the subject, but at length all the states, except Rhode Island, agreed to choose members for a convention to plan a better form of national government. Virginia placed Washington first on the list of members, and when the governor, Mr. Randolph, informed him of this, he said, "I entreat you to accept the unanimous appointment of the General Assembly to the Convention at Philadelphia; for the gloomy prospect still admits one ray of hope, that those who began, carried on, and consummated the revolution, can yet rescue America from the impending ruin."

On the second Monday in May, 1787, the Convention met at Philadelphia, and chose Washington as its president; and after long and serious consultation on the important subject, that Constitution was formed under which, by the favour of a gracious Providence, the United States have become so prosperous, and the American nation so happy and respectable. It was signed by the delegates from twelve states, on the 17th of September, in the same year; and so soon as it was made known to the people, they were all of one opinion, that Washington was the man most worthy to be the President of the United States. One of his friends, Colonel Lee, who had an opportunity of hearing the wishes which were universally expressed by his countrymen, wrote to Wash

ington, to entreat that he would not suffer his love of private life to prevent his consenting to engage again in public duties; and added, "If the same success should attend your efforts on this important occasion which has distinguished you hitherto, then to be sure you will have spent a life which Providence rarely, if ever, gave to the lot of one man."

The ardent La Fayette wrote to Washing ton on the subject, and in his reply he said,

If I know my own heart, nothing short of a conviction of duty will induce me again to take an active part in public affairs. And in that case, if I can form a plan for my own conduct, my endeavours shall be unremittingly exerted (even at the hazard of former fame or present popularity) to extricate my country from the embarrassments in which it is entangled through want of credit; and to establish a general system of policy, which, if pursued, will ensure perfect felicity to the commonwealth. I think I see a path clear as a ray of light, which leads to the attainment of that object."

When the votes for the first president of the United States were given, not one was wanting to prove that Washington was the unanimous choice of the people.

On the 14th of April, 1789, the fifty-seventh year of his age, Congress informed him of his appointment, and he accepted it,

serve them.

because it was the call of his countrymen to On this occasion, he wrote to one of his friends sentiments which showed the dignity and modesty of his character; he said, "I am unwilling in the evening of a life, nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an ocean of difficulties, without the competency of political skill, abilities and inclination, which are necessary to manage the helm. I am sensible that I am embarking the voice of the people and a good name of my own, on this voyage; but what returns will be made for them, Heaven alone can foretell,-integrity and firmness are all I can promise; these, be the voyage long or short, shall never forsake me, although I may be deserted by all men; for of the consolations which are to be derived from these under any circumstances, the world cannot deprive me." He knew that fickle men might withdraw the honours which they had given to him, but virtue, the gift of his adored Creator, he felt man had no power to take from him.

He visited his respected mother to inform her of his appointment. He had endeavoured to prevail on her to make Mount Vernon the home of her latter years; but she would not consent to leave her humble dwelling, which was particularly dear to her from having near it a rural spot, made private by surrounding rocks and trees, where she

daily offered to her Creator her confessions and prayers. When her son told her he must bid her farewell, he said, "As soon as the weight of public business, which must necessarily attend the outset of a new government, can be disposed of, I shall return to Virginia, and"—"You will see me no more," said his mother, interrupting him, "My great age warns me, that I shall not be long in this world, I trust in God that I may be somewhat prepared for a better. Go, George, go my son! and perform your duties, and may the blessing of God, and that of a mother, be with you always." She cast her feeble arms fondly around his neck, and resting his head on the shoulder of his aged parent, the truly great man shed tears of filial tenderness.

He parted from her with the sad feeling that he should indeed "see her no more, 99 and in a short time, her eighty-five years of life closed in death; but her son could have the comforting hope, that she would be one of those happy beings to whom the word of truth gives the assurance, that after passing through the dark valley of the shadow of death," where the Christian need "fear no evil," they shall partake of those sinless and endless enjoyments which "God hath prepared for them that love him.”

CHAPTER X.

In the middle of April, when his ploughs were busy furrowing his well cultured corn ground,-when his

1789.

grain and grass fields were clothed with fresh green, and his orchard was full of blossoms, which gave a fragrant promise of an abundance of good fruit, Washington was called by duty to bid farewell to his farm. He set off for New-York, the seat of government, and in the journal, which it was always his custom to keep, he wrote at the close of that day, thus: "About ten o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New-York,-with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations."

His neighbours, and the citizens of Alexandria assembled, and met him on the road to attend him to that place where they invited him to eat a parting dinner with them. When he was leaving them to proceed on his journey, they said in their affectionate address to him, "Again your country com