Harmony, liberal intercourse, and commerce with all nations, are recommended by justice, humanity, and interest. But even our commercial policy should hold an equal hand, neither seeking nor granting exclusive favors or preferences-consulting the natural course of things-diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing-establishing with powers so disposed* temporary† rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion of interest will permit, but temporary; and liable to be abandoned or varied, as time, experience, and future circumstances may dictate-remembering that it is folly in one nation to expect disinterested favor in another—that to accepts is to part with a portion of its independence, and that it may find itself in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and of being reproached with ingratitude in the bargain. There can be no greater error in national policy than to desire, expect, or calculate upon real favors. 'Tis an illusion that experience must cure, that a just pride ought to discard.

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an old and affectionate friend-counsels suggested by laborious reflection, and matured by a various experience, I dare not hope that they will make the strong and lasting impressions I wish-that they will control the current of the passions or prevent our nation from running the course which has hitherto marked the destiny of all nations.

But if they may even produce partial benefit, some occasional good... that they sometimes recur to moderate the violence of party spirit to warn against the evils of foreign intrigue—to guard

as a general principle, to avoid permanent or close alliances. Taking care always to keep ourselves by suitable establishments in a respectably defensive position, we may safely trust to occasional alliances for extraordinary emergencies.

* In order to give to trade a stable course, to define the rights of our merchants, and

enable the government to support them.

† and conventional.

S any thing under that character.

always.

I may flatter myself.

against the impositions of pretended patriotism—the having offered them, must always afford me a precious consolation.

How far in the execution of my present office I have been guided by the principles which have been recommended,* the public records and the external evidences of my conduct must witness. My conscience assures me that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them.

In reference to the present war of Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the key to my plan, sanctioned by your approving voice, and that of your Representatives in Congressthe spirit of that measure has continually governed me—uninfluenced and unawed by the attempts of any of the warring powers, their agents, or partisans, to deter or divert from it.

After deliberate consideration, and the best lights I could obtain [and from men who did not agree in their views of the origin, progress, and nature of that war], I was satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the case, had a right and was bound in propriety and interest to take a neutral position. And having taken it, I determined as† should depend on me to maintain it steadily and firmly.‡

Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error-I am yet too sensible of my own deficiencies, not to think it possible§ that I have committed many errors―[I deprecate the evils to which they may tend]—and fervently implore the Almighty to avert or mitigate them. I shall carry with me, nevertheless, the hope that my motives will continue to be viewed by my country with indulgence, and that after fortyfive years of my life, devoted with an upright zeal to the public

* "inculcated" for "recommended."

† as far as.

Here a large space is found in the draught, evidently left for the insertion of other

matter.

§ "probable" for "possible."

service, the faults of inadequate abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be, to the mansions of rest.

[Neither ambition nor interest has been the impelling cause of my actions. I never designedly misused any power confided to me. The fortune with which I came into office, is not bettered otherwise than by that improvement in the value of property which the natural progress and peculiar prosperity of our country have produced. I retire* with a pure heart,† with undefiled hands, and with ardent vows for the happiness of a country, the native soil of myself and progenitors for four generations.]

* without cause for a blush.

† with no alien sentiment to the ardor of those vows for the happiness of his country, which is so natural to a citizen who sees in it.

No. IV.

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

(The Writings of Washington, vol. xii, p. 214.)

FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS,

The period for a new election of a citizen, to administer the executive government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those, out of whom a choice is to be made.

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation, which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that, in withdrawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest; no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but am supported by a full conviction that the step is compatible with both.

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclina

tion to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea.

I rejoice, that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty, or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country, you will not disapprove my determi

nation to retire.

The impressions, with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the government the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied, that, if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to terminate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude, which I owe to my beloved country for the many honors it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let it always be remem