HAD I language at command, and the time and my tears would permit me, to diſplay, in juſt colors to your view, the great, the precious, the extenſive bleſſings, of which we in common with our country, ſo largely participate; I might, by an eaſy and natural tranſition, lead you to the contemplation of the character of this greateſt and beſt of men, in the celebration of whoſe obſequies, we, my afflicted friends, are this day, with one voice, and, I truſt, with one heart, and a pious ſenſibility, engaged.

THE ſacred altars of our holy religion, the graceful appendage of mirth, in ſeaſons of feſtivity and joy, and the only ſolid ſupport and conſolation, in a day of tribulation and gloom, like the preſent, are neither removed, nor defiled with unhallowed hands; our rulers are from ourſelves, and the men of our choice; we ſit under our own vine and fig-tree, without moleſtation or fear; the ſolacing endearments of domeſtic ſociety, and the pleaſures of the broader and more expanded circles of ſocial intercourſe, are undiſturbed; the hard-earned fruit of the huſbandman's toil is not ſnatched from his hand, by the ruthleſs graſp of violence; the uſeful artiſan finds in his labor, a reward for his ingenuity and induſtry; in his returns the merchant admits a compenſation for his ſagacity and enterprize—our eyes are, every where, delighted with the ſwelling canvas, the buſy ſtreet, the bending harveſt, and the cattle upon a thouſand hills: of this aſſemblage of public and private happineſs, how large a portion ſhall we aſcribe to the virtues, the talents, and the unexampled patriotiſm of this favorite inſtrument of indulgent Heaven?

At an important epocha of our hiſtory, when our country was threatened with the deprivation, of its invaluable rights, of every thing dear to enlightened freemen; when, in the infancy of our national exiſtence, we were called, in Providence, to contend with a power grown grey in the field of Mars; when our infantine ſtature and armour excited the ridicule and contempt, with which the fling of David was viewed by his renowned and boaſting antagoniſt; in this defenceleſs and almoſt hopeleſs condition, how did we cling to the buckler of our mighty Chieftain? his name was indeed then, as it has often ſince been emphatically ſtiled, a Hoſt; in him our imbecility and all our wants were forgotten, or diſregarded, or more than ſupplied by the confidence which he inſpired; on him expectation repoſed, as if he had been, as was Cyrus, expreſsly named, in prophecy, the ſhepherd of Iſrael and the Lord's anointed— the progreſs and viciſſitudes of an arduous ſtruggle, through eight long campaigns, unfolded the rich treaſures and ample reſources of his capacious mind; in the profound diſcernment, the conſummate prudence, the unremitting perſeverance and undaunted fortitude of our American Fabius, the Sage and the Hero were equally conſpicuous; it was reſerved to his exit, in the laſt ſcene of the drama, to aſtoniſh and inſtruct an admiring world, with the magnanimity of the man: that power which intoxicates ordinary minds, when it ceaſed to be uſeful to his country, retained no charms in his eſteem; having finiſhed the taſk aſſigned him, he exultingly reſigned his high command to the hand which gave it, and ſurpaſſing all his former glory, and riſing above himſelf, he became once more the citizen. Who was converſant with that charming tranſaction, and did not follow, with a thouſand bleſſings, this revered man to the delightful ſhades of his long wiſhed for retreat? in theſe bliſsful abodes, the venerable ſeat of his anceſtors, he enjoyed a compenſation for all his toils, in the poſſeſſion of a conſcious integrity, and the gratifying reflections on his devotion to the public good. Here he fondly hoped to ſpend the reſt of his days, in tranquility and uſefulneſs, dividing by a juſt diſtribution, and a wiſe economy, his precious time and plentiful income, to the claims of juſtice and charity, hoſpitality and religion.

Alas! how ſhort is human bliſs, how tranſitory all ſublunary enjoyments! hardly was it realized that we had no more a foe without, when a ſtate of things was perceived within, more dreadful than war itſelf; the band of our union was ſo nearly diſſolved, that an attempt to draw it cloſer, would have ſerved but to betray its weakneſs—jealouſly and diſtruſt, the deadly bane of government, had poiſoned our political atmoſphere—a dark cloud ariſing over our heads, portended a direful exploſion—countenances gathered paleneſs—fightings without could have given a kind relief to more alarming fears within—to advance or recede, or be ſtationary, appeared almoſt equally preſumptuous—between dejection and deſpair there remained but a ſingle ſtep—when the voice of millions, united as the voice of one man, called to the father of his country—to hear the voice of his country in diſtreſs, was to obey—love, ardent and diſintereſted as his, left him no choice—the delights of Mount-Vernon, whoſe every circumſtance conſpired to content its beloved tenant, where the only ſtrife was emulation to pleaſe— even this paradiſe loſt its enchantment—behold the darling of the people once more on the ſtage of public action—every heart expanded, every face brightened at the ſpectacle—the dignity peculiar to himſelf, with which this prodigy of virtues and graces filled the Chair of State—the wiſdom and purity of his adminiſtration—his ſecond triumphant return to the walks of private life— his entire poſſeſſion of himſelf on the near approach of death—theſe are themes on which I forbear to dilate—of theſe your thoughts muſt be full. That the ſpirit of divine wiſdom directed the paths of this truly great man, the undeviating rectitude and uniform tenor of his life pronounce, in a ſtile, that cannot deceive—to this evidence other proofs might be adduced, that in all his ways he acknowledged God—and muſt, then, ſo much goodneſs, as well as greatneſs, be proſtrated in the duſt? you anſwer, he is gone to receive the reward of the ſervant who had faithfully improved many talents—that a part of his bliſsful employment may be the guardianſhip of a country he ſo dearly loved. Dear man! could the love of a whole nation have prevented, the ſhaft of death had never reached you—but he is gone!—for the loſs of ſo much virtue it is virtuous to weep—forbid not, my friends, your hearts to ſwell—your tears to flow—my voice is too feeble to expreſs his praiſe.

