March 3rd
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ON THIS DAY IN 1791
EXCISE TAX ENACTED SPARKS WHISKEY REBELLION*&
ON THIS DAY IN 1797
SERVES FINAL DAY ASPRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
“In all free governments, contention in elections will take place; and, whilst it is confined to our own citizens it is not to be regretted; but severely indeed ought it to be reprobated when occasioned by foreign machinations.”
To Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (Governor)
Philadelphia, 3 March 1797**
My dear Sir,
Before the curtain drops on my political life, which it will do this evening, I expect for ever; I shall acknowledge, although it be in a few hasty lines only, the receipt of your kind and affectionate letter of the 23d. of January last.
When I add, that according to custom, all the Acts of the Session; except two or three very unimportant Bills, have been presented to me within the last four days, you will not be surprised at the pressure under which I write at present; but it must astonish others who know that the Constitution allows the President ten days to deliberate on each Bill that is brought before him that he should be allowed by the Legislature less than half that time to consider all the business of the Session; and in some instances, scarcely an hour to revolve the most important. But as the scene is closing, with me, it is of little avail now to let it be with murmers.
Artist: Gilbert Stuart. National Gallery of Art.
I should be very unhappy if I thought my relinquishing the Reins of government wd. produce any of the consequences which your fears forebode. In all free governments, contention in elections will take place; and, whilst it is confined to our own citizens it is not to be regretted; but severely indeed ought it to be reprobated when occasioned by foreign machinations. I trust however, that the good sense of our Countrymen will guard the public weal against this, and every other innovation; and that, altho we may be a little wrong, now and then, we shall return to the right path, with more avidity. I can never believe that Providence, which has guided us so long, and through such a labirinth, will withdraw its protection at this Crisis.***
Although I shall resign the chair of government without a single regret, or any desire to intermeddle in politics again, yet there are many of my compatriots (among whom be assured I place you) from whom I shall part sorrowing; because, unless I meet with them at Mount Vernon it is not likely that I shall ever see them more, as I do not expect that I shall ever be twenty miles from it after I am tranquilly settled there. To tell you how glad I should be to see you at that place is unnecessary; but this I will add, that it would not only give me pleasure, but pleasure also to Mrs. Washington, and others of the family with whom you are acquainted; and who all unite in every good wish for you, and yours, with Dear Sir, Your sincere friend and Affectionate Servant.
G:o Washington
THE DIARIES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
1797
MARCH
9. Wind changed to No. Wt. blew very hard and turned very cold. Mer: at 28 left Phila. on my return to mt. Vernon, dined at Chester and lodged at Wilmington.****
10. Dined and lodged at Elkton, tolerably pleasant all day.
11. Snowing from daylight until 10 Oclock; in the afternoon a little rain. Breakfasted at Susquehanna, dined and lodged at Hartford.
12. lowering, but tolerably pleasant, breakfasted at Websters. Dined and lodged in Baltimore. Met and escorted into town by a great concourse of people.*****
13. Breakfasted at Spurriers and dined and lodged in Bladensburgh. Morning lowered but clear afterwards.
14. Dined at Mr. Laws and lodged at Mr. Thos. Peters, day warm.
15. Recd. the Compliments of the Citizens of George Town as I had done the day before of those of the City of Washington, stopped in Alexa. and got to Mt. V. to dinner.
16. At home all day alone. Wind at East and very Cloudy all day.
* see next entry
** “On March 3 Washington signed a pardon for 10 persons convicted of high treason in connection with the Whiskey Insurrection; and also granted a remittance of a fine inflicted on a smuggler. These were, probably, Washington’s last official acts as President of the United States.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
*** The contentious presidential election of 1796 between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in which Adams won.
**** Washington left Philadelphia for Mount Vernon after his second term in office concluded. Washington merely records meteorological information from March 1st through the 8th.
***** “The news report states that he was greeted by Captain Hollingsworth’s troop of horse, ‘who escorted him in through as great a concourse of people as Baltimore ever witnessed. On alighting at the Fountain Inn, the General was saluted with reiterated and thundering huzzas from the spectators.’ (Baker, Washington after the Revolution, p. 346.) The Mayor and City Council delivered an Address, the original of which is in the Washington Papers, Library of Congress.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., DGW
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