When the Continental Congress was getting ready to choose a commander-in-chief of the American army, they decided that he would be paid $500 a month, which was quite a lot for that time. George Washington, a wealthy Virginian, was unanimously chosen. Despite his wealth, it would have been perfectly understandable for him to take the salary that was offered, and most people would have done so. But instead, he decided to serve without pay. Here is the speech he made to the Congress when accepting his appointment (as was usual, he addressed his remarks to John Hancock, the president of congress, but he was really speaking to the whole group):
Mr President, Tho’ I am truly sensible of the high Honour done me in this Appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities & Military experience may not be equal to the extensive & important Trust: However, as the Congress desire it I will enter upon the momentous duty, & exert every power I Possess In their service & for the Support of the glorious Cause: I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their Approbation.
But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable to my reputation, I beg it may be rememberd by every Gentn in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think my self equal to the Command I am honoured with.
As to pay, Sir, I beg leave to Assure the Congress that as no pecuniary [i.e., monetary] consideration could have tempted me to have accepted this Arduous emploiment at the expence of my domestk ease & happiness I do not wish to make any proffit from it: I will keep an exact Account of my expences; those I doubt not they will discharge & that is all I desire.
Washington did indeed serve without pay for the whole war, and he definitely has my respect for that. He also kept a record of his expenses during all that time and submitted it to Congress after the war was over; if you’d like to look at it, go to the Library of Congress website.
Source
“Address to the Continental Congress, 16 June 1775,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed April 11, 2019, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0001. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 1, 16 June 1775 – 15 September 1775, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1985, pp. 1–3.]