idence in the honor, spirit, and resources of the
American people, on which I have so often hazarded my all and never been
deceived; if elevated ideas of the high destinies of this country and of
my own duties toward 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 obscured but exalted by experience and age; and,
with humble reverence, I feel it to be my duty to add, if a veneration
for the religion of a people who profess and call themselves Christians,
and a fixed resolution to consider a decent respect for Christianity
among the best recommendations for the public service, can enable me in
any degree to comply with your wishes, it shall be my strenuous endeavor
that this sagacious injunction of the two Houses shall not be without
effect.

With this great example before me, with the sense and spirit, the faith
and honor, the duty and interest, of the same American people pledged to
support the Constitution of the United States, I entertain no doubt of
its continuance in all its energy, and my mind is prepared without
hesitation to lay myself under the most solemn obligations to support it
to the utmost of my power.

And may that Being who is supreme over all, the Patron of Order, the
Fountain of Justice, and the Protector in all ages of the world of
virtuous liberty, continue His blessing upon this nation and its
Government and give it all possible success and duration consistent with
the ends of His providence.

* * * * *

THOMAS JEFFERSON FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS

IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1801

[Transcriber's note: Chief Justice John Marshall administered the first
executive oath of office ever taken in the new federal city in the new
Senate Chamber (now the Old Supreme Court Chamber) of the partially
built Capitol building. The outcome of the election of 1800 had been in
doubt until late February because Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the
two leading candidates, each had received 73 electoral votes.
Consequently, the House of Representatives met in a special session to
resolve the impasse, pursuant to the terms spelled out in the
Constitution. After 30 hours of debate and balloting, Mr. Jefferson
emerged as the President and Mr. Burr the Vice President. President John
Adams, who had run unsuccessfully for a second term, left Washington on
the day of the inauguration without attendin