Jefferson, to give firmness and effect to tho legal
administration of their affairs."
I deem the present occasion sufficiently import
ant and solemn to justify me in expressing to my
fellow citizens a profound reverence for the Chris
tian religion, and a thorough conviction that sound
morals, religious liberty, and a just sense of religi
ons responsibility are essentially connected with
all true and lasting happiness. And to that good
being who has blessed us by the gifts of civil and
religious freedom who watched over and pros
pered the labor of our fathers, and has hitherto
preserved to us institutions far exceeding in ex
cellence those of any other people, let us uriito in
fervently commending every interest of our k lov
ed country in all time to come.
Oath administered.
Fellow Citizens: Heing fully invested with
that high effieo to which the partiality of my
countrymen has called me, I now take au affec
tionate leave of yon. You will bear with you to
your homes, the remembrance of the pleilge I have
this day given, to discharge all tho high duties of
my exalted station according to tho best of my
ability; and I shall enter upon their performance
with entire confidence in tho support of u just
and generous people.
Wism.xoTON, March 1, 1S41.
Ottawa, III., Friday, .Hart Ii 19. I' ll.
