American Leaders and Heroes Part 19

3. What simple ways of living did Franklin adopt when he was trying hard to pay his debts?

4. Memorize the "Rules of Conduct" and the six homely maxims.

5. Tell about Franklin's experiment with the kite. What great discovery did he make at this time?

6. What did Franklin have to do with the following: the Stamp Act; the Declaration of Independence; securing aid from France?

7. How was he treated by the French people and their King?

CHAPTER XVI

George Was.h.i.+ngton the Virginia Planter and the Revolutionary Soldier

[1732-1799]

[Ill.u.s.tration: George Was.h.i.+ngton.]

We left George Was.h.i.+ngton at Mount Vernon, his extensive plantation on the Virginia bank of the Potomac River. After his marriage with Mrs.

Custis, who had large property of her own, Was.h.i.+ngton became a man of much wealth. He was at one time one of the largest landholders in America. As a manager of all this property, he had much to do. Let us delay our story a little to get a glimpse of the life led by him and other Virginia planters of his time.

The plantations were scattered along the rivers, sometimes many miles apart, with densely wooded stretches of land lying between. Each planter had his own wharf whence vessels, once a year, carried away his tobacco to England, and brought back in exchange whatever manufactured goods he required.

Nearly all his needs could be supplied at his wharf or on his plantation. His slaves included not only workers in large tobacco-fields, but such skilled workmen as millers, weavers, tailors, wheelwrights, coopers, shoemakers, and carpenters. Was.h.i.+ngton said to his overseers, "Buy nothing that you can make within yourselves."

Indeed, each plantation was a little world in itself. Hence towns containing shops with goods and supplies of various kinds did not spring up much in Virginia.

The mansion of the planter, built of brick or wood and having at either end a huge chimney, was two stories high, with a large veranda outside and a wide hall-way inside. Near by were the storehouses, barns, workshops, and slave quarters. These last consisted of simple wooden cabins surrounded by gardens, where the negroes raised such things as vegetables and water-melons for their own use. In fact, the mansion and all the buildings cl.u.s.tered about it looked like a village. Here we could have seen, at all hours of the day, swarms of negro children playing happily together.

The planter spent most of his time in the open air, with his dogs and his horses. Was.h.i.+ngton gave to his horses rather fanciful names, such as Ajax, Blueskin, Valiant, and Magnolia, and to his dogs, Vulcan, Sweetlips, Ringwood, Forrester, and Rockwood. Out-door recreations included fis.h.i.+ng, shooting, and horse-racing.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Was.h.i.+ngton's Coach.]

Although life on the plantation was without luxury, there was everywhere a plain and homely abundance. Visitors were sure to meet a cordial welcome. It was no uncommon thing for a planter to entertain an entire family for weeks, and then to pay a similar visit in return with his own family. Social life absorbed much of Was.h.i.+ngton's time at Mount Vernon, where visitors were nearly always present. The planter, often living many miles away from any other human habitation, was only too glad to have a traveller spend the night with him and give news of the outside world. Such a visit was somewhat like the coming of the newspaper into our homes to-day.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Stage Coach of the Eighteenth Century.]

We must remember that travelling was no such simple and easy matter then as it is now. As the planters in Virginia usually lived on the banks of one of the many rivers, the simplest method of travel was by boat, up or down stream. There were cross-country roads, but these at best were rough, and sometimes full of roots and stumps. Often they were nothing more than forest paths. In trying to follow such roads the traveller at times lost his way and occasionally had to spend a night in the woods.

But with even such makes.h.i.+fts for roads, the planter had his lumbering old coach to which, on state occasions, he harnessed six horses and drove in great style.

Was.h.i.+ngton was in full sympathy with this life, and threw himself heartily into the work of managing his immense property. He lived up to his favorite motto, "If you want a thing done, do it yourself." He kept his own books, and looked with exactness after the smallest details.

He was indeed one of the most methodical of men, and thus accomplished a marvellous amount of work. By habit an early riser, he was often up before daylight in winter. On such occasions he kindled his own fire and read or worked by the light of a candle. At seven in summer and at eight in winter he sat down to a simple breakfast, consisting of two cups of tea, and hoe-cakes made of Indian meal. After breakfast he rode on horseback over his plantation to look after his slaves, often spending much of the day in the saddle superintending the work. At two he ate dinner, early in the evening he took tea, and at nine o'clock went to bed.

