Thanks to God, his glory is
consummated! Washington yet lives on earth in his spotless example;
his spirit is in heaven.

"Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic general,
the patriotic statesman, and the virtuous sage. Let them teach
their children never to forget that the fruits of his labors and
his example are their inheritance."

THE PRESIDENT'S ANSWER.

"_23 December, 1799._

"_Gentlemen of the Senate:_

"I receive with the most respectful and affectionate sentiments, in
this impressive address, the obliging expressions of your regret
for the loss our country has sustained in the death of her most
esteemed, beloved, and admired citizen.

"In the multitude of my thoughts and recollections on this
melancholy event, you will permit me to say that I have seen him in
the days of adversity, in some of the scenes of his deepest
distress and most trying perplexities. I have also attended him in
his highest elevation and most prosperous felicity, with uniform
admiration of his wisdom, moderation, and constancy.

"Among all our original associates in that memorable league of this
continent, in 1774, which first expressed the sovereign will of a
free nation in America, he was the only one remaining in the
general government. Although with a constitution more enfeebled
than his, at an age when he thought it necessary to prepare for
retirement, I feel myself alone, bereaved of my last brother, yet I
derive a strong consolation from the unanimous disposition which
appears in all ages and classes to mingle their sorrows with mine
on this common calamity to the world.

"The life of our Washington can not suffer by a comparison with
those of other countries who have been most celebrated and exalted
by fame. The attributes and decorations of royalty could only have
served to eclipse the majesty of those virtues which made him, from
being a modest citizen, a more resplendent luminary. Misfortune,
had he lived, could hereafter have sullied his glory only with
those superficial minds who, believing that character and actions
are marked by success alone, rarely deserve to enjoy it. Malice
could never blast his honor, and Envy made him a singular exception
to her universal rule. For himself, he had lived long enough to
life