On December
23, 1783, General George Washington entered the Senate Chamber of
the Maryland State House in Annapolis. Eight years earlier,
dressed in the blue uniform of a colonel in the Virginia militia,
he stood before Congress and accepted their commission as Commander-in-Chief
of the Continental Army. At the time, Washington said, "I
do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with."
Now, on a cold
December morning, two days before Christmas, he was before Congress
again. As he stood to address Congress, his eyes were dimmed, his
hands shaking, and his voice choked with emotion. At the age of
forty-four, George Washington wanted now only to return to his beloved
Mount Vernon to spend the remainder of his years. Several weeks
earlier, on December 4, General Washington had bade farewell to
his officers at Frances' Tavern in New York. It was a very emotional
time for Washington, embracing some of the men, and shaking hands
with others. Von Steuben was there, along with his trusted friends,
Henry Knox and Benjamin Tallmadge. As the day ended, Washington
turned to take one last salute from the assemblage. He then set
out for his journey to Annapolis, where Congress was in session.
His journey
to Annapolis had been a pleasurable one, taking a barge across New
Jersey, stopping briefly in Trenton, then on to Philadelphia, and
finally to Annapolis. Along his route, he had received an outpouring
of gratitude and affection from his fellow countrymen. On December
22, an elaborate dinner and reception was held in his honor. Among
the two hundred guests were the aristocracy of Annapolis as well
as members of Congress. Thirteen toasts were given, followed by
firing of thirteen cannon and a ball at the State House.
The next day,
General Washington entered the Senate Chamber of the State House
in Annapolis. Crowded in the chamber were Congressmen, Maryland
dignitaries, and a few army officers, all wishing to hear Washington
speak.
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In a voice
that was barely audible, despite the hushed silence, General Washington
began by praising his officers and congratulating Congress. Then
after a short pause, he hurried to the business at hand:
 "Having
now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theater
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 leave of all the employments of public life".
The speech
lasted three minutes. When it was over, Washington took his commission
from his pocket and handed it to Thomas Mufflin, The President of
Congress, and quickly left the chamber. After bidding farewell to
close friends, Washington rode to Mount Vernon in time to celebrate
Christmas at home for the first time in many years.
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