George Washington's resignation as commander-in-chief
[8] Historian Willard Sterne Randall describes the evening: "George Washington, a famous dancer, astonished French officers with his skill and grace at the minuet.At noon, on Tuesday, December 23, Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, led Washington, accompanied by two of his aides-de-camp, Col. David Humphreys and Col. Benjamin Walker, into the Senate Chamber of the Maryland State House.[9] Then Washington delivered his remarks to the assembly: Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable Nation, I resign with satisfaction the Appointment I accepted with diffidence.… I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.As the last act of his resignation, Washington handed his commission and his speech to President Mifflin.[3] Brown University historian Gordon S. Wood, the recipient of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for History for The Radicalism of the American Revolution (1992), writes in his book:[11] George Washington, of course, was the perfect Cincinnatus, the Roman patriot that returned to his farm after his victories in war.Raimondo Trentanove carved a bas-relief of this scene on the pedestal of Antonio Canova's George Washington that was installed in the North Carolina State House in 1821.
General George Washington Resigning His CommissionJohn TrumbullMaryland State HouseAnnapolis, MarylandCoordinatesWashingtonAmerican Revolutionary WarMount Vernoncivilian control of the militaryTreaty of Parislast British troops left New York CityContinental ArmyCongress of the ConfederationRockinghamPrinceton, New JerseyFraunces TavernNew York CityUnited States Capitol rotundaWilliam SmallwoodHoratio GatesThree Mile OakPresident of the Continental CongressThomas MifflinThomas JeffersonJames McHenryElbridge GerryWilliam PacaWillard Sterne RandallCharles Thomsonaides-de-campDavid HumphreysBenjamin WalkerMartha WashingtonBrown UniversityGordon S. WoodPulitzer Prize for HistoryThe Radicalism of the American RevolutionCincinnatusKing George IIIBenjamin WestRufus Kingaide-de-camp to WashingtonJonathan Trumbull Jr.Thomas FlemingRaimondo Trentanovebas-reliefAntonio CanovaGeorge WashingtonNorth Carolina State HouseWashington MonumentBaltimoreHoratio GreenoughsculptureNational Museum of American HistoryFerdinand PettrichSmithsonian American Art MuseumEdwin WhiteEdwin BlashfieldColumbiaClarence Mitchell CourthouseWikisourceList of George Washington articlesNewburgh ConspiracyNewburgh letterHistorian of the United States House of RepresentativesMount Vernon Ladies' AssociationLibrary of CongressRandall, Willard SterneWashington, GeorgeFitzpatrick, John C.Maryland State ArchivesFounders Online, National ArchivesWood, Gordon S.Vintage BooksWiley and PutnamFleming, ThomasHistory News NetworkBassett, John SpencerDuke UniversityArchitect of the CapitolPresident of the United StatesSenior Officer of the ArmyDelegateSecond Continental CongressFirst Continental CongressMilitary careerRevolutionary WarFrench and Indian WarJumonville GlenBattle of Fort NecessityBattle of the MonongahelaForbes ExpeditionWashington in the American RevolutionCommander-in-chief, Continental ArmyWashington's headquartersoffice and sleeping tentBoston campaignSiege of BostonNew York and New Jersey campaignDelaware River crossingBattle of TrentonBattle of the Assunpink CreekBattle of PrincetonPhiladelphia campaignBattle of BrandywineBattle of GermantownBattle of White MarshValley ForgeBattle of MonmouthBattles of SaratogaSullivan ExpeditionYorktown campaignSiege of YorktownCulper Spy RingAsgill AffairEvacuation DayBadge of Military MeritPurple HeartWashington Before Boston MedalNelsonBlueskinOther U.S.founding eventsInitiated, co-wrote, 1769 Virginia AssociationInitiated, 1774 Fairfax ResolvesContinental Association