Washington finished his Farewell Address with help from Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.  In fact, Washington wanted to retire from politics at the end of his first term.  James Madison had helped him with a Farewell Address at that time.  He was convinced to stay as president for one more term.  His new Farewell Address was reshaped from his original.

Washington focused on some main points in his Farewell Address.  A few main points.  First he wanted Americans to come together for the good of the country.  He argued that even though parts of the country were different, they all depended on each other.  He said that a strong government and authority of the Constitution were necessary to keep America great.  He also cautions against long term foreign alliances.  Both of these points draw on Washington’s experience with the Jay Treaty.