The Work Assigned Me
The state of Maryland has obtained the original, handwritten speech that George Washington delivered when he resigned his commission in 1783 and will put the document on public display. The speech has been in the hands of one family since it was delivered in Annapolis all those years ago.
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.
For centuries, his words have resonated in American democracy even as the speech itself — the small piece of paper that shook in his hands that day — was quietly put away, out of the public eye and largely forgotten.
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.
When I was growing up, we used to celebrate both Lincoln's birthday and Washington's birthday. We learned quite a lot about both presidents and I remember reading this speech back in grade school. Today, that is not the case. Very little is really taught about either man – my kids are shockingly ignorant of many of the details of the two presidents.
Here's a PDF of the actual document itself.
Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action, — and bidding an affectionate
{a final}farewell to this August body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer{today deliver?}my Commission, and take my{ultimate}leave of all the employments of public life.
By kim, February 19, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Sounds like he crawled back just a little from his original intentions.
==============================