But Washington directed the new ship of state so that it suffered no harm. When it looked as though we should have another war with England, he wisely preserved peace. So well were the people satisfied that they made him president a second time. When they offered him the office for a third term he refused. Thousands gathered to see him leave the capital. As he gave them his final farewell, tears rolled down his cheeks, and men cried like children.
Death in 1799
He was glad to get back to Mount Vernon, for he had grown old and weary in serving his country. He spent his remaining years among the scenes he loved so well. There he died in 1799, mourned as a father by the whole people.
SUGGESTIONS INTENDED TO HELP THE PUPIL
The Leading Facts. 1. Washington was born on the Potomac, spent his early days on the Rappahannock, and went to school at Fredericksburg. 2. He learned many things outside of school, such as horseback riding, fox hunting, and how to find his way in the deep forests. 3. He became a surveyor in the Shenandoah for Lord Fairfax. 4. Governor Dinwiddie sent Washington to order the French to leave the Ohio. 5. Washington joined Braddock's campaign against the French, and in the battle tried to save the army. 6. Washington married young Mrs. Martha Custis, and was elected to the House of Burgesses. 7. Heard Patrick Henry's fiery speech, went to first Continental Congress, and the second Congress made him commander over the Continental army. 8. Washington drove the British out of Boston, outwitted them around New York, retreated across the Jerseys, and then beat them at Trenton and Princeton, 9. He fought at Brandywine, suffered at Valley Forge, penned the British up in New York, and finally captured Cornwallis at Yorktown. 10. Washington gave up his command and retired to Mount Vernon, but was called to be the first president of the new republic.
Study Questions. 1. Who was Washington's father and where did he meet Washington's mother? 2. What was a plantation and why so large? 3. What things did Washington love to do besides study? 4. Why did George make a good captain? 5. Picture the yearly ship from London at Mount Vernon. 6. Who was Lord Fairfax and what did he engage Washington to do? 7. What did Washington do at Greenway Court? 8. Why was Washington chosen for the mission to the French, and what was the result? 9. What were the preliminary events before the great war? 10. Picture Braddock's defeat. 11. How old was Washington when he first visited Boston? 12. How did he become so rich? 13. What news did Washington bring back to Mount Vernon in 1765? 14. Who went to Congress with George Washington, and how did a member speak of him? 15. What did he learn at Congress? 16. Picture the scene in the second Congress. 17. Describe the trip to Boston. 18. What task did he set before himself, and how did he accomplish it? 19. How did Washington outwit Howe? 20. Who was Nathan Hale? 21. What discouraged the Americans? 22. Picture the surprise and capture of the Hessians. 23. How did Washington outwit Cornwallis? 24. What effect did these victories have? 25. What sort of a time did the soldiers spend at Valley Forge? 26. Who was Steuben, and what did he do? 27. How did Lafayette aid Washington? 28. Picture the surrounding and capture of Cornwallis. 29. What changes had the war made in Virginia? 30. In what way did Congress honor Lafayette? 31. Picture Washington's journey to New York.
Suggested Readings. Washington: Cooke, Stories of the Old Dominion, 94-139; Blaisdell and Ball, Hero Stories from American History, 62-76, 123-155; Hart, Camps and Firesides of the Revolution, 239-255, 261-266, 307-309; Glascock, Stories of Columbia, 101-113; Baldwin, Four Great Americans, 9-68; Hart, How our Grandfathers Lived, 45-47; Mabie, Heroes Every Child Should Know, 274-288; Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair, 186-191; Magell, Stories from Virginia History, 56-78, 79-94; Brooks, True Story of Lafayette; Wister, The Seven Ages of Washington; Mace, George Washington: A Virginia Cavalier.