Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-08-04
WHOLE NO. 33I,

III facilitating and finally accomplishing such
great and desirable objects, by giving every
possible support and cement Ia the Unlou;--
that, however necessary 1t may be to keepa q
wachtul eye over the public servants and
pubic measures yet there ought Ia be limits
tor II, for suspicious unbranded and jealous
les too lively arc irritating To honest feelings,
and oitenllmes are productive Of more evil
Than good.
"lo enumcrate the various subjects, which
might be introduced INTO such an address,
would require thought, and to mention the,0
to you would be unnecessary, as your own
Judgment will comprehend all that viii be
proper. Whether to touch specifically any
of the exceptonabIe parts of the constitution
may be doubted. All shall add, there fore,
at present, Is, to beg the favor ot you To con-
sIder: FIRST, the proprlety of such an address;
Secondly, if approved, the several matters
which oug to be contained IN II; Thirdly the
time 1t should appear, that IL, whether ut the
declaration OF my intention 10 withdraw from
the service Of the public, or let it be ihe clos
ing act Of my administration, which will end
with the next session of congress-; the proba-
bllity being, that that body will contiane sit
ting until March, when the house Of repre-
sentatives will also dissolve.
"Thoush do not wish to hurry you, Uhe
case not pressing,) in the execution Of either
the publications before mentioned, yet I
should be glad to hear from you generally oB
both, and to receive them in time, ii you
should not come to Philadelphia before the
session commences, in the form they are IL
nally to take. beg leave to draw your at
tention also to such things as you shall con-
ccve fit subjects for communication on that
occasion; and, noting them us they occur,that
you would be SO good as to furnish me with
them in time TO be prepared and engratted
with others tor the opening of the session.
With very sincere and ailectonate regards,
] avn ever yours,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
At the time of receiving this letter Mr..
Madison was at his residence in Virginia. In
compliance with the request contained in il.
ho drew up the following paper, carried il
with him when he returned 10 congress, and
gave it into the hands Of the president.
Mr.. .Madison's Draft.
"Thc period which will close the appoint
lnent with which my fellow citizens have hon.
Ored me, being not very distant, and the tlme
actually arrived ut which their thoughts iaust
he designating the citizen who Is to admin
lister the executive government OF the Unit,
States during the ensuing terui, ii may he
requisite to more distinct expression of the
public voice that should apprise such Of my
fellow citizens as may retain their partiahty
toward me, that am not to be numbered a.
mong those out Of whom choice is to be
made.
81 beg them to DE assured that the rcsolu-
ton hich dictatc this intlniatiOn has NOT
been taken without the strictest regard to the
rela ton which, as dutiful citizen, | bear to-
my country; and that III withdra wing that ten
dor ,,f wi h u,ln in my CIT
ton might imply, am not influenced by the
smallest deficiency of zeal for its future i'll
tereSts,or Of grateful respect for its past kind
ness; but by the fullest persuasion that such
step is compatible with both.
"The impressions under which entered
on the present arduous trust, were explained
OH the proper occasion. In discharge Of this
trust, can only say that l contributed, to-
wards the organization and administration Of
the govern the best exertions Of which
very fallihle judgment was cupable. For
any errors which may have flowed from this
source. feel all the regret which an ankle
ty for tho public good can excite; no. without
the double consolation, however, arising from
consciousness of their being Involuntary,
and All experience Of the candor which will
interpret them.
"lf there were any circumstances, which
could give value to my inferior qualifications
for the trust, these circumstances must have
been temporary. In this light was the un-
dertaking viewed when vcntured upon IT.
Being moreover still farther advanced in the
decline OF life, am every day more sensible
that the increasing weight Of years renders
the private walks ut it, in the shade Of yetire-
mcnt, as necessary Us they will be accepts-
bic to me.
"May be allowed to add, that il will ba
among the highest as well purest enjoy
nonts that can swceten the remnant OF my
days, to partake in a private STATION, m the
midst OF NY fellow citizens, OF that benign
influence Of good laws under free govern-
ment, which has been the ultimate object OF
all our wishes, and in which conf,te as tho
happy reward Of our cares and labors? May
4 be allowed farther TO add AS q consideration
far more important, that an early example of
rotation in office Of so high and delicate ma
ture, may equally accord with the republican
spirit Of our constitution, and the ideas e
liberty and safety entertained by the people.
[If u farewell address is to be added at the
expiration Of the term, the following para.
graph may conclude the PRESENT.
"Undcr these circumstances, a return to
my private station, according to the purpose
" ,th which quilted II, is the part which duty.
as well as inclination, assigns me. In exc
cutting il. shall carry with me evcw tender
which gratitude to my fellow
citizens can awaken; and n sensibility to tho
permanent happiness Of my country, which
" III render il the object OF my increasing
vows and most fervent srpplicutions."
JSl,ould no farther address be intended ,,ha
clause u,ay be omitted, and the
present address proceed IA sollewss-l A
@tn contemplating the iuoneit mt which
lie curtain Is to drop forever on the pablse