remaining of no man in office was necessary to the success
of that government. The people would truly be in a
calamitous situation, if one man were essential to the
existence of the government. He was convinced that the
United States produces a thousand citizens capable of
filling the presidential chair, and he would trust to the
discernment of the people for a proper choice. Though the
voice of all America should declare the President's retiring
as a calamity, he could not join in the declaration, because
he did not conceive it a misfortune. He hoped the President
would be happy in his retirement, and he hoped he would
retire." He reverted again to that part of the report which
declared the administration to have been wise and firm in
its measures. "He had always disapproved," he repeated, "of
the measures of that administration with respect to foreign
relations, and many members of the house had also; he was
therefore surprised that gentlemen should now come forward
and wish him, in one breath, to disavow all his former
opinions, without being previously convinced of having been
in an error. For his own part, he conceived there was more
cause than ever for adhering to his old opinion. The course
of events had pointed out their propriety; and, if he was
not much mistaken, a crisis was at hand which would confirm
them. He wished, that while gentlemen were willing to
compliment the President, they would have some respect for
the feelings of others."--_Aurora, December 15th, 1796._]

Mr. Giles said he was one of those citizens who did not regret the
President's retiring from office. He hoped he would retire to his
country seat and enjoy all the happiness he could wish; and he
believed he would enjoy more there than in his present situation. He
believed the government of the United States would go on without him.
The people were competent to their own government. What calamities
would attend the United States if one man alone was essential to their
government! He believed there were a thousand men in the United States
who were capable of filling the presidential chair as well as it had
been filled heretofore. And although a clamour had been raised in all
parts of the United States, more or less, from apprehensions on the
departure of the President from office, yet, not feeling these
apprehensions h