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.

372 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [178L
ginia, and Fredericktown in Maryland; and a part of
them subsequently to Lancaster in Pennsylvania. Lord
Cornwallis, and the other principal officers, went by sea
to New York on parole.
All these affairs being arranged, General Washington
left Yorktown on the 5th of November. The same day
he arrived at Eltham, where he was present at Ahe
death of Mr. Custis, the only son of Mrs. Washington.
He stayed there a few days to mingle his grief with
that of the afflicted widow and mother. The occasion
was not less trying to his sympathy than to his sensibility, for he had watched over the childhood and youth of
the deceased with a paternal solicitude, and afterwards
associated with him as a companion, who possessed his
confidence and esteem. Mr. Custis was a member of
the Virginia legislature, and much respected for his
public and private character. He died at the age
of twenty-eight, leaving four infant children, the two
youngest of whom, a son and daughter, were adopted
by General Washington, and they resided in his family
till the end of his life.
From Eltham he proceeded by the way of Mount
Vernon to Philadelphia, receiving and answering various
public addresses while on his journey. The day after
his arrival he attended Congress, being introduced into
the hall by two members, and greeted with a congratu-_
latory address by the President. He was requested
to remain for some time in Philadelphia, both that he
might enjoy a respite from the fatigues of war, and that
Congress might avail themselves of his aid in making
preparations for vigorous and timely efforts to draw
every advantage from the recent triumph of the allied
arms.