Adams Family Correspondence, volume 14

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 22 December 1799 Shaw, William Smith Adams, Abigail (daughter of JA and AA)

William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith

My Dear: Union Brigade, Dec. 22, 1799.

I have the pleasure to inform you that I struck my marquée on the 19th, and took shelter in my hut, which is yet without doors to it, but much more comfortable than the tent. The last night I slept in the tent, a bottle of wine, standing on the table, froze through, but still I was not uncomfortable. It will be some time before I can have the pleasure to announce to you, that the hut is sufficiently comfortable for you and my baby. The holiday’s are coming on, and I find the workmen disposed to visit their homes at the gay season. The pleasures of that season will, however, be checked by the death of General Washington, which I see is made known in the Philadelphia paper of the 18th.

You will have a great opportunity now to notice the intrigues which this melancholy circumstance will give rise to. Now the President will be fretted, perplexed, and tormented; now the full force of party will be brought forward; and now, America shakes to her centre with convulsive throbs, wishing, yet trembling still to hear, that name declared, who is to fill the important vacant post; they scarce dare harbour a doubt, but that his successor will be eminent for his virtues, distinguished for his military abilities, and such as the embattled sons of Columbia will not blush to follow to the field of fame.1

I must acknowledge, however, for myself I fear that the President will not have it in his power to carry into effect the pure, unbiassed 81 dictates of his firm and virtuous soul. He will now find himself, like the Roman Cato, sustaining a painful prëeminence, distinguished amongst his countrymen by toils—superior toils and heavier weight of cares.2 Write to me very particularly.

* * * * * *

My love to my dear little girl. God bless you.

Yours, sincerely,

W. S. Smith

MS not found. Printed from AA2, Jour. and Corr. , 2:162–163; internal address: “To Mrs. Smith.”

After George Washington’s death, Alexander Hamilton functioned as senior officer of the U.S. Army, but a commanding officer of the army was not formally appointed until 1805 (William Gardner Bell, Commanding Generals and Chiefs of Staff 1775–2005, Washington, D.C., 2005, p. 68; Hamilton, Papers , 24:170–171).

Joseph Addison, Cato, Act III, scene v, lines 21–23.

William Smith Shaw to Abigail Adams Smith, 23 December 1799 Shaw, William Smith Adams, Abigail (daughter of JA and AA)

William Stephens Smith to Abigail Adams Smith

My Dear: Union Brigade, December 23, 1799.

I received yours of the 19th this afternoon, and yesterday received orders from General Hamilton to prepare for the funeral rites of our departed General, on Thursday next.1 I have put every thing in the necessary train of execution, preparative to the reception of his final orders, which I expect to receive in the course of the night; and last night I determined to erect a monument to his memory, and penned the enclosed.2 This morning, consulted the field officers of the brigade, who cheerfully consented to share the expense. It will be erected on the centre in front of the cantonment, of white marble, engraved with black letter, on a mound to be raised for the fixture of the pedestal of the monument. Its rear will be conical, adorned with military trophies in black lines; its front will bear the inscription enclosed. I wish the President could spare time to overlook it, and make such alteration as may strike him as necessary.

I wrote you the day before yesterday, to which refer.3 Present me respectfully to all. My love to my baby and you.

In haste, yours,

W. S. Smith

MS not found. Printed from AA2, Jour. and Corr. , 2:164.

AA2’s letter has not been found. Alexander Hamilton, through his aide de camp, Philip Church, on 21 Dec. conveyed orders to the U.S. Army that were based on JA’s directions regarding the commemoration of George Washington’s death. Hamilton ordered that funeral honors be paid by all units and troops wear armbands for six months (Hamilton, Papers , 24:111–114).

The enclosure has not been found, but WSS probably sent a copy of the proposed monument inscription that he also sent to Hamilton the same day. The inscription featured twelve lines of verse, concluding: 82 “On drooping boughs, Heroes, their Armour hung, / Their hearts depress’d, their Warworn nerves unstrung, / Columbia’s genius bending o’er his bier / Breathes the sad Sigh, and drops the melting Tear” (same, 24:120–122).

Not found. WSS wrote again to AA2 on 27 Dec., offering a detailed account of ceremonies held at the camp the day before in Washington’s honor (AA2, Jour. and Corr. , 2:166–172).