VII. It will be among the purest enjoyments which can sweeten the remnant of his days, to partake in a private station, in the midst of his fellow-citizens, the laws of a free government, the ultimate object of his cares and wishes. VIII. As to rotation. IX. In contemplating the moment of retreat, cannot forbear to express his deep acknowledgments and debt of gratitude for the many honors conferred on him-the steady confidence which, even amidst discouraging scenes and efforts to poison its source, has adhered to support him, and enabled him to be useful—marking, if well placed, the virtue and wisdom of his countrymen. All the return he can now make must be in the vows he will carry with him to his retirement: 1st, for a continuance of the Divine beneficence to his country; 2d, for the perpetuity of their union and brotherly affection for a good administration insured by a happy union of watchfulness and confidence; 3d, that happiness of people under auspices of liberty may be complete; 4th, that by a prudent use of the blessing they may recommend to the affection, the praise, and the adoption, of every nation yet a stranger to it. X. Perhaps here he ought to end. But an unconquerable solicitude for the happiness of his country will not permit him to leave the scene without availing himself of whatever confidence may remain in him, to strengthen some sentiments which he believes to be essential to their happiness, and to recommend some rules of conduct, the importance of which his own experience has more than ever impressed upon him. XI. To consider the Union as the rock of their salvation, presenting summarily these ideas: Safety, peace, and liberty and commerce. 1. The strength and greater security from external danger. 3. Avoids the effects of foreign intrigue. 4. Breaks the force of faction by rendering combinations more difficult. 145 Fitness of the parts for each other by their very discriminations: 1. The North, by its capacity for maritime strength and manufacture. 2. The agricultural South furnishing materials and requiring those protections. The Atlantic board to the western country by the strong interest of peace, and The Western, by the necessity of Atlantic maritime protection. Cannot be secure of their great outlet otherwise-cannot trust a foreign connection. Solid interests invite to union. Speculation of difficulty of government ought not to be indulged, nor momentary jealousies— lead to impatience. Faction and individual ambition are the only advisers of disunion. Let confidence be cherished. Let the recent experience of the West be a lesson against impatience and distrust. XII. Cherish the actual government. It is the government of our own choice, free in its principles, the guardian of our common rights, the patron of our common interests, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment. But let that provision be cautiously used-not abused; changing only in any material points as experience shall direct; neither indulging speculations of too much or too little force in the system; and remembering always the extent of our country. Time and habit of great consequence to every government, of whatever structure. Discourage the spirit of faction, the bane of free government; and particularly avoid founding it on geographical discriminations. Discountenance slander of public men. Let the departments of government avoid interfering and mutual encroachment. XIII. Morals, religion, industry, commerce, economy. XIV. Cherish good faith, justice, and peace, with other nations : 1. Because religion and morality dictate it. 2. Because policy dictates it. If these could exist, a nation invariably honest and faithful, the benefits would be immense. But avoid national antipathies or national attachments. Display the evils; fertile source of wars-instrument of ambitious rulers. XV. Republics peculiarly exposed to foreign intrigue, those sentiments lay them open to it. XVI. The great rule of our foreign politics ought to be to have as little political connection as possible with foreign nations. Establishing temporary and convenient rules that com merce may be placed on a sta ble footing; merchants know their commerce; how to sup port them, not seeking favors. Cultivating commerce with all by gentle and natural means, diffusing and diversifying it, but forcing nothing—and cherish the sentiment of independence, taking pride in the appellation of American. XVII. Our separation from Europe renders standing alliances inexpedient-subjecting our peace and interest to the primary and complicated relations of European interests. Keeping constantly in view to place ourselves upon a respectable defensive, and if forced into controversy, trusting to connections of the occasion. XVIII. Our attitude imposing and rendering this policy safe. But this must be with the exception of existing engagements, to be preserved but not extended. XIX. It is not expected that these admonitions can control the course of the human passions, but if they only moderate them in some instances, and now and then excite the reflections of virtuous men heated by party spirit, my endeavor is rewarded. XX. How far, in the administration of my present office my conduct has conformed to these principles, the public records must witness. My conscience assures me that I believed myself to be guided by them. XXI. Particularly in relation to the present war, the proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the key to my plan. Touch sentiments with regard to Approved by your voice and that of your representconduct of bel- atives in Congress, the spirit of that measure has conligerent powers. tinually guided me, uninfluenced by, and regardless of, France may es- the complaints and attempts of any of the powers at war or their partisans to change them. A wish that tablish good government. I thought our country had a right under all the cirTime everything. cumstances to take this ground, and I was resolved as far as depended on me to maintain it firmly. I XXII. However, in reviewing the course of my administration, may be unconscious of intentional errors, I am too sensible of my own deficiencies not to believe that I may have fallen into many. I deprecate the evils to which they may tend, and pray Heaven to avert or mitigate and abridge them. I carry with me, nevertheless, the hope that my motives will continue to be viewed with indulgence, that after forty-five years of my life devoted to public service, with a good zeal and upright views, the faults of deficient abilities will be consigned to oblivion, and myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. XXIII. Neither interest nor ambition has been my impelling motive. I never abused the power confided to me-I have not bettered my fortune, retiring with it, no otherwise improved than by the influence on property of the common blessings of my country :— I retire with undefiled hands and an uncorrupted heart, and with ardent vows for the welfare of that country, which has been the native soil of myself and my ancestors for four generations. No. III. HAMILTON'S ORIGINAL DRAUGHT OF AN ADDRESS.* Hamilton's Works, Vol. VII, p. 575. [MEMORANDUM.-The clauses in this reprint which are inclosed by brackets, with an exception of four words in the 26th paragraph, that are bracketed in Hamilton's works, show the origin of the cancelled passages in Washington's autograph copy of the Farewell Address. The original of this draught is indorsed by Hamilton, "Copy of the original draught considerably amended."] August, 1796. The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States, being not very distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust for another term, it appears to me proper, and especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made. I beg you, nevertheless,† to be assured that the resolution which I announce, has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations attached to the relation which, as a dutiful citizen, I bears to my country, and that in withdrawing the tender of my service, which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for its future interest, nor by any deficiency This is a copy of the original draught in Hamilton's autograph. The notes embrace the final alterations in this draught, but there are many previous erasures which can only be given in a fac-simile.-ED. at the same time. $ bears. connected with-inseparable from-incident to. his. |