igoc> y^. ORATION, UPON The DEATH of General Washington, BT GQUrERNEUR MORXIS. \ \ &ELIVER1D AT THE REQUEST OF THE CORPORATION OE THE CITY OF NEW-YORK, ON THE DAY OF DECEMBER, 1799. Ipubltsfjeti bp tfjeir Eequest. Sed quisnam merito divinas Carmine Laudes Concipcre, aut tanto par queat esse Viro ? Aurcl. 12, and. New- York, printed by John Furman, opposite the City Hall. , iSocu ORATION, &c. Smmcans;, A jSSEMBLED 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 lost forever. BORN to high destinies, he was fashioned for them by the hand of nature His form was noble His port majestic On his front were enthroned the virtues which exalt, and those which adorn the human character. So dignifi- ed his deportment, no man could approach him but with respect None was great in his pre- sence. You all have feen him, and you all have felt the reverence he inspired; it was fuch, that to command, seemed in him but the exer- M174876 4 cife of an ordinary fun&ion, while others felt a. duty to obey, which (anterior to the injun&ions of civil ordinance, or the compulsion of a mi- litary code) was imposed by the high behefts of nature. HE had every title to command Heaven, in giving him the higher qualities of the soul, had given also th# tumultuous passions which accompany greatness, and frequently tarnish its lustre. With them was his first contest, and his first vi&ory was over himself. So great the empire he had there acquired, that calmness of manner and of conduct distinguished him through life. Yet, those who have seen him strongly moved, will bear witness that his wrath was terri- ble ; they have seen boiling in his bosom, pas- sion almost too mighty for man ; yet, wheu just bursting into aft, that strong passion was con- crouled by his stronger mind. HAVING thus a perfect command of himself, he could rely on th$ full exertion of his powers. s in whatever direction he might order them to aft. He was therefore, clear, decided, and unembar- rassed by any consideration of himfelf. Such con- sideration did not even dare to intrude on his re- flections. Hence it was, that he beheld not only the affairs that were passing around him, but those also in which he was personally engaged, with the coolness of an unconcerned spectator. They were to him as events historically recorded. His judg- ment was always clear, because his mind was pure. And seldom, if ever, will a sound under- standing be met with in the company of a cor- nipt heart. IN the strength of judgment lay, indeed, one chief excellence of his character. Leaving to fee- bler minds that splendor of genius, which, while it enlightens others, too often dazzles the pos- sessor he knew how best to use the rays which genius might emit, and carry into aft its best con- ceptions. 6 So modest, he wished not to attract atten- tion, but observed in silence, and saw deep into the human heart. Of a thousand propositions 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 circumstances of social 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. Pleased with the rare, but graceful weakness, they will admire that eleva- tion of soul, which, superior to resentment, 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 service the exercise of talents which he could duly estimate, in spite of incidents by which a weaker mind would have been thrown from its bias, r IN him were the courage of a soldier, the intrepidity of a chief, the fortitude of a hero. He had given to the impulsions of bravery all the calmness of his character, and, if in the moment of danger, his manner was distinguish- able from that of common life, it was by supe- rior ease and grace. To each desire he had taught the lessons of moderation. Prudence became therefore the companion of his life. Never in the public, never in the private hour did she abandon him even for a moment. And, if in the small circle, where he might safely think aloud, she should have slumbered amid convivial joy, his quick sense of what was just, and decent, and fit, stood ever ready to awaken her at the slightest alarm. KNOWING how to appreciate the world, its gifts and glories, he was truly wise. Wise also in selecting the objects of his pursuit, And 8 wise in adopting just means to compass honor- able ends. BOUND by the sacred ties of wedded love., his high example strengthened the tone of pub- lic manners. Beloved, almost adored by the amiable partner of his toils and dangers, who shared with him the anxieties of public life, and sweetened the shade of retirement, no fruit was granted to their union. No child to catch with pious tenderness the falling tear, and soothe the anguish of connubial affedion. No living image remains to her of his virtues, and she must seek them sorrowing in the grave. Who shall arraign, Oh GOD! thy high de- cree? Was it in displeasure, that to the father of his country thou hadst denied a son ? Was it in mercy, lest the paternal virtues should have triumphed (during some frail moment) in the patriot bosom ? AMERICANS ! he had no child BUT YOU and HE WAS ALL YOUR OWN, 9 LET envy come forward if she dare, and seek some darkened spot in this sun 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 slave of avarice ? No. Wealth was an objed too mean for his regard. And yet ceco- nomy presided over his domestic concerns j for his mind was too lofty to brook depend- ence. Was he ambitious ? No. His spirit soared beyond ambition's reach. He saw a crown high above all