| Gentlemen, | United States 22d Feb. ‘97. |
Your congratulations, & the expression of your attachment & approbation of my public services, are received with gratitude & reciprocated with sincerity.
Endeared to me by every consideration of public & private worth, I shall carry into that retirement, which you are pleased to mention in terms so flattering, an invariable affection & esteem towards the faithful comrades of my military career; & my best prayers will be offered for their present and future happiness.
G. W.
DLC: Papers of George Washington.
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