Artillerists and Engineers" was created, in which were contemplated the appointment of cadets, to be instructed in the military art. The subject was not again alluded to until December ninety-six, when, as has been stated, in the last speech of Washington, from Hamilton's pen, it was emphatically and formally placed before Congress, as an "Institution recommended by cogent reasons." The force of the opposition in the House of Representatives prevented the adoption of this measure.

Again, in ninety-eight, Hamilton sought to commence a system of military education, and by the act "for the better organizing of the troops," framed by him, thirtytwo cadets were to be appointed, which was followed by the laws "to augment the army," in which "four Professors were provided "for the instruction of the Artillerists and Engineers." This was far short of his purpose, and, at this time, as a part of his system of national defence, he submitted to the Secretary at War his "PLAN of a Military ACADEMY.” *

"The near approach," he remarked, "of a session of Congress will naturally lead you to the consideration of such measures for the improvement of our military system as may require legislative sanction. Under this impression I am induced now to present to you some objects which appear to me very interesting, and shall take the liberty to add hereafter such others as shall have occurred.

"One which I have always thought of primary importance, is a MILITARY ACADEMY. This object has repeatedly engaged the favorable attention of the administration; and some steps towards it have been taken. But these, as yet, are very inadequate. A more perfect plan is in a high degree desirable.

"No sentiment is more just than this, that in proportion as the circumstances and policy of a country forbid a large military establishment, it is important that as much perfection as possible should be given to that which may at any time exist. Since it is agreed, that

* November 23, 1799. Hamilton's Works, v. 378.

we are not to keep on foot numerous forces instructed and disciplined, Military science in its various branches ought to be cultivated with peculiar care, in proper nurseries, so that there may always exist a sufficient body of it ready to be imparted and diffused; and a competent number of persons qualified to act as instructors to the additional troops which events may subsequently require to be raised. This will be, to substitute the elements of an army to the thing itself, and it will greatly tend to enable the Government to dispense with a large body of standing forces from the facility which it will give of forming officers and soldiers promptly upon emergencies.

"No sound mind can doubt the essentiality of military science in time of war, any more than the moral certainty, that the most pacific policy on the part of a government, will not preserve it from being engaged in war, more or less frequently. To avoid great evils it must either have a respectable force prepared for service, or the means of preparing such a force with expedition. The latter most agreeable to the genius of our government and nation, is the object of a Military Academy."

His first plan proposed five schools. "The Fundamental School;" "The School of Engineers and Artillerists;" "The School of Cavalry;" "The School of Infantry," and "The School of the Navy." These were subsequently, by consolidating the schools of cavalry and infantry, reduced to four. He contemplated a DirectorGeneral to superintend the whole institution-sub-directors to each School, with Architects and Instructors attached. The respective studies were defined. To extend the utility of the institution, he advised, that detachments of non-commissioned officers should be instructed in rotation; and a sufficient number of sergeants to suffice to an army of fifty thousand men. The site of the academy was advised to be upon a navigable water, to admit of exemplifications of naval construction and exercises; and in a position suited to foundries of cannon and manufactories of small arms. Thus the pupils could acquire the

knowledge of these arts, and the detachments of troops could be made useful in the prosecution of the works.

Though the studies of the Artillerists and Engineers were to be in one school, he advised that the entire union of them in one corps should be severed. With this view, while both corps were to be placed under one head-a General officer-the regiments were to be distinct; that of the Engineers to embrace a large number of officers and a corps of miners and artificers. The union under one head was intended to promote a spirit of harmony and co-operation, while the separation of the officers was designed to favor a more profound and accurate knowledge of each branch.*

In obedient deference to the Commander-in-chief, Hamilton also submitted this plan to his consideration. Washington replied:

"The establishment of an institution of this kind upon à 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 Leg

*"But for West Point," the distinguished veteran, Lieutenant-General Scott observed, "I should never have reached the City of Mexico."

VOL. VII.-23

islature to place it upon a permanent and respectable footing. With very great esteem and regard, I am, &c., GEORGE WASHINGTON."

This letter, dated the twelfth of December, was the last from the hand of Washington. Thus terminated an intercourse, which had existed nearly a quarter of a century, between two men whose names can never be separated; and of which, the influence on the welfare of the American people cannot be estimated. On the thirteenth of December, Washington became ill; and on the fourteenth, sank under an acute disease, with faculties unimpaired, in dignified composure, near the close of his sixtyseventh year.

When the intelligence of this sad event, which astonished the nation, as though Washington was not born to die, arrived at Philadelphia, Hamilton was there. He was standing in conversation with Sedgewick the moment it was announced. Suddenly overcome, bursting into tears, he exclaimed, "America has lost her Saviour-I a father."

The President addressed Congress in brief and appropriate terms. The national legislature adopted resolutions expressive of their sense of his great worth. A commemorative oration was delivered by General Lee, and the anniversary of Washington's birthday was set apart for the American people to "testify their grief."

The duty of prescribing the funeral honors devolved upon Hamilton, as now in command. Referring to the orders of the President, he thus prefaced the command to the troops: "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 man unrivalled in the lists of true glory. Words would

in vain attempt to give utterance to that profound and reverential grief which will penetrate every American bosom, and engage the sympathy of an admiring world. If the sad privilege of pre-eminence in sorrow may justly be claimed by 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 those of my fellow-soldiers, cherishing with them the precious recollection, that while others are paying a merited tribute to "the MAN OF THE AGE," we, in particular, allied as we were to him by a closer tie, are called to mourn the loss of a kind and venerable PATRON and FATHER.” When communicating this order to General Pinckney, Hamilton wrote:

"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 are 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 the government will view in the same light. I will not dwell on the subject. My imagination is gloomy, my heart is sad."

Having officiated as Chief Mourner at the funeral ceremony, Hamilton returned to New York, and soon after addressed this letter of condolence to the widow of Washington:

"NEW YORK, January 12, 1800.—I did not think it proper, Madam, to intrude amidst the first effusions of your grief. But I can no longer restrain my sensibility from conveying to you an imperfect expression of my affectionate sympathy in the sorrows you experience. No one, better than myself, knows the greatness of your loss, or how much your excellent heart is formed to feel it, in all its extent. Satisfied that you cannot receive consolation, I will attempt to offer none. Resignation to the will of Heaven, which the practice of your life en