HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
oppression of the English govern- 
ment, and restored it, by a commer- 
cial treaty, in spite of France, and 
almost in spite of itself, to an ami- 
cable conneétion with the English 
Hation, voluntarily retired from 
power, after giving the most pro- 
found instruétion and advice respect- 
ing union, virtue, liberty, and hap- 
piness: between all of which there 
[203 
most ardent prayers for the prospe- 
rity and peace of America. There 
is nothing in profane history to which 
his parting address to the states can 
be compared. In our sacred Scrip- 
tures alone we find a parallel in that 
recapitulation of divine instructions 
and commands which ihe legislator 
of the Jews made in the hearing 
of Israel, when they were about to 
was a close conneétion, with the pass the Jordan.* 
It 
* In his address to congress, on the seventh of December, 1796, having given an 
account of the situation of the United States, in relation to foreign powers, and 
strongly recommended the creation of a navy, he directs the attention of congress 
to the encouragement of manufactures, agriculture, a national university, and also 
a military academy. His sentiments, on these subjects, are those of an enlight- 
ened and philosophical statesman. 
“ T have heretofore proposed to the consideration of congress, the expediency of 
establishing a national university, arid also a military academy. The desirableness 
of both these institutions, has so constantly increased with every new view I have 
taken of the subject, that I cannot omit the opportunity of, once for all, recalling 
your attention to them. 
“ The assembly to which I address myself, is too enlightened not to be fully sen- 
sible how much a flourishing state of the arts and sciences contributes to national 
prosperity and reputation. True it is, that our country, much to its honour, con- 
tains many seminariesof learning, highly respectable and useful; but the funds upon 
which they rest are too narrow to command the ablest professors in the different 
departments of liberal knowledge, for the institution contemplated, though they 
would be excellent auxiliaries. 
Among the motives to such an institution, the assimilation of the principles, opi- 
nions, and manners of our countrymen, by the common education of a portion of 
our youth, from every quarter, well deserves attention, The more homogenous 
our citizens can be made, in these particulars, the greater will be our prospect of 
a permanent union; and a primary object of all such a national institution should 
be the education of our youth in the science of government. Ina republic, what 
species of knowledge can be equally important? and what duty more pressing on 
its legislature, than to patronize a plan for communicating it to those who are to be 
the future guardians of the liberties of the country? 
“ The institution of a military academy is also recommended by cogent reasons. 
However pacific measures may contribute tothe general policy of a nation, it ought 
never to be without anadequate stock of military knowledge, on emergencies. 
That first would impair the energy of its character, and both would hazard its 
safety or expose it to greater evils when war could not be avoided; besides that, 
war inight not often depend upon its own choice. 
“Tn proportion as the observance of pacific maxims might exempta nation from 
the necessity of practising the rules of the military art, these ought to be its care 
in preserving, and transmitting, by proper establishments, the knowledge of that art. 
Whatever argument muy be drawn from particular examples, superficially viewed, 
a thorough examination of the subject will evince, that the art demands much pre- 
vious study, and that the possession of it, in its most improved and perfect state, 
as always of great moment to the security of a nation, This, therefore, ought to 
be a serious care of every government; and, for this purpose, an academy, where 
4 regular course of instruction is given, is an obvious expedient, which different 
nations have successfully employed.” 
Genera 