IN obedience to thoſe feelings which are ever excited in the human heart, at the loſs of a friend, a benefactor and a father; we are now aſſembled, to pay our laſt public tribute of affection and veneration, to the memory of our beloved WASHINGTON. And I doubt not, but upon this occaſion, we ſhall give free indulgence, to that voluntary ſympathy, which is ſo rapidly ſpreading, from heart to heart, throughout the continent of America, and will as ſoon as the ſad tidings reach the tranſ-atlantic ſhores, wrap even Europe in a ſable mantle. For when virtue expires, nature receives a ſhock, and the plaintive moan is echoed through the world! I apprehend however, fellow citizens, that it will not be expected from me, that I attempt to pourtray the character of our virtuous chief; for that taſk is too important, and ſublime for me to undertake. Let it therefore ſuffice, if I make a few remarks, on the propriety of the ſolemn pomp now before us; and point out a few of thoſe general traits, in the character of our venerable deceaſed, which ſeemed to raiſe him aloof from his fellow men, and ſhed an unknown dignity and luſtre on the human race.

IN touching on the character of the deceaſed, I ſhall confine myſelf merely to a comparative view of him, with others who have been eminently diſtinguiſhed in the world. And altho' I ſhould be unwilling to tarniſh the glory of any man, which has been fairly and honourably acquired; whether he be living in hiſtory only, or is now active on the ſtage of life; yet I deem it no robbery or diminution of their glory, to ſay they all fade in the compariſon. All other great characters of which we have any knowledge, have been diſtinguiſhed for ſome one, extraordinary talent or virtue, which has given them celebrity and fame, when compared with common men. Of this claſs hiſtory, and many living characters, afford us numerous examples, and at the loſs of theſe ornaments of ſociety there will ever be a partial mourning, for they are valuable and important in ſociety—perhaps a nation may deplore the loſs of a great general, counſellor or judge: ſcience may loſe an able ſupporter, and a liberal patron: religion may lament the loſs of a pious and a virtuous man, nay a doctor deep ſkilled in the ſcience of theology: or even the humble walks of life, may loſe a kind friend and bountiful benefactor: yet the grief in all theſe inſtances is limited, for their talents and their virtues are circumſcribed.

BUT never until the time of WASHINGTON, has a character appeared ſo richly adorned, with all the great and noble virtues of which humanity is ſuſceptible. He is not like other heroes, ſages or patriots, whoſe names are enrolled in the book of fame; for no hiſtory can poliſh his glory, and even malign cenſure, dare not pluck a ſprig from his well earned laurels. Heaven ſeemed to have formed the man WASHINGTON, out of its choiceſt materials, and robbed, as it were, humanity of its virtues to form one perfect man. Being thus endowed with ſuperlative virtues and talents, he was introduced, on the ſtage of life, and aſſigned a part in a ſcene which had never before been acted in the the nations of the earth. Paſſing over the earlier parts of his life, let us view him at that important criſis, when he managed the ſublime and happy conflict between an infant, weak and inexperienced nation, and a haughty, imperious and overbearing kingdom! Armed with that panoply, which Jehovah had made for him, bold in the cauſe of juſtice, and ſecure in the ſmiles of his God, like David, though a ſtripling in the arts of war, he baffled the Goliahs of Great Britain, and led in triumph her armies, at his chariot wheels. Even amidſt the dangers which for ſeven bloody years, marred the peace and felicity of the American people; behold the virtuous chieftain conducting the infant America, through perils and dangers before unknown. And through all this ſtruggle which gave birth to America, ſelf-compoſed and collected, his active and pervading mind, could, even in the greateſt difficulties reſort to avenues of prudence and ſafety. Even at that awful moment when Providence ſeemed to have withdrawn his protecting hand! at that dark hour, when deſpair had ſeized the American boſom; when the eagle of our country drooped its extended wings in token of grief! Say ye patriots, who had the honor of fighting under his banners, did his dignity leſſen? did his valour and wiſdom appear leſs active and ſublime, than when ſucceſs danced on his helmet, and gliſtened on his ſword? Your anſwer is no—for with a fortitude and equanimity, peculiar to himſelf, he met danger undiſmayed, and ſoared above the adverſities of life—Nay more, that firmneſs, temperance and majeſty, which uniformly diſtinguiſhed him, became more conſpicuous in the hour of difculty and diſtreſs. Nor was this mighty man like other great men, elated with ſucceſs; but his keen mind, reviewing the paſt and foreſeeing the future, made him calm and tranquil, even in his glory; and ever diſplayed ſuch a dignified majeſty as aſſimulated him more to the gods, than mortal man. Thus by his wiſdom, having protected the infancy of his country, and ſupported her by his ſingle arm; having trained up a numerous hoſt of hardy and well diſciplined ſoldiers to be her future bulwark, and ratified the birth and independence of his country; behold the reſplendent virtues, attend him to the mild and peaceful walks of private life! And here let me aſk, where is the man, WASHINGTON excepted, who with the ſame opportunities, would not have derived ſome perſonal advantages to himſelf? who would not have acquired wealth? or perhaps by force of thoſe armies which at the cloſe of the laſt war, were devoted to his name and perſon, would have eſtabliſhed himſelf lord paramount of the country he ſaved? This our hero ſpurned; having devoted himſelf to the cauſe of juſtice, having reſcued a ſinking nation, the great object of his heart being accompliſhed; he retired to the ſequeſtered vale of life, to enjoy in common with his fellow citizens, that peace and happineſs his valor won. Above the reach of mercenary views, beyond the power of adulation, behold him gently ſettling on Mount Vernon, like Noah's ark on the mountain of Arrarat, a ſure preſage that the ſtorm was o'er.

