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 WASHINGTON. 
 
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 TOMB 
 
 OF 
 
 WASHINGTON, 
 
 AT 
 
 MOUNT VERNON 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 CAREY AND HART. 
 
 1840. 
 

 Entered, according to tlie Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by Carey 
 AND Hart, in the Clerk's Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 C. Sherman & Co. Printers, 
 19 St. James Street. 
 
TO THE 
 
 HON. HENRY CLAY. 
 
 It is with great pleasure that I dedicate to you 
 a detailed account of the removal of the remains of 
 WashinGi-ton, from their orifrinal frail tenement at Mount 
 Vernon, to an imperishable sarcophagus, composed of 
 a solid block of Pennsylvania marble. 
 
 I am very happy in making you the depositary of 
 this event, which, even in the course of a few years, I 
 should have remembered but indistinctly, and which, I 
 trust, will be interesting to you, and to all who venerate 
 the character of this truly great man. 
 
 In making the communication public, I have thought 
 •proper to prepare the following pages in the form of a 
 souvenir; which embraces, with other subjects, copies 
 
of the correspondence between the late Major Law- 
 rence Lewis and Mr. John Struthers the sculptor and 
 donor, and what will perhaps be as acceptable as any 
 of the documents, an accurate view of the sarcophagus 
 and of the family vault at Mount Vernon. 
 With great esteem and regard. 
 
 Yours sincerely and truly, 
 
 WILLIAM STRICKLAND. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Correspondence . . . . .9 
 
 Tomb of Washington .... 21 
 
 Washington's Farewell Address . . .41 
 
CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 A MARBLE SARCOPHAGUS, 
 
 IN WHICH TO DEPOSIT 
 
 THE REMAINS OF WASHINGTON. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 I.AAVRENCR LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOHN STRUTHERS. 
 
 Audlcy, February 22d, 1 837. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 
 the 7th inst. In reply to it, I can say, being the only 
 surviving executor of General Washington, I have 
 only my own feelings to consult ujjon a refusal or 
 acceptance of your very liberal and polite oiler of a 
 stone coffin as a depository for the remains of him 
 " who was first in war, first in peace, and first in the 
 hearts of his countrymen." 
 
 The manner of making your ofler, the delicacy with 
 which it is proffered, forbids a refusal to accept it, 
 
12 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 and I tender you, in behalf of every relative of this 
 distincruishcd man, the most cordial and sincere thanks 
 for the kind feeling which has actuated you upon this 
 occasion. I leave it to your experience to make it in 
 form and manner as you may think best. 
 I am, dear sir, 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 LAWRENCE LEWIS. 
 
 It is suggested the following, or something similar, 
 should be put upon the marble coffin : 
 
 THIS SARCOPHAGUS, 
 
 CONTAININC, THE REMAINS OF 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
 
 FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 WAS MADE AND PRESENTED FOR THE PURPOSE, 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS, 
 
 OF THILADELPHIA, 
 THIS DAY OF A. D. 1H37. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 13 
 
 JOHN STRUTIIERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, KSa. 
 
 I'hiladolphia, March 4th, 1337. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 It is with sincere pleasure I acknowledge the 
 receipt of your favour, granting me permission to 
 execute the Sarcophagus. I have only to request 
 that you will send me, as soon as convenient, the 
 dimensions of the coffin which it is to contain. 
 With sentiments of esteem, 
 
 I remain, your most obedient, 
 
 JOHN STRUTIIERS. 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ. 
 
 Philadelphia, August 15th, 1837. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 In the course of the ensuing week I shall have 
 the Sarcophagus for your deceased relative finished, 
 and ready for shipment. Will you oblige me by your 
 
14 CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 opinion as to the safest mode of forwarding it, and to 
 whom you wish it consigned. I am entirely ignorant 
 of the different routes, and being anxious that as httle 
 transhipment may be made as possible, I trouble you 
 for this information. I will also suggest the propriety 
 of having a foundation built upon which to place the 
 Sarcophagus, as the marble work is very heavy. 
 The most convenient, and I believe the best plan 
 would be, to sink four walls deep enough to prevent 
 the action of the frost, and the possibility of their 
 sinking any deeper after they are built; if they are 
 made of bricks, nine inches will be wide enough for 
 them, and as the base is seven feet, ten inches long, 
 by three feet, one inch, in width, it will be necessary to 
 have the walls near that size ; this is, however, left 
 entirely to yourself On the receipt of your answer, I 
 will take immediate measures to forward the work. 
 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS. 
 
CORRESrONDEiNCE. 15 
 
 LAWKENCE LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOH^' STRLTUEiiS. 
 
 Audley, August 20th, 1837. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Your esteemed favour of the 15th inst. only 
 reached me last evening, owing to my visiting this 
 upper country for air and exercise. 
 
 I think it best for the Sarcophagus to be shipped 
 from Philadelphia direct to Alexandria, District of 
 Columbia, to the care of Mr. Edward Daingerfield, 
 merchant of that place ; to him I have written 
 requesting his particular attention to it, and the 
 landing of it, which I feel confident he will do. I 
 will thank you to give me the height of it, as I have 
 now some doubts whether the door of the vault is 
 suflicicntly large to admit it ; in this event, I shall have 
 to enlarge it, and so soon as all is ready I will give 
 you notice, and shall then be truly gratified by your 
 presence when the remains of my illustrious relative 
 and friend are placed in your liberal present. A 
 
IC CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 foundation shall be laid such as you recommend, and 
 that without delay. 
 
 I am truly and respectfully yours, 
 
 LAWRENCE LEWIS. 
 
 Please direct to me, Berry ville, Clark County. 
 When you inform me of the height of the Sarcopha- 
 gus, be pleased to give me some description of the 
 ornamental part of it ; Doctor Coxe, in his letter to his 
 daughter, says it is very handsome. This request is 
 made to enable me to give some account of it to the 
 many inquiries made of me respecting it. 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESa. 
 
 Philadelphia, September 18th, 1837. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 On Saturday last, the Sarcophagus was finished, 
 and I took the liberty of inviting a few of my friends 
 to see the carving, and they having mentioned it to 
 others, I found that thousands flocked to see it. It 
 
CORRESPONDENCE. 17 
 
 has also been noticed in the newspapers, which I 
 exceedingly regret, but of course could not prevent. 
 There will be no opportunity of forwarding it before 
 Saturday next, as the packets sail but once a week. 
 I will send it on that day. My friend, William Strick- 
 land, who gave the design, will accompany me, and 
 we will endeavour to be at Alexandria when the vessel 
 arrives. 
 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS. 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS TO LAWRENCK LEWIS, ESQ. 
 
