Wheeling Times And Advertiser

A NATIONAL LEGACY—Among the many interesting letters lately developed in Mr. Sparks's Life of Washington, is the following, said to have been written in reply to a proposition made to Washington, at the conclusion of the war, by certain officers of his army, to accept a crown.

The following sentiments show the republican spirit that animated the man.

Sir: With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment, I have read with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal, Be assured, sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as you have expressed; and I must view them with abhorrence, and reprehend with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclosure necessary.

I am much at a loss to conceive what part of my conduct could have given encouragement to an address which, to me, seems big with the greatest mischief that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable.

Let me conjure you, then, if you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of a like nature.

I am, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.