The approbation of my public conduct, which you have been so good as to express in behalf of the People of your county, has not failed to excite the most agreeable Sensations, and you have made it the dearer, by the terms of personal affection with whch it is accompanied.1

At all times it has been my ende⟨av⟩our to discern, and promote the welfare of o⟨ur⟩ country to the ⟨utmo⟩st of my abilities; and if ⟨in⟩ critical situations events have been ⟨final⟩ly propit⟨iou⟩ s, the success is to be attributed to the unc⟨ea⟩sing support of my fellow ⟨ci⟩tizens, who have known how to maintain a ⟨Govern⟩ment made by, and for themselves.

In the retirement, so much desired, when I shall once more return to the occupations of private life, it wi⟨ll be a ne⟩ver failing source of my happiness to reco⟨ll⟩ect, the various instances in which my honest exertions to discharge the duties of public office have been more than rewarded by the benevolence of my fellow citizens.

To you Gentlemen, and the people of Frederick county, I most gratefully acknowledge this evidence of attachment: and long, under the blessings of a benign Providence, may we all live to see our common country which we equally love, happy in the enjoyment of its present tranquility, liberty & Independence.