The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

/ET. 24.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 81
These agonizing sensations were heightened by a circumstance here alluded to, the more painful becau-se he
conceived it to be the offspring of injustice and ingratitude, and a reflection upon his honor and fidelity as
an officer. Rumors were circulated to the disparagement of the army, charging the officers with gross
irregularities and neglect of duty, and indirectly throwing the blame upon the commander. A malicious
person filled a gazette with tales of this sort, which
seemed for the moment to receive public countenance.
Conscious of having acted with the utmost vigilance,
knowing the falsehood and wickedness of these slanders, and indignant at so base a mancuvre to stain
his character, it was his first impulse to retire from a
station, in which patriotism, the purest intentions, hardships, and sacrifices, were rewarded only with calumny
and reproach.
This intimation was viewed by his friends in the
House of Burgesses and the Council with much concern, as their letters testified. Mingling approbation
with remonstrance, and praise with advice, they made
such representations, as it was not easy for him to
disregard. "You cannot but know," said Landon Carter, "that nothing but want of power in your country *
has prevented it from adding every honor and reward
that perfect merit could have entitled itself to. How
are we grieved to hear Colonel George Washington
hinting to his country, that he is willing to retire!
Give me leave, as your intimate friend, to persuade
you to forget, that any thing has been said to your
dishonor; and recollect, that it could not have come
from any man that knew you. And, as it may have
been the artifice of one in no esteem among your
* Meaning by country the popular branch of the legislature, or the
people of Virginia generally.
VOL. I. 11