Posted on 12/23/2013 1:48:31 PM PST by Pharmboy
A wonderful post, Pharmboy. Merry Christmas to you and all on the forum!
As many of you know, there was an hiatus between Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown (October 19, 1781) and the Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783). Washington stayed with his army and did not return to his beloved Mount Vernon until word of the treaty’s signing reached him, and he would see the British Army and Navy depart NYC on Evacuation Day, November 25, 1783.Thanks Pharmboy.
Great post. Also sounds like a great book.
Bump for later
A good time of the year to remember the men who endured so much hardship, and especially that one indispensable American, who allowed us to have so much freedom.
God blessed us with George Washington.
Thank you!
The Founders would weep if they saw what today's 'leaders' want for this great country.
Well done. Thank you.
I have had the honor of standing in that very room in Annapolis where Gen. Washington resigned his commission. Wonderful.
Thank you for the ping.
And Merry Christmas to you, my FRiend.
thanks for the work!!
and the ping!
A wonderful Christmas to both of you!
Well done.
Thanks for this - fascinating! Living in New York, I have been able to visit Fraunces Tavern periodically over the years - it contains a restaurant and museum operated by the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York. If you are in New York City it is well worth a visit - their web site is at http://frauncestavernmuseum.org/about/
Merry Christmas to you Pharmboy, and to all of our fellow FReepers!
Many have forgotten that there was a two year period between Cornwallis' surrender and the British evacuation of New York. Congress neglected to pay the Army which nearly revolted. Washington deftly put down the Newburgh Conspiracy in March 1783 with his Newburgh address:
...While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself in the most unequivocal manner, to exert whatever ability I am possessed of in your favour, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any measures, which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained. Let me request you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions of Congress; that, previous to your dissolution as an army, they will cause all your accounts to be fairly liquidated, as directed in their resolutions which were published to you two days ago; and that they will adopt the most effectual measures in their power to render ample justice to you for your faithful and meritorious services. And let me conjure you, in the name of our common country, as you value your own sacred honor, as you respect the rights of humanity, and as you regard the military and national character of America, to express your utmost horror and detestation of the man, who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our country; and who wickedly attempts to open the flood-gates of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire in blood.
By thus determining, and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the insidious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open force to secret artifice. You will give one more distinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most complicated sufferings: and you will, by the dignity of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glorious example you have exhibited to mankind—"had this day been wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection to which human nature is capable of attaining."
T’anks— well written and again T’anks..And A Merry Christmas to you too ! One question were you reminded of the television commercial that mixed Washington’s Army with the new cars when you saw that one picture of the old building and the vehicles I think Washington and his Army could have appreciated had they alone had the tech teams and horsepower? I note it was the only photo of its kind in the essay.
Ping...
Thanks for the ping; thanks for your great post. Merry Christmas to you both, FReepers contributing to this thread and to all at Free Republic.
I lived in NYC for >25 years, and was a frequent visitor to Fraunces. Some of the meetings of the NYC Chapter of the American Revolution Roundtable were held there.
Now that I live in Maryland, I can get to Mount Vernon more often. But one of my most memorable visits was Christmas Day, 2001; we were visiting my daughter who lived in Alexandria at the time, and by 9:10 AM we were there. They open up some usually closed spaces on that day, and have the table set for Christmas Dinner, 1783.
Finally, I posted the modern picture of Fraunces rather than an old drawing to make sure folks knew that it was still there. I felt a bit ambivalent about the Dodge commercial mentioned, in that I have an aversion to the General being used to sell anything (I detest those mattress sales on "President's Day" with him selling them), but there was a certain dignity that Dodge invested in the General.
It is a great book.
George Washington was elected to the vestry of Pohick Church (Truro Parish) in 1762. I find it hard to believe that his attendance was so sporadic, except when duty required it.
Our HOA used to meet at Pohick Church.
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