The Litchfield County post., 1826-10-24

6lOns ~ was t0Jenucu lot tile present anu ltl-
tnre generations It was 10 be read in this
CaIunfry and in foreign countries; and to be
criticised, not only by alFectiOnate friends and
impartial judges, but also by enNiOns and ma
lignant enemies. 1t was an address which,
according as it should not correspond with his
exalted character and fame, would either JUS
tify or irnpeach the prevailing opinion Of his
talents or wisdom. Who, therefore, can won
der that he should bestOw more thought, and
time, and pains, on that address, than on a
letter."
After observing that Washington was al
ways selicitous to collect light on every SUBJ
iect upon which he was called to act, though
he depended ultimately on his own Judgment.
Mr.. jay remarks that he would naturally i'm
itate 1.-The example of those ancient and mod
ern writer's, (among whom were statesmen,
generals, and even men of consular and royal
dignity who submitted their compositions to
the judgments of their friends before they
put the last hand to them," and then adds the
following paragraph which we consider con-
elusive.
"Among those to whose judgment and can
dOur, President Washington would commit
such an interesting and delicate task, where
is the man to be found, who would have the
hardihoOd to say to him in substance, though
in terms ever SO nice and courtly-"Sir, have
dress-it will not dot is really good for no.
thing, but sir, have taken the trouble to write
IA proper one for you, and now make you
present of it. | advise you to adopt it, and
to pass it on the world as your own, the cheat
will never be discovered, for you may depend
on secrecy-Sir, have inserted in it para
graph that will give the public good opinion
of your modesty. will read it to you it is
in these words"
I" In the discharge of this trust will only
say, that have with good intentions contribu-
ted towards the organization and administra-
ton of the government, the best exertions Of
which, gerry .tullible judgment was capable
Not unconscious in the outset of the intsriori-
tn Of my qualifications, experience in my own
eyes, perhaps still more, in the eyes of others,
has strengthened the motives to diffidence. of
myself"
"If it be possible to find man among those
whom he esteemed, capable of offering to
him such present, it is impossible to believe
that President Washington was the man to
whom such present would have been accep
table,"
l, This is the presumptive evidence adduced
by Mr.. Jay, but we consider the direct and
positive equally satisfactory.
% Some time before the address appeared
Qsays Mr.. Jay,) Colonel, afterwards General}
Hamilton, informed me that he had received
letter from President Washington, and with
it the draft of a Farewell Address, which the
President had prepared, and on which he re-
qiested our OplnOn.-He then proposed
that we should fix on day for an interview
at my house on the subieet.-A day was a ac-
cordingly appointed, and on that day Colonel
Hamilton attended. He observed to me. in
words to this effect, that after having read
and examined the draft, it appeared to him to
be susceptible of improvement. That he
thought the easiest and best way was to leave
the draft untouched, and in its fair state and
to write the whole over with such amend
lneuts, alterations, and corrections as he
thought were advisable, and that he had done
SO; he then proposed to read it, and we pro-
ceeded deliberately to discuss and consider it
paragraph by paragraph, until the whole met
with our mutual appreciation. Some amend
Inents were made during the interview, but
none of mnch importance.
Although this business had not been hast
lily despatched, yet aware ofthe consequence
Ef such paper, | suggested the giving it a
further critical examination; but he declined
it saying he was pressed for time, and was anx-
ious to return the draft to the President with
out delay.
ut afterwards occurred to me that a GER
tain proposition was expressed in terms too
general and unqualified and limited it in a
letter to the President. AS the business took
the course above mentioned, a recurrence to
the draft was unnecessary. and it was not read
There was this advantage in the course pur-
sued; the Presidents draft remained, (as del
tcacy required,) fair and not obscured by in
terlineations, &c. BY comparing it with the
paper sent with il, he would Immediately oh
serve the particular lamentations and correc-
lions, that were proposed, and would find
them standing in their intended places. Hence
he was enabled to review and to decide on the
whole matter, with much greater clearness
aud facility, than if we had received them in
separate and detached notes, and with detail
ed references to the pages and lines, where
they were advised to be introduced
This disclosure we consider honorable, in an
eminent degree, to the character Of all the par
ties concerned; it is so to that of Washington,
as It proves that he was substantially the au-
thor of the address, whatever aid he may have
derived from the criticisms of his friends, and
ehectually repels every unworthy suspicion
IL is so to that of Hamilton and Jay as the
consultation speaks the sense of Washington,
not merely Of their talents, but Of their patri-
Otism and devotedness to their country and
to himself There was time when these
statesmen were the object Of great deal of
raInunuv hut tho ow~;fo,~nop% <sr So