As he did not spare himself, he expected faithful service from everyone.

But to his many slaves he was a kind master, and he took good care of the sick or feeble. It may be a comfort to some of us to learn that Was.h.i.+ngton was fonder of active life than of reading books, for which he never seemed to get much time. But he was even less fond of public speaking. Like some other great men, he found it difficult to stand up before a body of people and make a speech. After his term of service in the French and Indian War he was elected to the House of Burgesses, where he received a vote of thanks for his brave military services.

Rising to reply, Was.h.i.+ngton stood blus.h.i.+ng and stammering, without being able to say a word. The Speaker, equal to the occasion, said with much grace, "Sit down, Mr. Was.h.i.+ngton, your modesty equals your valor, and that surpa.s.ses the power of any language to express."

While for many years after the close of the Last French War this modest, home-loving man was living the life of a high-bred Virginia gentleman, the exciting events which finally brought on the Revolution were stirring men's souls to heroic action. It was natural, in these trying days, that his countrymen should look for guidance and inspiration to George Was.h.i.+ngton, who had been so conspicuous a leader in the Last French War.

He represented Virginia at the first meeting of the Continental Congress in 1774, going to Philadelphia in company with Patrick Henry and others.

He was also a delegate from his colony at the second meeting of the Continental Congress in May, 1775. On being elected by this body Commander-in-Chief of the American army, he at once thanked the members for the election, and added, "I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with." He also refused to receive any salary for his services, but said he would keep an account of the expenses he might incur, in order that these might be paid back to him.

On the 21st of June Was.h.i.+ngton set out on horseback from Philadelphia, in company with a small body of hors.e.m.e.n, to take command of the American army around Boston. Not long after starting they met a messenger bringing in haste the news of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Was.h.i.+ngton eagerly asked, "Did the Americans stand the fire of the regular troops?" "Yes," was the proud answer. "Then," cried Was.h.i.+ngton, gladly, "the liberties of the country are safe!"

Three days later, about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, he reached New York, where he met with a royal welcome. Riding in an open carriage drawn by two white horses, he pa.s.sed through the streets, escorted by nine companies of soldiers on foot. Along the route the people, old and young, received him with enthusiasm. At New Haven the Yale College students came out in a body, keeping step to the music of a band of which Noah Webster, the future lexicographer, then a freshman, was the leader. On July 2d, after arriving at the camp in Cambridge, Was.h.i.+ngton received an equally enthusiastic welcome from the soldiers.

Next day General Was.h.i.+ngton rode out on horseback and, under the famous elm still standing near Harvard University, drew his sword and took command of the American army. He was then forty-three years old, with a tall, manly form and a n.o.ble face. He was good to look at as he sat there, a perfect picture of manly strength and dignity, wearing an epaulet on each shoulder, a broad band of blue silk across his breast, and a three-cornered hat with the c.o.c.kade of liberty in it.

Now came the labor of getting his troops into good condition for fighting battles, for his army was one only in name. These untrained men were brave and willing, but without muskets and without powder, they were in no condition for making war on a well-equipped enemy.

Moreover, the army had no cannon, without which it could not hope to succeed in an attack upon the British troops in Boston. By using severe measures, however, Was.h.i.+ngton soon brought about much better discipline.

But with no powder and no cannon, he had to let the autumn and the winter slip by before making any effort to drive the British army out of Boston. When cannon and other supplies were at last brought down from Ticonderoga on sledges drawn by oxen, the alert American General fortified Dorchester Heights, which overlooked the city, and forced the English commander to sail away with all his army.

Was.h.i.+ngton believed that the next movement of the British would be to get control of the Hudson River and the Middle States. So he went promptly to New York in order to defend it against attack. But still his army was weak in numbers as well as in provisions, equipment, and training.

Was.h.i.+ngton had only about 18,000 men to meet General Howe, who soon arrived off Staten Island with a large fleet and 30,000 men. Not knowing where the British General would strike first, Was.h.i.+ngton had to be on his guard at many points. He had to prepare a defence of a line of twenty miles. He also built, on opposite sides of the Hudson River just above New York, Forts Lee and Was.h.i.+ngton.

