ngements with the government which shall have been esta d for that which may be due; and in case the common inter ld require that the troops of the Republic remain beyond th upon the foreign territory, it shall take suitable measures ide for their subsistence.

KI. The French nation declares that it will treat as enemies t le who, refusing liberty and equality, or renouncing them, ma to preserve, recall, or treat with the prince and the privilege es; it promises and engages not to subscribe to any treaty, an to lay down its arms, until after the establishment of the sove y and independence of the people whose territory the troops Republic have entered upon, and who shall have adopted th ciples of equality and established a free and popular government II. The executive council shall dispatch the present decree by ordinary couriers to all the generals and shall take the neces measures to assure the execution of it.

Brothers and friends, we have conquered liberty and we shall tain it. We offer to cause you to enjoy this inestimable blessing, h has always belonged to us and which our oppressors have not able to take away from us without crime.

Ve have driven out your tyrants: show yourselves free men and will guarantee you from their vengeance, their projects, and

return.

'rom this moment the French nation proclaims the sovereignty he people, the suppression of all the civil and military authoriwhich have governed you up to this day, and of all the imposts h you support under whatever form they exist; the abolition e tithe, of feudalism, of seignioral rights, both feudal and censuel,

semblies, make haste to establish your provisional and judiciaries, in conformity with the provisions of above decree. The agents of the French Republi with you, in order to assure your welfare and the f ought to exist henceforth between us.

1 The salt tax.

2 Taxes levied on commodities, especially provisions, whe town.

WASHINGTON planned to retire from public life of his first term of office. As early as 1792, acco asked James Madison to prepare for him a valedict to the American people. His acceptance of a second Madison's draft being set aside for the next four yea ington then amplified it and sent it to Alexander H revision. Hamilton, with the assistance of John Jay, entirely new draft, of which Washington made ex The address thus embodies the ideas of three Amer men, besides those of its author. It was not inten delivery, but was first published in a Philadelphia the American Daily Advertiser, in its issue of Septemb

WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS, 179

Friends and Fellow Citizens

I. The period for a new election of a citizen, to ad executive government of the United States, being not and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts n ployed in designating the person who is to be clothed w portant trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline bein among the number of those out of whom a choice is to b

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to that this resolution has not been taken without a stri all the considerations appertaining to the relation wh dutiful citizen to his country; and that, in withdrawin of service which silence in my situation might im influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future inte ciency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but a by a full conviction that the step is compatible with bo

1 George Washington, Writings, vol. xiii, pp. 277-325. Edited New York, 1889-1893. G. P. Putnam's Sons.

with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice o to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, exter ternal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination the sentiment of duty or propriety; and am per partiality may be retained for my services, that i cumstances of our country you will not disappro tion to retire..

1

The impressions, with which I first undertook were explained on the proper occasion.1 In the trust, I will only say that I have, with good inten toward the organization and administration of th best exertions of which a very fallible judgment v unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of experience in my own eyes, perhaps still more in t has strengthened the motives to diffidence of m day the increasing weight of years admonishes m that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me come. Satisfied that, if any circumstances have giv to my services, they were temporary, I have t believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

In looking forward to the moment which is inte the career of my public life, my feelings do not perr the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitud my beloved country, for the many honors it has me; still more for the steadfast confidence with ported me; and for the opportunities I have t manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services f

1 In his Inaugural Address of April 30, 1789

tion, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, in situations in unfrequently want of success has countenanced the spiri cism, the constancy of your support was the essential pr efforts and a guaranty of the plans by which they were Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that He continue to you the choicest token of its beneficence union and brotherly affection may be perpetual — that the stitution, which is the work of your hands, may be sacre tained that its administration in every department stamped with wisdom and virtue — that, in fine, the ha the people of these states, under the auspices of libert made complete, by so careful a preservation and so pru of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of reco it to the applause, the affection, and adoption of eve which is yet a stranger to it.

Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for yo which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension natural to that solicitude, urge me on an occasion like to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to recomme frequent review, some sentiments, which are the resul reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, and which ap all important to the permanency of your felicity as a peo will be offered to you with the more freedom, as you can them the disinterested warnings of a parting friend, who bly have no personal motive to bias his counsel. Nor c as an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception o ments on a former and not dissimilar occasion.1

II. Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligar hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify the attachment.

III. The unity of government which constitutes you also now dear to you. It is justly so; for it is a main edifice of your real independence; the support of your

1 In his Circular Letter to the governors of the states, June