TOO important however to remain long a private citizen, ſee him again ſtep forth, at the voice of his country to conduct the auguſt councils of our nation. See with what alacrity, he again abandoned the gentle pleaſures of domeſtic life, to make that people virtuous and happy, whom his valor had made independent.—Was it glory that again induced him to come forth and guide the devious mazes of our national councils? Surely not, or the experiment was hazardous and uncertain, and his laurels were yet blooming with their freſheſt verdure—Was it the deſire of wealth, which prompted him to obey the ſecond call of his country? No; for he had uniformly declined accepting any compenſation—But it was that ſame virtue, which at firſt made him riſque his life in the cauſe of freedom and juſtice, which influenced him to accept the chair of ſtate, and conduct his beloved nation to happineſs and honor—and when he had firmly eſtabliſhed a government, which was calculated to enſure and perpetuate national felicity; having given the firſt example that true liberty is compatible with government and law, he again with redoubled luſtre retired from public cares; having left a benizon to that people, whom he had foſtered in infancy, and inſtructed in manhood. And here it would ſeem that his public career muſt end—and it would my friends, had not this godlike man, even in the wane of life, at a period, when by the common laws of nature, ambition ſlumbers, and happineſs is ultimately blended, with quietude and eaſe, at the remote appearance of hoſtilities, to the country he loved, once more ſtepped forth, and graſped the ſword of his earlier days to inſpire millions and deter the foe. Here then behold a climax of glory, honor and reputation, which the deeds of four thouſand years, has never equalled! At laſt perfectly compoſed, and prepared for the event, he is tranſlated in a moment, from this earth, to the boſom of his God, ready to give a full account of thoſe talents committed to his charge, and receive the meed of a well ſpent life, accompanied, with well done thou good and faithful ſervant.

YES, fellow citizens he is no more! His body now ſlumbers in the dark chambers of death! his ſhield is broken! his ſword fallen from that once nervous arm! That voice which once commanded the liſtening attention of the ſenate, is ſilent! yet his name ſtands written at full length in the volume of fame, and will continue ſo long as nature endures, the firſt of heroes, patriots, ſages! and his virtues ſtill live, and will ever continue to live, in the memory of an affectionate and grateful people.

HOW becoming is it then in us, to pay all due honors to his memory—we all feel as though we had ſeen him—we know him as our earthly father; eſteemed him as our friend, and revered him as our protector—we were of his family—for he recognized us as his children; and nothing but unbounded parental affection, could have induced him to have undergone the fatigues and dangers which he did, to promote our happineſs and ſecure our ſafety. The emblems of grief, which are now exhibited before us; the deep toned thunder of cannon which are now proclaiming the ſad tidings! The drooping ſtandards, which once waved in triumph round his head—the ſolemn proceſſion, which is the laſt kind office we can afford the dead! All, ought to inſpire us with manly ſorrow, and impreſs our hearts with grief; for while the United States are ſympathiſing in ſorrow, at the general loſs, were we to refrain, would be paying an ill compliment to our own virtue, humanity and gratitude.

BUT, my countrymen let us not deſpair—for altho' WASHINGTON is viſibly departed from us; yet his ſpirit, ſhall hover over the city which bears his immortal name, and henceforth be the Guardian Genius of theſe United States! And may it ever inſpire future patriots with the ſame virtue, integrity, and honor, which ſo eminently characteriſed his whole life.