Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.

The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

... happily the Government of the United States... gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.

I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

My aim has been... to keep the United States... independent of all and under the influence of none.

It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God.

The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness by reasonable compact in civil society. It was to be, in the first instance, in a considerable degree a government of accommodation as well as a government of Laws. Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness.