The Papers of George Washington: 1 April-21 September 1796

Throughout volume 20 of the Presidential Series, George Washington looked forward to retirement from public life, preparing a farewell address to announce his intention and leave behind guiding principles for the nation. Relations with Great Britain and France dominated foreign policy, as the House of Representatives agreed to implement the provisions of the Jay Treaty and as the president responded to a looming diplomatic crisis by recalling James Monroe, U.S. minister to France. Washington also remained involved with his private affairs, taking pains to retrieve Martha Washington’s runaway slave Ona (Oney) Judge, actions that did not square easily with aspirations expressed in his farewell address regarding the happiness of the people of these States, under the auspices of liberty.