23 December, Annapolis: When GW became the "Man for the Millennia", the New Cincinnatus, "World's Apostle of Liberty", & "father of His country"

Slide show of the Annapolis a.d. 2008 event.

A year after this blog post, was able to be part of an official State of Maryland Celebration of this "Most Important Day in American History!"

What is the "Most Important Day in American History"?

Or even the "Most Important Day in Modern World History?"

Some say the Fourth of July as the day we celebrate the Declaration of Independence.

Some say the Seventeenth of September as the day this Constitution for the United States of America was signed.

Some say Christmas night when General Washington against all odds attacked the Hessians at Trenton, and won.

Yet both King George III of England ...

...and Congressman Thomas Jefferson both might agree that MOST important day is...

the 23rd of December!

On that day, General George Washington transformed the modern world by his humility in resigning his positions as General and Commander in Chief to the Congress assembled at the State House in Annapolis.

By that selfless act, George Washington became the "Cincinnatus of the West", the "Man for the Millenniums", according to Common Sense author Thomas Paine the "World's Apostle of Liberty", and in a very real sense gave birth to the American Republic, so is rightly called the "father of His country".

Who is the General on the White Horse at Yorktown? And who was the First President?

With this being the wee hours of the morning of 4 October, it is just days away, two weeks, from the 225th celebration of the Yorktown Victory (a Victory in Jesus by Divine Providence so said GW) where the British Army surrendered to the American General on the white horse.

Who was that General?

Washington, of course, is the quick reply.

Nope. Lincoln! Lincoln? (You asked with a thick tone of doubt...) Yes, Lincoln. Honestly, Lincoln though not the Lincoln who is called Honest... Lincoln.

The great patriot Lincoln - the good man chosen by General Washington to serve as the second in command. Washington's way of waging war was even honored by his adversaries by his statue being erected at a square in London, the same can not be said of the latter day Lincoln, the less-than-honest Abe.

This good Lincoln was General Benjamin Lincoln, formerly the Secretary of the first Continental Congress, later Minister of War, and elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts when John Hancock was elected Governor, about the time Washington was elected unanimously to serve as our Nation's first president under "this Constitution for the United States of America", the 14th president since the birth of our Nation. 

General Washington is in the background on the bay colored horse.

A special note is that it is reported that the British played the popular tune of the day as they surrendered their rifles. The tune was "The World Turned Upside Down." Now go read Acts 17:6 to see the relation between the two and the role of the American Army under Washington.

The POST ABOVE was posted before the 225th Anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown, on 3 October a.d. 2006.  The POST BELOW was posted on 13 December a.d. 2007, ten days before the Day in American and World History when George Washington walked into the pages of History as the "Man for the Millenniums" by peacefully giving up power to the Congress assembled in Annapolis.

NEWS FLASH, on the 12th of December a.d. 2007, from Maryland State House Visitors Center guide Howard Buffington I received more definitive information about the various Presidents of the United States of America, before George Washington. From the sheet I received the following is provided to the good reader:

Continental Congress:
I. 5 September a.d. 1774 to 26 October a.d. 1774, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(1) Elected President 5 September a.d. 1774, Peyton Randolph of Virginia.
George Washington was a delegate from Virginia. The Congress met in Carpenters' Hall.
The famous stained glass window of Christ Church, Philadelphia, of the Congress in prayer is from this time.

II. 10 May a.d. 1775 to 12 December a.d. 1776, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(2) Elected President 22 October a.d. 1774, Henry Middleton of South Carolina
(3) Elected President 10 May a.d. 1775, Peyton Randolph of Virginia
(4) Elected President 24 May a.d. 1776, John Hancock of Massachusetts
(thus partly why his BIG signature on the Declaration of Independence, like Washington's on "this Constitution" in a.d. 1787)

III. 20 December a.d. 1776 to 4 March a.d. 1777, Baltimore, Maryland
Presumably John Hancock continued to serve as President of the Continental Congress.

