From Log-Cabin To The White House - free ebook by William Makepeace Thayer

THE LIFE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON HIS BOYHOOD, YOUTH, MANHOOD, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE AND SERVICES By William M. Thayer

Author of "From Log Cabin to White House," "From Pioneer Home to White House," "From Tannery to White House," "From Boyhood to Manhood," etc., etc....

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Log Cabin to White House Series.

From Boyhood to Manhood—Life of Benjamin Franklin. From Farm House to White House—Life of George Washington. From Log Cabin to White House—Life of James A. Garfield, with eulogy by Hon. James G. Blaine. From Pioneer Home to White House—Life of Abraham Lincoln, with eulogy by Hon. Geo. Bancroft. From Tannery to White House—Life of Ulysses S. Grant. From Ranch to White House—Life of Theodore Roosevelt. Price Post-Paid, 75¢. each, or $4.50 for the set. From Ranch to White House—Life of Theodore Roo

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PREFACE.

Every American, old or young, should become familiar with the life of Washington; it will confirm their patriotism and strengthen their loyalty. Such a character will become an inspiration to them, eliciting nobler aims, and impelling to nobler deeds. Washington himself wrote to his step-son, who was in college: "You are now extending into that stage of life when good or bad habits are formed; when the mind will be turned to things useful and praiseworthy or to dissipation and vice. Fix on which

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I ANCESTORS AND BIRTH.

More than two hundred years ago, when America was chiefly inhabited by Indians two brothers, in England, John and Lawrence Washington, resolved to remove hither. As they were not poor, doomed to eke out a miserable existence from a reluctant soil, it is supposed that politics was the immediate cause of their removal. It was during the reign of Cromwell, and he made it hot for his enemies. In 1655 a general insurrection was attempted, and the vengeance of Cromwell descended upon the heads of all

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II. BOYHOOD.

It is fortunate that the materials of Washington's early life were preserved by one who was rector of the Mount Vernon parish while members of the family and other friends survived. Rev. M. L. Weems ministered there seventy-five years ago, and he gathered information from a woman who was neighbor to the Washingtons in her childhood, and from John Fitzhugh, who was often with George in his early home. In addition, descendants of the family, who had fondly preserved valuable incidents of their ill

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III. SCHOOL-DAYS.

" We must come to some conclusion before long about Lawrence's education," remarked Mr. Washington to his wife. "It is certain that not much more can be done for him here." "He deserves and must have something better than the schools of this colony can give him," answered Mrs. Washington. "Besides, it will do the boy good to go from home, and mix in such cultivated society as he will have in England." They had often discussed the matter of sending Lawrence to England to be educated. The wealthie

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IV. METHOD AND THOROUGHNESS.

" These are finely done," remarked Lawrence Washington to George, after an examination of the maps, copy-books, and writing-books, which George brought with him from Mr. Williams' school. "It would be difficult for any one to excel them." "It takes considerable time to do them," remarked George. "It takes time to do anything well ," responded Lawrence, "but the habit is worth everything to you." "That is what Mr. Williams says," answered George. "He talks to the boys often about doing things wel

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V. FOUR INCIDENTS AND THEIR LESSONS.

Certain incidents occurred in the young life of our hero, which so forcibly illustrate leading elements of his character that we stop here to record them. His father came home one day so sick that he took to his bed at once. It was a severe attack of an old complaint, which he had vainly tried to remove. "You must have the doctor," said Mrs. Washington, somewhat alarmed by the severity of the attack. "Wait a little, and see," replied her husband; "perhaps the usual remedies will relieve me." He

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VI. HIS MOTHER.

" Obedience and truthfulness are cardinal virtues to be cultivated," remarked Mrs. Washington to her husband, with whom she frequently discussed the subject of family government. "No son or daughter can form a reliable character without them." "There can be no question about that," answered Mr. Washington; "and for that reason these virtues are just as necessary for the state as they are for the family; reliable citizens cannot be made without them any more than reliable sons and daughters." "I

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VII. YOUNG SURVEYOR.

" George can make his home with me, now that his school-days are over," said Lawrence to his mother, anxious to keep his young brother in his own family at Mount Vernon. "But I need him more than you do," objected Mrs. Washington; "you can hardly imagine how I miss him." "So do we miss him when he is not here," responded Lawrence. "George is good company, as much so as a man of twenty-five years of age. I want very much that he should make his home with me." "I thought he might be of service to

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VIII. MILITARY HONORS.

