From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 192
"Of course not. The king will not yield to 'rebels' so willingly as that. We must concentrate our entire force
upon New York now."
"Every lover of his country ought to be stimulated to greater deeds now," added Lafayette.
"And Congress ought to respond promptly and liberally to the demands of the hour," said Washington. "The
legislatures of the several Colonies ought to be prompt and liberal, also, in providing men and means. Give us
men and supplies equal to the emergency, and our independence can be permanently established."
Washington waited upon Congress personally, and he wrote letters to the governors of the several Colonies,
pleading for more liberal aid than ever, that the war might be successfully prosecuted to the bitter end.
While these negotiations were progressing, the king superseded Sir Henry Clinton by the appointment of Sir
Guy Carleton as commander-in-chief of the British army. The latter commander was in favor of peace, and he
appealed to the British Parliament for conciliatory action; nor was his plea in vain. After a long and
acrimonious struggle, Parliament adopted a resolution advising reconciliation. From that moment, peace
negotiations were commenced, but were not fully consummated until Nov. 30, 1782, at Paris. It was the
nineteenth day of April, 1783, when the welcome news, received in this country, was announced to the army.
The surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, contrary to the expectations of Washington, thus proved to be the
end of the war. In just eight years from the time the first battle of the Revolution was fought at Lexington,
April 19, 1775, the proclamation of peace was made to the army. "Thus ended a long and arduous conflict, in
which Great Britain expended near a hundred millions of money, with a hundred thousand lives, and won
nothing. America endured every cruelty and distress, lost many lives and much treasure, but delivered herself
from a foreign dominion, and gained a rank among the nations of the earth."
The enemy evacuated New York and other posts and returned to England, and Washington occupied the same,
and proceeded to disband the army. Addressing his officers and companions in arms, with deep emotion he
said:
"With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days
may be as prosperous and happy as your former have been glorious and honorable. I cannot come to each of
you to take my leave, but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand."
He could say no more. Tears blinded his eyes, and emotion caused his voice to tremble. Silently, one after
another, these heroes of many battles and sufferings approached and grasped his hand. No one spoke a word.
Each felt more than language could express. The scene was affecting beyond description.
Congress was in session at Annapolis, and thither he journeyed to return his commission. A perfect ovation
attended him all the way. The occupants of every town, village, and farmhouse turned out to hail the
conqueror. Men, women, and children vied with each other in demonstrations of love and honor. Cannon
pealed, bells rung, music wafted, voices sounded, banners waved, in honor "of the only man," as Jefferson
said, "who had the confidence of all."
Congress received him in a manner to attest their profoundest respect and love. Resigning his commission, 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."
Our American Cincinnatus retired to his farm and plough, which he left eight years before at the call of his