It was issued in view of the approaching presidential election, to give public notice that he declined "being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made." The usual address to Congress was delivered by Washington on December 7, 1796, shortly after the opening of the second session of the Fourth Congress.

The occasion was connected in the public mind with his recent valedictory, and Congress was ready to vote a reply of particularly cordial tenor.

Giles stood to his guns to the last, speaking and voting against complimentary resolutions.

"He hoped gentlemen would compliment the President privately, as individuals; at the same time, he hoped such adulation would never pervade the House." He held that "the Administration has been neither wise nor firm," and he acknowledged that he was "one of those who do not think so much of the President as some others do." On this issue Madison forsook him, and Giles was voted down, 67 to 12.

Among the eleven who stood by Giles was a new member who made his first appearance that session--Andrew Jackson of Tennessee.