Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-08-04
LETTER TO MR.. MADISON.

Mount Vernon, May ~, iII9. 4
any Dear Sir-7As there is possibility, if
not a PROBABILITY, that shall not see you on
your return home; or, if should sec you, IT
may be on the road, and under circumstances,
which may prevent my speaking to you on
the subject we last conversed upon, | take
the liberty of committing to paper the follow
ing thoughts and requests. /
81 have not been unipindful OF the sentl-
ments expressed by you in the conversation
Just alluded to. On the contrary, have u
ful anxiety, but without being able to dispose
my mind to longer continuation in the office
/ have now the honor to hold. | therefore
still look forward to my fondcst and most ar
dent wishes to spend the remainder Of my
days, which ] cannot expect 10 be long, in
ease and tranquility.
"No,bing but conviction that my declin-
ing the chair of government if it should be the
desire Of the people to continue me in 1t,
would involve the country in serious disputes
respecting the chief magistrate, and the dlsa
grceable consequences which might result
thcreirom in the floating and divided opinions,
which seem to prevail at present, could, in
anywise, induce me to reliDqush the deter
mination | have formed; and Of this do moi
sec how any evidence can be obtained pre-
vious to the election. My vanity, | am sure,
is not of that cast to allow me to view the
subject in this light.
"Under these impre ssions, then, permit me
to reiterute the request made to you at our
last meeting, namely, to think of the proper
time, and the best mode Of announcing the |.
intention, and that you would prepare the
latter. In revolving this subject myself, my
judgment has always been embarrassed. On
the one hand, previous declaration to re- !
tire, not only carries with it the appearance
ofvanity and self-importance, but it may be !
construed into a mOnpuvre, to be invited toI
remain; and, on the other hand, to say moth
ing, implies consent. or, at any rate, would
leave the matter in doubt; and to decline at
terwardS might be deemed as bad, and un-
candid.
81 would fuin carry my request to you far
ther than is asked above, although | am SEN
sible that your compliance with it must add
to your trouble. But as the recess may af-
ford you leisure, and flatter myself you have
disposition TO oblige Inc, will, without a
pology, desire, if the measure in itself should
strike you as proper,or likely 10 produce pub
lie good or private honor, that you would turn
your thoughts to Valedictory Address from
Inc to the public, expressing in plain and mo-
dest terms, that having been honored with
the presidential chair, and to the best of my
abilities contributed to the organization and
administration Of the new government; that
having arrived at a period of life, when the
private walks Of it in the shades Of retirement
become necessary, and will be most pleasing
to me; and the spirit Of the government may
render rotation in the elective officers Of it
more congenial with their ideas OF liberty and
safety, that take my leave Of them as pub
lie man, and, in bidding them adisn, retaining
no other concern than such as will arise from
fervent wishes for the prosperity oflny coun-
try, take the liberty, at my departure from,
civil, as formerly did at my military exit, tol
invoke a continuation Of the blessings otl
Providence upon it, and upon all those who
are supporters Of its interests, and the promo
tsrs Of harmony, order, and good government.
"That to impress these things, !. might, a
monp other topics, be observed, that We arc
all the children of the same country, coui'-
try great and rich in ITSELF capabe,and prom
isiDg TO be as prosperous and happy as any,
which the annals Of history have ever brought
To our yiew;-that our interest, however di-
yersiiicd in local and smaller matters, Is tie
same in sll the great and essential concerns
of the naton;--that the extent Of our country, !
the diversity of our climate and soil, and the 4
varoas productions Of the states consequent
of both, are such as TO make one part not on
ly convenient, but perhaps mdispensahly NC
cessary TO tho other part, and may render the
whole, at no distant period, one Of the most
(nationsl in the world; tha, the
established government being the work OF
our own bauds, with the seeds Of ame ndinent
engralted in the constitution, may, by Wis
dom. good dispositions, and mutual allowan-