WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON. SIR: MOUNT VERNON, Dec. 12th,* 1799. I have duly received your letter of the 28th ultimo, inclosing a copy of what you had written to the Secretary of War, on the subject of a Military Academy. The establishment of an institution of this kind, upon a respectable and extensive basis, has ever been considered by me as an object of primary importance to this country; and while I was in the chair of government, I omitted no proper opportunity of recommending it, in my public speeches and other ways, to the attention of the legislature: but I never undertook to go into a detail of the organization of such an academy; leaving this task to others, whose pursuits in the paths of science, and attention to the arrangements of such institutions, had better qualified them for the execution of it. For the same reason, I must now decline making any observations on the details of your plan; and as it has already been submitted to the Secretary of War, through whom it would naturally be laid before Congress, it might be too late for alterations, if any should be suggested. I sincerely hope that the subject will meet with due attention, and that the reasons for its establishment, which you have so clearly pointed out in your letter to the Secretary, will prevail upon the legislature to place it upon a permanent and respectable footing. With very great esteem and regard, I am, sir, General Hamilton. GEORGE WASHINGTON. *The last letter written by Washington, who died December 14th, 1799. HAMILTON TO GENERAL PINCKNEY. SIR: PHILADELPHIA, Dec., 1799. The death of our beloved Commander-in-Chief was known to you before it was to me. I can be at no loss to anticipate what have been your feelings. I need not tell you what have been mine. Perhaps no friend of his has more cause to lament on personal account than myself. The public misfortune is one which all the friends of our government will view in the same light. I will not dwell on the subject. My imagination is gloomy-my heart is sad. Inclosed is an order relative to the occasion which speaks its own object. With the sincerest esteem and most Affectionate regard, I remain, sir, Your very obedient servant. SIR: MCHENRY TO HAMILTON. WAR DEPARTMENT, Dec. 18, 1799. The inclosed special directions from the President of the United States, relative to the funeral honors to be paid to the memory of their late illustrious and beloved chief, General George Washington, by the army of the United States, you are requested to be particularly attentive to, so as to insure by your orders the most reverential testimonials, of that profound grief, with which every good heart must be penetrated, at the loss of a citizen, statesman, and commander, so eminently distinguished for virtues, talents and services. You and I on this solemn occasion, experiencing, in common with our fellow-citizens, deep regret for our country's loss, have our sorrows heightened by a recollection of his friendship towards us both, and the many days we have spent as members of his family and sharers of his confidence. GENERAL ORDER FOR THE CEREMONIAL TO BE USED ON THE INTERMENT OF WASHINGTON. 1799. Major-General Hamilton has received, through the Secretary of War, the following order from the President of the United States. "The President, &c." The impressive terms in which this calamitous event is announced by the President, could receive no new force from any thing that might be added. The voice of praise would in vain endeavor to exalt a name unrivalled on the lists of true glory. Words would in vain attempt to give utterance to the profound and reverential grief which will enthral every American bosom, and arrest the sympathy of an admiring world. If the sad privilege of pre-eminence in sorrow may justly be claimed from the companions in arms of our lamented chief, their affections will spontaneously perform the dear though painful duty. "Tis only for me to mingle my tears with theirs, embittered by recollection that in mourning the loss of the "MAN OF THE AGE," I equally mourn that of the long-tried patron-the kind and unchanging friend. In obedience to the directions of the President, the following funeral honors will be paid at the several stations of the army. At daybreak, sixteen guns will be fired in quick succession, and one gun at the distance of each half hour, till sunset. During the procession of the troops to the place representing that of the interment, and until the conclusion of the ceremonial, minute guns will be fired. The bier will be received by the troops formed in line presenting their arms, and the officers, drums, and colors saluting. After this the procession will begin: the troops marching by platoons, in inverted order, and with arms reversed, to the place of interment, the drums muffled, and the music playing a dead march. The bier, carried by four sergeants, and attended by six pallbearers, where there is cavalry, will be preceded by the cavalry, and will be followed by the troops on foot. Where there is no cavalry, a detachment of infantry will precede the bier, which itself will in every case be preceded by such of the clergy as may be present. The officers of the general staff will immediately succeed the bier. Where a numerous body of citizens shall be united with the military in the procession, the whole of the troops will precede the bier, which will be followed by the citizens. When arrived near the place of interment, the procession will halt; the troops in front of the bier will form in line, and, opening their ranks, will face inwards, to admit the passage of the bier, which will then pass through the ranks the troops leaning upon their arms, reversed, while the bier passes. When the bier shall have passed, the troops will resume their position in line, and, reversing their arms, will remain leaning upon them until the ceremonial shall be closed. The music will now perform a solemn air, after which the introductory part of this order will be read. At the end of this a detachment of infantry, appointed for the purpose, will advance and fire three vollies over the bier. The troops will then return, the music playing the Presi dent's March, the drums being previously unmuffled. The uniform companies of militia are invited to join in arms the volunteer corps. The commanders at particular stations, conforming generally to this plan, will make such exceptions as will accommodate it to situation. At places where processions of unarmed citizens shall take place, it is the wish of the Major-General that the military ceremonial should be united; and the particular commanders at those places are authorized to vary the plan so as to adapt it to the circumstances. Brigadier-General McPherson is charged to superintend the ceremonial in the city of Philadelphia; Major Toussard will attend to Fort Mifflin, and will co-operate with him. The day of performing the ceremonial at each station, is left to the particular commander. Major-General Pinckney will make such further arrangements within his district as he shall deem expedient. HAMILTON TO NORTH. SIR: PHILADELPHIA, December 21, 1799. I inclose to you some regulations relative to the funeral honors to be paid to our departed Chief. They will govern generally in the celebration, although I have not definitely adopted them. The ceremonies will be performed in this city on Thursday next, and I should wish them to be performed in New-York at the same time. If this is practicable, you will immediately make the necessary arrangements for the purpose. You will draw the companies from the Island, leaving only a sufficient number of men to manage the guard, and concert measures with General Clarkson for bringing forward the uniform corps of volunteers and militia to take part in the scene. It will be proper likewise that the citizens should form part of the procession, and you will do what shall appear proper in reference to that idea. The half-hour guns will be fired on the Island, and the minute guns from the Battery. The time is not sufficient for preparing a regular oration, but I should be happy if you could prevail on Doctor Moore, or some other clergyman, to deliver a discourse suited to the occasion. You will have musket cartridges prepared and sent to the |