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acceptance, it may place itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater errour than to expect, or calculate, upon real favours from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.

41. In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and lasting impression I could wish-that they will control the usual current of the. passions, or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of nations: but if I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some partial benefit, some occasional good; that they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism; this hope will be a full recompence for the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dictated.

42. How far, in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided by the principles which have been delineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you, and to the world. To myself the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

43. In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April 1793, is the index to my plan.- -Sanctioned by your approving voice, and that of your Representatives in both Houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it.

44. After deliberate examination with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and was bound in duty and interest, to take à neutral position. Having taken it, I determined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain it, with moderation.

45. The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will only observe, that according to my understanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the Belligerent Powers, has been virtually admitted by all.

46. The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace and amity toward other nations.

47. The inducements of interest for observing that conduct will best be referred to your reflections and experience. With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress without interruption, to that degree of strength and consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes.

48. Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am un conscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my own de fects, not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors Whatever they may be I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will he consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

49. Relying on its kindness in this, as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love toward it, which is so natural to a man, who views in it the

native soil of himself, and his progenitors, for several generations; I antici pate, with pleasing expectation, that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws, and a free governmentthe ever favourite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours and dangers.

UNITED STATES, 17th September, 1796.

G. WASHINGTON.

General Washington's Resignation.

MR. PRESIDENT,

1. THE great events, on which my resignation depended, having at length taken place, I have now the honour of offering my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded to the United States, of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction, the appointment I accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, was superceded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

2. The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with every review of the momentous contest. While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen, who have been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of confidential officers, to compose my family, should have been more fortunate.

3. Permit me, sir, to recommend, in particular, those who have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of Congress. I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of ALMIGHTY GOD, and those who have the superintendance of them to his holy keeping. Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of action; and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.

SIR,

Answer of Congress.

1. THE United States in Congress assembled, receive, with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success, through a perilous and a doubtful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, and while it was without funds, or a government to support you.

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2. You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power, through all disasters and changes; you have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity; you have persevered till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety, and independence; on which happy event we sincerely join you in congratulations.

3. Having defended the standard of liberty, in this new world—having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action, with the blessings of your fellowcitizens; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command; it will continue to animate remotest ages. We feel, with you, our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers, who have attended your person to this affecting moment,

4. We join with you in commending the interests of our country to the protection of ALMIGHTY GOD, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them, of becom ing a happy and respectable nation; and for you, we address to him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give.

Character of Washington.

1. GENERAL WASHINGTON, was in his 68th year when he died. The height of his person was about five feet eleven inches; his chest full; and his limbs, though rather slender, well shaped and muscular. His head was

small, in which respect he resembled the make of a great number of his countrymen. His eyes were of a light grey colour; and, in proportion to the length of his face, his nose was long. Mr. STUART, the eminent portrait painter, used to say, there were features in his face, totally different from what he had ever observed in that of any other human being; the sockets for the eyes, for instance, were larger than what he ever met with before, and the upper part of the nose broader. All his features he observod, were indicative of the strongest passions; yet, like SOCRATES, his judgment, and great self-command, have always made him appear a man of a different cast, in the eyes of the world.

2. He always spoke with great diffidence, and sometimes hesitated for a word; but it was always to find one particularly well adapted to his meaning. His language was manly and expressive. At levee, his discourse with strangers turned principally upon the subject of America; and if they had been through any remarkable places, his conversation was free and particularly interesting, for he was intimately acquainted with every part of the country. He was much more open and free in his behaviour at than in private, and in the company of ladies still more so than when solely with men.

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3. Few persons ever found themselves for the first time in the presence of General WASHINGTON, without being impressed with a certain degree of veneration and awe; nor did those emotions subside on a closer acquaintance on the contrary, his person and deportment were such as rather tended to augment them. The hard service he had seen, the important and laborious offices he had filled, gave a kind of austerity to his countenance,

and a reserve to his manners; yet he was the kindest husband, the most humane master, the steadiest friend.

4. The whole range of history does not present to our view a character upon which we can dwell with such entire and unmixed admiration. The long life of General WASHINGTON is not stained with a single blot He was indeed a man of such rare endowments, and such fortunate temperament, that every action he performed was equally exempted from the charge of vice or weakness. Whatever he said or did, or wrote, was stamped with a striking and peculiar propriety. His qualities were so happily blended, and so nicely harmonized, that the result was a great and perfect whole. The powers of his mind, and the dispositions of his heart, were admirably suited to each other. It was the union of the most consummate prudence with the most perfect moderation. His views, though large and liberal, were never extravagant; his virtues, though comprehensive and beneficent, were discriminating, judicious and practical.

5. Yet his character, though regular and uniform, possessed none of the littleness, which may sometimes belong to these descriptions of men. It formed a majestic pile, the effect of which was not impaired, but improved, by order and symmetry. There was nothing in it to dazzle by wildness, and surprise by eccentricity. It was of a higher species of moral beauty. It contained every thing great and elevated, but had no false and tinsel o nament. It was not the model cried by fashion and circumstance; its er cellence was adapted to the true and just moral taste, incapable of change from the varying accidents of manners, of opinion and times. General WASHINGTON is not the idol of a day, but the hero of ages!