 I'hiladelphia, k?eptembpr — tli, 1837. 
 RESPECTED SIR, 
 
 I have this day shipped the boxes containing the 
 Sarcophagus to Alexandria, care of Mr. E. Dainger- 
 field, according to your directions, and have forwarded 
 to him a bill of lading. It is shipped on board the 
 sloop Johnston, Captain C. F. Norton, owned by Cap- 
 tain Joseph Hand, of this city, who, when he under- 
 
 3 
 
18 CORRESPOXDEXCE. 
 
 Stood for whom the Sarcophagus was intended, 
 promptly dechned any remuneration for its trans- 
 portation, and, with Captain rsorton, he has made 
 such arrangements as will effectually prevent its 
 taking any injury on board of the vessel. 
 
 The sloop will probably arrive on Saturday or 
 Sunday next, and my friend and myself will leave 
 here on Friday or Saturday, and hope to have the 
 pleasure of seeing you on the Monday following. 
 
 I will remain in Alexandria until the boxes are 
 unloaded from the vessel, and on their way to Mount 
 Vernon. Believe me, as ever, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 JOHN STRUTHERS. 
 
 LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ. TO JOHN STRUTHERS. 
 
 Audley, September 26th, 1837. 
 DEAR SIR, 
 
 Your favour of the 18th inst. only reached me 
 this moment. I hasten to acknowledge it. The delay 
 
CORRESPOXDE.VCE. 19 
 
 arises from my being still at this place, detained by 
 unavoidable circumstances, but hope to reach Alex- 
 andria in time to receive the Sarcophagus, and have 
 it conveyed to Mount Vernon. So soon as all is 
 ready I will give you information of it, and I can 
 truly say it will afford me much pleasure to sec 3Ir. 
 Strickland with you. I have seen the account given 
 of the Sarcophagus in the Philadelphia Inquirer ; it 
 would appear from it that the Executive of the United 
 States made the first appUcation to you for tlie cost 
 of the work. This, I presume, must be a mistake of 
 the printer. Will it not be well to set him right in 
 this matter ? he could have had no knowledge of 
 the transaction until its appearance in the Inquirer. 
 Your favour, enclosing me a sketch of the Sarcopha- 
 gus, came safely to hand, for which accept my thanks. 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 LAWRENCE LEWIS. 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
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 iaSii-i'jf^tL^^ <L'-^-'^.^-«^ 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 Mount Vernon- is situated on the west bank of the 
 Potomac, about sixteen miles below the city of Wash- 
 ington, and commands from its elevated position a 
 veiy extensive and picturesque view of the various 
 windings of this beautiful river, both above and below 
 the point upon which we now see the unostentatious 
 but dilapidated mansion of Washino-ton. 
 
 The whole estate originally consisted of ten thou- 
 sand acres, a small portion of which was cultivated 
 in the lifetime of this great man; and about three 
 thousand acres of this tract were granted to his 
 nephew and friend, Major Lewis, the last of Wash- 
 ington's executors. 
 
 It was called Mount Vernon after Admiral Vernon, 
 then high admiral in the British navy. Washington 
 
24 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 had a brother in this navy, and made appUcation 
 through him to the admiral for a commission, which 
 was granted, but owing to the anxious sohcitations of 
 his mother, he decUned the appointment, and was con- 
 tent to push his fortunes in the field at home. 
 
 The mansion is constructed of frame-work, two 
 stories in height, presenting a piazza or portico of 
 square panelled pilasters or piers, extending across 
 the whole eastern or river front. It lias an observa- 
 tory and cupola in the centre of the roof, and exhibits, 
 in any position in which it may be viewed, the out- 
 lines and semblance of the residence of a gentleman. 
 
 The lawn in the rear or western front is flanked 
 on the north and south by kitchen gardens and 
 conservatories, containing to this day many rare and 
 valuable exotics, presented to Washington during 
 his lifetime. The distribution of the rooms of the 
 mansion on the ground floor is very simple and con- 
 venient. 
 
 A spacious hall is formed in the centre of the build- 
 ing upon the same level with the pavement of the 
 portico, which is of wide dimensions, laid with tes- 
 
/" 
 
 TOMB OF WASHINGTON-. 25 
 
 O 
 
 selated Italian marble, and communicates with three 
 parlours, with the main stairway leading to the 
 chambers of the second story, and with the obser- 
 vatory. 
 
 The wing to the south of the main building contains 
 the library and breakfast-room, with a narrow stair- 
 case leading to Washington's private study on the 
 second floor. Among the many curiosities and relics 
 contained within the walls of Mourn Vernon, we were 
 shown an ancient map of Virginia, representing in 
 etched outlines all the territory between the Atlantic 
 Ocean and the waters of the Ohio, upon which are 
 to be seen many pencilled traces and marks from 
 Washington's own hand, of the route which he tra- 
 versed during Braddock's disastrous and fatal cam- 
 paign against the Indians. His spyglass, sword, and 
 other weapons of a military kind, are objects of great 
 curiosity; likewise the key of the Bastile, which is 
 enclosed in a glass case and suspended on the wall 
 in the hall of entrance. 
 
 His bust, an original by Houdon, stands upon a 
 bracket, over the door of entrance into the library. 
 
 4 
 
2G TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 This work of art possesses much interest, from the 
 circumstance of its having been executed from the Ufe, 
 by a mask in plaster. It conveys a truly characte- 
 ristic and strongly-marked expression, and is, without 
 doubt, the best hkeness extant. 
 
 The fireplace of the drawing-room is decorated with 
 a rich Italian mantel, presented, in the year 1785, to 
 General Washington, by Samuel Vaughan, Esq. of 
 London, the father of the venerable and highly re- 
 spected John Vaughan of Philadelphia. It is composed 
 of variegated Sienna marble, sculptured with a bold 
 chisel, and represents on the tablets of the frieze the 
 most prominent objects of agriculture and husbandry, 
 in chaste and beautiful bas-relief. 
 
 The remains of the old family vault are about three 
 hundred yards to the south of the mansion, situ- 
 ated on tiie declivity of a deep dell, and surrounded 
 by trees of large growth, and consist simply of a 
 narrow excavation in the bank of earth, arched over 
 with brick, and covered with a deep sod. 
 
 Akhough the removal of the vault was contem- 
 plated by Washington himself, some time previous 
 
TOMB OF WASHI.\GTO?f. 27 
 
 to his death, it was not finally determined on until 
 an attempt was made, many years ago, to dese- 
 crate the remains of the illustrious deceased. The 
 vault was entered, and a scull and some bones were 
 carried off, but the robber was discovered, and the 
 booty surrendered ; they formed no part of the remains 
 of Washington. 
 