IV. 5 March a.d. 1777 to 18 September a.d. 1777, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Presumably John Hancock continued to serve as President of the Continental Congress.
The Battle of Brandywine was on 9-11 in the Year of Our Lord 1777, that saved the Congress from attack and capture, much like the "Battle of Shanksville" on 9-11 in the Year of Our Lord 2001 likely saved the Congress from attack from the air.

V. 27 September a.d. 1777, Lancaster, Pennsylvania (one day only)
Presumably John Hancock continued to serve as President of the Continental Congress.
(By the way, John Hancock named one of his sons George Washington Hancock, like General Lafayette named his son George Washington Lafayette, John Quincy Adams named one of his sons George Washington Adams, and Robert E. Lee named one of his sons George Washington Custis Lee, for the grandson of Martha Washington, his father in law, who was named by his father John Parke Custis for his "step-father" George Washington.)

VI. 30 September a.d. 1777 to 27 June a.d. 1778, York, Pennsylvania
(5) Elected President 1 November a.d. 1777, Henry Laurens of South Carolina

VII. 2 July a.d. 1778 to 21 June a.d. 1783, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(6) Elected President 10 December a.d. 1778, John Jay of New York
(7) Elected President 28 September a.d. 1779, Samuel Huntington of Connecticut

(From Wikipedia): The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. The final draft was written in the summer of 1777 and adopted by the Second Continental Congress on November 15, 1777 in York, Pennsylvania after a year of debate. In practice it served as the de facto system of government used by the Congress ("the United States in Congress assembled") until it became de jure by final ratification on March 1, 1781.

(8) Elected President 10 July a.d. 1781, Thomas McKean of Delaware
(9) Elected President 5 November a.d. 1781, John Hanson of Maryland
Many folks, including this author, have been told that John Hanson was the "first President of the United States" as opposed to the President of Congress, yet it appears that Thomas McKean of Delaware deserves that designation or "honor". George Washington was the first President of the United States under "this Constitution for the United States of America".

(10) Elected President 4 November a.d. 1782, Elias Boudinot of New Jersey

During this term, the Capital was moved from Philadelphia to Princeton, New Jersey.

VII. 30 July a.d. 1783 to 4 November a.d. 1783, Princeton, New Jersey

Years later in a.d. 1789, Boudinot was elected the first President of the House of Representatives under this Constitution, later a position that came to be called "Speaker of the House". Boudinot was the man who wrote the letter in September a.d. 1789 expressing the Sense of the Congress that the President of the United States, George Washington issue a Proclamation on 3 October a.d. 1789 for a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer. It set aside Thursday, November 26 as "A Day of Publick Thanksgiving and Prayer" from which our modern Thanksgiving Celebration was born consistent with the Virginia tradition derived from the FIRST Thanksgiving at Berkeley on the James River, recognized by President George W. (Bush) in a.d. 2007.

(11) Elected President 3 November a.d. 1783, Thomas Mifflin of Pennsylvania

During this term, the Capital was moved from Princeton, New Jersey to Annapolis, Maryland.

VIII. 26 November a.d. 1783 to 3 June a.d. 1784, Annapolis, Maryland
According to some historians, President Mifflin had been involved in efforts in the Continental Congress to remove George Washington, so the poignancy of Commander in Chief Washington resigning his Commission and peacefully giving up his power is all the more impressive.

Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe were both Members of Congress when General Washington did his world transforming Resignation to the Congress assembled at Annapolis following the wisdom of Saint John 6:15. 

King George III of England said that Washington's act that day made him the greatest man of his age, or possibly any age.

(From Wikipedia): Early in the Revolutionary War, Mifflin left the Continental Congress to serve in the Continental Army. Although his family had been Quakers for four generations, he was expelled from the Religious Society of Friends because his involvement with a military force contradicted his faith's pacifistic nature.[2] He was commissioned as a major, then became George Washington's aide-de-camp and, on August 14, 1775, became the army's first Quartermaster General.
Thomas Mifflin (January 10, 1744 – January 20, 1800) was an American merchant and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania, fifth President of the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, President of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council and the first Governor of Pennsylvania.

