Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1836-08-12

Ing arrived al period oil Nle, Wnen
the private walks of it ia the shades
of retirement become necessary, and
will be most pleasing to meran d the
spirit Of the government may render
a rotation i'll The elective officers Of it
more congenial with their ideas of lib.
erty and safety, that take my leave of
them as public man; and in bidding
them adieu, retaining no other concern
than such as will arise from iervent
wishes for the prosperity of my coun-
try, take the liberty at my departure
from civil, as | formerly did at my
military exit, to invoke a continuation
Of the blessings Of Providence Upon it,
and upon all those who are the sup
porters of its interests, and the promo.
ters Of harmcny, order aud good gov,
ernment.
"Tha', TO impress these things, it
might among other topics he observed,
that we are aU the children OF the
same country great and rich in itself,
capable, and promising TO be as pros
porous and happy as any, which the
annals Of history have ever brought to
our vew-thal our interest however
diversified in local and smaller mat
ters, is the same in all the great and
essential concerns of the nation that
the extent of our country, the diversi.
ty of our climate and soil, and the va
rious productions of the states conse-
quent Of both, are such as to make one
part not only convenient, but perhaps
indlspensably necessary TO the other
part, aud may render the whole, at no
distant period, one of the most indie.
pendent, (nations), in the worlds that
the established government being the
work of our own hands, with the seeds
of amendment engrafted in the consti.
tuition, may, by wisdom, good dispC
sitions and mutual allowances, aided
by experience, bring it as near TO per
fection as any human institution ever
appro&imated, and, therefore, the only
strife among US ought TO be, who
should be foremost in facilitating and
finally accomplishing such great and
desirable objects, by giving every
possible support and cement to the
union--that, however necessary it may
be to keep watchfdl eye over public
servants and public measures, yet
there ought to be limits Of ii, for sus.
picions unfounded and jealousies too
lively are irritating to honest feelings,
and oftentimes are productive Of more
evil than good
ITO enumerate the various bjects;
which might DO introduced into such
an address, would require thought,
and to mention them TO you woulG be
unnecessary, as yoar own judgment
will comprehend all that will be prop
er. Whether to touch specifically any
of the exceptionable parts Of the con
stitution may be doubted, All | shall
add, therefore, at present is, to beg
the favor Of you to CousiderI FIRST the
! propriely Of such an address, Second
ly, if approved, the several matters
which ought to bo contained in it;
Thirdly, the time it should appear;
that is, whether at the declaration of
my intention to withdraw from the
service Of the public, or 10 let it be
the closing act of my administration,
which will end with the next session
of congress; the probability being that
that body will continue sitting until
March, when the house ofrepresenla-
tives will also dissolve.
"Though l do not wish 10 hurry
; you, (the case not prcssing), in the c&.
ecution of either of the publications
before mentioned, yet l should be
glad to hear from you generally on
| both, and 10 receive them in time, if
you should not come to Philadelphia
, before the session commences, in the
form they are finally to take. | beg
. leave 10 draw your attention also to
such things asyou shall conceive tit
, subjects for communication on that oc.
a casioni and, noting them as they cc.
!, cur, that you would be SO good as to
|, furnish me with them in time to be
= prepared, and engrafted with others
:. for opening of the session. With very
r sincere and alIsctionate regard, | am
/. ever yours,
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON"
IS AT the time ofreceiving this letter, MI
!, Madison was at his residence in Virginia
In compliance with thcrequest contained
= in it, he drew up the following paper car
y riod it with him when he returned TO con
) gress, and gave it into tho hands Of the
= president
u MR. MAD1soN's DRAFT.
~ "Tho period which will close the ap
'e poiptment with which my fellow citizens
n have hUnored nc; being not very distant
n and the time actually arrived at whlct
II