Permit me, Gentlemen, to offer to you my sincere thanks for your Congratulations on the happy events, of Peace and the Establishment of our Independence.

If my Conduct throughout the War has merited the confidence of my fellow Citizens—and has been instrumental in obtaing for my Country the blessings of Peace and Freedom—I owe it to that Supreme being who guides the hearts of all—who has so signally interposed his aid in every Stage of the Contest and who has graciously been pleased to bestow on me the greatest of Earthly rewards—the approbation and affections of a free people.

Tho I retire from the employments of public life I shall never cease to entertain the most anxious care for the welfare of my Country—May the Almighty dispose the heart of every Citizen of the United States to improve the great prospect of happiness before us! and may you Gentlemen, and the Inhabitants of this City long enjoy every felicity this World can Afford!