1779.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6.

At Philadelphia: "I have lately been several times invited abroad with the General and Mrs. Washington. He always inquires after you in the most affectionate manner, and speaks of you highly. We danced at Mrs. Powell's your birth-day [January 6, (O.S.) 1706], or night I should say, in company together, and he told me it was the anniversary of his marriage [January 6, (N.S.) 1759]; it was just twenty years that night."-Mrs. Bache to Dr. Franklin, January 17, 1779.

Mrs. Powel (Elizabeth Willing), at whose house Mrs. Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, danced in company together with General Washington, on the evening of January 6, 1779, was the wife of Samuel Powel, mayor of Philadelphia in 1775 and 1789. When in Philadelphia, Washington was a frequent visitor at the Powel house, still standing, on the west side of Third Street, between Walnut and Spruce Streets, No. 244; old number, 112.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15.

At Philadelphia: "It is much to be regretted, that our prospect of any capital offensive operations is so slender, that we seem in a manner to be driven to the necessity of adopting the plan to remain intirely on the defensive; except such lesser operations against the Indians, as are absolutely necessary to divert their ravages from us. . . . The main Body of the army must take a position so as to be most easily subsisted, and at the same time best situated to restrain the Enemy from ravaging the Country. If they should hereafter weaken themselves still more, so as to give a favorable opening, we should endeavour to improve it.". Washington to the Committee of Congress.

The Committee of Congress, appointed December 24, 1778, to confer with the Commander-in-Chief on the operations of the next campaign, was composed of James Duane, Jesse Root, Melancthon Smith, Gouverneur Morris, and Henry Laurens. After submitting a paper containing Minutes of the several topics which were likely to be brought forward in the conference, Washington, at the request of the committee, made several explanatory communications, from one of which the above extract is made. The plan of a defensive campaign, suggested by the Commander-in-Chief, was finally adopted, as being the best under the circumstances, and the least expensive.

MONDAY, JANUARY 18.

At Philadelphia: Present at a banquet given by Congress to the French minister, to celebrate the French alliance, at which thirteen toasts were drunk, accompanied by salutes of artillery.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20.

At Philadelphia: Informs the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, by letter, of his willingness to sit to Charles Willson Peale for his portrait, to be placed in the Council Chamber, as requested by them in a resolution of January 18.

For the history of this portrait, destroyed in September, 1781, and the engraving of it executed by Mr. Peale in 1780, consult the paper entitled "The History of a Rare Washington Print," Pennsylvania Magazine, vol. xiii. p. 257. See Frontispiece.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29.

At Philadelphia: "My long and unexpected stay in this City being attended with many inconveniences to the common business of the army, and in other respects, I feel myself under the necessity of requesting the permission of Congress to return; and, if consistent with their views, I should be glad to set out for the camp at Middlebrook on Monday next."— Washington to the President of Congress.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1.

At Philadelphia: Sits to Pierre Eugène du Simitière for his portrait, the sitting being recorded in the note-book of

the artist, printed in the Pennsylvania Magazine, vol. xiii. p. 359: "Paintings & Drawings done 1779 feby 1st a drawing in black lead of a likeness in profil of his Excellency general Washington, form of a medal, for my collection. NB the general at the request of the Hon. M' Jay President of congress, came with him to my house this morning & condescended with great good nature to Sit about of an hour for the above likeness, having but little time to Spare being the last day of his stay in town."

The drawing by Du Simitière is not in existence, but the portrait is well known through engravings, the first of which was published at Madrid in 1781. See Baker's " Engraved Portraits of Washington," pp. 39, 41.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2.

Leaves Philadelphia: "Tuesday morning [February 2], His Excellency General Washington set off from Philadelphia to join the army in New Jersey. During the course of his short stay (the only relief he has enjoyed from service since he first entered into it), he has been honored with every mark of esteem which his exalted qualities as a gentleman and a citizen entitle him to. His Excellency's stay was rendered the more agreeable by the company of his lady, and the domestic retirement which he enjoyed at the house of the Honorable Henry Laurens, Esquire, with whom he resided."-Pennsylvania Packet, February 4, 1779.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5.

