The circumstances above detailed, alone prevented the addition of his signature to the treaty, which would necessarily have given the same honorable notoriety to his connection with the transaction, as is attached to his associate commissioners.

CHAPTER VIII.

On the 6th of June, 1783, Mr Jefferson, whose capabilities were never overlooked, was re-elected by the legislature to his ancient station of delegate to Congress. His appointment was to take effect on the 1st of November ensuing, when the term of the existing delegation would have expired. He left home on the 16th of October, arrived at Trenton where Congress was sitting, on the 3d of November, and took his seat on the 4th; on which day Congress adjourned, to meet at Annapolis on the 26th.

Congress convened at Annapolis on the 26th of November, agreeably to adjournment; but the pressure of public affairs having relaxed, the members had become proportionally remiss in their attendance, insomuch that a majority of the States necessary by the confederation to constitute a quorum, even for minor business, did not assemble until the 13th of December.

On the 19th of the same month, the great conflict being over, and our national independence acknowledged by Great Britain, the illustrious general in chief of the American army requested permission of Congress to resign his commission; and with the deference ever paid by him to the civil authority, desired to know their pleasure in what manner the grateful duty should be performed.

Congress decreed that the commission should be delivered up at a PUBLIC AUDIENCE, on the 23d of Decem

ber, at twelve o'clock; and suitable arrangements were ordered for the occasion. The character sustained by Mr Jefferson in this affecting scene, will justify a general description of the circumstances.

When the hour arrived for the performance of the ceremony, the galleries were overloaded with spectators; and many distinguished individuals, among whom were the executive and legislative characters of the States, several general officers, and the consul general of France, were admitted on the floor of Congress. From the first moment of peace, the public mind had been fixed intently upon General Washington. He stood on the pinnacle of military fame and power; but his ambition was satisfied, for the liberties of his country had been gained; and his admiring fellow citizens were now assembled to witness the execution of a purpose, deliberately and warmly embraced, of leaving to the world a great and solemn example of moderation.

The representatives of the people of the union remained seated and covered; the spectators standing and uncovered. The general was introduced by the secretary, and conducted to a chair near the president of Congress. After a proper interval, silence was commanded, and a short pause ensued. The president, general Mifflin, then rose and informed him that the United States in Congress assembled, were prepared to receive his communications. Washington rose, and with a native dignity, delivered his affectionate address and valedictory.

Having then advanced to the chair and delivered his commission to the president, he returned to his place, and received standing the following answer of the presi dent in the name of Congress. This paper was prepared by Mr Jefferson.

Sir, - The United States in Congress assembled, receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and

doubtful war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without funds, or a government to support you. You have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered, till these United States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a just providence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence; on which happy event, we sincerely join you in congratulations.

Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world; having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action, with the blessings of your fellow citizens but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command, it will continue to animate remotest ages.

'We feel with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge ourselves with the interests of those confidential officers, who have attended your person to this affecting moment.

'We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching Him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity afforded them, of becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to Him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved, may be fostered with all His care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and that He will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give.'

On the same day, December 23d, measures were taken for ratifying the definitive treaty of peace, which had been signed at Paris on the 3d of September, 1783, and received here in November following. The treaty, with the joint letter of the American plenipotentiaries, was referred to a committee, of which Mr Jefferson was

chairman, to consider and report thereon. The necessary house not being present, the committee were directed to address letters to the governors of the absent States stating the receipt of the definitive treaty; that seven States only were in attendance, while nine were essential to its ratification; and urging them to press on their delegates the necessity of an immediate attendance.

Meanwhile, the house being restless under the delay, the opinion was advanced by several members that seven States were competent to confirm treaties; and a motion was accordingly made for an immediate ratification. Mr Jefferson adhered to the strict letter of the confederation, against the constructive opinion, and opposed the motion. It was debated with considerable warmth, on the 26th and 27th. No traces of the proceedings, however, appear in the journals of Congress. It being made palpable, in the course of the debates, that the proposition could not be sustained, it was decided to make no entry at all. Massachusetts alone would have voted for it; Rhode-Island, Pennsylvania and Virginia against it; Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina would have been divided.

In embodying his recollections of these transactions, in 1821, Mr Jefferson improved the occasion to record a severe but merited censure on the general character and conduct of our congressional bodies.

Our body was little numerous, but very contentious. Day after day was wasted on the most unimportant questions. A member, one of those afflicted with the morbid rage of debate, of an ardent mind, prompt imagination, and copious flow of words, who heard with impatience any logic which was not his own, sitting near me on some occasion of a trifling but wordy debate, asked me how I could sit in silence, hearing so much false reasoning, which a word should refute? I observed to him, that to refute indeed was easy, but to silence impossible; that in measures brought forward by myself, I took the laboring oar, as was incumbent on