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be ftill a rampart, and the knowledge that he lives a bul wark against all open or fecret enemies of his country's

peace.

18. This example has been recommended to the imita tion of his fucceffors, by both houses of congrefs, and by the voice of the legislatures and the people, throughout the nation. On this fubject it might become me better to be filent, or to speak with disidence: but as fomething may be expected, the occafion, I hope, will be admitted as an apology, if I venture to say, that

19. If, a preference, on principle, of a free republican government, formed on long and ferious reflection, after a diligent and impartial inquiry after truth; if, an attachment to the conftitution of the United States, and a confcientious determination to support it, till it fhall be altered by the judgments and wifhes of the people, expreffed in the mode prefcribed in it;

20. If, a refpectful attention to the conftitutions of the individual states, and a conftant caution and delicacy towards the ftate governments; if, an equal and impartial re. gard to the rights, interefts, honor aud happiness of all the states in the union, without preference or regard to a northern or fouthern, an eastern or western pofition, their various political opinions on uneffential points, or their perfonal attachments;

21. If a love of virtuous men of all parties and denominations; if a love of fcience and letters, and a wifh to patronize every rational effort to encourage fchools, colleges, univerfities, academies, and every inftitution for propagat ing knowledge, virtue and religion among all claffes of the people:

22. Not only for their benign influence on the happiness of life, in all its ftages and claffes, and of fociety in all its forms but as the only means of preferving our conftitu. tion from its natural enemies, the fpirit of fophiftry, the spirit of party, the fpiri: of intrigue, the profligacy of cor ruption, and the peftilence of foreign influence, which is the angel of deftruction to elective governments;

23. If a love of equal laws, of juftice and humanity, in the interior administration; if an inclination to improve agriculture, commerce and manufactures for neceflity, con

venience and defence; if a spirit of equity and humanity towards the aboriginal nations of America, and a difpofition to meliorate their condition, by inclining them to be more friendly to us, and our citizens to be more friendly to them;

24. If an inflexible determination to maintain peace and inviolable faith, with all nations, and that system of neutrality and impartiality, among the belligerent powers of Europe, which has been adopted by this government, and fo folemnly fanctioned by both houses of congress, and applauded by the legislatures of the ftates, and the public opinion, till it fhall be otherwise ordained by congrefs;

25. If a perfonal esteem for the French nation, formed in a refidence of seven years, chiefly among them, and a fincere defire to preferve the friendship which has been fo much for the honor and interest of both nations; if, while the confcious honor and integrity of the people of America, and the internal fentiment of their own power and energies must be preserved, an earnest endeavor to investigate every juft caufe and remove every colorable pretence of complaint; If an intention to purfue, by amicable negociation, a reparation for the injuries that have been committed on the commerce of our fellow citizens by whatever nation; and if fuccefs cannot be obtained, to lay the facts before the legiflature; that they may confider, what further measures the honor and intereft of the government and its conftituents demand;

27. If a refolution to do justice, as far as may depend on me, at all times and to all nations, and maintain peace, friendship and benevolence with all the world; if an unshaken confidence in the honor, fpirit, and resources of the American people, on which I have so often hazarded my all, and never been deceived;

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28. If, elevated ideas of the high deftinies of this country, and of my own duties towards it, founded on a knowledge of the moral principles and intellectual improvements of the people, deeply engraven on my mind in early life, and not obfcured but exalted by experience and age;

29. And, with humble reverence I feel it to be my duty to add, if, a veneration for the religion of a peeple, who profefs and call themselves chriftians, and a fixed refolution

to confider a decent refpect for chriftianity, among the best recommendations for the public fervice; can enable me, in any degree to comply with your withes, it fhall be my ftren, uous endeavor that this fagacious injunction of the two houfes fhall not be without effect.

30. With this great example before me; with the sense and fpirit, the faith and honor, the duty and interest of the fame American people, pledged to fupport the conftitution of the United States, I entertain no doubt of its continuance in all its energy, and my mind is prepared, without hefitation, to lay myfelf under the most folemn obligations to fupport it, to the utmost of my power.

31. And may that Being, who is fupreme over all, the patron of order, the fountain of justice, and the protector, in all ages of the world, of virtuous liberty, continue his bleffing on this nation and its government, and give it all poffible fuccefs and duration, confiftent with the ends of his providence.

United States, March 4, 1797.

JOHN ADAMS.

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