that the discouragement occasioned by the complicated difficulties and embarasments, in which our affairs were by this means involved, would have long ago produced the dissolution of any Army, less patient, less virtuous, and less persevering, than that which I have had the honor to Command. But while I mention these things, which are notorious facts, as the defects of our Federal Government, particularly in the persecution of a War, I beg it may be understood, that as I have ever taken a pleasure in gratefully acknowledging the assistance and support I have derived from every Class of Citizens, so shall I always be happy to do justice to the unparallelled exertions of the individual States, on many interesting occasions.

I have thus freely disclosed what I wished to make known, before I surrendered up my Public trust to those who committed it to me- the task is now accomplished. I now bid adieu to your Excellency as the Chief Magistrate of your State, at the same time, I bid a last farewell to the cares of office and all the employments of public life.

It remains then to be my final and only request, that your Excellency will communicate these sentiments to your Legislature at their next meeting, and that they may be considered as the Legacy of one who has ardently wished on all occasions to be usefull to his Country, and who, even in the shade of Retirement, will not fail to implore the divine benediction upon it.

I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government-to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their Brethren who have served in the Field,and finally that he would most graciously be pleased to dis

pose us, all to do Justice, to love Mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, Humility and Pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristicks of the Divine Author of your blessed Religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a Happy Nation.—

I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem & respect Sir Your Excellency's Most Obedient and very Humble Servant

G. Washington

In Senate June 26th 1783

Read and Sent down

S Adams Presid

In the House of Representatives June 26th 1783.

Read & thereupon Ordered that Mr Phillips, M' Sedgwick, M' Bacon, Mr Rows & M' Hosmer with such as the Hon Senate may join be a Committee to consider this Letter & communications accompanying & report. And that said Committee report particularly a draft of a Letter to Gen' Washington expressing the gratitude of this Commonwealth for the exertions of his zeal, firmness & patriotism & for his attention to the rights of the citizens & the honor of civil government during the course of the war & to congratulate him on the glorious terms of peace.

Sent up for concurrence

Tristram Dalton Speaker

In Senate June 27th 1783

Read & Concurred & Eleazer Brooks, Sam' Phillips jun',

Charles Turner and Nath' Wells Esq" are joined

S Adams Presid

A Bill Conferring the Rights of Citizenship to the Marquis De La Fayette.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts- In the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty five

An Act for Granting to the Right Honourable the Marquis De La Fayette & to his Heirs the rights of Citizenship in this Commonwealth

Whereas this Country has derived A the greatest B benefits from the Efforts of the Right Honble The Marquis De La Fayette in the cause of America,- Efforts C doubly Brilliant. from the Period of real danger in which they commenced, as well as from the unremitted ardour with which they were continued 'till the Glorious completion of those original Views of the opposition in this Country, D the happy & permanent Establishment of our Peace Liberty & Safety - In order therefore to give this Testimony to the World, and as far as possible to transmit the Honble remembrance of those E Virtues & Exertions to Posterity which could only have been inspired by a Thirst of true Glory, & the deepest reverence for the Rights of Human nature F

Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court Assembled & by the Authority of the same That the Right Honble the Marquis De La Fayette late Major General of the Armies of the United States of America G together with his Heirs—be and Hereby are intitled to all the Rights, Liberties, Immunities, and Privileges of a free Citizen of this Commonwealth H

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the Secretary of this Commonwealth be & he hereby is directed to transmit a true Copy of the foregoing Act under the great Seal of this Commonwealth to the Right Honble The Marquis De La Fayette late Major General of the Armies of the United States of America

In the House of Representatives Feb 25th 1785

This Bill having had three several Readings passed to be Engrossed

Sent up for concurrence Sam A Otis Spkr

In Senate Feb 28, 1785

Read the first time

dele from A to B & insert "essential”

dele from C to D & insert "brilliant from the real Danger at the Period when they commenced & the unremitted Ardor with which they were continued untill"

dele from E to F and insert virtuous Exertions to Posterity dele from G to H & insert & his Heirs be and hereby are entitled to all the Rights Liberties & Immunities of free Citizens of this Commonwealth they conforming to the Requirements of Laws of the Commonwealth in the Exercise & Enjoyment of such Rights Liberties & Immunities

[To Lafayette America owes a great debt. Arriving in this country at the age of nineteen he at once sought the side of Washington and from that moment devoted all his energies to the American cause. After a horseback ride of nearly nine hundred miles he was met with coldness by Congress; but not disconcerted by the manner of his reception he thus addressed them:

"After the sacrifices I have made, I have the right to exact two favours; one is, to serve at my own expense,- the other is, to serve at first as volunteer."

Sentiments of this character to which they were so little accustomed, awakened their attention; the despatches from the envoys were read over, and, in a very flattering resolution, the rank of major-general was granted to M. de Lafayette. His modesty, courage and ability gained him. the friendship and admiration of those with whom he was associated.]

Acceptance Treasurer's Accounts Town of York.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In the House of Representatives June 16 1783 Whereas it Appears Upon Examination of the Treasurer's Accounts for the County of York that All the moneys granted & allowed by the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the said County from June 26, 1781, to January 1783, including Jan" Term, was for such purposes & Appropriations as by Law the said Court were impowered to grant. Therefore Resolved that the said Accounts be Accepted & Allowed. Sent up for concurrence

Whereas it appears to this Court by the Representation of John Lewis Esq' & others a Committee for the Sale of part of the real Estate of Francis Waldo Esq' an Absentee, with the papers accompanying the same, that the said Committee have disposed of part of the said real Estate amounting to Two hundred & eighty three pounds and have paid the demands on the said Estate amounting to Two hundred fifty four pounds seventeen shillings & eight pence & that there remains in the hands of the said Committee twenty eight pounds two shillings & four pence Therefore Resolved, that this Court do approve & Confirm the doings of the said