IX.  1 November a.d. 1784 to 24 December a.d. 1784, Trenton, New Jersey

(12) Elected President 30 November a.d. 1784, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

Richard Henry Lee and George Washington were neighbors and playmates as boys in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  Lee's father gave a children's picture book to young George Washington that was the cause of a Thank You letter from George to "Dear Dickie,".

Richard Henry Lee was the man who proposed a Resolution for Independence on 6 June a.d. 1776, that was enlarged by Thomas Jefferson into the Declaration of Independence, yet the last paragraph remains the words of Richard Henry Lee.

X.  11 January a.d. 1785 to 2 March a.d. 1789, New York City, New York

(13) Elected President 23 November a.d. 1785, John Hancock of Massachusetts

(14) Elected President 6 June a.d. 1786, Nathaniel Gorham of Massachusetts

(15) Elected President 2 February a.d. 1787, Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania

(16) Elected President 22 January a.d. 1788, Cyrus Griffin of Virginia

During the period of the Ratification of this Constitution for the United States of America, from 17 September a.d. 1787 "Constitution Day", to  George Washington wrote, "A greater drama is being acted on the American Stage than heretofore has ever been acted in the world."

After fierce fights over ratification in many of the states, New Hampshire became that ninth state on June 21, 1788.  Once the Congress of the Confederation received word of New Hampshire's ratification, it set a timetable for the start of operations under the Constitution, and on March 4, 1789, the government under the Constitution began operations.

 4 March a.d. 1789 to ??, New York City, New York (First Capital under this Constitution)

(17) Elected President, notified on 14 April a.d. 1789 (?), went the next day with George Washington Parke Custis to visit his Mother, Mary Ball Washington, to tell her of his election.  He expressed concern about leaving Virginia with his Mother in poor health.  She is reported by GWP Custis to have said, "Go son, go and fulfill the high destinies that Heaven has fore-ordained you to fill.  Go knowing you go with Heaven's and your Mother's blessings."

George Washington then traveled to capital in New York where he was Inaugurated as President, first under this Constitution on 30 April a.d. 1789. 

 

In his first Inaugural Address, President Washington said his "first duty was fervent supplications"

Washington's mother Mary Ball Washington died in August a.d. 1789 while he was recovering from an infection in his hip where he nearly died, and was unable to travel to attend her funeral.

From the Library of Congress
1790
Congress chooses Philadelphia as interim capital of the United States. To assuage Virginia, foremost opponent of federal assumption of state debts, Congress selects site on Potomac River for permanent capital, to be occupied in ten years time. July 16, Washington signs bill.

XI. ?? .. to ?? .., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1796
1796 Washington arranges publication of his farewell address (ed. note: dated 17 September, the anniversary of the signing of this Constitution for the United States of America in a.d. 1787) which appears in the Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser September 19, the day of his departure from that city for Mount Vernon. Farewell Address

October-December, George Washington attends to government matters in Washington, the new federal city.  

The name for the Federal City was announced after the visit of fellow Virginians Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to the Federal City Commission in a.d. 1792. The name Columbia for the Federal District was to honor the 300th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus sailing to the "New World".

(18) Elected President, .. November a.d. 1796, John Adams of Massachusetts

XII.  .. to ... , Washington, District of Columbia becomes the Nation's Capital.

"ten years time. July 16" would make Washington the capital officially on 16 July a.d. 1800

(19) Elected President, .. November a.d. 1800, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia

As Thomas Jefferson chose for the motto of his University of Virginia in a.d. 1823,
By the way, that motto comes from the Gospel of Saint John 8:32, and are words of Jesus Christ.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."