human grandeur. He sought, 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 colossal 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 passion, and, with resistless might, it ruled his every thought, and word, and deed. B 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 consume in idleness the moments lent for instruction, or (in pursuit of pleasure) waste their moral energies. While yet his cheek was covered with the down of youth, he had com- bined the character of an able negotiator with that of a gallant soldier. Scarce had he given this early pledge of future service, when he was called on for the quick performance He accompanies to the western wilds, BRADDOCK, who, bred in camps of European war, despis'd the favage. But soon entrapped in the close ambush, military skill becomes of no avail. The leaders, sele&ed by unerring aim, first fall the troops lie thick in slaughtered heaps, the viftims of an invisible foe. WASHINGTON, whose warnings had been negle&ed, still gives the aid of salutary counsel to his ill fated chief, and urges it with all the grace of eloquence, and all the force gf conviwtion. A form so manly II draws the attention of the savage and is doomed to perish. The murdering instruments are le- velled the quick bolts fly winged with death, and pierce his garments, but obedient to the sovereign will, they dare not shed his blood. BRADDOCK falls at his feet; and the youthful hero covers with his brave Virginians, the re- treat of Britons, not less brave, but surprized by unusual war. THESE bands of brothers were soon to stand in hostile opposition. Such was the decree of HIM to whom are present all the revolutions of time and empire. When no hope remained but in the field of blood, WASHINGTON was called on by his country to lead her armies. In modest doubt of his own ability, he submitted with reluctance to the necessity of becoming her chief ; and took on him the weight, the care and the anguish of a civil war. Ambition would have tasted here the sweets of power, and drunk deep of intoxicating draughts, but to the Patriot, these sweets are bitterness. 12 INDUSTRIOUS, patient, persevering he remain- ed at the head of citizens scarcely armed ; and, sparing of blood, by (kill, rather than by force, compelled his foe to seek a more favorable theatre of war. And now all hope of union lost, America (by her declaration of indepen- dence) cut the last slender thread of connec- tion. SHE had hitherto been successful ; but was soon shaken by adverse storms. The counsel of her Chief had been negle&ed. His army had been raised by annual enlistment. The poor remnant of accumulated defeat, retreating before an enemy flushed with success, and con- fident in all superiority, looked with impatience to the approaching term of service. The pros- peel: was on all sides gloomy ; and sunshine friends (turning their halcyon backs to fairer fldes) sought shelter from the storm. But though betrayed by fortune, his calm and steady mind remained true to itself. Winter had closed the campaign. Solacing in the enjoyment of what their arms had acquired, the vigors tasted pleasure unalloyed by the dread of dan- ger. They were sheltered behind one of the broad barriers of nature, and, s?fely housed, beheld upon its farther shore, a feeble adver- sary, exposed beneath the canopy of heaven to the rigors of an unpitying season. It was ho- ped that, their term of enlistment expired, the American troops would disperse ; and the CHIEF (in despair) throw up his command. Such was the reasoning, and such reasoning would (in ordinary cases) have been conclusive. But that CHIEF was WASHINGTON ! He shews to his gallant comrades the danger of their country, and afks the aid of patriotic service. At his voice their hearts beat high. In vain the raging Delaware, vext with the wintry blast, forbids their march. In vain he rolls along his rocky bed, a frozen torrent whose ponderous mass threatens to sweep the soldier from his uncertain footstep, and bear him down the 14 flood ! In vain the beating snow adds to the dangerous ford a darkened horror ! Difficul- ties and dangers animate the brave. His little band is arrived ; WASHINGTON is within the walls the enemy is subdued ! FORTUNE now smiles, but who cgn trust to that fallacious smile ? Preparations are al- ready made to punish the AMERICAN LEADER for his adventrous hardihood. And now he sees, stretched out before him in wide array, a force so great that in the battle there is no * hope. Behind him the impassable stream cuts off retreat. Already from his brazen throat the cannon gives loud summons to the field. But the setting sun leaves yet a dreary night to brood over approaching ruin. The earth is shrouded in the veil of darkness ; and now the illustrious Chief takes up his silent march, and in wide circuit leads his little band around the unwary foe. At the dawn, his military thunders tell them their reserve posted far in the rear, is in the pounces of the American Eagle. They hasten back to revenge; but he has already secured his advantage, and (by a well chosen position) confines them to inglorious repose. The armies now rest from their toil. But for him there is no rest. His followers claim the double right of returning to their homes, and he stands almost alone. He dares not afk for aid, lest the enemy, emboldened by the acknowledgment of weakness, should dis- sipate his shadow of an aimy. Nothing remains but to intimidate