The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

458 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1790.
The time for the adjournment of Congress having
expired, the two houses reassembled in the first week
of January. The President met them in the senatechamber, and delivered his speech at the opening of
the session. Such was the custom during Washington's administration; but it was afterwards changed, and
the President communicated with Congress only by
written messages. This- was likewise Washington's
practice, except at the beginning of a session, when he
addressed the two houses in person. These addresses
were called speeches, and other communications were
designated as messages. At this time, after congratulating Congress on the prosperous condition of the
country, and the favor with which their previous doings
had been received, he recommended several subjects
feelings, which have been inspired by my former society with good acquaintances, nor to be insensible to their expressions of gratitude to the
President; for you know.me well enough to do me the justice to believe,
that I am fond only of what comes from the heart. Under a conviction,
that the demonstrations of respect and affection to him originate in that
source, I cannot deny, that I have taken some interest and pleasure in
them. The difficulties, which presented themselves to view on his first
entering upon the Presidency, seem thus to be in some measure surmounted. It is owing to the kindness of our numerous friends in all
quarters, that my new and unwished-for situation is not indeed a burden
to me. When I was much younger, I should probably have enjoyed the
innocent gayeties of life as much as most persons of my age; but I had
long since placed all the prospects of my future worldly happiness in
the still enjoyments of the fireside at Mount Vernon.
"I little thought, when the war was finished, that any circumstances
could possibly happen, which would call the General into public life
again. I had anticipated, that from that moment we should be suffered
to grow old together in solitude and tranquillity. That was the first and
dearest wish of my heart. I will not, however, contemplate with too
much regret disappointments, that were inevitable, though his feelings
and my own were in perfect unison with respect to our predilection for
private life. Yet I cannot blame him for having acted according to his
ideas of duty in obeying the voice of his country. The consciousness
of having attempted to do all the good in his power, and the pleasure of
finding his fellow-citizens so well satisfied with the disinterestedness of
his conduct, will doubtless be some compensation for the great sacrifices,