" There is a chance for you, George, in the reorganization of the militia," remarked Lawrence, who was personally interested in a movement to improve the soldiery of Virginia. "What chance?" George asked. "For an appointment as my successor. The state of my health makes my resignation necessary, and you are competent to take charge of my district." "My youth will prevent that." "Not necessarily. Youth will not weigh so much against you as a competency will do for you. Qualifications for the plac

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IX. MISSION TO THE FRENCH.

Washington left Williamsburg on the thirty-first day of October, 1753. He proceeded to Fredericksburg, where Van Braam joined him, thence to Alexandria and Winchester for supplies and horses, but did not arrive at Will's Creek, where Mr. Gist and others of the party were found, until Nov. 14. "Now we must depend on you, Mr. Gist, to pilot us through the wilderness," said Washington. "My knowledge of the way ends about where yours begins, I suspect; so we shall commit ourselves to your care." "We

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X. FRENCH MISSION—(Continued.)

Monsieur La Force and three other soldiers accompanied Washington to see the commander at the next fort. The French officers resorted to various stratagems to prevent Tanacharisson, Jeskakake, White Thunder, and the Hunter going with Washington. The latter understood very well that their object was to have an opportunity to win them over to the French. But Washington insisted upon their going with him, and rebuked Captain Joncaire for his meddlesome disposition. They were four days on their way

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XI. HIS FIRST BATTLE.

Washington's report concerning the designs of the French created intense excitement in Virginia and the neighboring Colonies. Governor Dinwiddie could see no other way to maintain the dignity of his government than by a resort to arms. He so reported to his Majesty the King of England. The excitement there became even greater than it was in America. Everybody wanted to fight to vindicate the nation's honor. The popular conversation was a declaration of war against the French. The British Governm

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XII. ON GENERAL BRADDOCK'S STAFF.

With the quite liberal provisions now made for the public service, Governor Dinwiddie resolved to increase the army to ten companies of one hundred men each, and capture Fort Duquesne at once. He sent for Washington, now twenty-two years of age, and laid his plan before him. "It will prove disastrous," was Washington's prompt answer, to the surprise of the governor. "You surprise me!" rejoined the governor. "With a thousand men I thought the fort could easily be captured." "But you do not take i

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XIII. ON THE FRONTIER.

Washington's advice to Colonel Dunbar was: "Reorganize and march upon Duquesne. That fort can be captured by strategy." "I can do nothing with an army so demoralized as this," replied Dunbar. "We may as well consider this campaign ended. Our force is now too much reduced to capture Duquesne." "Nevertheless I believe that this defeat may be turned into victory," added Washington. "At any rate I am not in favor of utterly abandoning the attempt." "Better that than to make a second attempt and fail

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XIV. A RIFT IN THE CLOUD.

" The people are disheartened," said Washington to Mr. Fairfax, "and we need successes to inspire hope within them. But this can never be until the king's officers understand how to fight Indians." "That is true, no doubt, but I have more hope that General Abercrombie will do something effective for this part of the country," answered Fairfax. "General Loudoun had more than his hands full to look after the troops at the north, so that he could give little attention to our claims." "I wish that i

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XV. HIS WIFE AND HOME.

Washington renounced military life to claim his bride. He was married at the "White House" on the 6th of January, 1759, a few weeks before his twenty-seventh birthday. Mrs. Custis was three months younger than the bridegroom. At seventeen years of age, Miss Martha Dandridge (for such was her maiden name) was a gay and beautiful belle, having many suitors, upon none of whom she looked favorably, except Colonel Daniel Parke Custis, son of Hon. John Custis of Arlington. To him she was married in 17

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XVI. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.

During the fifteen years of Washington's peaceful abode at Mount Vernon, public affairs were hastening to a crisis. The "Seven Years' War," beginning with Washington's attack upon De Jumonville, and ending with the surrender of Montreal and all Canada, and the signing of the treaty of peace at Fontainbleau, in 1763, had closed; but greater things awaited the colonists in the future. Scarcely had the people settled down in the enjoyment of peace when an insurrection broke out among the Indian tri

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XVII. IN THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.

" There is no time to lose," remarked Adams to Washington. "Letters to me from Generals Warren and Ward insist that the undisciplined army cannot be kept together much longer without the aid of Congress; and Congress has done the best thing it could for the army in appointing you to its command." "I shall lose no time in preparations to take command of the army," replied Washington. "I shall repair to Cambridge at once." "Without returning to Mount Vernon?" "Yes; that would consume too much time

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XVIII. DEFENDING NEW YORK.

" What next?" inquired General Putnam. "That is a difficult question to answer until I know General Howe's destination," replied Washington. "Then you don't think he is going home?" continued Putnam facetiously. "Not yet, though I wish he might; then I would go home, too." "But seriously, where do you think he is going?" urged Putnam. "I fear that he is bound to New York, for that is a port more important to him than even Boston." Washington spoke as if he were greatly perplexed. "Well," added P

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XIX. FROM HARLEM TO TRENTON.

