He had served his country faithfully for fifty-three years. He would
have been glad if he might retire to private life.

When he reached Philadelphia he was received with joy by thousands of
his countrymen. General Washington was among the first to welcome him,
and to thank him for his great services.

That same year the grateful people of his state elected him President
of Pennsylvania.

Two years afterwards, he wrote:

"I am here in my _niche_ in my own house, in the bosom of my family, my
daughter and grandchildren all about me, among my old friends, or the
sons of my friends, who equally respect me.

"In short, I enjoy here every opportunity of doing good, and everything
else I could wish for, except repose; and that I may soon expect, either
by the cessation of my office, which cannot last more than three years,
or by ceasing to live."

The next year he was a delegate to the convention which formed the
present Constitution of the United States.

In a letter written to his friend Washington not long afterwards, he
said: "For my personal ease I should have died two years ago; but though
those years have been spent in pain, I am glad to have lived them, since
I can look upon our present situation."

In April, 1790, he died, and was buried by the side of his wife,