 It is not generally known that about nine years ago 
 a new tomb was constructed at Mount Vernon upon 
 the site pointed out and especially selected by General 
 Washington. The will of this great man, with refe- 
 rence to the removal of the old family vault, has 
 been most scrupulously complied with, through the 
 agency of his then only surviving executor, Major 
 Lawrence Lewis, the nephew and friend of the illus- 
 trious deceased. 
 
 This structure consists simply of an excavation made 
 partly in the side of a steep, sloping hill, which has a 
 southern exposure upon a thickly-wooded dell. The 
 walls are built of brick, and arched over at the height 
 of eight feet above the level of the ground. The front 
 of the tomb-house is roughcast, and has a plain iron 
 
28 TOMB OF WASHINGTON". 
 
 door, inserted in a strong freestone casement ; over 
 the door is placed a sculptured stone panel, upon which 
 are inscribed these impressive words : 
 
 "l AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; HE THAT 
 
 EELIEVETH IN ME, THOUGH HE WERE DEAD, 
 
 YET SHALL HE LIVE." 
 
 At a small distance from the walls of the tomb, 
 on all sides, there is a surrounding enclosure of brick- 
 work, elevated to a height of twelve feet, and guarded 
 in front with an iron gateway, opening several feet in 
 advance of the vault door. This gateway is flanked 
 with pilasters, surmounted by a stone cornice and 
 coping, covering a pointed gothic arch, over which 
 is sculptured, upon a plain slab, inserted in the brick- 
 work : 
 
 " WITHIN THIS ENCLOSURE REST THE REMAINS OF GENERAL 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON." 
 
 It was with no ordinary feeling of solemn gratifica- 
 tion that we approached this hallowed spot, nor were 
 our minds less impressed with veneration and reve- 
 rence in beholding the rude and perishable fabric which 
 contained the ashes of him that was " first in war, 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTOX. 29 
 
 first in peace, and first in the hearts of his country- 
 men." 
 
 The keys of the vault were in the possession of a 
 middle-aged mulatto, the steward of Mount Vernon, 
 to whom we were introduced by a letter given us by 
 Mr. John Augustin Washington, whom we accidentally 
 met at Alexandria, while on our way from Washington 
 City to the family seat, for the purpose of making ar- 
 rangements for the deposit of the marble Sarcophagus 
 within the vault. We were accompanied to the spot 
 by the steward, and the grated doors were opened for 
 the first time in the lapse of seven years. 
 
 The first object which struck our view upon the 
 threshold of the vault was the scull of a young man, 
 encrusted over with a green mould, and surrounded 
 on all sides with the decayed fragments of coffins, 
 which appeared as though they had been thrown 
 together promiscuously, or had fallen in, exposing in 
 many places the bones of various parts of the human 
 body. The air of the vault was foul. The decayed 
 wood was dripping with moisture, which had found 
 its way through the grass covering that overlaid the 
 
30 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 brick arch above. The shmy snail gUstened in the 
 Hght of the door opening. The brown centipede was 
 disturbed by the admission of the fresh air, and the 
 mouldy cases of the dead gave out a pungent and 
 unwholesome odour. We clambered over these ob- 
 stacles into the deep recess, and found the coffin of 
 Washington in the rear of the vault, with those of 
 Mrs. Washington and Judge Washington to the right 
 and left of it, with several others of the deceased 
 members of the family, piled away in great disorder 
 and confusion. 
 
 From an inspection of this unpleasant scene, we 
 ascertained two important circumstances. The one, 
 that the exterior iron doorway was too small to admit 
 the entrance of the marble Sarcophagus ; the other, 
 that if the door had been sufficiently wide, the damp- 
 ness of the vault itself would have destroyed, in the 
 course of time, the texture of the marble, and defaced 
 the richness and beauty of the exterior sculpture. We, 
 therefore, retraced our steps, and left the vault with 
 no ordinary feelings of disappointment and mortifica- 
 tion that such should have been the result of our visit. 
 
TOiMB OF WASHINGTON. 31 
 
 We returned to tlic mansion, and reflected upon the 
 best plan for carrying into execution the safe enshrine- 
 nient of the body in some other place than the interior 
 of the vault. In the mean time, Mr. Augustin Wash- 
 ington had arrived at Mount Vernon, and the facts 
 were detailed to him. This young gentleman was 
 found to be very amiable and intelligent. He informed 
 us that Major Lewis was at his upper farm in Vir- 
 ginia, and would be at Mount Vernon in a day or 
 two. After spending the night at Mount Vernon, we 
 repaired to Washington City to await the arrival of 
 the Sarcophagus, which had been shipped at Phila- 
 delphia on the preceding w^eek. 
 
 Upon the 5tli of October the Sarcophagus arrived, 
 and was landed at Alexandria, whither we repaired, 
 and made arrangements for its transportation to Mount 
 Vernon the next day. 
 
 Major Lewis had also arrived at Alexandria, and 
 we were introduced to him and his son Lorenzo. 
 Imagine a figure stately and erect, upwards of six 
 feet in height, with a keen, penetrating eye, a high 
 forehead partially covered with the silvery locks of 
 
 ^ 
 
32 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 seventy winters, intelligent and bland in expression, 
 in movement graceful and dignified, and you will 
 have the portraiture of the early companion and friend 
 of the immortal Washington. 
 
 Upon a consultation with this gentleman, after 
 stating to him the difficulties which would attend the 
 placing of the Sarcophagus in the damp vault, and the 
 inappropriateness of the situation for such a work of 
 art, and upon suggesting to him a plan for construct- 
 ing a suitable foundation on the right of the entrance 
 gate, on the outside of the vault, between it and the 
 surrounding walls ; and the practicability of extend- 
 ing the side walls of the vault to the surrounding 
 enclosure, and arching it over beyond any contact 
 with the soil of the sloping hill, taking care to guard 
 the vaulted chamber with a metallic roof, with an 
 additional grille of iron bars in front, and other fasten- 
 ings and securities, as guards against idle curiosity 
 and the chances of attempt at desecration, he consented 
 to the plan, and we set out from Alexandria with the 
 sculptor and the workmen who had been engaged in 
 the execution and conveyance of the Sarcophagus. 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 33 
 
 A large wagon and two drays were found necessary 
 to convey these marbles from Alexandria to Mount 
 Vernon. During the time occupied in this business 
 we were invited to visit Wood Lawn, the seat of 
 Major Lewis, a beautiful spot, but three miles from 
 Mount Vernon, upon which is situated a good sub- 
 stantial mansion, sequestered in the midst of a dark 
 wood, with an occasional opening cut in the forests, 
 through which a view of the water of the Potomac, 
 and of the cupola of Mount Vernon, refreshed the 
 sight, and gave to our minds a strong impression of the 
 skill and rural taste of Washington, the master spirit, 
 under whose auspices Freedom and the fields were 
 made to bloom. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th we repaired to Mount 
 Vernon, and found the Sarcophagus had arrived, and 
 was deposited in front of the enclosure; and the work- 
 men, assisted by a few of the domestics belonging to 
 the household, were directed to dig out a suitable 
 foundation upon which to wall up and place it, on 
 the right of the entrance gate. During the ope- 
 ration the steward was directed to procure lights 
 
