United States, and of the fair and liberal attempts to induce a revocation of them, cannot be anticipated. Assuring myself that, under every vicissitude, the determined spirit and united councils of the nation will be safeguards to its honor and its essential interests, I repair to the post assigned me, with no other discouragement than what springs from my own inadequacy to its high duties. If I do not sink under the weight of this deep conviction, it is because I find some support in a consciousness of the purposes, and a confidence in the principles which I bring with me into this arduous service.

To cherish peace and friendly intercourse with all nations, having correspondent dispositions; to maintain sincere neutrality towards belligerent nations; to prefer in all cases amicable discussions and reasonable accommodation of differences, to a decision of them by an appeal to arms; to exclude foreign intrigues and foreign partialities, so degrading to all countries, and so baneful to free ones; to foster a spirit of independence,

too just to invade the rights of others; too proud to surrender our own; too liberal to indulge unworthy prejudices ourselves, and too elevated not to look down upon them in others; to hold the union of the states as the basis of their peace and happiness; to support the Constitution which is the cement of the Union, as well in its limitations as in its authorities; to respect the rights and authorities reserved to the states and to the people, as equally incorporated with, and essential to the success of the general system, to avoid the slightest interference with the rights of conscience or the functions of religion so wisely exempted from civil jurisdiction; to preserve to their full energy the other salutary provisions in behalf of private and personal rights, and of the freedom of the press; to observe economy in the public expenditures; to liberate the public resources by an honorable discharge of the public debts; to keep within the requisite limits a standing military force, always remembering that an armed and trained militia is the firmest

bulwark of republican governments, that without standing armies their liberty can never be in danger, nor, with large ones, safe; to promote by authorized means improvements friendly to agriculture, and to external, as well as internal commerce; to favor in like manner the advancement of science and the diffusion of information as the best aliment to true liberty; to carry on the benevolent plans which have been so meritoriously applied to the conversion of our aboriginal neighbors from the degradation and wretchedness of savage life to a participation of the improvements of which the human mind and manners are susceptible in a civilized state-as far as sentiments and intentions such as these can aid the fulfilment of my duty, they will be a resource which cannot fail me.

It is my good fortune moreover to have the path in which I am to tread lighted by examples of illustrious services, successfully rendered in the most trying difficulties by those who have marched before me. Of those of my immediate predecessor, it

might least become me here to speak; I may however be pardoned for not suppressing the sympathy with which my heart is full, in the rich reward he enjoys in the benedictions of a beloved country gratefully bestowed for exalted talents, zealously devoted through a long career to the advancement of its highest interest and happiness. But the source to which I look for the aids which alone can supply my deficiencies is in the well-tried intelligence and virtue of my fellow-citizens and in the care of the national interest. In these my confidence will, under every difficulty, be best placed; next to that which we have all been encouraged to feel in the guardianship and guidance of that Almighty Being, whose power regulates the destiny of nations, whose blessings have been so conspicuously dispensed to this rising republic, and to whom we are bound to address our devout gratitude for the past as well as our fervent supplications and best hopes for the future.

CHRONOLOGY

GEORGE WASHINGTON was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, February 22, 1732. Attended school until he was sixteen years of age. 1748-51 was engaged in surveying.

1751, appointed Adjutant General of the Virginia troops.

1753, appointed Commander of the Military District of Virginia by Governor Dinwiddie.

In 1759 he married Mrs. Martha Custis and settled as a planter at Mount Vernon.

1774-75 was a delegate to the Virginia House of Burgesses. June 15, 1775, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental forces.

1781, compelled the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown.

1783, resigned commission as Commander-inChief, and returned to Mount Vernon.

1787, President of the Constitutional Convention. January, 1789, elected President of the United States, and was again elected in 1793.

Died at Mount Vernon December 14, 1799.