Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-09
FAREWELL ADDREs~
OF Andrew In~k..,.


Tor the many proofs OF kindnc,s and
confidence which have received at
your hands. I, has been my fortune
m The discharge Of public duties. civil
and military. frequently 80 have found
nyseli IN difficult anL Try ing situations.
where Prompt deoiAions and energetic
seton were necessary, aad Hhefe toe
interest ut the country required that
high responSIbi'ilies should be fearless.
iy encountered. and it's wiih the deep
est emoiion. Of gratitude that acknox-
ledge the continued and unbrosen CON
hdence with which You have sustained
me ~ every trial. NV public lite has
been long one aud ] cannot hope
that 1t has. a, all times, been free from
errors. But | have the con>oliticn Of
knowing that, az mistakes have been
COMMITTED, they have not seriously ia.
lurcd the country I 50 anXiously end-a-
NorcG 70 serve; and. st the moment
when | surrender my last public trust.
leave ihiS great people prosperous
and happy; IN the toll endowment =, H.
berry and l"ace: aud honorrd and re-
spectei by every nation OF the world.
l( my humble efforts have. in any
degree. contributed - pre- ,o YOU
these blessings. have been more than
rewarded by the honors you have heap
ed upon ne and, above all Nv the se-
herouS confidence aith which YOU have
supported me IN every peril and with
which you have continued 10 animate
and cheer my path 20 The closing hou.
81 my political lie The time ha,
nov Come. when si.aaeC! a.. aa! /.
broken frawc warn mo 20 retire fom
public concerns; hut the recollection
OF the many flvor5 you have bestowed
upon me IS enyrivcn upon nv heart.
and have felt that.I could not part
from your service without makin- this
public acknow ledgmcn, Of the .ralitudc
owe YOU. And AZ use the occasion
To Offer 10 you the counscl' of age and
experience. YOU will. trust, receive
them with the same indulgent kindness
which you have so often extended TO
me; and will. a: least. see in them ar
earnest desire - pcrpcina'e IN this Ia
vored land. the blessings OF liberty and
equal laws.
We have now lived almost fifty wears
under the constitution framed bv the
sages and patriots OF the Revolution -
The conflicts in which the nations of
Europe were engaged during q grcl,
part OF this period the spin, in which
they wagsd war against each other:
and our intimate commercial conrex.
ions with every par, o. the civilized
world, rendered II time OF much dill
Gully for the Government OF the United
States. We have had our seasons @.
peace and Of war. with all the evils
which pTecede or follow a state oi
hostility with powerful nations. We
encountered these trials with Our con
stitution yet in its infancy, and under
the Disadvantages which n new and
untried Government must always feel
when IL is CHILLED upon 10 put forth lis
whole strength, wi,h1u, the light, al
experience 70 guide it. or the WEI "a;
OF presidents TO Justify ITS measures -
But we have passed iriunphanily
through all these difficulties. Our con
s':ution IL no longer a doubtful cxp~.
rIinent; and. At the end Of nearly hAli
century. we 6nI that ii has preserv.
ed unlmplired the liberties of the pco.
pie. secured the rights of property. AMI
that our country ha, improved and is
hourishing beyond any former example
III the history OF nations.
In our domestic concerns there il
every thing 10 encourage W; and If
YOU are true 10 yourselves nothing can
impede your march 90 the highest poin,
OF national pro'peri'v The State,
which had 50 long been retarded IN
their improvement. by the Indian tribe =
residing IN the midst of them. are at
length relieved from the evil: and thu
unhappy rlcr-the original dwcllcrs
IN our land-are now placed in a si,ua.
ton where we may well hope iha, they
will share in the blessings of civilizi.
ton. and be saved from that dcgradl.
ton and destruction 20 which they were
rapidly Fastening while they remained
in the States; and while the safety anil
comfort nf our own citizens have been
greatly promoted bStEeir removal. the
philanthropist will rejoice that the rem
nant Of that III fate i race has been NJ
length placed beyond the reach Of ~.
jury or oppression. and that the plier.
nal care 81 The General Government
will hereafter watch over them and
protect them.
II we turn - our relations with for.
eign powers, We find our condition
equally gratifying. Aciuated nv the
sincere desire 20 dojnsiice 70 every M
ton, and 20 preserve the blessings ~
peace, our intercourse with them has
been conducted on the p,rt of this O.
vernmeni in the spirit of frankne, - and
take pleasure in saying. that il Ia,
generally been net IN a corresponding
temper. Difficulties of oh standing
have been surmoun'cJ by friendly die
eussion. and the mutual desire 10 be-
just; and tho claims n orr citizens.
which had bee1 long withheld. have at
length been acknowledged anil adjust.
ed, and sali.hciory arrange nents made
Tor their final payment and with H.
miied. and, I trust. a Temporary cxccp-