thus he writes to Lafayette, with whom his correspondence has always a tender and friendly tone:

"I am become a private citizen, my dear Marquis. On the banks of the Potomac, and under the shadow of my own vine and my own fig-tree, free from the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life, I am solacing myself with those tranquil enjoyments which the soldier, who is ever in pursuit of fame; the statesman, whose

watchful days and sleepless nights are spent in devising schemes to promote the welfare of his own, perhaps the ruin of other countries, as if this globe were insufficient for us all; and the courtier, who is always watching the countenance of his prince in hopes of catching a gracious smile, can have very little conception."

In the same letter he says to Lafayette that he is expecting in a few days a visit from the Governor of Virginia. He also thanks Lafayette for a kind invitation to his house if he should come to France, but he says:

"I see but little prospect of such a voyage. The deranged situation of my private concerns, occasioned by an absence of nearly nine years, and the entire disregard of all private business during that period, will not only suspend, but may put it forever out of my power to gratify this wish. This not being the case with you, come with Madame de Lafayette and view me in my domestic walks. I have often told you, and repeat it again, that no man could receive you in them with more friendship and affection than I should do, in which, I am sure, Mrs. Washington would cordially join me. We unite in respectful compliments to your lady, and the best wishes for your little flock."

Writing to Lafayette again in April, he says:

"Your favor of November to me, and of December to Congress, both announce your intention to make us a visit this spring. On this hope I shall fully rely, and shall ardently long for the moment in which I can embrace you in America. Nothing could add more to the pleasure of this interview than the happiness of seeing

Madame de Lafayette with you, that I might have the honor of thanking her in person for the flattering letter she has been pleased to write me, and to assure her of the sincerity of my wishes and those of Mrs. Washington, that she can make Mount Vernon her home while she stays in America. Lest I should be disappointed of this gratification, I accompany this letter with another to the Marchioness; and if I could express to her half what I feel upon the occasion, it would, if twenty years could be taken from the number of my days, make you diligent at your post."

And to the Marchioness he writes:

"Great as your claims as a French or American woman, or as the wife of my amiable friend, to my affectionate regards, you have others to which the palm must be yielded. The charms of your person and the beauties of your mind have a more powerful operation. These, Madame, have endeared you to me, and every thing which partakes of your nature will have a claim to my affections. George and Virginia, the offspring of your love, whose names do honor to my country and to myself, have a double claim, and will have the best of my

Vows.

"Mrs. Washington is highly honored by your invitations, and feels very sensibly the force of your polite invitation to Paris, but she is too far advanced in life,' and is too much immersed in the care of her little progeny, to cross the Atlantic.

"This, my dear Marchioness, indulge the freedom, is not the case with you. You have youth, and if you should not incline to bring your children, can leave them 'Mrs. Washington was now fifty-two years old.

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with all the advantages of education, and must have a curiosity to see the country, young, rude, and uncultivated as it is, for the liberties of which your husband has fought, bled, and acquired much glory, where everybody admires, everybody loves him. Come, then, let me entreat you, and call my cottage your home, for your own doors do not open to you with more readiness than mine would. You will see the plain manner in which we live, and meet with respectful civility, and you shall taste the simplicity of rural life. It will diversify the scene, and may give you higher relish for the gayeties of the court when you return to Versailles."

In a letter to Dr. Craik, written as early as March, 1784, he speaks of the prospect before him, as to his biography.

"I will frankly declare to you, my dear doctor, that any memoirs of my life, distinct and unconnected with the general history of the war, would rather hurt my feelings, than tickle my pride, whilst I live. I had rather glide gently down the stream of time, leaving it to posterity to say and think what they please of me, than, by any act of mine, to have vanity or ostentation imputed to me. It is for this reason and candor, and a desire to be explicit, that I stipulate against the publication of the memoirs Mr. Bowe has in contemplation to give the world, till I should see more probability of avoiding the darts which I think would be pointed at me upon such an occasion."

It is hardly necessary here to go far into the discussion, which excited a good deal of public attention in certain quarters, as to the Society of Cincinnati. It is enough, perhaps, to say that many men