When Brooklyn Heights, on Long Island, had been fortified, General Putnam went with half the army to occupy them. On August 27th General Howe, with something like 20,000 men, attacked a part of these forces and defeated them. If he had continued the battle by marching at once against the remainder, he might have captured all that part of Was.h.i.+ngton's army under Putnam's command. He might, also, have captured Was.h.i.+ngton himself, who, during the heat of the battle, had crossed over to Long Island.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Map Ill.u.s.trating the Battle of Long Island.]

If Howe had done this, he might have ended the war at one stroke. But his men had fought hard at the end of a long night-march and needed rest. Besides, he thought it would be easy enough to capture the Americans without undue haste. For how could they escape? Soon the British vessels would sail up and get between them and New York, when, of course, escape for Was.h.i.+ngton and his men would be impossible. This all seemed so clear to the easy-going General Howe that he gave his tired men a rest after the battle on the 27th. On the 28th a heavy rain fell, and on the 29th a dense fog covered the island.

But before midday of the 29th some American officers riding down toward the sh.o.r.e, noticed an unusual stir in the British fleet. Boats were going to and fro, as if carrying orders. "Very likely," said these officers to Was.h.i.+ngton, "the English vessels are to sail up between New York and Long Island, to cut off our retreat." As that was also Was.h.i.+ngton's opinion, he secured all the boats he could find for the purpose of trying to make an escape during the night.

It was a desperate undertaking. There were 10,000 men, and the width of the river at the point of crossing was nearly a mile. It would seem hardly possible that such a movement could, in a single night, be made without discovery by the British troops, who were lying in camp but a short distance away. The night must have been a long and anxious one for Was.h.i.+ngton, who stayed at his post of duty on the Long Island sh.o.r.e until the last boat of the retreating army had pushed off. The escape was a brilliant achievement and saved the American cause.

But this was only the beginning of Was.h.i.+ngton's troubles in this memorable year, 1776. As the British now occupied Brooklyn Heights, which overlooked New York, the Americans could not hold that place, and in a short time they had to withdraw, fighting stubbornly as they slowly retreated. Was.h.i.+ngton crossed over to the Jersey side of the Hudson, and left General Charles Lee with half the army at North Castle. The British captured Forts Lee and Was.h.i.+ngton, with 3,000 men, inflicting a severe loss upon the American cause. The outlook was gloomy, but more trying events were to follow.

In order to prevent the British from capturing Philadelphia, Was.h.i.+ngton put his army between them and that city. The British began to move upon him. Needing every soldier that he could get, he sent orders to General Lee to join him. Lee refused to move. Again and again Was.h.i.+ngton urged Lee to come to his aid. Each time Lee disobeyed. We now know that he was a traitor, secretly hoping that Was.h.i.+ngton might fail in order that he himself, who was second in command, might become Commander-in-Chief of the American army.

Lee's disobedience placed Was.h.i.+ngton in a critical position. In order to save his army from capture, Was.h.i.+ngton had to retreat once more, this time across New Jersey toward Philadelphia. As the British army, in every way superior to Was.h.i.+ngton's, was close upon the Americans, it was a race for life. Sometimes the rear-guard of the Americans was just leaving a burning bridge when the van of the British army could be seen approaching. But by burning bridges and destroying food supplies intended for the British, Was.h.i.+ngton so delayed them that they were nineteen days in marching about sixty miles.

Nevertheless the situation for the Americans was still desperate. To make matters worse, Was.h.i.+ngton saw his army gradually melting away by desertion. When he reached the Delaware River it numbered barely 3,000 men.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WAs.h.i.+NGTON'S RETREAT THROUGH NEW JERSEY.]

Having collected boats for seventy miles along the Delaware, Was.h.i.+ngton succeeded in safely crossing it a little above Trenton, on December 8th.

As the British had no boats, they were obliged to wait until the river should freeze, when they intended to cross in triumph and make an easy capture of Philadelphia.

To most people, in England and in America alike, the early downfall of the American cause seemed certain. General Cornwallis--who in May of this year had joined the British army in America--was so sure that the war would soon come to an end, that he had already packed some of his luggage and sent it aboard s.h.i.+p, with the intention of returning to England at an early day.

But Was.h.i.+ngton had no thought of giving up the struggle. Far from being disheartened, he confronted the gloomy outlook with all his energy and courage. Fearless and full of faith in the patriot cause, he watched with vigilance for an opportunity to turn suddenly upon his over-confident enemy and strike a heavy blow.