From Philadelphia he proceeded to Annapolis, greeted with addresses and hailed with shouts at every town and village on his route, and having reached his destination, he addressed a letter to Congress on December 20, asking when it would be agreeable to them to receive him.

The 23d was appointed, and on that day, at noon, he appeared before Congress.
The following year a French orator and "maitre avocat," in an oration delivered at Toulouse upon the American Revolution, described this scene in these words: "On the day when Washington resigned his commission in the hall of Congress, a crown decked with jewels was placed upon the Book of the Constitutions.

Suddenly Washington seizes it, breaks it, and flings the pieces to the assembled people.

How small ambitious Caesar seems beside the hero of America." It is worth while to recall this contemporary French description, because its theatrical and dramatic untruth gives such point by contrast to the plain and dignified reality.

The scene was the hall of Congress.