534
Interpreting and Preserving the Constitution
I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no
longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment
of duty or propriety; and am persuaded, whatever partiality may be retained for my services, that, in the present circumstances of our country,
you will not disapprove my determination to retire.
The impressions, with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were
explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only
say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the Government the best exertions of which a
very fallible judgment was capable. Not unconscious, in the outset, of the
inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, perhaps still
more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of
myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me
more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it
will be welcome. Satisfied, that, if any circumstances have given peculiar
value to my services, they were temporary, I have the consolation to believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene,
patriotism does not forbid it.
In looking forward to the moment which is intended to terminate the
career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend the
deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country, for the many honors it has conferred upon me; still more
for the steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and for the
opportunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal
to my zeal. If benefits have resulted to our country from these services,
let it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive example
in our annals, that under circumstances in which the passions, agitated in
every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which not
infrequently want of success has countenanced the spirit of criticism, the
constancy of your support was the essential prop of the efforts, and a
guarantee of the plans by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with me to the grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that your union and brotherly affection may