Trumbull Gallery of Paintings in Yale College. 241 
sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself be- 
fore them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, 
and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my 
country. 
Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereign- 
ty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States 
of becoming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the 
appointment I accepted with Aiffidenba aye: diffidence in my abil- 
ities to accomplish so arduous a task; which, however, was su- 
perseded by a confidence in the eactitade of our cause, the sup- 
port of the supreme power of the Union, and the patronage of 
heaven. 
The successful termination of the war has verified the most 
sanguine expectations ; and my gratitude for the interposition of 
Providence, and the assistance I have received from my country- 
men, increases with every review of the momentous contest. 
While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should 
do injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place, 
the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the: ore 
who have been attached to my person during the war. It w. 
impossible that the choice of confidential officers to compose iy : 
family should have been more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to re- 
commend in particular, those who have continued in the service 
to the present moment, as worthy of the favorable notice and pat- 
ronage of Congress. 
I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last act of my 
official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to 
the protection of Almighty God, and those who have = ae 
intendence of them to his holy keeping. 
Having now finished the sha tetiicadaeedoneny Shatioations the 
great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewell to 
this august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here 
offer my commission, and take my — of all the employments 
of public life. 
He then advanced and delivered to the President his commis- 
sion, with a copy of his address, and having resumed his place, 
the President returned him the following answer :-— 
Sir,—The United States, in Congress assembled, receive with 
emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the 
