Accepting with hesitation, Washington said:-- “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, that I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. As to pay, 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 of it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I desire.” Washington’s history during the next eight years is the history of the Revolution, for he was the animating spirit and the controlling power throughout that great struggle. On the 2d of November, 1783, he took final leave of the army, and resigned his commission on the following 23d of December. Retiring to Mount Vernon, which he had visited but once during the war, he resumed the peaceful life of a country gentleman. These were happy days, his time being fully occupied with his large estate, which required a tour of inspection each day. His servants were many; but he gave personal attention to their welfare. His guests were numerous; yet all were entertained with a bountiful hospitality. One ceremony was never omitted at Mount Vernon, and that was a daily visit to his old war-horse, Nelson, to pat his head. Washington rode him when receiving the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. The war ended, Nelson’s work was over; carefully tended, he lived to a good old age, but by his master’s strict orders, no service was ever again required of him. In 1784, Washington crossed the Alleghanies to visit his lands in western Virginia, and planned the Potomac and the James River canals. In 1787, he was sent as a delegate to the convention held in Philadelphia for the purpose of deciding on the best mode of governing the United States. The result of their labors was the federal Constitution, under the provisions of which Washington was unanimously chosen first President, with John Adams as Vice-President. Owing to a delay in the assembling of the members of the first National Congress, the inauguration could not take place until April 30, 1789. Washington’s journey from Mount Vernon to New York, temporarily the seat of government, was the triumphant progress of a hero; young and old, rich and poor, vied with one another to do him honor. Being re-elected, he took his second oath of office on the 4th of March, 1793. Appreciating the fact that America’s true policy was to keep clear of all European alliances, on the 22d of April of the same year, he issued his famous proclamation of neutrality, to restrain the United States from taking any part in the French Revolution.