the high honor done me,
in this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness
that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the
extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I
will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in
their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they
will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of
their approbation.

But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my
reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in the room,
that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think
myself equal to the command I am honored with.

As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress, that, as no
pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous
employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not
wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my
expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I
desire.

[Illustration: ~Washington Taking the Oath of Office.~]

A MILITARY DINNER-PARTY.

[_Letter to Dr. John Cochran, West Point, 16 August, 1779._]

Dear Doctor: I have asked Mrs. Cochran and Mrs. Livingston to dine
with me to-morrow; but am I not in honor bound to apprise them of
their fare? As I hate deception, even where the imagination only is
concerned, I will. It is needless to premise, that my table is large
enough to hold the ladies. Of this they had ocular proof yesterday. To
say how it is usually covered, is rather more essential; and this
shall be the purport of my letter.

Since our arrival at this happy spot, we have had a ham, sometimes a
shoulder of bacon, to grace the head of the table; a piece of roast
beef adorns the foot; and a dish of beans, or greens, almost
imperceptible, decorates the centre. When the cook has a mind to cut a
figure, which I presume will be the case to-morrow, we have two
beef-steak pies, or dishes of crabs, in addition, one on each side of
the centre dish, dividing the space and reducing the distance between
dish and dish to about six feet, which without them would be near
twelve feet apart. Of late he has had the surprising sagacity to
discover, that apples will make pies; and it is a question, if, in the
violence of his efforts, we do not get one of apples, instead of
having both of beef-steaks. If the ladies can put up with such
e