After nearly eight years of service as Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington resigned his commission at a ceremony at the Maryland State House in Annapolis where the Continental Congress was meeting.
Following a farewell dinner on December 4 at Fraunces Tavern in New York City with high-ranking officers of the Army and a formal dinner last evening at Mann’s Tavern followed by a public ball hosted by Maryland Governor William Paca, General Washington will begin his journey home to Mount Vernon tomorrow.
After expressing his appreciation to Congress, he concluded his brief remarks saying, “Having now finished the work assigned to me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take any leave of all the employments of public life.”