University of Virginia Library

8430. THIRD TERM, Determination to refuse.—

Believing that a definite period of retiring from this station will tend materially
to secure our elective form of government;
and sensible, too, of that decline which advancing
years bring on, I have felt it a duty
to withdraw at the close of my present term of
office; and to strengthen by practice a principle
which I deem salutary.—
To Abner Watkins. Washington ed. viii, 125.
(W. Dec. 1807)