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.

568 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [APPENDIX.
and dangers of effecting this glorious revolution, of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, and of laying the foundation of
a great empire, might be impressed with a proper idea of the dignified part they have been called to act (under the smiles of Providence) on the stage of human affairs. For happy, thrice happy,
shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed any
thing, who have performed the meanest office, in erecting this stupendous fabric of freedom and empire on the broad basis of independency; who have assisted in protecting the rights of human
nature, and establishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of
all nations and religions.
The glorious task for which we first flew to arms being thus accomplished; the liberties of our country being. fully acknowledged
and firmly secured by the smiles of Heaven on the purity of our
cause, and the honest exertions of a feeble people determined to
be free, against a powerful nation disposed to oppress them; and
the character of those, who have persevered through every extremity
of hardship, suffering, and danger, being immortalized by the illustrious appellation of the patriot army, nothing now remains but for
the actors of this mighty scene to preserve a perfect unvarying consistency of character through the very last act, to close the drama
with applause, and to retire from the military theatre with the same
approbation of angels and men, which has crowned all their former
virtuous actions. For this purpose no disorder or licentiousness
must be tolerated. Every considerate and well-disposed soldier
must remember, it will be absolutely necessary to wait with patience until peace shall be declared, or Congress shall be ehabled
to take proper measures for the security of the public stores. As
soon as these arrangements shall be made, the General is confident there will be no delay in discharging, with every mark of distinction and honor, all the men enlisted for the war, who will then
have faithfully performed their engagements with the public. The
General has already interested himself in their behalf, and he
thinks he need not repeat the assurances of his disposition to be
useful to them on the present and every other proper occasion. In
the mean time, he is determined that no military neglects or excesses shall go unpunished while he retains the command of the
army.