Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1836-12-17


meeting, namely, to think Of the proper time and
the best mode of announcing the intention, and
that YOU would prepare the letter. Ia revolving
tins subject myself, my Judgment has alw Tvs been
embarrassed. On the one hand, previous de-
claratlon to retire, not only carries with 1t the APP
pearance of vanity and seii-lmportance, but II
NAV be construed into manGuyre to be invited
to remain; and on the other hand, to say nothing,
implies consent, or at any rate would leave the
\ matter in doubt; and to decline afterwards, might
be deemed as bad and uncandd.
h al would fam carry my request 10 YOU Further
pthan is asked above, although am sensible that
| your compliance with il must add 10 Your trouble.
But as the recess may afford YOU leisure, and
lluer myself you have dispositions to oblge me.
will, without apology, desire, If the measure m
itsel should strike you proper or likely to pro-
duce public good or private honor, that you would
\ turn your thoughts to a Naedtctors Address from
me to the public. expressing III p1ln aud modest
Eterms that. having been honored with the Presi-
henhal char, and to the best OF my abilities con-
\ irtIted to the organization and administration OF
!. the government; that having arrived at period OF
hife, when the private walks Of 1t IN the shades OF
vretirement become necessary. aud VIII be most
pleasing to ME; and the Splrlt OF the Government
NAV render rotation IN the elective officers OF II
a more congenial with their ideas OF liberty and
afety, and take my leave of them AS public
an; aud, in bidding them adlcu, retaining n
fher concern than such as will ARISE from ter,e0'
Wishes for the prosperity Of my country, take tn
Liberty at my departure from civil as | formerly
4 did Of my military exit, to invoke a conuuuatlon
of the blessings of Providence upon H. and upon
l. oil thnso uhn arc tho al
and the promoters of harmony, order and gooU
government
"That to impress these things, it might among
other topics be observed, that We are all children
Of the same country, "A country great and rich n
itself, capable and promising to be as prosperous
aud happy any which the annal, of history have
ever brought 10 our view that our interest howe
yer diversified in local or smaller matters, is the
same III all the great aud essential concerns Of the
nation; that the extent OF our county, the DIVER
Sty of our climate and soil, end the various pro-
ductons Of the States consequent TO both, are
such as to make one part rot only convenient, but
perhaps lndispensably necessary TO the other part,
and may render the whole at no distant period,
with the seeds Of amendment engratted IN the
constitution, may, by wisdom, good dispositions,
and mutual allowance, aided by experience, bring
it az near to perfection as any human institution
ever Appropriated, aud therefore, the only strife
amongst us ought TO be, who should be the fore
: most one of the most Independent nations, oil
N he world; that the established government, being
Ehe work of our own hands, is facilitating and IL
aally accomplishing great and desirable objects,
by giving every possible support and cement to
the Union; that however necessary II may be to
keep a watchtul eye over the public servants and
public measures, yet there ought to be limits to IT.
for suspicious unfounded, and ealousles too lively
are irritating to honest feelings, and cftenmes
4 are productive Of more evil than good.
$40 euumerate the various objects which might
Ne introduced into such an address, would require
!, thoughts, and to mention them to you would be
S unnecessary, as your own judgment will CON-
a prehcnd ali that will be proper. Whether to touch
RS specifically any of the excepuonable parts OF the
5 Constitution, may be doubted. All that shall
" add, therefore, at present, Is, to beg the favor OF
he you to consider-First, the propnety OF such an
A. address; Secondly, if approved, the several mat
re tiers which ought to be contained in It; Thirdly
e. the time it should appears that is whether at the
re declaration of my intention to withdraw from the
service Of the public, or to let it be the closing
act Of my administration, which will end with the
next session Of Congress-; the probability being
that the body will continue sitting until March
e. when the House Of Representatives will also dis
OF solve.
e Though do not wish to hurry You, ,the case
o. not pressng in the execution Of either of the pub
nd LEGATIONS before mentioned, yet | should be gat
by to hear from you generally on both and to receive
mt them in time If you should not come to PhIadel
phia before the session commences, in the form
g. t,I,a Il
e. attention also to such things as you shall conceive
III fit subjects for communication on that occasion
IN, and noting them as they occur; that you "ou
ed be so good as to furnish me with them in time t
n. be prepared, and engrafted with others for tn
ire opening Of the session.
"Wlth very sincere and afiectionate regard,
en- am ever yours,
IN, GEORGE WAsHINGToN."
he At the time Of receiving this letter, Mr.. Mad
d. son was at his residence IN Virginia. In com
pance with the request contained IN IT, he dre'
up the following paper, carried it with him whe
he returned to Congress, and gave it INTO the hand
of the President.
lot Mr.. MADsoNs DRAFT.
re- "The period which will close the appointment wit
on which my fellow citizens have honored me, beln
av not very distant, and the time actually arrived
~ which their thoughts must be designating the cltize
W who is to administer the Executive Government
~ the United States during the ensuing term il ma
re- be requisite, 10 distinct expression of III
public voice. that should apprise such of my fellow
MS citizens may retain their partlahty towards M
"a that am not to be numbered among those out
~ whom a choice Is To be made.
ain 81 beer thom IN hs asvred thst tlc resolution rhic
out dictates tins ntimation has not been taken WthOl
on the strictest regard to the relation which, as dut
to fiji citizen bear to my country; and that IN witt
nv drawing that tender OF my service which silence