ds, and other evidences of
my conduct, must witness to you and to the world. To myself the
assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed
myself to be guided by them.

31. In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my
proclamation on the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my plan.
Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that of your
representatives in both houses of Congress, the spirit of that
measure has continually governed me, uninfluenced by any attempt
to deter or divert me from it. After deliberate examination,
with the aid of the best lights I could obtain, I was well
satisfied that our country, under all the circumstances of the
case, had a right to take, and was bound in duty and interest to
take, a neutral position. Having taken it, I determined, as far
as should depend upon me, to maintain it with moderation,
perseverance, and firmness.

32. The consideration which respects the right to hold the
conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. I will
only observe, that, according to my understanding of the matter,
that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerent
powers, has been virtually admitted by all. The duty of holding
a neutral conduct may be inferred, without anything more, from
the obligation which justice and humanity impose upon every
nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain
inviolate the relations of peace and amity towards other
nations. The inducements of interest for observing that conduct,
will be best referred to your own reflection and experience.
With me, a predominant motive has been to endeavor to gain time
to our country to settle and mature its yet recent institutions,
and to progress, without interruption, to that degree of
strength and consistency which is necessary to give it, humanly
speaking, the command of its own fortunes.

33. Though in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am
unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible
of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed
many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the
Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend.
I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never
cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five