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.

NET. 60.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 481
without awaiting the completion of the second period
of four years. One or two sessions will determine the
crisis; and I cannot but hope, that you can resolve
to add one or two more to the many years you have
already sacrificed to the good of mankind."
HTmilton was equally strenuous and decided. "It is
clear," said he, "'that if you continue in office, nothing
materially mischievous is to be apprehended; if you
quit, much is to be dreaded; that the same motives,
which induced you to accept originally, ought to decide
you to continue till matters have assumed a more determinate aspect; that indeed it would have been better, as it regards your own character, that you had
never consented to come forward, than now to leave
the business unfinished and in danger of being undone;
that, in the event of storms arising, there would be an
imputation either of want of foresight or want of firmness; and, in fine, that on public and personal accounts,
on patriotic and prudential considerations, the clear path
to be pursued by you will be again to obey the voice
of your country. I trust, and I pray God, that you
will determine to make a further sacrifice of your
tranquillity and happiness to the public good."
Randolph spoke with the same urgency. "The fuel,
which has been already gathered for combustion," he
observed, "wants no addition. But how awfully might
it be increased, were the violence, which is now suspended by a universal submission to your pretensions,
let loose by your resignation. The constitution would
never have been adopted, but from a knowledge that
you had once sanctioned it, and an expectation that
you would execute it. It is in a state of probation.
The most inauspicious struggles are past, but the public deliberations need stability. You alone can give
them stability. You suffered yourself to yield when
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