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.

402 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1783.
them, returned in the same solemn manner to the place
where they had assembled."*
Congress had adjourned from Princeton to Annapolis in Maryland. Washington travelled slowly to
that place, greeted everywhere on the road by the
acclamations of his fellow citizens, and the most gratifying tokens of their love and respect. As he passed
along, public addresses were presented to him by the
legislatures of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, the Philosophical Society and University in Philadelphia, citizens of towns in their corporate capacity,
religious societies, and various incorporated associations.
Arrived at the seat of Congress, he informed the President, that he was ready to resign the commission,
with which he had been honored in the service of
his country. This ceremony was performed in the
Hall of Congress on the 23d of December, all the
members and a large concourse of spectators being
present. At the close of his address on this occasion,
he said; "Having now finished the work assigned
me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under
whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my
commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." He then advanced and gave
his commission into the hands of the President, who
replied to his address. The ceremony being ended,
he withdrew from the assembly, divested of his official character, and sustaining no other rank than that
of a private citizen.
The next morning he left Annapolis and reached
Mount Vernon the same day, having been absent in
the command of the army somewhat more than eight
* MARSHALL'S Life of Washington, 2d edition, Vol. II. p. 57.