George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 8

[304] usages, Washington attended the Thursday lecture,

Chap. LIX.} 1776. Mar.

which had been kept up from the days of Winthrop and Wilson, and all rejoiced with exceeding joy at seeing this New England Zion once more a quiet habitation; they called it ‘a tabernacle that should never be taken down, of which not one of the stakes should ever be removed, nor one of the cords be broken;’ and as the words were spoken, it seemed as if the old century was holding out its hand to the new, and the puritan ancestry of Massachusetts returning to bless the deliverer of their children.

On the twenty ninth, the two branches of the legislature addressed him jointly, dwelling on the respect he had ever shown to their civil constitution, as well as on his regard for the lives and health of all under his command. ‘Go on,’ said they, ‘still go on, approved by heaven, revered by all good men, and dreaded by tyrants; may future generations, in the peaceful enjoyment of that freedom, which your sword shall have established, raise the most lasting monuments to the name of Washington.’ And the chief, in his answer, renewed his pledges of ‘a regard to every provincial institution.’ When the continental congress, on the motion of John Adams, voted him thanks, and a commemorative medal of gold, he modestly transferred their praises to the men of his command, saying: ‘They were, indeed, at first a band of undisciplined husbandmen; but it is, under God, to their bravery and attention to duty, that I am indebted for that success which has procured me the only reward I wish to receive—the affection and esteem of my countrymen.’

New England was always true to Washington; the