 5 
 
34 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 for the purpose of entering the vault, and preparing 
 the way for the removal of the body to the out- 
 side of the vault. The gate of the enclosure was 
 temporarily closed, and upon the opening of the vault 
 door we entered, accompanied by Major Lewis and 
 his son. The coffin containing the remains of Wash- 
 ington was in the extreme back part of the vault ; and 
 to remove the case containing the leaden receptacle, 
 it was found necessary to put aside the coffins that 
 were piled up between it and the doorway. After 
 clearing a passageway, the case, which was much 
 decayed, was stripped off, and the lead of the hd 
 was discovered to have sunk very considerably from 
 head to foot ; so much so, as to form a curved line of 
 four to five inches in its whole length. This settlement 
 of the metal had perhaps caused the soldering of the 
 joints to give way about the upper or widest part of the 
 coffin. At the request of Major Lewis this fractured 
 part was turned over on the lower part of the lid, ex- 
 posing to view a head and breast of large dimensions, 
 which appeared, by the dim light of the candles, to 
 have suffered but little from the effects of time. The 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 35 
 
 eye-sockets were large and deep, and the breadth 
 across the temples, together with the forehead, ap- 
 peared of unusual size. There was no appearance of 
 grave-clothes ; the chest was broad ; the colour was 
 dark, and had the appearance of dried flesh and skin 
 adhering closely to the bones. We saw no hair, nor 
 was there any offensive odour from the body, but we 
 observed, when the coffin had been removed to the 
 outside of the vault, the dripping down of a yellow 
 liquid, which stained the marble of the Sarcophagus. 
 A hand was laid upon the head and instantly removed ; 
 the lead of the lid was restored to its place; the 
 body, raised by six men, was carried and laid in the 
 marble coffin, and the ponderous cover being put on 
 and set in cement, it was sealed from our sight on 
 Saturday, the 7th day of October, 1837. 
 
 Immediately after the performance of this melan- 
 choly ceremony, the Sarcophagus was cased up with 
 plank to prevent any injury being done to the carving 
 during the operation of enlarging the vault. 
 
 The relatives, consisting of Major Lewis, Lorenzo 
 Lewis, John Augustin Washington, George Washing- 
 
36 TOMB OF \VASHINGTO?r. 
 
 ton, the Reverend Mr. Johnson and lady, and Mbs 
 Jane Washington, then retired to the mansion. 
 
 The deepest feelings of reverence pervaded this 
 assembly. The descendants of this illustrious man 
 had the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing his ashes 
 imperishably secured from the slow but sure attack of 
 time. 
 
 It is here proper to remark, that when the wooden 
 case was removed from the leaden coffin, a silver 
 breast-plate, in the shape of the old continental shield 
 or escutcheon* was found, upon which was engraved 
 in Roman characters, the date of the birth and death 
 of Washington. This escutcheon was about the size 
 of the palm of a hand, with an ornamental chased 
 border or margin. It had evidently been attached to 
 the leaden lid, but, from some cause or other, it had 
 given way, and was found between the fragments of 
 the exterior wooden case or covering. 
 
 During a period of thirty-eight years the wooden 
 coffin had been thrice renewed, and the relatives of 
 
 * The common impression of a heart. 
 

 © 
 
 
 ^g0sM^^S(S:^^ 
 
 
 Ui- 
 
 
 oo/y}'?i a//// ii'/i/'r//- M- /ton' dfivo.s'i/eaf' //?/ 
 
 /". J- /Jui'it/, /,iM F/ii/' 
 
TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 37 
 
 this great man have, with a becoming and laudable 
 desire, sought for a more permanent and imperishable 
 receptacle in which to enshrine the ashes of the great 
 benefactor of his country. 
 
 The construction of the Sarcophagus is of the 
 modern form, and consists of an excavation from a 
 solid block of marble, eight feet in length, three feet 
 in width, and two feet in height, resting on a plinth, 
 which projects four inches round the base of the 
 coffin. The lid or covering stone is a ponderous 
 block of Itahan marble, emblazoned with the arms 
 and insignia of the United States, beautifully sculp- 
 tured in the boldest relief ^The design occupies a large 
 portion of the central part of the top surface, or lid, 
 and represents a shield, divided into thirteen perpen- 
 dicular stripes, which rests on the flag of our country, 
 and is attached by cords to a spear, embellished with 
 tassels, forming a background to the shield, by which 
 it is supported. The crest is an eagle with open wings 
 perching upon the superior bar of the shield, and is 
 in the act of clutching the arrows and olive branch. 
 Between these armorial bearings and the foot of the 
 
38 TOMB OF WASHINGTON. 
 
 coffin, upon the plain field of the lid, is the bold and 
 deeply sculptured name of 
 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 The foot of the coffin is inscribed as follows : 
 
 BY THE PERMISSION OF LAWRENCE LEWIS, ESQ., THIS SAR- 
 COPHAGUS OF WASHINGTON WAS PRESENTED EY 
 JOHN STRUTHERS, OF PHILADELPHIA, 
 MARBLE MASON. 
 
 Mr. Struthers, a citizen of Philadelphia, was applied 
 to for the construction of a marble Sarcophagus. This 
 gentleman, with a spirit of liberality, prompted by a 
 deep feeling of regard and reverence for the character 
 of Washington, solicited of Mr. Lewis the privilege to 
 construct and present to the relatives of Washington a ' 
 coffin composed of Pennsylvania marble, which has 
 been executed with surpassing boldness and beauty of 
 sculpture, for which he deserves the thanks of the 
 community at large. 
 
 All the facts of the life and history of Washington 
 are now, or ought to be, known to all the human 
 
TOMR OF WASHINGTON. 39 
 
 family, and it is not the intention of the author of 
 these reminiscences to claim attention from the public, 
 in any attempt to eulogize his character, who was 
 
 " Great, without pomp, without ambition, brave. 
 Proud, not to conquer fellow-men, but save." 
 
 The proud fleet of the British, when ascending the 
 Potomac during the last war, in passing with hostile 
 front and bearing the hallowed spot of Mount Vernon, 
 paused in their course ; their officers and men were 
 uncovered, amid the smoke of the minute gun, as a 
 respectful token of their veneration for the memory of 
 Washington. 
 
