294 
have the consolation to be lieve, 
that while choice and prudence in- 
vite me to quit the poli: ical scene, 
patriotism does not forbid it. 
‘© Tn looking forward to the mo- 
ment, ° which is intended to termi- 
nate the career of my public iife, 
my feelings do not permit me to 
suspend the deep acknowledgment 
of-that debt of gratitude which I 
owe to my beloved coun’ ty, for 
the many honours it has conferred 
‘upen me: still more for the sted- 
fast confidence with which ir has 
Supported me; and for the \oppor- 
tunities I have thence enjoyed of 
manifesting my inviolable atta¢h- 
ment, by services faithtul and per- 
severing, though in usefulness un- 
equal tomy~zeal. Ii benefits have 
resulted to our country from thesé 
services, let-it always be rétacm- 
bered to your praise, and as an in- 
structive example in our annals, 
that under circumstances in which 
th. passions, agitated in every di- 
reCtion, were ‘liable to mislead, 
ainiaae appearances sOmertimes iit 
bious, vicissitudes of fortune often 
discour. ging, in situations in which 
not unfrequently want of success 
has countenanced the spirit of cri- 
ticism, the constancy of your sup- 
port was the essential prop of the 
* efforts, and a guarantee of the plans 
by which they were effected. Pro- 
fonndly penetrated with this idea, 
{ ‘shall’ carry it with me to my 
gravé, as a’ strong ‘incitement to 
unceasing vows, that heaven may 
continue to you the choicest tokens 
of its beneficeuce, that your union 
and brotherly affection may be 
perpetual ¢ thar the’ free ‘constitu- 
tion, which is the work ‘pf your 
bands, may be sscredly maintained ; 
(iat its administration in every de. 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1796. 
partment may be stamped with 
wisdom ard virtue; thar, in fine, 
the happiness of the people of these 
states, under the auspices of li- 
berty, may be made complete, by 
so careful a. preservation, and sa 
prudent a use of this blessing, as 
will acquire to them the’ glory. of 
ecommendiing it to the ar olause, 
the affection and adeption’ of every 
nation which is yet a stranger to 
it. 
Here, perhaps, I ought to stop, 
But solicitude for your welfare, 
which cannot but end wth my 
life, «nd the apprehension of dan- 
ger, natural to that solieitude, urge 
me, on an occasion like the pre. _ 
sent, to offer to your solemn con- 
templaticn, and to recommend to 
your frequent review, some senti- 
ments, which are the result of 
much reflection, of no inconsider- 
able observation, and which appear 
to me all ‘important to the perma- 
nency 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 warn. 
ings of a parting friend, who can 
possibly have no personal motive ta 
bias his counsel. © Nor’can J for- 
get, a8 an encouragement to it, 
your indulgent reception of my sen- 
timents on a former and not dissi. 
milar occaston. 
Interwoven as is the tak of li. 
berty with every ligament of your 
heart, no recommendation of mine 
is necessary to fortify or Soke 
the attachment. 
The unity of ‘goveriment, which 
constitutes’ you one people, 1s also 
now déear'to you. It is justly so; 
for it is‘a main pillar in the edifice 
of your real independence, the sup- 
port of ‘your tranquillity at home, 
your 
