| Citation |
SG(H.782.002
3 Jan 1782:41,42 (1/12)
Annapolis, November 14. On Friday last our illustrious and
beloved Commander in Chief left this city, attended by
innumerable prayers for his health, safety, and happiness .
. . [5 lines] On his appearance in the streets, people of
every rank and every age eagerly pressed forward to feed
their eyes with gazing on the man, to whom, under
providence, and the generous aid of our great and good ally,
they owed their present security, and their hope of future
liberty and peace: The courteous affability with which he
returned their salutes, lighted up ineffable joy in every
countenance, and diffused the most animated gratitude
through every breast.
You would have thought the very windows spoke,
So many greedy looks of young and old
Through casements darted their desiring eyes
Upon his visage; and that all the walls,
With painted imagery, had said at once,
God save thee, Washington.
. . . [20 lines: arrival, evening, next day-dinner]
In the evening the city was beautifully illuminated, and an
assembly prepared for the ladies, to afford them and
opportunity of beholding their friend, and thanking their
protector with their smiles. His Excellency, to gratify the
wishes of the fair, crowned the entertainment with his
presence, and with graceful dignity and familiar ease so
framed his looks, his gestures, and his words, that every
heart o'erflowed with gratitude and love, and every tongue
grew wanton in his praise. When he retired from the
assembly, this was the universal language:
Unrival'd and unmatch'd shall be his fame,
And his own laurels shade his envied name.
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