The Freeman 1972 - The Ludwig von Mises Institute

484 THE FREEMAN Augustlittle uprising in Pennsylvania.The last major contingent ofBritish forces departed from NewYork City in early December of1783. Just prior to their takingleave the Continental troops movedinto the city to see that everythingwent off in an orderly way. It wasan occasion for great rejoicing asthe Continentals marched in, forthe British had occupied the cityfor more than seven years. A spectatorwrote: "We had been accustomedfor a long time to militarydisplay in all the finish and fineryof garrison life; the troops justleaving us were as if equipped forshow, and with their scarlet uniformsand burnished arms, madea brilliant display; the troops thatmarched in, on the contrary, wereill-clad and weather beaten, andmade a forlo~n appearance; butthen they were our troops, and asI looked at them and thought uponall they had done and suffered forus, my heart and eyes were full,and I admired and gloried in themthe more, because they wereweather beaten and forlorn."llThe time had at last come forGeorge Washington to take leaveof the army he had served foreight and a half years. He notifiedthe officers that he would bid themfarewell at Fraunces' Tavern atnoon of the day of departure. Allwho could make it gathered there.It was a moving occasion. Washingtonwas so filled with emotionthat he could hardly speak. "Witha heart full of love and gratitude,"he said, "I now take my leave ofyou. I most devoutly wish thatyour later days may be as prosperousand happy as your former oneshave been glorious and honorable."So saying, he asked that each ofthem would come by to shake hishand, since he feared he wouldnot be able to make it around tothem. General Henry Knox, whohad served him faithfully for somany years, came fir~t; Washingtonwas so overcome that a· handshakewould not do. He embracedhim as both of them wept. "Oncedone, this had of course to be donewith all from Steuben to theyoungest officer. With streamingeyes, they came to him, receivedthe embrace, and passed on."12Washington hoped to make ithome to Virginia by Christmaswhen he set out from New York.But there were many festive occasionsto be attended along theway, and he had business to dofirst. He journeyed to Philadelphiato turn in his accounts. Then hewent on to Annapolis to resign hiscommission before Congress.This he did just after twelveo'clock on December 23rd. Thegalleries were packed for the occasion,though many members ofCongress were ahsent at this time.As the ceremony began, Washing-