380 APPENDIX. 



me, I would fain do what was in all respects best. But how can I 

 know what is best, or on what shall I determine ? May Heaven 

 assist me in forming a judgment, for at present I see nothing but 

 clouds and darkness before me. Thus much I may safely say to 

 you in confidence ; if ever I should, from any apparent necessity, 

 be induced to go from home in a public character again, it will 

 certainly be the greatest sacrifice of feeling and happiness that ever 

 was or ever can be made by him who will have, in all situations, 

 the pleasure to profess himself with sentiments of real esteem, 

 Your affectionate friend and obed*. servant, 



G- WASHINGTON. 

 THE HON. JONATHAN TRUMBULL. 



GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOR TRUMBULL. 



PHILADELPHIA, March 3, 1797. 



MY DEAR SIR, Before the curtain drops on my political life, 

 which it will do this evening, I expect forever, I shall acknowl 

 edge, although it be in a few hasty lines only, the receipt of your 

 kind and affectionate letter of the 23d of January last. 



When I add that, according to custom, all the acts of the ses 

 sion, except two or three very unimportant bills, have been pre 

 sented to me within the last four days, you will not be surprised 

 at the pressure under which I write at present ; but it must aston 

 ish others who know that the Constitution allows the President ten 

 days to deliberate on each bill that is brought before him, that he 

 should be allowed by the legislature less than half that time to 

 consider all the business of the session ; and in some instances, 

 scarcely an hour, to revolve the most important. But as the scene 

 is closing with me, it is of little avail now to let it be with mur 

 murs. 



I should be very unhappy if I thought my relinquishing the 

 reins of government would produce any of the consequences 

 which your fears forebode. In all free governments, contention 

 in elections will take place ; and whilst it is confined to our own 

 citizens, it is not to be regretted, but severely indeed ought it 

 to be reprobated when occasioned by foreign machinations. I 

 trust, however, that the good sense of our countrymen will guard 

 the public weal against this, and every other innovation ; and that, 

 although we may be a little wrong, now and then, we shall return 



