We celebrate the Presidents’ Day holiday with a day off of work for most of us yet rarely a thought of the deeds of the men so honored.
Here in Annapolis the singular action taken by George Washington helped forge the new nation years before he became our first president.
In what is now called the Old Senate Chamber of the State House, Washington resigned his commission as commander of Continental Army, ceding control of the military to civilian command.
“He did something different from any other victorious general, he gave up his rank and went back to farming,” said Patricia Harrison, visitor’s coordinator for the Maryland General Assembly, standing in the preserved Old Senate Chamber.
The historian David McCullough has said, “He gave it up willingly. He could have been anything he wanted, czar, potentate … but he relinquished it.”
McCullough has also noted that King George III, whose great army Washington defeated (with a lot of help mind you) said upon hearing of the resignation, “ if he does that he will be the greatest man in the world.”
The act at noon on Dec. 23, 1783 took but 15 minutes but is heralded as a turning point in the formation of the young nation.
The Continental Congress met in Maryland’s capital city from November 26, 1783 to August 19, 1784.
Washington had led the army of colonists to defeat the British, leading to England’s surrender at Yorktown, Va., in October, 1781.
Washington came to Annapolis to resign his commission and forever seal the concept of civilian control of the military that was later set in Article II of the Constitution in 1787 and ratified a year later.
But there was no drama about what the future president would do with his commanding position.
It was fully expected. A committee including Thomas Jefferson, James McHenry of Maryland and Massachusetts representative Elbridge Gerry, prepared a protocol for the event.
Washington rode from Baltimore and arrived in Annapolis on Dec. 19. Washington was no stranger to Annapolis having made several trips before the war to attend the horse races, theater and other social events here. His stepson, Jacky, attended King William’s School, which is now St. John’s College.
He was met by a group of dignitaries, including General Horatio Gates just outside the city near the present day Annapolis Mall. A plaque noting the occasion sits on the ground on land within the exit ramp off of Route 50.
He checked into rooms at Mann’s Tavern, at the corner of present day Conduit and Main streets, where three days later a great dinner was held in the ballroom, followed by 13 toasts.
That night a ball was held in the great central hall of the State House. Where Washington was reported to have “danced every set, that all the ladies might have the pleasure of dancing with him, or has since been handsomely expressed, get a touch of him,” according to Delaware’s Congressman James Tilton quoted in historian Jane McWiliams’ “Annapolis, City on the Severn.”
Washington has corresponded with the Congress inquiring how they wanted him to present his resignation. They responded that he should do so at noon on Dec. 23 and make brief remarks.
He entered the Old Senate Chamber at the appointed hour to a room crammed with about 200 people. Those members of Congress attending – including three more future presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe – remained in their seats, with their hats on. They lifted their hats to acknowledge the general. Washington removed his hat and bowed in deference to the civilian leadership before speaking.
Delegate David Howell of Rhode Island recalled it, “ a most solemn scene, The State House was crowded with people of the first fashion who all partook in the occasion.”
In reading Washington’s speech it seems a dry statement and nary a hint of the emotions in the room.
At one point Washington holds his speech in both hands to help check his own emotions, especially when he honors those who served with him: “I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentleman who been attached to my person during the war.”
After remarks by the president of the Continental Congress Thomas Mifflin, Washington bowed again and walked out of the room, and the assembled congressmen again lifted their hats.
Washington returned to the room briefly but soon departed for Mount Vernon hoping to get home to his wife, Martha, by Christmas.
Among the ladies attending, though relegated to the balcony during the ceremony, was Molly (Mary) Ridout, wife of John Ridout and daughter of Maryland Colonial Governor Samuel Ogle.
She wrote to her mother about the event: “the General seemed so much affected himself that everybody felt for him, he addressed Congress in a short Speech but very affecting many tears were shed, he has retired from all public business & designs to spend the rest of his Days at his own Seat.”
Historians James MacGregor and Susan Dunn said, referring to the republican ideals of classical times, “The Virginian, like the victorious Roman soldier Cincinnatus, went home to plow.”
But not for long as six years later he became the first president of the United States after the drafting of the Constitution.
The Old Senate Chamber was exhaustively restored to as closely as possible resemble the room on Dec. 23, 1783. A statue of Washington is in the room at the spot where he stood that day.
In the hall outside the chamber is the hand-written speech Washington read that day. He had handed it to McHenry and it remained in his family until the State of Maryland bought it in 2007.
Two other contemporary copies remain at the Library of Congress and the National Archives.
Monday night the General Assembly will hold a ceremony in the Old Senate Chamber to mark the occasion.
Sen. John Astle will make remarks.
“I am going to talk about Washington’s military career, as I am an old military guy,” he said Friday.
“He was not a particularly talented field commander, he lost some big battles,” Astle said. “But his talent was the way he thought … strategically. He was a big picture guy. And he had the leadership to hold the army together. No other generals could have done that. He was the guy.”
McCullough holds Washington’s character up as an example we should all strive for.
“The selfless devotion to the cause of the country. The willingness to serve is what makes it work,” McCullough said in a filmed piece for Mount Vernon. “He sets an example as a citizen that we can all learn from.”
