what are we but hypocrites, or self-deceivers? Obedience will lead us to the highest pinnacle of national glory. A contrary conduct will dishonour, though it cannot injure, our greatest benefactor, and end in irremediable ruin. If we are wife, we shall be wife "If for ourfelves, but if we fcorn, we alone fhall bear it." The prefent general union among all parties, in paying thefe laft folemn honours to the memory of our deceased friend and father, is a proof that we can unite in fome things; O! "'twere a confummation devoutly to be wifhed," could we but harmonize in all! Then (if departed fpirits are permitted to hold converse with earth) with what pleafing emotions Would WASHINGTON behold the fight?:

"This, this, e'en now, above yon ftarry pole,

Would touch with transport his immortal foul."

This, my fellow-citizens, is the only effectual way to teftify the fincerity of our grief, the fervency of our gratitude, and the profound veneration we feel for the character and memory of this excellent perfon. Nay, by our union we fhall add to his glory! For it may then be faid of the illuftrious hero of America, as it was of the felf-devoted victim at Gaza, the renowned champion of Ifrael, herculean Samfon, that he achieved more for his country at his death, than in all his life before he had been able to accomplish.

But the theme overpowers me-I fink beneath it! A thousand tender, grateful ideas rush upon my foul! My nerves refuse their support!

O, WASHINGTON! thy country's boaft and pride,
In ev'ry scene of wo and peril try'd;

Thou feeft (though thron'd above yon ftarry spheres)
An empire bleeding, and a world in tears!
Kindly look down! O, mitigate our woes!
And foothe thy weeping country to repofe !
O, look from Sion's confecrated hill,
And be Columbia's guardian angel still!
For fure, if aught below the thrones above
Can touch thy fpirit, 'tis thy country's love!
Revive thofe counfels thou didst here impart,
And grave the heav'nly precepts on each heart.
Inftruct us where our trueft intereft lies,
And lift COLUMBIA's glory to the skies!
Till heav'nly hofts, with earth's vaft tribes, agree
Thy precepts made us HAPPY, GREAT and FREE.

An Dration

UPON THE DEATH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON,

Delivered at the Request of the Corporation of the City of

ASSEMBLED to pay the last dues of

filial piety to him who was the father of his country, it is meet that we take one last look at the man whom we have loft forever.

Born to high deftinies, he was fashioned for them by the hand of nature. His form was noble-his port majeftic. On his front were enthroned the virtues which exalt, and those which adorn the human character. So dignified his deportment, no man could approach him but with refpect-None was great in his prefence. You all have feen him, and you all have felt the reverence he infpired; it was fuch, that to command, feemed in him but the exercife of an ordinary function, while others felt a duty to obey, which (anterior to the injunctions of civil ordinance, or the compulfion of a military code) was impofed by the high behefts of nature.

He had every title to command-Heaven, in giving him the higher qualities of the foul, had given alfo the tumultuous paffions which accompany greatnefs, and frequently tarnish its luftre. With them was his first conteft, and his first victory was over himself,

So

great the empire he had there acquired, that calmness of manner and of conduct diftinguished him through life. Yet, those who have seen him ftrongly moved, will bear witness that his wrath was terrible; they have feen boiling in his bofom, paffion almost too mighty for man; yet, when juft bursting into act, that ftrong paffion was controlled by his ftronger mind.

Having thus a perfect command of himfelf, he could rely, on the full exertion of his powers, in whatever direction he might order them to act. He was therefore clear, decided, and unembarrassed by any confid eration of himself. Such confideration did not even dare to intrude on his reflections. Hence it was, that he beheld not only the affairs that were paffing around him, but those alfo in which he was perfonally engaged, with the coolness of an unconcerned fpectator. They were to him as events historically recorded. His judg ment was always clear, becaufe his mind was pure. And feldom, if ever, will a found understanding be met with in the company of a corrupt heart.

In the ftrength of judgment lay, indeed, one chief excellence of his character. Leaving to feebler minds that splendour of genius, which, while it enlightens others, too often dazzles the poffeffor; he knew how beft to use the rays which genius might emit, and car. ry into act its best conceptions.

