David Martin: Swiftboating George Washington
Back page of the January 3, 1789, edition of the Philadelphia Weekly Gazette:
We, the delaware boat veterans, take as our solemn duty before our Creator to make known the truth concerning the Presidential candidate who calls himself George Washington. We beseech the public to read our account.
General Washington hath permitted certain myths and misconceptions to arise surrounding his alleged role in the crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. As pious and patriotic citizens, We have the Means of calling the right of it in question and thereby setting history's record straight.
On the night recalled, Each one of us did cross the Delaware. But none did see General Washington in any of the lead boats. We were in the first two boats to come ashore and We attest that no officer of a rank higher than captain was with us.
Whilst it may be that the General did in due course make his way to the opposite bank, it was well after the dawn and passage was in a heated ferryboat. Any account of him astride the bow of the first boat is most assuredly a fable—perhaps a rumor conceived by the General himself, to provide inspiration for a future painting in the service of his vanity....
Read entire article at Smithsonian Magazine
We, the delaware boat veterans, take as our solemn duty before our Creator to make known the truth concerning the Presidential candidate who calls himself George Washington. We beseech the public to read our account.
General Washington hath permitted certain myths and misconceptions to arise surrounding his alleged role in the crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776. As pious and patriotic citizens, We have the Means of calling the right of it in question and thereby setting history's record straight.
On the night recalled, Each one of us did cross the Delaware. But none did see General Washington in any of the lead boats. We were in the first two boats to come ashore and We attest that no officer of a rank higher than captain was with us.
Whilst it may be that the General did in due course make his way to the opposite bank, it was well after the dawn and passage was in a heated ferryboat. Any account of him astride the bow of the first boat is most assuredly a fable—perhaps a rumor conceived by the General himself, to provide inspiration for a future painting in the service of his vanity....