318] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796: 
We cordially acquiesce in the re- 
fleftion that the United States) 
under the operation of the federal 
governmen'; have experienced a 
most rapid aggrandizement and 
prospérity, as well political as coms 
mercial. 
Whilé contemplating the causes 
that produce this auspicious result, 
we must acknowiedge the éxcel- 
lence of the constitutional sys'en, 
and the wisdom of the legislative 
Provisions, but we should be de: 
ficient in gratitude and justice, did 
we not atir:bute a great portion of 
these advantages to the viftue, 
firmness, and talents of your admi- 
nistration, which have been con: 
spicuously displayed in the most 
trying times, and on the most cri: 
tical eccasions. It is, therefore; 
with the sincerest regret, that we 
how receive an official noiification 
of your intentions to retire trom 
the pub‘ employments of your 
country. 
When, we review the various 
scenes of your public life, so long, 
and so successfully devoted to the 
most arduous services, civil and 
military, as well during the strug- 
gles of the American revolution; 
as the convulsive pericds of a recent 
date, we cannot look forward to 
your retirement without our warm. 
est aff2ctions and most anxious re- 
gards accompanying you, and with 
out mingling with our fellow-citi- 
zens at large the sincerest wishes 
for your personal happiness that 
sensibility and attachnient can ex- 
ress. 
The most effectual consolation 
that can offer for the loss we are 
about to sustain, arises from the 
animating refleCtion, that the influ- 
ence of your example will extend 
to your successors, and the United 
States thus continue to enjoy an 
able, upright, and energetic admiz 
nistration. 
Joun Apams, Vice President 
of the United States, and 
President of the Senate. 
The following is the reply of the 
President. 
GENTLEMEN, 
IT affords me great Satisfaction 
to find in your ad {ress a concurrence 
in sentiment with me on the vari-, 
ous topics which I presented fot 
your information and deliberation ; 
and that the latter will receive from 
you an attention propoftioned td 
their respective importance. 
For the notice you take of my 
public services, civil and inilitary,, 
and your kind wishes for my per- 
sonal happiness; I beg /you to at- 
cept my cordial thanks. Those 
services, and greater, had I pos 
sessed ability to render them, were 
due to the unanimous calis of my 
country ; and its approbation is my 
abundaiit reward. : 
When contemplating the peridd 
of my retirement I saw virtuous 
and enlightened men, among whom 
I rested on the discernment and pa- 
triotism of my felldw-citizetis to 
make the proper choice of a suc- 
cessor ; mén who would require no 
influential example to ensure to the 
United States ‘* an able, upright, 
and energetic administration.’”” To 
such mén I shall cieerfully yield 
the palm of genius and talents, to 
serve our common country; but at. 
the same time I hope I may be in- 
dulged in expressing the consoling 
refleGtion (which consciousness sug- 
gests), and to bear it with me to_ 
the grave, that none can serve it 
with purer intentions than I have 
done, or with a more disinterested 
zeal, phe 
‘Grorce WASHINGTON. 
CHARACTERS. 
or a ee 
ee een 