 The remains of Mrs. Washington are now deposited 
 in a marble coffin, sculptured in a plain manner by the 
 same chisel, and occupies the space on the left of the 
 gateway, or entrance to the tomb. 
 
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 ' ,1 a' 
 
 '!^^£■ 
 
 
 " ;>tts»'SB!* ■ ■■®<'"'S«i'' ■=•!«>' 
 
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 ^$')m.:Ci53ii:irj:t0u'v£)j?r. 
 
 TOP VIF-W. 
 

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 7) 
 
WASHINGTON'S 
 
 FAREWELL ADDRESS. 
 
FAREWELL ADDRESS. 
 
 FELLOW-CITIZENS, 
 
 The period of a new election of a citizen to admi- 
 nister the executive government of the United States 
 being not far 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, it appears to me proper, especially as it may con- 
 duce 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, at the same time, to do me the justice to 
 be assured, that this resolution has not been taken with- 
 out a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining 
 
44 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his 
 country ; and that, in withdrawing the tender of service 
 which silence in my situation might imply, I am influ- 
 enced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest; 
 no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; 
 but am supported by a full conviction that the step is 
 compatible with both. 
 
 The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in the 
 office to which your sufii'ages have twice called me, 
 have been an uniform sacrifice of inclination to the 
 opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared 
 to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would 
 be much earlier in my power, consistently with 
 motives which I was not at liberty to disregard, to 
 return to that retirement from which I had been 
 reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination 
 to this, previous to the last election, had even led to 
 the preparation of an address to declare it to you ; but 
 mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical 
 posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the 
 unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, 
 impelled me to abandon the idea. 
 
WASIimCTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 45 
 
 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 tlie 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 fiiUible 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 diflidence of myself; and 
 every day the increasing weight of years admonishes 
 me more and more, that the sliade 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 con- 
 
46 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 solation 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 hfe, my feelings 
 do not permit me to suspend the deep acknowledg- 
 ment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my 
 beloved country, for the many honours it has con- 
 ferred on me ; still more for the steady confidence 
 with which it has supported me ; and for the oppor- 
 tunities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my 
 inviolable attachment, by services faithful and per- 
 severing, 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 dis- 
 couraging, in situations in which not unfrequently 
 want of success has countenanced the spirit of criti- 
 cism, the constancy of your support was the essential 
 
Washington's farewkll address. 47 
 
 prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of the plans by 
 which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with 
 this idea, 1 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 be per- 
 petual ; that tlie free constitution, which is the work 
 of your hands, may be sacredly maintained ; that its 
 administration in every department may be stamped 
 with wisdom and virtue ; that, in fine, the happiness 
 of the people of these states, under the auspices of 
 liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a pre- 
 servation, and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will 
 acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the 
 applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation 
 which is yet a stranger to it. 
 
 Here perhaps I ought to stop. But a solicitude for 
 your welfare, which cannot end but with myself, and 
 the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, 
 urge me, on an occasion like the present, to offer to 
 your solemn contemplations, and to recommend to your 
 frequent review, some sentiments which are the result 
 
48 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation, 
 and which appear to me all-important to the perma- 
 nency of your felicity as a people. These will be 
 offered to you with the more freedom, as you can only 
 see in them the disinterested warnings of a parting 
 friend, who can possibly have no personal motives to 
 bias his counsel. Nor can I forget, as an encourage- 
 ment to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments 
 on a former and hot dissimilar occasion. 
 
 Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every liga- 
 ment of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is 
 necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. 
 
 The unity of government which constitutes you one 
 people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it 
 is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, 
 the support of your tranquillity at home, your peace 
 abroad ; of your safety, of your prosperity ; of that 
 very liberty which you so highly prize. But as it is 
 easy to foresee, that, from different causes and from 
 different quarters, much pains Mdll be taken, many 
 artifices employed to weaken in your minds the con- 
 viction of this truth ; as this is the point in your 
 
Washington's farewell address. 49 
 
 political fortress against which the batteries of internal 
 and external enemies will be most constantly and ac- 
 tively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, 
 it is of infinite moment that you should properly 
 estimate the immense value of your national Union to 
 your collective and individual happiness ; that you 
 should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable 
 attachment to it ; accustoming yourselves to think and 
 speak of it as of the palladium of your poHtical safety 
 and prosperity ; watching for its preservation with 
 jealous anxiety ; discountenancing whatever may sug- 
 gest even a suspicion that it can in any event be 
 abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the first 
 dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of 
 our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred 
 ties which now hnk together the various parts. 
 
 For this you have every inducement of sympathy 
 and interest. Citizens, by birth or choice, of a com- 
 mon country, that country has a right to concentrate 
 your affections. The name of American, which belongs 
 to you, in your national capacity, must also exalt the 
 just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation de- 
 
 7 
 
50 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 rived from local discriminations. With slight shades 
 of diflerence, you have the same rehgion, manners, 
 habits, and political principles. You have, in a com- 
 mon cause, fought and triumphed together : the inde- 
 pendence and liberty you possess are the work of joint 
 councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, suffer- 
 ings, and successes. 
 
 But these considerations, however powerfully they 
 address themselves to your sensibility, are greatly out- 
 weighed by those which apply more immediately to 
 your interest. Here every portion of our country 
 finds the most commanding motives for carefully 
 guarding and preserving the union of the whole. 
 
 The North, in an unrestrained intercourse with the 
 South, protected by the equal laws of a common 
 government, finds, in the productions of the latter, great 
 additional resources of maritime and commercial enter- 
 prise, and precious materials of manufacturing indus- 
 try. The South, in the same intercourse, benefiting 
 by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow, 
 and its commerce expanded. Turning partly into its 
 own channels the seamen of the North, it finds its par- 
 
Washington's farewell address. 51 
 
 ticular navigation invigorated ; and while it contri- 
 butes, in diflerent ways, to nourish and increase the 
 general mass of the national navigation, it looks for- 
 ward to the protection of the maritime strength to 
 which itself is unequally adapted. The East, in a like 
 intercourse with the West, already finds, and in the 
 progressive improvement of interior communications, 
 by land and water, will more and more find a valuable 
 vent for the commodities which it brings from abroad, 
 or manufactures at home. The West derives from the 
 East supplies requisite to its growth and comfort ; and 
 what is perhaps of still greater consequence, it must 
 of necessity owe the secure enjoyment of indispensa- 
 ble outlets for its own productions to the weight, influ- 
 ence, and the future maritime strength of the Atlantic 
 side of the Union, directed by an indissoluble com- 
 munity of interest as one nation. Any other tenure by 
 which the West can hold this essential advantage, 
 whether derived from its own separate strength, or 
 fi'om an apostate and unnatural connexion with any 
 foreign power, must be intrinsically precarious. ■"• 
 While, then, every part of our country thus feels an 
 
52 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 immediate and particular interest in Union, all the 
 parts combined cannot fail to find in the united mass 
 of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, 
 proportionably greater security from external danger, 
 a less frequent interruption of their peace by foreign 
 nations ; and, what is of inestimable value, they must 
 derive from Union an exemption from those broils 
 and w-ars betw^een themselves, which so frequently 
 afflict neighbouring countries not tied together by the 
 same government ; which their own rivalships alone 
 would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite 
 foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would 
 stimulate and embitter. Hence, likewise, they will 
 avoid the necessity of those overgrown military esta- 
 blishments, which, under any form of government, are 
 inauspicious to liberty, and wdiich are to be regarded 
 as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty ; in this 
 sense it is that your Union ought to be considered as 
 the main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the 
 one ought to endear to you the preservation of the 
 other. 
 
