tent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man, who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations; I anticipate 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 under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers. UNITED STATES, September 17th, 1796. GEORGE WASHINGTON. No. V. WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. (From Autograph Copy.) [MEMORANDUM.-With the cancelled passages restored, and printed at the foot of the pages, under the direction of James Lenox, Esq., the proprietor of the autograph. The marginal pages are those of the fifth volume of Mr. Irving's Life of Washington. The references at the end of the restored passages, at the foot of the pages, are to the pages of this Appendix.] *FRIENDS AND FELLOW-CITIZENS : [*356] 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. * for another term † act under 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 inclination 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. [*357] 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 determination 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 * that $ under † any portion of you may yet retain ¶ to even they ** not lessened 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] [*358] 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 stedfast 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 remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example in our annals, that, [§] under circumstances in which the Passions agitated in every direction were liable to [mislead],|| amidst appearances sometimes dubious,-vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging,—in situations in which not unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism [the constancy of your support] was the essential prop of the efforts and [a]¶ guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to the grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows [**] that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence-that * May I also have that of knowing in my retreat, that the involuntary errors, I have probably committed, have been the sources of no serious or lasting mischief to our country. I may then expect to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government; the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, I trust, of our mutual cares, dangers, and labours. [Supra, p. 190.] In the margin opposite this paragraph is the following note in Washington's Autograph also erased, "obliterated to avoid the imputation of affected modesty." † demanded by S the constancy of your support unequal in usefulness wander and fluctuate T the ** the only return I can henceforth make. your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual-that the free constitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained—that its administration in every department may be stamped with wisdom and virtue-that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory [*] of recommending it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger to it. Here, perhaps, I ought to stop.-But a solicitude for your welfare which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehen[*359] sion of danger, natural to that solicitude, [urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer]t to your solemn contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments; which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, [] and which appear to me all important to the permanency of your felicity as a people.-These will be offered to you with the more freedom as you can only see in them, the disinterested warnings of a departing friend, who can [possibly] have no personal motive to bias his counsels.-[Nor can I forget, as an encouragement to it your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former and not dissimilar occasion.] Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. The Unity of Government which constitutes you one people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so;-for it is a main Pillar in the Edifice of your real independence; [the support] of your tranquillity at home; your peace abroad; of your safety; [§] of your † encouraged by the remembrance of your indulgent reception of my sentiments on an occasion not dissimilar to the present, urge me to offer + and experience § in every relation |