Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them February 25, 1956 Issue

George Washington, 1732-1799

[Mentioned in Retrospection and Introspection, p. 2, and Miscellany, p. 148]

"For sound judgment and solid information, Mr. Washington is the greatest man on the floor," declared Patrick Henry at the time of the First Continental Congress. Although Washington supported the nonexportation and nonimportation agreements, he made no public speeches; it was the force of his character that made the impact upon his colleagues. Of course, his eloquent words after the closing of the port of Boston, "I will raise 1000 men, subsist them at my own expense, and march myself at their head for the relief of Boston," had also preceded his arrival.

Washington attended the Second Continental Congress as Commander of the Virginia troops, who had asked to serve under him. Since the battles of Lexington and Concord had been fought, it was essential that Congress organize an army for all the colonies and give it a commander. Washington was unanimously chosen. It was a year before his army was well organized, but he lifted the seige of Boston. He was able to hold his men together even through the dreadful winter of 1777 at Valley Forge. Six years passed before Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown and ended the war. Washington gave 2 more years to the army—during which he secured some satisfaction for the soldiers' demands—before he bade farewell to his troops and returned home.

His desire to see the Federal Government stand made him realize the importance of opening up the inland waterways in order to promote commerce and better communication between the western and eastern states. He worked steadily toward this end.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Signs of the Times