6. Placed in circumstances of the most difficulty, at the commencement of the American contest, he accepted that situation, which was pre-eminent in danger and responsibility. His perseverance overcame every obstacle ; his moderation conciliated every opposition; his genius supplied every resource; his enlarged view could plan, revise, and improve, every branch of civil and military operation. He had the superiour courage, which can act, or forbear to act, as true policy dictates, careless of the reproaches of ignorance, either in power, or out of power. He knew how to conquer by waiting, in spite of obloquy, for the moment of victory; and he merited true praise, by despising undeserved censure. In the most arduous moments of the contest, his prudent firmness proved the salvation of the cause which he supported.

7. His conduct was, on all occasions, guided by the most pure disinterestedness. Far superiour to low grovelling motives, he seemed even to be uninfluenced by that ambition, which has justly been called the instinct of great souls. He acted ever, as if his country's welfare, and that alone, was the moving spring. His excellent mind needed not even the stimulus of ambition, or the prospect of fame. Glory was but a secondary consideration. He performed great actions, he persevered in a course of laborious utility, with an equanimity, that neither sought distinction, nor was flattered by it. His reward was in the consciousness of his own rectitude, and in the success of his patriotic efforts.

8. As the elevation to the chief power was the unbiassed choice of his countrymen, his exercise of it was agreeable to the purity of its origin. As he had neither solicited, nor usurped dominion, he had neither to contend with the opposition of rivals, nor the revenge of enemies. As his authority was undisputed, so it required no jealous precautions, no rigorous severity His government was mild and gentle; it was beneficent and liberal; it was wise and just. His prudent administration consolidated and enlarged the dominion of an infant Republic. In voluntarily resigning the magistracy

which he had filled with such distinguished honour, he enjoyed the une qualled satisfaction of leaving to the State, he had contributed to establish, the fruits of his wisdom, and the example of his virtues.

9. It is some consolation, amidst the violence of ambition, and the crimi nal thirst of power, of which so many instances occur around us, to find a character, whóm it is honourable to admire, and virtuous to imitate. A conqueror for the freedom of his country! A Legislator for security! A Magistrate for its happiness! His glories were never sullied by those excesses, into which the highest qualities are apt to degenerate. With the greatest virtues, he was exempt from the corresponding vices. He was a man, in whom the elements were so mixed, that "Nature might have stood up to all the world," and owned him as her work. His fame, bounded by no country, will be confined to no age. The character of WASHINGTON, which his cotemporaries admire and venerate, will be transmitted to posterity; and the memory of his virtues, while patriotism and virtue are held sacred among men, will remain undiminished.

Tomb of Washington.

MOUNT VERNON, the late residence of our immortal WASHINGTON, is beautifully situated on the banks of the Potomac, about eight miles below the city of Alexandria. The river glides majestically along, in a meandering course, till it approaches the territory of Washington; here it forms a kind of semi-circle, within which, on an elevated ground, stands the mansion of the departed hero. The external appearance of the edifice is by no means prepossessing; but the spacious apartments, decorated with the most superb furniture, combined with a collection of rare curiosities, excited my admiration. My attention was next called to the garden. So great a collection of plants, flowers, and shrubs, I never before witnessed. They were transported from the four quarters of the globe, and seem to vie with each other in fragrance, beauty, and loveliness. Most of the tropical fruits are brought to perfection here, by the aid of the hot house, which protects them from the chilling frost of winter.

In this little kingdom of vegetables, I could have passed days, nay weeks, pleasantly; but my conductor, eager to show all, leads me to the tomb. Who can view this interesting spot without dropping a tear of sympathy over the manes of departed greatness? My conductor removed the double bolt, and forced open the door, which creaked on its turning hinges, as if unwilling to admit a worthless stranger. I entered the solemn silent house. No regularity was visible in the arrangement of the dead; the coffins were promiscuously heaped together. "There," said my guide, "is the General" by his side sleeps the partner of his joys and sorrows-beneath, in a more humble posture, (if possible) rests his aged sire-there, a beloved brother, who had treated him with parental affection. My stay in the dreary abode was short. No insignia, designating the patriot from the lowest branch in the family. From the surface of the tomb I plucked a flower-it was emblematical of the man, It had already faded-its fragrance parted. -its loveliness vanished. But never, no, never will I forget the sensation it occasioned. The top of the tomb, is covered with grass and trees, of considerable magnitude-the willow weeps the cypress mourns-the hemlock sighs, but sighs in vain. Every zephyr wafts a sigh-every stranger drops a rear. In life the patriot preferred the rural field, the solitary shades of Vernon, to the gilded palace. So in death he sleeps in obscurity. No sculptured stone-no monumental brass, tells where the veteran lies. But his name shall live in the memory of every American.

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