Now he turned to Hamilton, giving him the topics as far as they had been outlined, and bidding him to rewrite it if he thought it desirable.

In September, 1796, Washington read the "Address" before the assembled Congress.
The "Farewell Address" belongs among the few supreme utterances on human government.

Its author seems to be completely detached from all personal or local interests.

He tries to see the thing as it is, and as it is likely to be in its American environment.

His advice applies directly to the American people, and only in so far as what he says has in a large sense human pertinence do we find in it more than a local application.
"Be united" is the summary and inspiration of the entire "Address." "Be united and be American"; as an individual each person must feel himself most strongly an American.