by the appearance of a force, which does not exist; and hide from his own troops their great inferiority. Both are effected by (kill rarely equalled never excelled. SCARCE hath the advancing season brought forward a few recruits when he begins offensive cperations. His enemy foiled in each attempt to advance, is compelled to afk from the ocean some safer road to conquest. The propitious deep receives on his broad bosom the invading host, and bids his obedient billows bear them to some shore, where they may join the advan- tage of surprize with those of number, disci- pline, and appointments. The hope is vain ! WASHINGTON had penetrated their views, and stands before them ! He is unfortunate. Defeated, not subdued he leads on again to new attack. The half-gained victory, snatched from his grasp, at the head of an inferior, twice beaten army, he passes the long winter in an cpen field, within one day's march of his foe. HERE he was doomed to new difficulties, and dangers unknown before. Faction had reared (in the American counsels) her accursed head* and laboured to remove him from the command. That measure would at once have difbanded his affectionate troops the country around them was exhausted. He had no means to clothe or feed his army none to change their position. Many perished each day the numbers were alarmingly diminished, and rein- *7 forcemeat was dangerous, because it might en- crease the famine. Under these circumstances, a new system of organization and discipline was to be formed, introduced, and enforced, while the soldier could seldom obtain even his poor pittance of depreciated paper. " Who then hath seen " The gallant leader of that ruined band, " Let him cry praise and glory on his head." It was in the solitary walk of night it was in the bosom of friendship that he could alone unburthen himself, of the vast woe which weighed upon his heart Here was indeed no common nor vulgar care. HONOUR LIBERTY -His COUNTRY, stood on the dangerous mar- gin of uncertain fate, and no human eye could pierce the dark cloud which hung upon futu- rity. FROM this black night of gloomy appreheH- fion, broke forth the sun of golden, glorious Hope ! A mighty monarch had connected his C fortunes with those of America In her defence the flag of France was unfurled, and gratitude hailed the fixteenth Louis, prote&or of the rights of mankind. His powerful interference took off from what remained of the war, all reasonable doubt as to the final event. After a varied scene of adverse and prosperous circumstances, that event arrived, and a solemn treaty acknowledged your Independence. GREAT was the joy and high the general expectation, for the political state of America was not duly considered. Her band of federal union had been woven by the hand of distrust* The different states had been held together, in no small degree, by the external pressure of war. That pressure removed, they might fall asunder. There existed various causes of dis- content, which the intrigues of European policy might ripen into disgust. Those who shared in the public counsels were filled, therefore, with deep apprehension. The army, taught by years of painful experience, became a prey to sinister forebodings. Connected by the endearing ties of soldierly brotherhood, these gallant sons of freedom anticipated with horror the moment when they might be called on to unsheathe their fwords against each other : and pour, in impious libation, the purest of their blood upon the altars of civil war. Some of the more ardent spirits, smarting from the past, and fearing for the fu- ture, had formed a wish, that the army might be kept together, and (by its appearance) acce- lerate the adoption of an efficient government. The sentiment was patriotic the plan of doubtful completion the success uncertain but the prosped was fair if the CHIEF could be engaged. HE knew their wrongs ! He knew their worth ! He felt their apprehensions ! They had strong claims upon him, and those claims were strongly urged. Supreme power, with meretricious charms, courted his embrace; and 20 was clothed, to seduce him, in the robes of jus* tice. If, therefore, ambition had possesed a single corner of his heart, he might have deli- berated. But he was ever loyal. He bid a last adieu to the companions of his glory, and laid all his laurels at the feet of his country ! His fame was now complete, and it was per- mitted him to hope for ease in dignified retire- ment. Vain hope ! The defe&s of the Federal compaft are soon too deeply felt not to be ge- nerally acknowledged America dire&s a revi- sion by persons of her choice. He is their President. It is a question, previous to the first meeting, what course shall be pursued. Men of decided temper, who, devoted to the public, overlooked prudential considerations, thought a form of government should be framed en- tirely new. But cautious men, with whom popularity was an objeft, deemed it fit to con- sult and comply with the wishes of the people. AMERICANS ! let the opinion then delivered by the greatest and best of men, be ever present to your remembrance. He was colle&ed withia himself. His countenance had more than usual solemnity His eye was fixed, and seemed to look into futurity. " It is (said he) too proba* " ble that no plan we propose will be adopted* " Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be " sustained. If to please the people, we offer " what we ourselves disapprove, how can we