They formed a plan for gradually paying pfT
the public debts, and this subject employed
them for a long time; they passed ^^^
several acts of ipfiportance, ^nd *

then determined that the seat of government,
should be removed to~ Philadelphia. This
session of Congress continued until th^ 12th
of Aug^st, when they adjourned. The health
of the president had been injured by his
clQse attention to public, business, and he
felt that a visit to Mount Vernon would re-
fresh and strengthen him. He wished to
travel as privately as possible, that he might
not cause any interruption in the employ-
ments of the inhabitants of the country
through which he passed. But when he
thought that he was approaching t^e villages
without being noticed, the villagers were
ready to give him some proof of a joyful
welcome; and supposing the probable time
for his return, the school children were pro-
mised by their teachers, that they should
see Washington if they would learn double
tasks; most gladly did they do so, for a re-
ward so highly valued. Colonel Proctor, an
old officer of artillery, who lived on the road
from Philadelphia to Mount Vernon, was air



226 . LIFE OF

ways anxious to greet his loved commander
with the sound of ,a cannon, but several
times he passed unobserved; at length the
old colonel said, " He shall not serve me so
again ; I'll warrant that my matches will be
found lighted next time." At the Ferry of
the S^squehannah, Colonel Rogers, a wor-
thy veteran, was always ready, as the ferry-
boat touched the shore, to take the hand of
Mrs. Washington, and welcome her and the ■
president to his hospitable home, where
they always stopped to rest.
