s exertions.
never did a government commence under auspices so favorable， nor ever was success so complete. if we look to the history of other nations， ancient or modern， we find no example of a growth so rapid， so gigantic， of a people so prosperous and happy. in contemplating what we have still to perform， the heart of every citizen must expand with joy when he reflects how near our government has approached to perfection； that in respect to it we have no essential improvement to make； that the great object is to preserve it in the essential principles and features which characterize it， and that is to be done by preserving the virtue and enlightening the minds of the people； and as a security against foreign dangers to adopt such arrangements as are indispensable to the support of our independence， our rights and liberties. if we persevere in the career in which we have advanced so far and in the path already traced， we can not fail， under the favor of a gracious providence， to attain the high destiny which seems to await us.
in the administrations of the illustrious men who have preceded me in this high station， with some of whom i have been connected by the closest ties from early life， examples are presented which will always be found highly instructive and useful to their successors. from these i shall endeavor to derive all the advantages which they may afford. of my immediate predecessor， under whom so important a portion of this great and success
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