At Middlebrook, New Jersey: "It was not till the 5th instant, I returned to this place. While in Philadelphia what between Congress and a special committee of that body I was furnished with ample employment. I had few moments of relaxation."— Washington to General Schuyler, February 11.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18.

At General Knox's quarters, Pluckamin: "The anniversary of our alliance with France was celebrated in proper

style near headquarters, at Pluckemin. A splendid entertainment was given by General Knox and the officers of the artillery. General Washington, and his lady, with the principal officers of the army and their ladies, and a considerable number of respectable ladies and gentlemen of the state of New Jersey, formed the brilliant assembly. About four o'clock sixteen cannon were discharged, and the company collected in a large public building to partake of an elegant dinner. In the evening a very beautiful set of fire works was exhibited, and the celebration was concluded by a splendid ball opened by his Excellency General Washington, having for his partner the lady of General Knox."Thacher's Military Journal.

This celebration was in honor of the first anniversary of the French alliance; it should properly have taken place on the 6th, but was deferred to the 18th because of Washington's absence from camp. General Knox, in a letter of February 28, wrote to his brother: "We had at the Park [of artillery] on the 18th a most genteel entertainment given by self and officers. Everybody allows it to be the first of the kind ever exhibited in this State at least. We had above seventy ladies, all of the first ton in the State, and between three and four hundred gentlemen. We danced all night-an elegant room, the illuminating, fireworks, &c., were more than pretty. It was to celebrate the alliance between France and America."

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25.

At Middlebrook: "February 26th.-Yesterday I accompanied Major Cavil to head quarters, and had the honor of being numbered among the guests at the table of his Excellency, with his lady, two young ladies from Virginia, the gentlemen who compose his family, and several other officers. It is natural to view with keen attention the countenance of an illustrious man, with a secret hope of discovering in his features some peculiar traces of excellence, which distinguishes him from and elevates him above his fellow mortals. These expectations are realized in a peculiar manner, in viewing the person of General Washington. His tall and noble stature and just proportions, his fine, cheerful open

countenance, simple and modest deportment, are all calculated to interest every beholder in his favor, and to command veneration and respect. He is feared even when silent, and beloved even while we are unconscious of the motive. . . . In conversation, his Excellency's expressive countenance is peculiarly interesting and pleasing; a placid smile is frequently observed on his lips, but a loud laugh, it is said, seldom if ever escapes him. He is polite and attentive to each individual at table, and retires after the compliment of a few glasses. Mrs. Washington combines in an uncommon degree, great dignity of manner with the most pleasing affability, but possesses no striking marks of beauty."-Thacher's Military Journal.

MONDAY, MARCH 8.

...

At Middlebrook: "Nothing of importance has happened since you left us, except the Enemy's invasion of Georgia, and possession of its capital [Savannah]. . . . The American Troops are again in Hutts; but in a more agreeable and fertile country, than they were in last winter at Valley Forge; and they are better clad and more healthy, than they have ever been since the formation of the army. Mrs. Washington is now with me."-Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette at Paris.

Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell sailed from Sandy Hook, on the 27th of November, 1778, with more than two thousand land troops, covered by a small squadron under Commodore Parker. The fleet arrived at Tybee Island, near the mouth of the Savannah River, on the 23d of December. Six days afterwards the vessels and transports crossed the bar, and the troops were landed at daybreak three miles below the town. General Robert Howe, with about six hundred Continentals and a few hundred militia, opposed their advance, but was defeated, and Savannah passed into the hands of the British. An attempt was made to recapture it, October 9, 1779, by the combined French and American forces under D'Estaing and Lincoln, which failed, and the enemy retained possession until July 11, 1782, when it was evacuated.

MONDAY, MARCH 15.

At Middlebrook: "It gives me very singular pleasure to