United
States, and their citizens, and then remarked:--

"Such is our situation, and such our prospects; but notwithstanding
the cup of blessing is thus reached out to us--notwithstanding
happiness is ours, if we have a disposition to seize the occasion
and make it our own; yet it appears to me there is an option still
left to the United States of America, whether they will be
respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable as a
nation. This is the time of their political probation; this is the
moment when the eyes of the whole world are turned upon them; this
is the time to establish or ruin their national character for ever;
this is the favorable moment to give such a tone to the federal
government as will enable it to answer the ends of its institution;
or this may be the ill-fated moment for relaxing the powers of the
Union, annihilating the cement of the confederation, and exposing
us to become the sport of European politics, which may play one
state against another, to prevent their growing importance, and to
serve their own interested purposes. For, according to the system
of policy the states shall adopt at this moment, they will stand or
fall; and by their confirmation or lapse, it is yet to be decided
whether the Revolution must ultimately be considered as a blessing
or a curse; a blessing or a curse not to the present age alone, for
with our fate will the destiny of unborn millions be involved.

"With this conviction of the importance of the present crisis,
silence in me would be a crime. I will therefore speak to your
excellency the language of freedom and sincerity, without disguise.
I am aware, however, those who differ from me in political
sentiments may perhaps remark, I am stepping out of the proper line
of my duty; and they may possibly ascribe to arrogance or
ostentation, what I know is alone the result of the purest
intention; but the rectitude of my own heart, which disdains such
unworthy motives--the part I have hitherto acted in life--the
determination I have formed of not taking any share in public
business hereafter--the ardent desire I feel and shall continue to
manifest, of quietly enjoying in private life, after all the toils
of war, the benefits of a wise and liberal government, will, I
flatter myself, sooner