His journey from Mount Vernon had been like a triumphal procession, the way often strewed with flowers. Addresses, both public and private, were aglow with gratitude to the Father of his Country, but, above all, to Almighty God, who had raised him up to be a nation's deliverer. It was just prior to this reception that John Adams said of him, "Were I blessed with powers to do justice to his character, it would be impossible to increase the confidence or affection of his country, or make the smallest addition to his glory. If we look over the catalogue of the first magistrates of nations, whether they have been denominated presidents or consuls, kings or princes, where shall we find one whose commanding talents and virtues, whose overruling good fortune, have so completely united all hearts and voices in his favor, who enjoyed the esteem and admiration of foreign nations and fellow-citizens with equal unanimity? Qualities so uncommon are no common blessings to the country that possesses them. By these great qualities and their benign effects has Providence marked out the head of this nation with a hand so distinctly visible as to have been seen by all men, and mistaken by none." And Washington in his Inaugural Address remarked, "It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this my first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aid can supply every human defect that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States." And again: "No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained. The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the creating of the Republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment intrusted to the hands of the American people." To which the Senate, among other excellent things, replied, "We rejoice, and with us all America, that, in obedience to the call of our common country, you have returned once more to public life. In you all parties confide; in you all interests unite. A review of the many signal instances of divine interposition in favor of this country claims our most pious gratitude; and permit us, sir, to observe, that, among the great events which have led to the formation and establishment of a Federal Government, we esteem your acceptance of the office of President as one of the most propitious and important." The answer of the House was in part as follows: "We feel, with you, the strongest obligations to adore the invisible Hand which has led the American people through so many difficulties; to cherish a conscious responsibility for the destiny of Republican liberty; and to seek the only sure means of preserving and recommending the precious deposit in a system of legislation founded on the principles of an honest policy, and directed by the spirit of a diffusive patriotism. Your resolution, in a moment critical to the liberties of your country, to renounce all personal emolument, was among the many presages of your patriotic services which have been amply fulfilled; and your scrupulous adherence now to the law then imposed on yourself cannot fail to demonstrate the purity, whilst it increases the lustre, of a character which has so many titles to admiration. Such are the sentiments which we have thought fit to address you. They flow from our hearts; and we verily believe, that, among the millions we represent, there is not a virtuous citizen whose heart will disown them." A part of the reply of the beloved Washington was this: "I now feel myself inexpressibly happy in a belief that Heaven, which has done so much for an infant nation, will not withdraw .its providential influence before our political felicity shall have been completed. Thus supported by a firm trust in the great Arbiter of the universe, aided by the collective wisdom of the Union, and imploring the divine benediction on our joint exertions in the service of our country, I readily engage with you in the arduous but pleasing task of attempting to make a nation happy." Previously to the adjournment of the first session of Congress, the two houses appointed a joint committee to wait on the President to "request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God; especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitution of government for their safety and happiness." 1790.- The second session of the first Congress assembled in New York on Monday, the 4th of January. Washington congratulates the country upon the "recent accession of the important State of North Carolina; " advises with regard to certain hostile tribes of Indians, post-offices, and post-roads; uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures; the advancement of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures; the promotion of science and literature, and an adequate provision for the support of the public credit; the department of foreign affairs; and a uniform rule of naturalization, by which foreigners may be admitted to the rights of citizens. - 1791. The third session of the first Congress was assembled at the county court house in the city of Philadelphia. At this session, the whole of the thirteen States were represented. Washington alludes to the rise of American |