Washington Resigns as Commander-in-Chief
Retire: Washington had achieved his goal and was ready to go home.
September 3, 1783
The Treaty of Paris was signed
The British officially recognized the independence of the United States at the signing of The Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.
November 25, 1783
Troops departed
The remaining British troops departed from New York City on November 25, 1783.
Washington had accomplished everything he set out to do. He disbanded his army and allowed them to return to their homes. It was now time for him to do the same. Or was it?
He resigned as Commander-in-Chief, having achieved his goal of independence for the Colonies. His final duty was to address Congress, and in resigning, he was “commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.” For now, his service to the American people was complete.
He returned to his home and his family at Mount Vernon on Christmas Eve, 1783.
- He had many visitors pay their respects to him for his service to the American People.
- He oversaw works on his home at Mount Vernon and took a trip to inspect land he had acquired in Ohio.
- He made changes to the crops being farmed at Mount Vernon and began breeding mules, having been gifted a mule by King Charles III of Spain.
But soon, Washington would be called back to the service of the American people.
Let’s Reflect
Have you ever decided that it was time to stop doing something? If so, why and what action did you take?