 These considerations speak a persuasive language 
 
Washington's farewell address. 53 
 
 to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the 
 continuance of the Union as a primary object of pa- 
 triotic desire. Is there a doubt whether a common 
 government can embrace so large a sphere ? Let ex- 
 perience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in 
 such a case were criminal. We are authorized to 
 hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the 
 auxiliary agency of governments for the respective 
 subdivisions, will afford a happy issue to the experi- 
 ment. 'Tis well worth a fair and full experiment. 
 With such powerful and obvious motives to Union, 
 affecting all parts of our country, while experience 
 shall not have demonstrated its impracticability, there 
 will, also, be reason to distrust the patriotism of those, 
 who, in any quarter, may endeavour to weaken its 
 bands. 
 
 In contemplating the causes which may disturb our 
 Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any 
 ground should have been furnished for characterizing 
 parties by geographical discriminations, " Kortliern and 
 Southern, Atlantic and Western;''^ whence designing men 
 may endeavour to excite a belief, that there is a real 
 
54 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 difference in local interests and views. One of the 
 expedients of party to acquire influence, within par- 
 ticular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and 
 aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves 
 too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings 
 which spring from these misrepresentations ; they tend 
 to render alien to each other those who ought to be 
 bound together by fraternal affection. The inhabi- 
 tants of our western country have lately had a useful 
 lesson on this head : they have seen in the negotiation 
 by the Executive, and in the unanimous ratification by 
 the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the uni- 
 versal satisfaction at that event, throughout the United 
 States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the sus- 
 picions propagated among them, of the policy in the 
 general government and in the Atlantic states un- 
 friendly to their interests in regard to the Mississippi ; 
 they have been witnesses to the formation of two 
 treaties — that with Great Britain, and that with Spain 
 — which secure to them every thing they could desire, 
 in respect to our foreign relations, towards confirming 
 their prosperity. Will it not be their wisdom to rely, 
 
Washington's farewell address. 55 
 
 for the preservation of these advantages, on the Union 
 by which they were procured'/ Will they not hence- 
 forth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, who 
 would sever them from their brethren, and connect 
 them with aliens 1 
 
 To the efhcacy and permanency of your Union, a 
 government for the whole is indispensable. No alli- 
 ances, however strict, between the parts, can be an 
 adequate substitute; they must inevitably experience 
 the infractions and interruptions which all alliances, 
 in all times, have experienced. Sensible of this mo- 
 mentous truth, you have improved upon your first 
 essay, by the adoption of a constitution of govern- 
 ment, better calculated than your former for an 
 intimate union, and for the efiicacious management 
 of your common concerns. This government, the 
 offspring of our own choice, uninfluenced and unawed, 
 adopted upon full investigation and mature delibera- 
 tion, completely free in its principles, in the distribution 
 of its powers, uniting security with energy, and con- 
 taining, within itself, a provision for its own amend- 
 ment, has a just claim to your confidence and your 
 
56 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 support. Respect for its authority, compliance with 
 its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties en- 
 joined by the fundamental maxims of true Liberty. 
 The basis of our political system, is the right of the 
 people to make and to alter their constitution of govern- 
 ment ; but the constitution which at any time exists, till 
 changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole 
 people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. The very idea 
 of the power and right of the people to establish govern- 
 ment, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey 
 the established government. 
 
 All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all 
 combinations and associations, under whatever plausi- 
 ble character, with real design to direct, control, coun- 
 teract, or awe the regular deliberations and action of 
 the constituted authorities, are destructive to the funda- 
 mental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve 
 to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extra- 
 ordinary force ; to put in the place of the delegated 
 will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small 
 but artful and enterprising minority of the community ; 
 and according to the alternate triumphs of difterent 
 
Washington's farewell address. 57 
 
 parties, to make llic public administration the mirror oi' 
 tiie ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, 
 rather than the organ of consistent plans digested by 
 common councils, and modified by mutual interests. 
 
 However combinations or associations of the above 
 description may now and then answer popular ends, 
 they are likely, in the course of time and things, to be- 
 come potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and 
 unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power 
 of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of 
 government ; destroying afterwards the very engines 
 which lifted them to unjust dominion. 
 
 Towards the preservation of your government, and 
 the permanency of your present happy state, it is 
 requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance 
 irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but 
 also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation 
 upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One 
 method of assault may be, to eflect in the forms of the 
 constitution alterations which w ill impair the energy of 
 the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be 
 directly overthrowui. In all the changes to which you 
 
 8 
 
58 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 may be invited, remember that time and habit are at 
 least as necessary to fix the true character of govern- 
 ments, as of other human institutions ; that experience 
 is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency 
 of the existing constitution of a country; that facility 
 in changes upon the credit of mere hypothesis and 
 opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless 
 variety of hypothesis and opinion ; and remember, es- 
 pecially, that for the efficient management of your 
 common interest, in a country so extensive as ours, a 
 government of as much vigour as is consistent with the 
 perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty, 
 itself, will find in such a government, with power 
 properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. 
 It is indeed little else than a name, where the govern- 
 ment is too feeble to vv^ithstand the enterprises of fac- 
 tion, to confine each member of the society within the 
 limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the 
 secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person 
 and property. 
 
 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties 
 in the state, with a particular reference to the founding 
 
WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 59 
 
 of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now 
 take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the 
 most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the 
 spirit of party generally. 
 
 This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our 
 nature, having its root in the strongest passions of 
 the human mind. It exists, under different shapes, in 
 all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or 
 repressed ; but in those of the popular form, it is 
 seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst 
 enemy. 
 