Washington withdrew his army to White Plains, leaving nearly three thousand of his best troops to garrison Fort Washington. Congress believed that Fort Washington could hold the Hudson secure, and therefore ordered that a strong garrison be left there. It was not according to General Washington's idea, after he decided to retreat to White Plains, but he yielded to the request of Congress. General Putnam's obstructions in the river amounted to little. Four galleys, mounted with heavy guns and swi

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XX. BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON.

Washington was so anxious for the safety of Philadelphia, that he appointed General Putnam to command the post, with instructions to fortify the city at once. At the same time he advised Congress to remove to Baltimore; and that body, after hastily completing the business before them, adjourned to meet in the latter city on the 20th of December. By this time his army numbered about five thousand available men. One thousand militia from New Jersey, and fifteen hundred from Pennsylvania, with five

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XXI. DEFEAT AND VICTORY.

The plan of the British for 1777 was, for General Howe, with twenty thousand men, to land at the head of Elk River, and march north through Philadelphia; while General Burgoyne, starting from Canada with ten thousand men, should march south to meet Howe, rallying both Tories and Indians to his standard. The militia of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Northern Virginia were called out to defend Philadelphia; and Washington advanced to Wilmington. In order to impress the Tories of Philadelphia, he marc

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XXII. CLOSE OF THE WAR.

The treason of Arnold in 1780 contributed, on the whole, to the fidelity of the army in 1781. The poorest soldier in the ranks scorned "to become an Arnold." Washington placed Arnold in command at West Point in 1780. Arnold had long been interceding for the position, and it was found subsequently that he had been in treasonable correspondence with the British commander fifteen months when he assumed command of that post. The correspondence was commenced voluntarily by Arnold, and was conducted o

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XXIII. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

" Now we must follow up this grand victory with harder blows," remarked Washington to Lafayette. "Then you do not believe the war is ended yet?" Lafayette replied inquiringly. "Of course not. The king will not yield to 'rebels' so willingly as that. We must concentrate our entire force upon New York now." "Every lover of his country ought to be stimulated to greater deeds now," added Lafayette. "And Congress ought to respond promptly and liberally to the demands of the hour," said Washington. "T

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FAREWELL ADDRESS.

Friends and Fellow-Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprize you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the

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XXIV. DEATH, AND FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

In December, 1799, there came a cold, bleak morning, with drizzling rain and sleet. "I would not go out this uncomfortable day," Mrs. Washington said to her husband, observing that he was preparing to go out to his daily task. "It is not much of a storm," Washington replied. "Besides, I have a piece of work under way that I must superintend." "I fear that you will take cold," continued Mrs. Washington. "Sitting at the fire is more fitting for a man of your age than exposing yourself in such a st

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XXV. EULOGY BY GENERAL HENRY LEE.

In obedience to your will, I rise, your humble organ, with the hope of executing a part of the system of public mourning which you have been pleased to adopt, commemorative of the death of the most illustrious and most beloved personage this country has ever produced; and which, while it transmits to posterity your sense of the awful event, faintly represents your knowledge of the consummate excellence you so cordially honor. Desperate, indeed, is any attempt on earth to meet correspondently thi

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BOY INVENTORS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH. Blest with natural curiosity,—sometimes called the instinct of investigation,—favored with golden opportunity, and gifted with creative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrive mechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because they always "work" when put to the test. THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN. As thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort and f

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BORDER BOYS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL. What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios—that is the problem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete, face in this exciting tale. THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER. Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean River and its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in running the gauntlet," and you will feel that not even the ancient splendors of the

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BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE BUNGALOW BOYS. How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained the right to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative for lively boys. THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS. A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken Spanish galleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot and a devil fish, and you have the

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MOTOR RANGERS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE MOTOR RANGERS' LOST MINE. This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor car in the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly impossible "stunts," and yet everything happens "in the nick of time." THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS. Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure make exciting times for the Motor Rangers—yet there is a strong flavor of fun and freedom, with a typic

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DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE. Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces the reader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modern warfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of Uncle Sam's sailors. THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER. In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is tested in a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the South Ameri

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MOTOR MAIDS SERIES

Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50¢. per vol., postpaid THE MOTOR MAIDS' SCHOOL DAYS. Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic girl to be successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car, as she did her class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time did they have all together. The road over which she ran her red machine had many an unexpected turning,—now it led her into peculiar danger; now into contact with strange travelers; and again into experiences by

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