Written By Drew Palmer
On December 23, 1783, George Washington resigned his military commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland. The ceremonial event was a crucial moment in early American history. Washington could have been a king or a military dictator. However, Washington chose to relinquish this power, an act of immense moral virtue that created a precedent for American democracy.
The Old Senate Chamber Architecture
The ceremony was held in the Senate Chamber within the State House. The original Senate Chamber began construction in 1772 and was completed in 1779. After its completion, the room hosted U.S. Senate proceedings while the U.S. capital was in Annapolis, and State Senate proceedings when the capital was moved. Between 1777 and 1779, a gallery was built in the Senate Chamber for citizens to view Senate debates and daily actions. Revolutionary Maryland recently viewed the Old Senate Chamber in person on a research trip to Annapolis. The State of Maryland deserves credit for conducting meticulous research to re-create the Old Senate Chamber as it would have appeared in 1783 when Washington resigned his military commission. The chairs in the room are reproductions of those likely present during the event. In 2014, the gallery was reconstructed to its 1783 appearance based on archival findings. One of the few original elements of the room is the President's Niche. The elaborate design of the niche reflected the authority of the occupant. During the ceremony, Thomas Mifflin, the president of Congress, occupied the president's chair in front of the niche. The wall color and wood flooring are exact reconstructions of the 1783 Senate Chamber's paint color and flooring.
The Ceremony
When Washington arrived at the Senate Chamber, he walked into a room filled with twenty-one members of Congress, fellow officers of the Continental Army, prominent residents of Annapolis, and local officials. Also in attendance were Maryland’s four signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Governor of Maryland, and the mayor of Annapolis. The people attending the event knew the gravity of the moment. When Washington arrived in Annapolis on December 19, he was escorted by a delegation of local officials and army officers and received scheduled ceremonial cannon fire. He wrote to Congress asking how and when to resign his commission. In response, Congress requested Washington’s presence for a public audience at noon on December 23 in the State House. With the logistics set, one of the most important events in American history was set.
As Washington walked into the Senate Chamber, the members of Congress remained seated and “covered” (hats on), in accordance with State House protocol. After some initial introductions and brief speeches, Washington rose from his chair, bowed to Congress, and began his speech. Washington's speech read:
Mr. President: The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress and of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country. Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the oppertunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable Nation, I resign with satisfaction the Appointment I accepted with diffidence. A diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven. The Successful termination of the War has verified the most sanguine expectations, and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my Countrymen, encreases with every review of the momentous Contest. While I repeat my obligations to the Army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place the peculiar Services and distinguished merits of the Gentlemen who have been attached to my person during the War. It was impossible the choice of confidential Officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate. Permit me Sir, to recommend in particular those, who have continued in Service to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage of Congress. I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by 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. Having now finished the work assigned 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 my leave of all the employments of public life.
Upon finishing his remarks, Washington handed his military commission to Thomas Mifflin. Mifflin then delivered a response accepting Washington’s commission. Washington then turned to the members of Congress and bowed; the Congress, in turn, removed their hats as a mark of respect and bowed back. Attendees who wrote about the moment spoke of Washington’s demeanor and emotions as he delivered the speech. Congressman James McHenry of Maryland recalled that, “the general’s hand which held the address shook as he read it. When he spoke of the officers who had composed his family…. He was obliged to support the paper with both hands.” McHenry noted in another letter that, “it was a solem and affecting spectacle: such a one I believe as history does not present. The spectators all wept, and there was hardly a member of Congress who did not drop tears. Other attendees described the event as,“solemn and affecting.”
After saying farewell, Washington left the State House and traveled home to Mount Vernon. Washington’s victorious leadership of the Continental Army led many in the United States and Europe to believe that Washington would likely claim power for himself and rule as a king. Observers in both America and Europe were stunned that a victorious general voluntarily gave up power rather than seize control, a common occurrence throughout history. Artist and former aide-de-camp to Washington, John Trumbull, remarked that what Washington did at the Maryland State House was, “one of the highest moral lessons ever given to the world.” Others described Washington’s actions as a “new act of virtue.” Washington also received global recognition from stunned Europeans and monarchs. Ironically, King George III found Washington’s actions almost beyond belief. After hearing of the resignation ceremony, King George III remarked that, “he [Washington] will be the greatest man in the world.” By resigning his military command, Washington set an ultimate example that civilian government rules over military authority in a democratic system. Through his action, Washington further affirmed that the military served the people, not the other way around. Though emotional after years of military service and dedication, Washington had repeatedly affirmed his commitment to living as a private citizen again at his beloved Mount Vernon.
Washington has often been romanticized and mythologized in American history; yet he was a flawed human, with human problems and human emotions. Washington comes from an era of men who usually did not live up to the ideals that they preached. Though this is true of Washington in many respects, he consistently set an example of democratic authority over personal ambition for power. In another powerful and crucial event in American history, Washington stepped down as President of the United States in 1797 after serving two terms. As in 1783, when Washington resigned his military commission to maintain civilian control over the military, which is crucial in a democracy, Washington also stepped down as President to ensure the presidency did not become a lifetime appointment and thereby threaten democratic principles. Washington lived up to democratic ideals through his actions, rather than just preaching them. This is something that should be commended and celebrated, even amongst his human flaws.
Today, visitors are free to walk through the Old Senate Chamber every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Revolutionary Maryland highly recommends walking through the room where such an important moment in American history occurred.
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