Upon hearing that the French fleet was on its way to the Chesapeake, Washington thought out a brilliant scheme. This was to march his army as quickly and as secretly as possible to Yorktown, a distance of 400 miles, there to join Lafayette and to co-operate with the French fleet in the capture of Cornwallis. The scheme succeeded so well that Cornwallis surrendered his entire army of 8,000 men on October 19, 1781.
This was the last battle of the war, although the treaty of peace was not signed until 1783. By that treaty the Americans won their independence from England. The country which they could now call their own extended from Canada to Florida, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River.
Washington, tired of war, was glad to become a Virginia planter once more. But he was not permitted to live in quiet. After his retirement from the army his home became, as he himself said, a well-resorted tavern. Two years after the close of the Revolution he wrote in his diary: "Dined with only Mrs. Washington, which I believe is the first instance of it since my retirement from public life."
When, on the formation of the Constitution of the United States, the American people looked about for a President, all eyes naturally turned to George Washington. He was elected without opposition and was inaugurated at New York, then the capital of the United States, on April 30, 1789.
Washington's Home—Mount Vernon.
His life as President was one of dignity and elegance. It was his custom to pay no calls and accept no invitations, but between three and four o'clock on every Tuesday afternoon he held a public reception. On such occasions he appeared in court-dress, with powdered hair, yellow gloves in his hand, a long sword in a scabbard of white polished leather at his side, and a cocked hat under his arm. Standing with his right hand behind him, he bowed formally as each guest was presented to him.
After serving two terms as President with great success he again retired in 1797 to private life at Mount Vernon. Here he died on December 14, 1799, at the age of sixty-seven, loved and honored by the American people.
REVIEW OUTLINE
Washington at Mount Vernon.
The plantation in Virginia.
The planter's mansion and its surroundings.
Virginia hospitality.
Modes of travel.
Washington's working habits.
Appointed commander-in-chief of the American troops.
General Washington and his army.
The British driven from Boston.
Washington goes to New York.
Battle of Long Island.
Washington's escape from Long Island.
The traitor Lee disobeys Washington.
Washington retreats across New Jersey.
A gloomy outlook.
A terrible night followed by a glorious victory.
The British plans in 1777.
General Howe fails to do his part.
Burgoyne's surrender; aid from France.
Washington at Valley Forge.
The surrender of Cornwallis; treaty of peace.
Washington as president.