re his retirement:--

"To the wearied traveller who sees a resting-place, and is bending
his body to lean thereon, I now compare myself; but to be suffered
to do this in peace is too much to be endured by some. To
misrepresent my motives, to reprobate my politics, and to weaken
the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are
objects which can not be relinquished by those who will be
satisfied with nothing short of a change in our political system.
The consolation, however, which results from conscious rectitude,
and the approving voice of my country, unequivocally expressed by
its representatives, deprive their sting of its poison, and place
in the same point of view the weakness and malignity of their
efforts....

"The remainder of my life, which in the course of nature can not be
long, will be occupied in rural amusements; and, though I shall
seclude myself as much as possible from the noisy and bustling
crowd, none would, more than myself, be regaled by the company of
those I esteem at Mount Vernon; more than twenty miles from which,
after I arrive there, it is not likely that I ever shall be.

"As early in next week as I can make arrangements for it, I shall
commence my journey for Mount Vernon. To-morrow, at dinner, I
shall, as a servant of the public, take my leave of the president
elect, of the foreign embassadors, the heads of departments, &c.,
and the day following, with pleasure, I shall witness the
inauguration of my successor to the chair of government."

There was a large company of ladies and gentlemen at the dinner, on the
third of March, when Washington, in a somewhat informal manner, bade
them all farewell. "During the dinner," wrote Bishop White, who was one
of the guests, "much hilarity prevailed; but, on the removal of the
cloth, it was put an end to by the president--certainly without design.
Having filled his glass, he addressed the company, with a smile on his
countenance, saying, 'Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last time I
shall drink your health as a public man. I do it with sincerity, and
wishing you all possible happiness.' There was an end to all hilarity,
and the cheeks of Mrs. Liston, wife of the British minister, were wet
with tears."

On that morning Washington performed an act of justice to himself, which
he had refrained from doing while in offi