So modeft, he wished not to attract attention, but obferved in filence, and faw deep into the human heart. Of a thousand propofitions he knew to distinguish the best; and to select among a thousand the man most fitted for his purpose. If ever he was deceived in his choice, it was by circumftances of focial feeling which did honour to his heart. Should it, therefore, in the review of his conduct, appear that he was merely not infallible, the few errors which fell to his lot, as a man, will claim the affections of his fellow men. Pleafed with the rare, but graceful weakness, they will admire that elevation of foul, which, fuperior to refentment, gave honour and power, with liberal hand, to those by

whom he had been offended. Not to conciliate a regard, which, if it be venal, is worth no price; but to draw forth in your fervice the exercife of talents, which he could duly eftimate, in fpite of incidents by which a weaker mind would have been thrown from its bias.

In him were the courage of a foldier, the intrepidity of a chief, the fortitude of a hero. He had given to the impulfions of bravery all the calmnefs of his character, and, if in the moment of danger, his manner was distinguishable from that of common life, it was by fuperior cafe and grace.

And,

To each defire he had taught the leffons of moderation. Prudence became therefore the companion of his life. Never in the public, never in the private hour did the abandon him even for a moment. if in the small circle, where he might safely think aloud, she should have flumbered amid convivial joy, his quick fense of what was juft, and decent, and fit, ftood ever ready to awaken her at the flightest alarm,

Knowing how to appreciate the world, its gifts and glories, he was truly wife. Wife alfo in felecting the objects of his purfuit. And wife in adopting just means to compafs honourable ends.

Be

Bound by the facred ties of wedded love, his high example strengthened the tone of public manners. loved, almost adored by the amiable partner of his toils and dangers, who fhared with him the anxieties of public life, and fweetened the fhade of retirement, no fruit was granted to their union. No child to catch with pious tenderness the falling tear, and foothe the anguish of connubial affliction. No living image remains to her of his virtues, and fhe muft feek them forrowing in the grave. Who fhall arraign, O GOD! thy high decree? Was it in difpleasure, that to the father of his country thou hadft denied a fon? Was it in mercy, left the paternal virtues fhould have triumphed (during fome frail moment) in the patriot bofom ? AMERICANS! he had no child-BUT YOU,--and HE

WAS ALL YOUR OWN,

Let envy come forward if fhe dare, and feek fome darkened spot in this fun of our glory. From the black catalogue of crimes envy herself must speak him free. Had he (a mortal) the failings attached to man? Was he the flave of avarice? No. Wealth was an object too mean for his regard. And yet economy prefided over his domeftic concerns; for his mind was too lofty to brook dependence. Was he ambitious? No. His fpirit foared beyond ambition's reach. He saw a crown high above all human grandeur. He fought, he gained, and wore that crown. But he had indeed one frailty-the weakness of great minds. He was fond of fame, and had reared a coloffal reputation. It stood on the rock of his virtue. This was dear to his heart. There was but one thing dearer. He loved glory, but still more he loved his country. That was the master paffion, and, with refiftlefs might, it ruled his every thought, and word, and deed.

We fee him stepping, as it were from his cradle, into the fields of glory, and meriting the public confidence, at a period when others too often confume in idlenefs the moments lent for inftruction, or (in pursuit of pleasure) waste their moral energies. While yet his cheek was covered with the down of youth, he had combined the character of an able negociator with that of a gallant foldier. Scarce had he given this early pledge of future fervice, when he was called on for the quick performance; he accompanies to the western wilds, Braddock, who, bred in camps of European war, despised the favage. But foon entrapped in the close ambush, military skill becomes of no avail. The leaders, felected by unerring aim, firft fall-the troops lie thick in flaughtered heaps, the victims of an invifible foe. WASHINGTON, whofe warnings had been neglected, still gives the aid of falutary counfel to his ill-fated chief, and urges it with all the grace of eloquence, and all the force of conviction. A form fo manly draws the attention of the favage, and is doomed to perish. The murdering inftruments are levelled;