President George Washington’s Farewell Address to the People, On Stepping Down From the Presidency and Retiring to the Life of Private Citizen

His philosophy of service, and what he hoped to gain from it: “If it has been my good fortune, through the course of my Civil and Military employment, to have met the approbation of my Countrymen, my wishes will be consummated; and I shall have found the only reward I ever had in view.”

The American government will continue without him: “The good sense of my Countrymen will always discern, and can never be at a loss to choose, a fit character to administer the Executive Government of these United States.”

One of the finest documents signed by Washington to reach the market

Perhaps George Washington’s greatest contribution to the Presidency was in knowing when to step down.  This established the trend that allowed for the peaceful and democratic transfer of power and set an example for generations to come.  He decided not to run for a third term in 1796, and departed the presidency and the nation’s then capital city of Philadelphia in September of that year with a characteristic sense of how to take dramatic advantage of the moment. He used his departure to publicize a major final statement of his political philosophy – a document known as Washington’s Farewell Address. It was his final public performance, and has long been recognized as a towering statement of American political purpose, both embodying the core beliefs that Washington hoped would continue to guide the nation, and containing his declaration that American democracy was strong enough to survive any one man’s – including his – leaving the scene of action. It also examined what Washington saw as the two major threats to the nation, one domestic – disunity – and the other foreign – overseas entanglements.

Washington was tired of the demands of public life, which had become particularly severe in his second term as Europe was plunged into a far-flung war and each side was trying to drag in the United States. He looked forward to returning to Mt. Vernon. His famed Farewell Address was printed in Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, and was widely reported in the newspapers immediately thereafter.

It opened by offering his rationale for deciding to leave office, taking the position that it was timely and not unpatriotic for him to do so: “Choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.” He sought to ameliorate the sectionalism that he saw as dangerous to the young country, stressing that the “national union” formed the very basis of the “collective and individual happiness” for U.S. citizens. As he stated, “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local distinctions.” His defense of national unity lay not just in abstract ideals, but also in the pragmatic reality that union brought clear advantages to every region. Union promised “greater strength, greater resource proportionately greater security from danger” than any state or region could enjoy alone. He emphasized, “your union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty.” Sectionalism was not the only threat to unity – political parties were also. Washington warned of “the baneful effects of the spirit of party.” To Washington parties were a deep threat to the health of the nation, for they allowed “a small but artful and enterprising minority” to “put in the place of the delegated will of the Nation, the will of a party.”

Yet, it was the dangerous influence of foreign powers where he saw the greatest threat to the young United States. With Europe at war and meddling in U.S. affairs, Washington admonished the country “to steer clear of permanent Alliances.” Foreign nations, he explained, could not be trusted to do anything more than pursue their own interests when entering international treaties. Rather than expect “real favors from Nation to Nation,” Washington called for extending foreign “commercial relations” that could be mutually beneficial, while maintaining “as little political connection as possible.” This latter advice was heeded until 1917.

In response to the Address, Washington received praise from the press that supported him, and criticism from the Jeffersonian opposition that the speech was too political. A few localities sent him tributes of appreciation for his services, as well as expressions of regret for his retirement from the presidency. One of these towns was Shepherdstown in Virginia (now West Virginia). On October 6, a meeting of the inhabitants resolved “That an Address be presented to the President of the United States of America, Expressive of the Grateful sense we entertain of the faithful & Important Services, both in the Cabinet & in the field, which in the course of a long life he has rendered to his Country. Resolved that John Kearsley and Joseph Swearingen Esqrs be appointed in behalf of this Meeting” to convey a letter containing these sentiments to the President. The Shepherdstown letter starts out by saying it is predicated on his Farewell Address, and then both praises Washington and expresses the sense of anxiety felt by Washington’s removing himself from public life. “Having seen your address of the 17th Ultimo to the people of the United States, we beg leave to Approach you on this Occasion with Sentiments of the Highest regard for your public as well as private Character. We most Sincerely regret that the time is so near when you purpose to finish your political career, and when the Important trust you have so long managed with a fidelity & wisdom unexampled…What the consequences of this change may be, we have not political discernment enough to foresee; but we cannot help looking forward to the eventful period with trembling Anxiety…It also alleviates our Anxiety when we consider, that you have already conducted the Vessel Through more than one dangerous Storm; A less skillful Pilot may perhaps be equal to the task of Navigating in less turbid Waters.” It concludes by expressing the hope “That our Union & brotherly affection may be perpetual; That the free Constitution which is the work of our own hands may be Sacredly maintained, That its administration in every department may be stamped with Wisdom & virtue and that the happiness of the people of these States under the Auspices of Liberty may be Complete…”

Washington responded with the first written acknowledgment he made of any of the responses to his Farewell Address. Covering some of the same ground as the Farewell Address, it is proper to think of this letter as a continuation of Washington’s farewell dialogue with the American people. Fittingly and tellingly, he dates this letter not from some locale such as Philadelphia or Mount Vernon, but from the “United States.” In that sense he was speaking both to, and for, the people of the United States. In the letter he reaffirms his confidence in the fundamental characteristics of American democracy, states that the people can be trusted to choose their own leaders, and perhaps surprised by the fear engendered by his leaving office, eloquently assures the people there is no cause for anxiety. He then sums up his entire philosophy of service that governed his life, and what he hoped to gain from it.

Autograph message signed, as President, two pages, United States, October 12, 1796, to the “Inhabitants of Shepherds Town and its vicinity”, and sent to Kearsley Swearingen. “Gentlemen: With great sensibility I receive your polite and affectionate Address of the 6th. instant. That Beneficent Providence, which, hitherto, has preserved us in Peace, and increased our prosperity, will not, I trust, withdraw its protecting hand; while we, on our part, endeavour to merit a continuance of its favors.

“Equally persuaded am I, that no inconvenience will result from my retreat to the walks of private life. The good sense of my Countrymen will always discern, and can never be at a loss to choose, a fit character to administer the Executive Government of these United States.

“If it has been my good fortune, through the course of my Civil and Military employment, to have met the approbation of my Countrymen, my wishes will be consummated; and I shall have found the only reward I ever had in view.

“For the favorable sentiments you have expressed for me, and for your kind wishes, I sincerely thank you, and reciprocate with great cordiality my vows for your welfare.”

Only two other farewell messages to the citizens signed by Washington are known to exist; this is the only not in an institution. Professionally conserved.

In The General and Mrs. Washington: The Untold Story of a Marriage and a Revolution, historian Bruce Chadwick sees this letter as in a sense more important than the Farewell Address itself in expressing Washington’s satisfaction in his service to the nation. Chadwick states, “It was not in his lengthy and much-quoted grandiose farewell address, printed in just about every newspaper in the world, that Washington really expressed his satisfaction in serving eight years as America’s first president. He put it bluntly, and best, in a short note to the people of tiny Shepherdstown, Virginia. He then quoted the final sentence in this letter.

A Note on Rarity: Washington’s Farewell Messages and Where They Are
– In September 1796, President Washington issued his widely quoted and well known farewell address to the American people. This is in the New York Public Library.

– October 14, President Washington issued one in response to a message from the citizens of Berkeley County, Virginia.  This is in the Library of Congress.

– October 12, President Washington issued one in response to a message from the citizens of Shepherds Town County.  This document is offered here for sale

This is also the only Washington letter we know of that has “United States” as the locale for the origination. It is likely the finest George Washington letter we have ever offered and among the finest to ever reach the market.