More than any other individual, and as much
as to one individual was possible, he has con-
tributed to found this our wide-spreading
empire, and to give the western world inde-
pendence and freedom. Having effected the



WASHINGTON. 26 1

great object for which he was placed at the
head of our armies, we have seen him con-
vert the sword into the ploughshare, asd
sink the soldier into the citizen.
" When the debility of our federal system
had become manifest, and the bonds which
connected this yast continent were dissplv-
ing# we have seen him the chief of those
patriots who formed for us a constitution,
which by preserving the union, will, I trust,
substantiate and perpetuate those blessings
which our revolution had promised to be-
stow.