 The alternate dominion of one faction over another, 
 sharpened by tlie spirit of re^'enge, natural to party 
 dissension, which in different ages and countries has 
 perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a fright- 
 ful despotism. But this leads at length to a more 
 formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and 
 miseries which generally result, gradually incKne the 
 minds of men to seek security and repose in the 
 absolute power of an individual ; and, sooner or later, 
 the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or 
 more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposi- 
 
60 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 lion to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins 
 of pubUc Uberty. 
 
 Without looking forward to an extremity of this 
 kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of 
 sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit 
 of party are suiiicient to make it the interest and duty 
 of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. 
 
 It serves always to distract the public councils, and 
 enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the 
 community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms ; 
 kindles the animosity of one part against another ; 
 foments occasionally riots and insurrection. It opens 
 the door to foreign influence and corruption, which 
 find a facilitated access to the government itself, 
 through the channels of party passions. Thus the 
 policy and the will of one country are subjected to the 
 policy and will of another. 
 
 There is an opinion that parties, in free countries, 
 are useful checks upon the administration of the 
 government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of 
 liberty. This, within certain limits, is probably true ; 
 and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism 
 
washii\gton's farewell address. 61 
 
 may look with indulgence, if nol with favour, upon the 
 spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, 
 in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be 
 encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is cer- 
 tain there will always be enough of that spirit for 
 every salutary purpose. And, there being constant 
 danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of 
 public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not 
 to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to pre- 
 vent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, 
 it should consume. 
 
 It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking 
 in a free country, should inspire caution in those in- 
 trusted wath its administration, to confine themselves 
 within their respective constitutional spheres, avoid- 
 ing, in the exercise of their powers of one department, 
 to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroach- 
 ment tends to consolidate the powers of the depart- 
 ments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form 
 of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of 
 that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which 
 predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy 
 
62 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 us of the truth of this position. The necessity of re- 
 ciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by 
 dividing and distributing it into different depositories, 
 and constituting each the guardian of the public weal 
 against invasions by others, has been evinced by ex- 
 periments ancient and modern: some of them in our 
 own country and under our own eyes. To preserve 
 them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in 
 the opinion of the people, the distribution or modifi- 
 cation of the constitutional powers be in any particular 
 wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in a way 
 which the constitution designates. But let there be no 
 change by usurpation ; for though this, in one instance, 
 may be the instrument of good, it is the customary 
 weapon by which free governments are destroyed. 
 The precedent must always greatly overbalance in 
 permanent evil, any partial or transient benefit which 
 the use can at any time yield. 
 
 Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to po- 
 litical prosperity, Religion and Morality are indis- 
 pensable supports. In vain would that man claim the 
 tribute of patriotism, who should labour to subvert 
 
Washington's farewell address. 63 
 
 these great pillars of liuQian happiness, these firmest 
 props ol" the duties of men and citizens. The mere 
 politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect 
 and cherish them. A volume could not trace all their 
 connexions with private and public felicity. Let it 
 simply be asked, where is the security for property, 
 for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obliga- 
 tion desert the oaths, which arc the instruments of 
 investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with 
 caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be 
 maintained without religion. Whatever may be con- 
 ceded to the influence of refined education on minds of 
 peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid 
 us to expect that national morality can prevail in ex- 
 clusion of religious principle. 
 
 'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a 
 necessary spring of popular government. The rule 
 indeed extends with more or less force to every species 
 of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to 
 it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake 
 the foundation of the fabric 1 
 
 Promote, then, as an object of primary importance. 
 
64 WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 
 
 institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In 
 proportion as the structure of a government gives 
 force to public opinion, it is essential that public 
 opinion should be enlightened. 
 
 As a very important source of strength and security, 
 cherish public credit. One method of preserving it, is 
 to use it as sparingly as possible ; avoiding occasions 
 of expense by cultivathig peace ; but remembering also, 
 that timely disbursements to prepare for danger, fre- 
 quently prevent much greater disbursements to repel 
 it ; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not 
 only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigo- 
 rous exertions, in time of peace, to discharge the debts 
 which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not un- 
 generously throwing upon posterity the burthen which 
 we ourselves ought to bear. The execution of these 
 maxims belongs to your representatives ; but it is 
 necessary that pubHc opinion should co-operate. 
 
 To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, 
 it is essential that you should practically bear in mind, 
 that towards the payment of debts there must be reve- 
 nue ; that to have revenue, there must be taxes ; that 
 
WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 65 
 
 no taxes can be devised whicJi are not more or less 
 inconvenient and unpleasant ; that the intrinsic embar- 
 rassment inseparable from the selection of the proper 
 ol)jects, (which is always a choice of diflicultics,) ought 
 to be a decisive motive for candid construction of the 
 conduct of the government in making it, and for the 
 spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining 
 revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time 
 dictate. 
 
 Observe good faith and justice towards all nations : 
 cultivate peace and harmony with all : religion and 
 morality enjoin this conduct ; and can it be, that good 
 policy does not equally enjoin it ? It will be worthy of 
 a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great 
 nation, to giv^e to inankind the magnanimous and too 
 novel example of a people always guided by an exalted 
 justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that in the 
 course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan 
 would richly repay any temporary advantages which 
 might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? — Can it be 
 that Providence has not connected the permanent fe- 
 licity of a nation with its virtue ? The experiment, at 
 
 9 
 
66 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 least, is recommended by every sentiment which en- 
 nobles human nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossible 
 by its vices ? 
 
 In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more 
 essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies 
 against particular nations, and passionate attachments 
 for others, should be excluded; and that in the place 
 of them, just and amicable feehngs towards all should 
 be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards an- 
 other an habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in 
 some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or 
 to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it 
 astray from its duty and its interests. Antipathy in 
 one nation against another, disposes each more readily 
 to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes 
 of umbrage, and to be haughty and untractable, when 
 accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. 
 
 Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and 
 bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill-will and 
 resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, 
 contrary to the best calculations of policy. The go- 
 vernment sometimes participates in the national pro- 
 
Washington's farewell address. C7 
 
 pensity, and adopts, through passion, what reason 
 would reject ; at other times it makes the animosity 
 of the nation subservient to projects of hostihty, insti- 
 gated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and per- 
 nicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps 
 the Hberty of nations, has been the victim. 
 
 So hkewise, a passionate attachment of one nation 
 to another, produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for 
 the favourite nation, facilitating the illusion of ima- 
 ginary common interest, in cases where no real com- 
 mon interest exists, and infusing into one the enmities 
 of the other, betrays the former into a participation 
 in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate 
 inducement or justification. It leads also to conces- 
 sions to the favourite nation of privileges denied to 
 others, which is apt doubly to injure the nation making 
 the concessions, by unnecessarily parting with what 
 ought to have been retained ; and by exciting jealousy, 
 ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties 
 from whom equal privileges are withheld ; and it gives 
 to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citizens, who devote 
 themselves to the favourite nation, facility to betray or 
 
68 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 sacrifice the interests of their own country, without 
 odium, sometiuies even with popularity ; gilding with 
 the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a 
 commendable deference for public opinion, or a laud- 
 able zeal for public good, the base or foolish com- 
 pliances of ambition, corruption, or infatuation. 
 
