Photo Print: Image is on a professional photograph paper. Print will need to be framed behind glass. This print is a standard frame size.

Plaque: Image is on a solid 1/2 inch board with a hand painted protected finish. Print can be placed on an easel, hung as is or framed.

Rolled Canvas: Image is on canvas and has a hand brushed protected finish applied to the image for protection. Your canvas print comes rolled so you can have it mounted for framing later. Is easier and less expensive to ship. Will still need to be mounted for framing.

Story Behind the Image

"Washington’s Worst Ordeal"

Seven months after the battle at Yorktown, Washington received a most disturbing letter from one of his officers, outlining the military’s grievances with Congress and the consideration of a possible military revolt. Congress had failed to honor its promises made to the army concerning salary and pensions. The officer pleaded with Washington to accept the crown and serve as King George I of the United States.

Horrified, Washington wrote back immediately, denouncing the idea. America had come too far to return to tyranny.

Washington’s strong feelings did not pacify the rumbling restlessness of the military, which called for a military revolt with or without Washington. In a meeting of officers on the subject, Washington reviewed their grievances and expressed a determination to work with Congress for a just solution. Washington saw that the officers were still sullen and silent. Having failed to persuade them, he reached into his pocket and retrieved a letter from Congress explaining the financial difficulties of the government.

In their seats the officers shifted uncomfortably. Suddenly every heart missed a beat. Something was the matter with their commander. He seemed unable to read the paper. He paused in bewilderment. Fumbling in his waistcoat pocket, Washington took out a pair of reading glasses—something that only his closest friends had seen him wear. He then said quietly,

“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray in the service of my country, but blind also.”

This simple statement achieved what all of Washington’s arguments had been unable to accomplish. The officers were deeply moved and shed tears of affection. They had great admiration for their aging
general, who had led them all so far and so long. Washington quietly finished reading the letter, walked out of the hall, mounted his horse, and disappeared from view.

Washington’s officers realized that they had followed their leader into battle for the cause of Liberty and they would follow him again, into the next battle, to determine if they could become a self-governing people.