consistency, which is necessary to give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own fortunes. Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope, that my Country will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man, who views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations; I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers. United States, September 17th, 1796. GEORGE WASHINGTON. B. C. GENERAL CHRONOLOGY. ANCIENT TIMES. 2700 Menes first King of Egypt. 2500 Supposed founding of the Chaldæan Empire by Nimrod. 2240 Supposed founding of China by Fohi. 2217 Supposed founding of Nineveh by Asshur. 2100 Egypt conquered by the Hyksos, or Shepherd Kings. 2082 Abraham settled in the Promised Land of Canaan. 1867 Jacob and his family settled in Egypt. 1856 Supposed founding of Argos, in Greece, by Inachus. 1652 Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. 1612 Death of Moses. 66 The Israelites, led by Joshua, settled in Canaan. 1556 Supposed founding of Athens, in Greece, by Cecrops. 1525 The Hyksos expelled from Egypt. 1520 Supposed founding of Sparta, in Greece, by Lelex. 1493 Supposed founding of Thebes, in Greece, by Cadmus. 1263 Argonautic Expedition. 1250 The Assyrian Empire founded. 1245 Overthrow of the Midianites by Gideon. 1194-1184 The Trojan War. 1100 Return of the Heraclidæ. 1095-1055 Saul first King over Israel. 1068 Death of Codrus, the last King of Athens. 1055-1015 David King over Israel. 1050 Tyre became the leading Phoenician state. 1015-975 Solomon King over Israel. 1004 Solomon completed the Temple of Jerusalem. 975 Revolt of the Ten Tribes. 878 Carthage founded by the Phoenicians under Queen Dido. 850 Lycurgus established his code at Sparta. 776 The First Olympiad. 753 Rome founded by Romulus. 743-723 The First Messenian War. 721 The Israelites carried into the Assyrian Captivity. 716 Disappearance of Romulus. 708 The Kingdom of Media founded. 685-668 The Second Messenian War. 625 Nineveh destroyed and the Assyrian Empire overthrown by the Medes and Babylonians. "The Bablyonian Empire founded by Nabopolassar. 624 Draco framed a code of laws for Athens. 600 Rise of Buddhism in India. 594 Solon framed a code for Athens. 586 The Jews carried into the Babylonian Captivity. 560 Usurpation of Pisistratus at Athens. 559 Cyrus the Great founded the Medo-Persian Empire. 546 Cyrus the Great conquered the Kingdom of Lydia. 538 Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon. 536 Cyrus the Great permitted the Jews to return to Palestine. 530 Cyrus the Great defeated and killed by the Scythians. 525 Cambyses, King of Persia, conquered Egypt. 521 Darius Hystaspes became King of Persia. 510 Hippias expelled from Athens and the Athenian Republic restored. 509 Tarquin the Proud expelled from Rome. 495 Revolt of the Greek cities of Asia Minor against Persia. 494 Plebeian insurrection at Rome. 66 Tribunes chosen at Rome. 490 Banishment of Coriolanus from Rome. 66 Commencement of the Persian War against Greece. 66 Persian invasion of Greece. 463 Rebellion of the Spartan Helots and the Messenians. 460 Ezra and Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem. 458 Dictatorship of Cincinnatus. 450 Decemvirs chosen in Rome. 449 Peace made between Greece and Persia. 415 Athenian Expedition against Syracuse. 404 Surrender of Athens to the Spartans. Democracy restored in Athens. 400 Retreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks from Persia. 399 Death of Socrates. 395 Conquest of Veii by the Romans under Camillus. 387 Peace of Antalcidas. 66 Battle on the Allia,-the Romans defeated by the Gauls. 343 First war between the Romans and Samnites begun. 342 War between the Romans and the Latins. |