fellow-citizens：the practice of all my predecessors imposes on me an obligation i cheerfully fulfill——to accompany the first and solemn act of my public trust with an avowal of the principles that will guide me in performing it and an expression of my feelings on assuming a charge so responsible and vast. in imitating their example i tread in the footsteps of illustrious men， whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country. among them we recognize the earliest and firmest pillars of the republic——those by whom our national independence was first declared， him who above all others contributed to establish it on the field of battle， and those whose expanded intellect and patriotism constructed， improved， and perfected the inestimable institutions under which we live. if such men in the position i now occupy felt themselves overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude for this the highest of all marks of their country's confidence， and by a consciousness of their inability adequately to discharge the duties of an office so difficult and exalted， how much more must these considerations affect one who can rely on no such claims for favor or forbearance！ unlike all who have preceded me， the revolution that gave us existence as one people was achieved at the period of my birth； and whilst i contemplate with grateful reverence that memorable event， i feel that i belong to a later age and that i may not expect my countrymen to weigh my
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