ration: JOHN ADAMS]

When the two dignitaries were seated perfect silence prevailed.
Washington then arose, and with the most commanding dignity and
self-control, proceeded to read, in a firm, clear voice, a brief
valedictory. An eye-witness yet (1860) living,[115] has made the
following interesting record of this portion of the scene:--

"When General Washington delivered his farewell address, in the
room at the southeast corner of Chestnut and Sixth streets, I sat
immediately in front of him. It was in the room Congress occupied.
The table of the speaker was between the two windows on Sixth
street. The daughter of Doctor C----,[116] of Alexandria, the
physician and intimate friend of Washington, Mrs. H----,[117] whose
husband was the auditor, was a very dear friend of mine. Her
brother Washington was one of the secretaries of General
Washington. Young Dandridge, a nephew of Mrs. Washington, was the
other. I was included in Mrs. H----'s party to witness the august,
the solemn scene. Mr. H---- declined going with Mrs. H----, as she
had determined to go early, so as to secure the front bench. It was
fortunate for Miss C----[118] (afterward Mrs. L----)[119], that
she could not trust herself to be so near her honored grandfather.
My dear father stood very near her. She was terribly agitated.
There was a narrow passage from the door of entrance to the room,
which was on the east, dividing the rows of benches. General
Washington stopped at the end to let Mr. Adams pass to the chair.
The latter always wore a full suit of bright drab, with lash or
loose cuffs to his coat. He always wore wrist ruffles. He had not
changed his fashions. He was a short man, with a good head. With
his family he attended our church twice a day. General Washington's
dress was a full suit of black. His military hat had the black
cockade. There stood the 'Father of his Country,' acknowledged by
nations--the first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts
of his countrymen. No marshals with gold-colored scarfs attended
him--there was no cheering--no noise; the most profound silence
greeted him, as if the great assembly desired to hear him breathe,
and catch his breath in homage of their hearts. Mr. Adams covered
his face with both his hands; the sleeves of his coat, and his
hands, were covered