Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-10
wAsHlNGToN's vALEDIcToRY.
Letter from the Honorable John Jay, to Honorable
chard Peters.
\>|OFI
Bedford, March 29th, 1911.


chard Peters.
(CoPY
Bedford, March 10th, 1911.
DEAR SIR,-I have received your letter OF
the l4tb ult. and also the book on Plaster OF
Paris, which you was so obiging as to send me,
and for which accept my thanks.
Your letter conveyed TO me the first, and
onIv information have received, that copy
of President Washington's Valedictory Address
has been found among the papers OF General
Hamilton. and in his handwriting; and that
certain gentleman had also copy OF 1t, In the
same hand writing.
This intelligence is unpleasant and unexpect-
ed. Had the address been one OF those cGtc'dl
papers which, in the course OF affairs, the Sec
retary of the proper department might have
prepared. and the President have signed, these
facts would have been unimportant; bat 1t was
personal act, Of choice, not OF official duty,
and it was so connected with other obvious
considerations as that he only could with pro-
priety write it. In my opinion President WASH
ington must have been sensible OF this proprle-
ty and therefore strong evidence would be ne
cessary to make me believe that he violated 1t.
Whether he did or did not, is question which
naturally directs our attention TO whatever al
fords presumptive evidence respecting 1t, aud
leads the mind into long train OF corresponds
ent reflections. Twill give you summary oil
those which have occurred to me; not because
: I think them necessary 10 settle the point In
question, for the sequel will show that they are
not. bat because the occasion invites me TO
take the pleasure of reviewing and bearing ties
,imony to the merits Of my departed friend
Is il to be presumed from these facts that
General Hamilton was the real, and the Presl-
dent only the Yeputed author Of that address,
Although they countenance such presumP-
t;on. vet think its foundation will be found 100
slight and shallow, to resist that strong and
full stream Of counter evidence which flows
from the conduct and character OF that great
man. character not blown up into transient
snlendor by the breath Of adulation, but which,
being composed Of his great and memorable
= deeds. stands, and will forever stand glorious
monument of human excellence.
So prone, however, is poor human nature
TO dislike and depreciate the superiority OF It's
contemporaries, that when these facts come to
be generally known, (and generally known they
will be- many with affected regret and heslta-
lion will infer add hint that Washington mad
less greatness of talent, and less greatness OF
mind. than his friends and admirers ascribed
TO him. Nor will the number OF those be few,
who, from personal or party inducements, VIII
artfully encourage and diligently endeavor to
give currency TO such imputations. On the
other hand, there are men OF candor and Judg-
ment. (and time will increase their numoer,)
who. aiming only at truth, will cheerfully trace
and follow its footsteps, and on finding, gladly
embrace it. Urged by this laudabie motive,
they will attentiyely examine the history OF ms
life; and in it they will meet wl'h such hume
rous proofs Of his knowledge and experience
of men, and things in general, and OF our ma,
tional affairs in particular, as 70 silence all
doubts Of his ability to conceive and express