CHAPTER XXXI. WASHINGTON APPOINTED COMMANDER IN CHIEF-HIS DEATH AND BURIAL. MMEDIATELY after the inauguration of John Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Washington set out for Mount Vernon, accompanied by Miss Nellie Custis, and George W. Lafayette, with his tutor. Upon the way they were everywhere received with the greatest enthusiasm, though every effort was made to avoid the infliction of formal receptions, escorts, etc. Twenty-two years of public life, during which he had never made a journey without meeting with the acclaims of the people, had made such ovations familiar to Washington, and, while they had not ceased to be gratifying to him for the good will indicated, they had become somewhat burdensome. Finally arriving at Mount Vernon, he found his buildings sadly out of repair, and was met by the necessity of erecting a structure for the safe-keeping of his private and public papers. His house was at once given into the possession of a small army of painters and carpenters, and, so impatient was he for the completion of the work, that he scarcely retained a habitable room for himself. The life at Mount Vernon has been before described; little need here be added. A letter, written with the playful exuberance of a school-boy upon a vacation, tells how happy he is in his freedom. It is addressed to James McHenry, Secretary of War, and is as follows: "I am indebted to you for several unacknowledged letters; but never mind that; go on as if you had answers. You are at the source of information, and can find many things to relate, while I have nothing to say that could either instruct or amuse a Secretary of War, in Philadelphia. I might tell him that I begin my diurnal course with the sun; that, if my hirelings are not in their places at that time, I send them messages of sorrow, for their indisposition; that, having put these wheels in motion, I examine the state of things further; that, the more they are probed, the deeper I find the wounds which my buildings have sustained by an absence and neglect of eight years; that, by the time I have accomplished these matters, break fast (a little after seven o'clock, about the time, I presume, you are taking leave of Mrs. McHenry) is ready; that, this being over, I mount my horse and ride 'round my farms, which employs me until it is time to dress for dinner, at which I rarely miss seeing strange faces, come, as they say, out of respect for me. Pray, would not the word curiosity answer as well? And how different this from having a few social friends at a cheerful board! The usual time of sitting at the table, a walk and tea, brings me within the dawn of candle-light; previous to which, if not prevented by company, I resolve that, as soon as the glimmering taper supplies the place of the great luminary, I will retire to my writing table, and acknowledge the letters I have received, but, when the lights are brought, I feel tired and disinclined to engage in this work, conceiving that the next night will do as well. The next night comes, and with it the same causes for postponement, and so on. Having given you the history of a day, it will serve for a year, and I am persuaded you will not require a second edition of it, But it may strike you in this detail no mention is made of any portion of time allotted to reading. The remark would be just, for I have not looked into a book since I came home; nor shall I be able to do it until I have discharged my workmen; probably not before the nights grow longer, when possibly, I may be looking in the Doomsday Book." The coming of so many guests to Mount Vernon compelled Washington to request his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, to take up his residence there, and assume some of the arduous duties of hospitality. Lewis was young, well-bred, highly educated and attractive. A member of the household, he was, of course, ever in the field, and he discovered better occupation than entertaining curious visitors. Pretty Nelly Custis was budding into beautiful womanhood, and Lewis soon found a divided service, laying warm siege to her heart. His suit seemed promising, yet there came a rival in the person of the aristocratic young Carroll, of Carrollton. This young scion of the Virginia noblesse, was fresh from the grand tour, polished, accomplished, confident,—yet the fair Nelly was not for him, and Lewis became her husband, the marriage occurring at Mount Vernon in 1798. But one break occurred in the monotony of this happy life, before the last dread interruption. In 1797 the French administration assumed a very hostile tone toward America. Pinckney, the American minister, was ordered to leave France, and notice was given that no one accredited by the United States would be recognized, until the wrongs which France had suffered should be compensated. Pinckney took refuge at The Hague, and gave notice of the indignity. The action of France seems to have been merely a scheme on the part of Talleyrand to extort money from the United States. Adams. named three envoys to proceed to France, and consider the grievance upon which the Directory laid so much stress. These gentlemen found that they were regarded by Talleyrand merely as sheep to be shorn; that no question |