countenanced the spirit of criticism, the constancy of your
support was the essential prop of the efforts, and the guarantee
of the plans by which they were effected.

6. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I shall carry it with
me to my grave, as a strong incitement to unceasing vows that
Heaven may continue to you the choicest tokens of its
benevolence; that your union and brotherly affection may be
perpetual; that the 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
preservation, and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will
acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the applause,
the affection, and the adoption of every nation which is yet a
stranger to it.

7. Here, perhaps, I ought to stop. But a solicitude for your
welfare, which cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension
of danger natural to that solicitude, urge me, on an occasion
like the present, to offer to your solemn contemplation, and to
recommend to your frequent review, some sentiments, which are
the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable observation,
and which appear to me all important to the permanency 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
encouragement to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments
on a former and not dissimilar occasion. Interwoven as is the
love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no
recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the
attachment.

8. 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 will be taken, many artifices
emplo