From Farm House to the White House - 912 Freedom Library

Farm House to the White House, by William M. Thayer 45
"But I fear that mother will not consent to such an arrangement," suggested George.
"I will confer with her upon the subject," replied Lawrence. "I think she will take the same view of it that I
do."
Lawrence did confer with his mother concerning this venture, and found her wholly averse to the project.
"I can never consent that he should follow such a life," she said.
"But I am sure that he would distinguish himself there, and bring honor to the family," urged Lawrence.
"Character is worth more than distinction," responded Mrs. Washington. "I fear the effect of such a life upon
his character."
"George can be trusted in any position, no matter what the temptations may be," Lawrence pleaded.
"That may be true, and it may not be true," remarked Mrs. Washington. "We ought not to incur the risk unless
absolutely obliged to do it."
"If there be a risk," remarked Lawrence, doubtfully.
"Besides," continued Mrs. Washington, "I could not consent to his going so far from home unless it were
impossible for him to gain a livelihood near by."
She was unyielding in this interview, and could see no reason why she should consent to such a separation.
But Lawrence persevered in his efforts to obtain her consent, and finally it was given with manifest
reluctance. A writer describes what followed thus:
"Within a short time a British man-of-war moved up the Potomac, and cast anchor in full view of Mount
Vernon. On board of this vessel his brother Lawrence procured him a midshipman's warrant, after having by
much persuasion gained the consent of his mother; which, however, she yielded with much reluctance and
many misgivings with respect to the profession her son was about to choose. Not knowing how much pain all
this was giving his mother, George was as near wild with delight as could well be with a boy of a nature so
even and steady. Now, what had all along been but a waking dream was about to become a solemn reality. His
preparations were soon made: already was his trunk packed, and carried on board the ship that was to bear
him so far away from his native land; and nothing now remained but to bid farewell to the loved ones at home.
But when he came and stood before his mother, dressed in his gay midshipman's uniform, so tall and robust in
figure, so handsome in face, and so noble in look and gesture, the thought took possession of her mind, that, if
she suffered him to leave her then, she might never see him more; and losing her usual firmness and
self-control, she burst into tears.
"'I cannot consent to let you go,' she said, at length. 'It will break my heart, George.'
"'How can I refuse to go now that I have enlisted, and my trunk is on board?' pleaded George.
"'Order your trunk ashore, and return your uniform, my son, if you do not wish to crush your mother's heart,'
responded Mrs. Washington. 'I cannot bear the thought.'"
George was overcome by the spectacle of his mother's grief, and with the tears running down his cheeks he
replied, like the young hero that he was:
"'Mother, I can never go and cause you so much grief. I will stay at home.'"