 As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, 
 such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly 
 enlightened and independent patriot. How many op- 
 portunities do they afford to tamper with domestic 
 factions, to practise the arts of seduction, to mislead 
 public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils! 
 Such an attachment of a small or weak, towards a 
 great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the 
 satellite of the latter. 
 
 Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I 
 conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy 
 of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since 
 history and experience prove that foreign influence is 
 one of the most baneful foes of republican government. 
 But that jealousy to be useful, must be impartial ; else 
 it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be 
 
WASHINGTOi\'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 69 
 
 avoided, instead of a defence against it. Excessive 
 partiality for one foreign nation, and excessive dislike 
 for another, cause those whom they actuate to see 
 danger only on one side, and serve to veil, and e\'en to 
 second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, 
 who may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable 
 to become suspected and odious; while its tools and 
 dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, 
 to surrender their interests. 
 
 The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign 
 nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to 
 have with them as little political connexion as possible. 
 So far as w^e have already formed engagements, let 
 them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us 
 stop. 
 
 Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us 
 have none, or a very remote, relation. Hence, she 
 must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of 
 which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, 
 therefore, it must be mnvise in us to implicate ourselves, 
 by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her 
 
70 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of 
 her friendships or enmities. 
 
 Our detached and distant situation invites and enables 
 us to pursue a different course. If we remain one peo- 
 ple, under an efficient government, the period is not far 
 off, when we may defy material injury from external 
 annoyance ; when we may take such an attitude as will 
 cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, 
 to be scrupulously respected ; when belligerent nations, 
 under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon 
 us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; 
 when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, 
 guided by justice, shall counsel. 
 
 Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situa- 
 tion 1 Why quit our own to stand upon foreign 
 ground ? 
 
 Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any 
 part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in 
 the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, 
 humour, or caprice? 
 
 It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alii- 
 
Washington's farewell address. 71 
 
 ances, with any portion ol' tlic foreign world ; so far, I 
 mean, as we are now at liberty to do it : for let me not 
 be understood as capable of patronising inildelity to 
 existing engagements. I hold the maxim no less appli- 
 cable to public than to private afiairs, that honesty is 
 always the best policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those 
 engagements be observed in their genuine sense. But, 
 in my opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be unwise, 
 to extend them. 
 
 Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable 
 establishments, in a respectable defensive posture, we 
 may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordi- 
 nary emergencies- 
 Harmony and a liberal intercourse with all nations, 
 are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. 
 But even our commercial policy should hold an equal 
 and impartial hand; neither seeking nor granting ex- 
 clusive favours or preferences ; consulting the natural 
 course of things ; diffusing and diversifying by gentle 
 means, the streams of commerce, but forcing nothing ; 
 establishing, with powers so disposed, in order to give 
 trade a stable course, to defend the rights of our mer- 
 
72 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 chants, and to enable the government to support them, 
 conventional rules of intercourse, the best that circum- 
 stances and mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, 
 and liable to be from time to time abandoned or varied, 
 as experience and circumstances shall dictate ; con- 
 stantly keeping in view, that it is folly in one nation to 
 look for disinterested favours from another ; that it must 
 pay with a portion of its independence for whatever it 
 may accept under that character ; that by such accep- 
 tance it may place itself in the condition of having 
 given equivalents for nominal favours, and yet of being 
 reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. 
 There can be no greater error than to expect or 
 calculate upon real favours from nation to nation. It 
 is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just 
 pride ought to discard. 
 
 In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of 
 an old and affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will 
 make the strong and lasting impression I could wish ; 
 that they will control the usual current of the passions, 
 or prevent our nation from running the course which 
 has hitherto marked the destiny of nations. But, if I 
 
Washington's farewell address. 73 
 
 may even flatter myself, that they may be productive 
 of some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that 
 they may now and then recur to moderate the fury of 
 party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of foreign 
 intrigue, to guard against the impostures of pretended 
 patriotism ; this hope will be a full recompense for the 
 solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been 
 dictated. 
 
 How far, in the discharge of my official duties 1 
 have been guided by the principles that have been 
 delineated, the public records, and other evidences of 
 my conduct, must witness to you and the world. To 
 myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I 
 have at least believed myself to be guided by them. 
 
 In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my 
 proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to 
 my plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice and by 
 that of your Representatives in both Houses of Con- 
 gress, the spirit of that measure has continually 
 governed me; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter 
 or divert me from it. 
 
 After deliberate examination, with the aid of the 
 
 10 
 
74 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 best lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our 
 country, under all the circumstances of the case, had 
 a right to take, and was bound in duty and in interest, 
 to take a neutral position. Having taken it, I deter- 
 mined, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain 
 it wath moderation, perseverance, and firmness. 
 
 The considerations which respect the right to hold 
 this conduct, it is not necessary, on this occasion to 
 detail. I will only observe, that according to my 
 understanding of the matter, that right, so far from 
 being denied by any of the belligerent powers has been 
 virtually admitted by all. 
 
 The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be in- 
 ferred, without any thing more, from the obligations 
 which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in 
 cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate 
 the relations of peace and amity towards other nations. 
 
 The inducements of interest for observing that con- 
 duct, will best be referred to your own reflections and 
 experience. With me, a predominant motive has been 
 to endeavour to gain time to our country to settle 
 and mature its yet recent institutions, and to progress 
 
Washington's farewell address. 75 
 
 without interruption to that degree of strength and 
 consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly 
 speaking, the command of its own fortunes. 
 
 Though, in reviewing the incidents of my adminis- 
 tration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am 
 nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it 
 probable that I may have committed many errors. 
 Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Al- 
 mighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they 
 may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that 
 my country will never cease to view them with in- 
 dulgence ; and that after forty-five years of my life 
 dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the 
 faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to 
 oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions 
 of rest. 
 
 Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, 
 and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which 
 is so natural to a man, who views in it the native 
 soil of himself and his progenitors for several gene- 
 rations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation, that 
 retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without 
 
76 Washington's farewell address. 
 
 alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst 
 of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good 
 laws under a free government ; the ever favourite 
 object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, 
 of our mutual cares, labours, and dangers. 
 
 G. WASHINGTON. 
 
 United States, Sept. 17th, 1796. 
 
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