Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-04-14

ury. who have approached him in the successiy
wears through which, but Tor the intervention {
disease he has be en- absent from his office not sii
gle tav. Let these be the decisive tests. Descer
tded from parents of whose character, both publ
and private, Pennsylvania and New Jersey hay
equal reason to be proud, well has he sustained an
does sustain the honor Of his NAME Ills service
and his friendship to me have been inesllmaDle, an
! ia parting from him confidently trust his IL
ture services will not be lost TO the sagacy OF nj
native state, or of the Union.
! In the Department Of War alone, did chang
take place of the person at ITS head. during til
progress of NV administration. 1t at fist col
ferred upon citizen OF Virginia, long possessed {
he highest confidence Of that great and honourabl
commonwealth. Her governor, in the days OF dar
ger and invasion, during the late war, her Senate
at the time when invited him to preside over tn;
| department lie had been warm supporter OF on
of my competitors at the election but his oppos
ton to me had been that of liberal and honnur;
Bile mind His fulhlmen of the duties Of the Dc
partment fully justified the confidence had repo'
ed in him and he recently left il only for the mos
important Of our missions abroad, in WHICH he
now ably and faithfully maintaining the honor an
interest of our country.
His successor was citizen of New-York, ais
highly distinguished by the honors OF his native Stat
and If the Uuon. One OF the members OF that Con
uress which vindicated the traduced honor and spin
it of the nati0n by the declaration oil war, in 1912
One Of the warriors whose gallant achievement
during the war, have beel recorded in the solemn
legislative thanks Of his country since entrusre,
with an arduous commission for the settlement of he
boundaries and wien invited by me to seat il
The councils Of the Union. member ct the LegIsa
ture Of New York. His service, in the Department
of War have also been satisfactory aud effective
and he leaves to his successor official reputation
which it will be praise enough To hnn to maintain un
impaired.
The Attorney General who was also an adopted Cit
zen of Virginia, not less distinguished by the classi
ca! elegance of his taste in literature, than by hi
profound learning in the laws aud his commanding
eloqurnce at the Bar. The Biosrapher Of patricl
Henry the painter Of manners aud instructor U
morals at an earlier period of has life, appointed
and commissioned by ny predecessor, deemed
myself aud the country Fortunate by his continuance
IN the same capacity during my term 0f service
Educate aud inclinins to the rIgorou. construction
VI the extent OF constitutional power. IN, professional
advice has been the ,nore readily conlided in BY me-
ls its tendencies always were. rather 10 the nta
hon than to the enlargement OF It's exercise for, ia
The whole course Off administration, have deem.
ed II safer 10 abstain from the USE o. any question:
Die authority, than to haZzard the entertainment 81
pawer, by assuming, unnecessarily, the decision ol
disputed points
Such, fellow citizens, have been the associates Of
my official duties III the con luct of nv admini,tra
ton Unable to b-slow upon them any other re-
ward for their faithful Jealous service to their coun-
try than this te,timona, Of my gratitude and esteem
II Is with pleasure, not lnfrru, To that which re-
cehe IRON YOUR friendly estimate Of my own en,ca
vors. that Shall cherish The assurance OF your ap
prob ,.0n extended 10 them.
Win regard to those apprthrnsions Of future evil
which ynlr suetudr for the weltgrr If our country
i Inspired, 10 looking ~ ward to the ad,ninistra-
tlnn OF my Successor. 1t lcc0mcs me perhaps only
Ia say, that hope they may prove uniouudcd 70
a President OF the United states. the favor of the
people IS an instrument 81 benelicent pnwtr, more
potent than an imperial sceptre. But il is in the
fortune, Of hatiohs, and especially in the improve.
mrnt ni their condition, that the history vi then
beneIac'ms mus, be traced II is Ia lie ages Of pos
terry this h.'ury must be read II in the reform
Of abuses which have escaped the vigilance Of my
observation, tho President ui the United States sai
introduce none ct deeper consequences and Of more
alarming magnitude. | shall nysef be ready to
mlnale ia the vince o.. gratualon at the deeper pen
eiration or more efficient energy, which Shall dis
cern the latent defect aud apply the corrective rem
edy. ,hnuid the promise OF reiuln itself be wasted
upon tribes, understandable To the eye OF pusterity
Or be spent upon the pAlpitalons OF heart between
the incumbent and the expertant OF official emolu.
ments, the nation will enoy llle benefit and suffer
little injury by the charge. Ihui is not plant,
the root of which viii strike to the centre, or the
stem Of which will ascend with fragrance to the
skies. With you, my counrymen. ! am disposed
to hope aud pray for the best to extend to tne adj
every reasonable Indulgence which
they may need and to give them credit for every
good deed they may perform for the promotion Of
the general welfare.
Accept, gentlemen. for yourselves s. those whom
you represent, the respectful salutations Of your
t.cnd and fellow citizen.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
Washington. lth March, 1929