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CHAP. I. seminary of learning established in the vicinity of each river.

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General Washington felt too strong an interest in the success of these works, to refuse the presidency of the companies instituted for their completion. In conducting the affairs of the Potomac company, he took an active part: to that formed for opening the navigation of the James, he could only give his counsel. These were not the only institutions which occasionally drew the farmer of Mount Vernon from his retreat, and continued him in the public view.

Of the sentiments with which the officers of the American army contemplated a final separation from each other, those only can be incapable of forming an idea, who are strangers to the choicest feelings of the human heart. Companions in virtuous suffering, in danger, and in glory; attached to each other by common exertions made in a severe struggle for the attainment of a common object; to part forever, they deemed a calamity too affecting to be supported. The means of perpetuating those friendships which had been formed, and of renewing that endearing social intercourse which had taken place in camp, were universally desired. Perhaps too that esprit de corps which, identifying the individual with the community, transfers to the aggregate of the society a portion of that self love which is felt by every private person, and which inspires the members with a repugnance to the dissolution of the political, not unlike in effect to that which is excited at the dissolution of the natural body, was

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not without its influence in suggesting some ex- CHAP, I. pedient which might preserve the memory of 1783 the army, while it cheered the officers who were on the point of separating, with the hope that the separation would not be eternal: that at distant intervals, they might still communicate with each other that the bonds by which they were connected would not be totally dissolved: and that for many beneficial purposes, the patriots of the American army would still form. one great society.

This idea was suggested by general Knox, and matured in a meeting composed of the generals, and of deputies from the regiments, at which major general the baron Steuben presided. An agreement was then entered into, by which the officers were to constitute themselves into one society of friends, to endure as long as they should endure, or any of their eldest male posterity; and in failure thereof, any collateral branches who might be judged worthy of becoming its supporters and members, were to be admitted into it. To mark their veneration for Establishthat celebrated Roman between whose situation society of the and their own they found some similitude, they of which he were to be denominated, "the society of the president. cincinnati." Individuals of the respective states, distinguished for their patriotism and abilities, might be admitted,as honorary members for life, provided their numbers should at no time exceed a ratio of one to four.

The society was to be designated by a medal of gold representing the American eagle bearing on its breast the devices of the order, which was to

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ment of the

Cincinnati,

is elected

CHAP. I. be suspended by a deep blue ribbon edged with 1783 white, descriptive of the union of America and

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France. To the ministers who had represented his most christian majesty at Philadelphia, to the admirals who had commanded in the American seas, to the count de Rochambeau, and the generals and colonels of the French troops who had served in the United States, the insignia of the order were to be presented; and they were to be invited to consider themselves as members of the society, at the head of which the commander in chief was respectfully solicited to place his name. An incessant attention on the part of the members to the preservation of the exalted rights and liberties of human nature for which they had fought and bled, and an unalterable determination to promote and cherish between the respective states, union and national honour, were declared to be the immutable principles of the society; and its objects were, to perpetuate the remembrance of the American revolution, as well as cordial affection and the spirit of brotherly kindness among the officers; and to extend acts of beneficence to those officers and their families, whose situation might require assistance. To give effect to the charitable object of the institution, a common fund was to be created by the deposit of one month's pay on the part of every officer becoming a member: the product of which fund, after defraying certain necessary charges, was to be sacredly appropriated to this humane purpose.

The military gentlemen of each state were to constitute a distinct society, deputies from which

were to assemble triennially, in order to form a general meeting for the regulation of general

concerns.

Without experiencing any open opposition, this institution was carried into complete effect; and its honours, especially by the foreign officers, were sought with great avidity. But soon after it was organized, those jealousies which in its first moments had been concealed, burst forth into open view. In October 1783, a pamphlet was published by Mr. Burk of South Carolina, for the purpose of rousing the apprehensions of the public, and of directing its resentments against the society. Perceiving in the cincinnati the foundation of a hereditary order, whose base, from associating with the military the chiefs of the powerful families in each state, would acquire a degree of solidity and strength admitting of any superstructure, he pourtrayed, in that fervid and infectious language which is the genuine offspring of passion, the dangers to result from the fabric which would be erected on it. The ministers of the United States too in Europe, and the political theorists who cast their eyes towards the west for support to favourite systems, having the privileged orders constantly in view, were loud in their condemnations of an institution from which a race of nobles was expected to spring. Throughout every state the alarm was spread, and a high degree of jealousy pervaded the mass of the people. In Massachussetts, the subject was even taken up by the legislature, and it was well understood that in congress, the society was viewed

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CHAP. I. with secret disapprobation. "What are the sen 1783 timents of congress on this subject," said a member of that body in answer to inquiries made by the late commander in chief, "and what line they will pursue, can only be stated conjecturally. Congress as a body, if left to themselves will, in my opinion, say nothing on the subject. They may however be forced into a declaration by instructions from some of the states, or by other incidents. Their sentiments, if forced from them, will be unfriendly to the institution. If permitted to pursue their own track, they will check it by side blows whenever it comes in their way; and in competitions for office on equal or nearly equal ground, will give silent preferences to those who are not of the fraternity." It was impossible for general Washington to view with indifference this state of the public feeling. Bound to the officers of his army by the strictest ties of esteem and affection, conscious of their merits, and assured of their attachment to his person, he was alive to every thing which might affect their reputation, or their interests. However innocent the institution might be in itself, or however laudable its real objects, if the impression it made on the public mind was such as to draw a line of distinction between the military men of America and their fellow citizens, he was earnest in his wishes to adopt such measures as would efface that impression. However ill founded the public prejudices might be, he thought this a case in which they ought to be respected; and if it should be found impracticable to convince the people that

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