Tfy.mhull 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 diffidence, — a diffidence in my abil- 

 ities to accomplish so arduous a task ; which, however, was su- 

 perseded by a confidence in the rectitude 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 gentlemen 

 who have been attached to my person during the war. It was 

 impossible that the choice of confidential officers to compose my 

 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 the super- 

 intendence of them to his holy keeping. 



Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from 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 leave 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 