Washington Post article ~ Maryland purchase of General Washington's Resignation Speeh

Monday, 19 February anno domini 2007
George Washington Birthday Federal Holiday

Maryland to Unveil the Page That Began a New Chapter
George Washington's Resignation Speech Left the U.S. Military in Civilians' Hands

(Portions of article below, click on link to read the entire article.)

It was a speech so moving the crowd wept. It was a speech so personally important George Washington's hand shook as he read it until he had to hold the paper still with both hands. After the ceremony, he handed the thing to a friend and sped out the door of the State House in Annapolis, riding off by horse.

Today, however, amid festivities celebrating his birthday, Maryland officials plan to unveil the original document -- worth $1.5 million -- after acquiring it in a private sale from a family in Maryland who had kept it all these years. It took two years to negotiate the deal and raise money for the speech, which experts consider the most significant Washington document to change hands in the past 50 years.

...

The speech, scholars say, was a turning point in U.S. history. As the Revolutionary War was winding down, some wanted to make Washington king. Some whispered conspiracy, trying to seduce him with the trappings of power. But Washington renounced them all.

By resigning his commission as commander in chief to the Continental Congress -- then housed at the Annapolis capitol -- Washington laid the cornerstone for an American principle that persists today: Civilians, not generals, are ultimately in charge of military power.

(...continued)

By William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 19, 2007; Page A01

22 February a.d. 2006 - Maryland Governor Announces Plan to Acquire General Washington's Resignation Speech

MARYLAND TO ACQUIRE IMPORTANT WASHINGTON DOCUMENT FOR STATE HOUSE
Annapolis MD, February 22, 2006 ---

Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced today that all private matching funds have been raised for Maryland to acquire George Washington’s personal copy of his speech of resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Governor Ehrlich said that private funding has been promised to match the $600,000 in public funds that he included in his FY07 budget for the State Archives to acquire one of the most significant documents in American history still in private hands.

The Archives, through its related group called Friends of the Maryland State Archives, has raised $625,000 to complete the acquisition. At the annual special session of the Senate in the Old Senate Chamber Monday night, following Senator Thomas McLain Middleton’s address, a special moment of appreciation was observed for the donors who have pledged their support in bringing this document back to the room in which it was first read to Congress, then meeting in our historic State House.

The Archives will continue to raise funds to provide for the display of the document and accompanying educational materials. The speech will be displayed in the Old Senate Chamber of the State House where Washington resigned his commission to return to private life on December 23, 1783, at the end of the Revolutionary War.

The document is the two-page, handwritten manuscript from which Washington read when he addressed the Continental Congress, then meeting in Annapolis. Immediately upon delivering the speech, Washington left the chamber to ride home to Mt. Vernon in time for Christmas. As he departed, he handed his personal copy to a member of Congress and it has been in the family’s possession ever since. Along with the speech, the state will also acquire a letter by Washington’s former aide, Dr. James McHenry, who was present at the event, describing the emotional ceremony. The owners, who wish to remain anonymous, have themselves gifted a portion of the appraised value of documents.

Governor Ehrlich said of the pending acquisition of the two documents: “George Washington’s resignation speech and the letter describing the occasion are important pieces of Maryland’s history. Our State House will be the perfect home for them to be seen by the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to Annapolis every year. It will enhance their understanding of the important role Maryland played in the formation of our country.”

Maryland State Archivist Dr. Edward C. Papenfuse said of the documents: "We are very grateful to Governor Ehrlich and to our donors for recognizing the importance of these documents to the history of Maryland and to the nation. They will be the centerpiece of new interpretive exhibits in the State House, as well as many other educational materials aimed at helping students to understand the origins of American government. In this one act, Washington established the principle of the power of the civilian authority over the military which has been a bedrock of our civil government since that day.”

The Friends of the Maryland State Archives is a non-profit organization formed in 2005 to help the Archives with its educational and outreach initiatives. For more information, please contact Mimi Calver on 410-260-6444 or mimic@mdsa.net or David Troy on 410-647-5812 or dave@popvox.com.