Resignation of General Washington as President of the
United States of America. Philadelphia, 5th of March 1797.

Yesterday General Washington voluntarily resigned his
Office of Chief Magistrate of the United States of America:
Mr. Adams was sworn in President as his successor, – carry-
ing the Election by a majority of three Votes over his
opponent Mr. Jefferson; – who, at the same time, took the
oaths as Vice President:
On the third of March, – it being the last
day of General Washington’s power as President, – he
gave a great publick dinner to the officers of State, Foreign
Ministers, principal Senators, & to their respective Ladies.
I had, as usual, the gratification of being handed to
Table and of sitting by the President. Had I never before
considered the character of Washington, – I should certain-
ly have joined the general voice, & pronounced him,
greater in his voluntary retreat, & in the resignation
of power over an immense country, – than when,
having by his conduct as a Solider, been the principal
means of rendering this Country independent, he became,
by the universal suffrage of the people, its ruler & director.
I should have repeated with others, – Washington is
the first of Men – wise, great, & good, – whereas he is in
truth & reality – honest, prudent & fortunate, &, wonderful
to say, almost without ambition: these words are less dignified but no less strong.
Emperors & Kings are generally born to
exalted stations, bred up in luxury & fed by flattery.
When Charles the fifth abdicated his Crown it was