he had deliberately resolved to perform, Mr. Adams tried it again, with no better success.  Thus foiled, he threw down the spade, hastily stripped off and laid aside his coat, and went seriously to work.  The multitude around, and on the hills and trees, who could not hear, because of their distance from the open space, but could see and understand, observing this action, raised a loud and unanimous cheering, which continued for some time after Mr. Adams had mastered the difficulty.] And in performing this act, I call upon you to join me in fervent supplication to Him from whom that primitive injunction came, that he would follow with his blessing, this joint effort of our great community, to perform his will in the subjugation of the earth for the improvement of the condition of man—­that he would make it one of his chosen instruments for the preservation, prosperity, and perpetuity of our Union—­that he would have in his holy keeping all the workmen by whose labors it is to be completed—­that their lives and their health may be precious in his sight; and that they may live to see the work of their hands contribute to the comforts and enjoyments of millions of their countrymen.

“Friends and brethren:  Permit me further to say, that I deem the duty, now performed at the request of the President and Directors of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, and the Corporations of the District of Columbia, one of the most fortunate incidents of my life.  Though not among the functions of my official station, I esteem it as a privilege conferred upon me by my fellow-citizens of the District.  Called, in the performance of my service, heretofore as one of the representatives of my native commonwealth in the Senate, and now as a member of the executive department of the Government, my abode has been among the inhabitants of the District longer than at any other spot upon earth.  In availing myself of this occasion to return to them my thanks for the numberless acts of kindness that I have experienced at their hands, may I be allowed to assign it as a motive, operating upon the heart, and superadded to my official obligations, for taking a deeper interest in their welfare and prosperity.  Among the prospects of futurity which we may indulge the rational hope of seeing realized by this junction of distant waters, that of the auspicious influence which it will exercise over the fortunes of every portion of this District is one upon which my mind dwells with unqualified pleasure.  It is my earnest prayer that they may not be disappointed.

“It was observed that the first step towards the accomplishment of the glorious destinies of our country was the Declaration of Independence.  That the second was the union of these States under our federative Government.  The third is irrevocably fixed by the act upon the commencement of which we are now engaged.  What time more suitable for this operation could have been selected than the anniversary of our great national festival?  What place more