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.

.AET. 57.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 457
to gratify their eyes with a sight of his person, to
greet him with acclamations of joy, and to exhibit testimonies of their respect and veneration. Men, women,
and children, people of all ranks, ages, and occupations, assembled from far and near at the crossings
of the roads and other public places, where it was
known he would pass. Military escorts attended him
on the way, and at the principal towns he was received and entertained by the civil authorities. Addresses were as usual presented to him by corporate
bodies, religious societies, and literary institutions, to
which he returned appropriate answers.
This journey was in all respects satisfactory to him,
not more as furnishing proofs of the strong attachment of the people, than as convincing him of the
growing prosperity 6f the country, and of the favor
which the constitution and the administration of government were gaining in the public mind. He was
happy to see, that the effects of the war had almost
disappeared, that agriculture was pursued with activity, that the harvests were abundant, manufactures
increasing, the towns flourishing, and commerce becoming daily more extended and profitable. The condition of society, the progress of improvements, the
success of industrious enterprise, all gave tokens of
order, peace, and contentment, and a most cheering
promise for the future.*
* The reader cannot fail to be interested in this place with an extract from a letter written by Mrs. Washington to Mrs. Warren soon
after the President's return from his tour. So little remains, which is
known to have come from the pen of this lady, that it would be an act
of injustice to her memory to withhold a specimen so creditable to her
understanding, her heart, and her views of life, as the following, which
is transcribed from the original.
"Your very friendly letter of last month has afforded much more
satisfaction, than all the formal compliments and empty ceremonies of
mere etiquette could possibly have done. I am not apt to forget the
VOL. I. 58 MM