41. "Both Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson had the pleasure of knowing that the respect which they so largely received was not paid to their official stations.
42. "They were not men made great by office; but great men, on whom the country for its own benefit had conferred office.
43. "There was that in them which office did not give, and which the relinquishment of office did not and could not take away.
44. "In their retirement, in the midst of their fellow citizens, themselves private citizens, they enjoyed as high regard and esteem as when filling the most important places of public trust.
45. "Thus useful and thus respected passed the old age of Thomas Jefferson.
46. "But time was on its ever-ceaseless wing, and was now bringing the last hour of this illustrious man.
47. "He saw its approach with undisturbed serenity. He counted the moments as they passed, and beheld that his last sands were falling.
48. "That day, too, was at hand which he had helped make immortal. One wish, one hope—if it were not presumptuous—beat in his fainting breast.
49. "Could it be so—might it please God—he would desire once more to see the sun—once more to look abroad on the scene around him, on the great day of liberty.
50. "Heaven in its mercy fulfilled that prayer. He saw that sun—he enjoyed that sacred light—he thanked God for this mercy, and bowed his aged head to the grave."