Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-08-12
WASHING TON AND MADISON.

WASHING ron AND MADISON.
We are happy in being able 10 lay before
our readers, so opportunity the following
documents in anticipation of their appear
ance among the many very important and
interesting historical papers never before
published with which Mr.. Sparks most
valuable work abounds. These papers
show the extent ofthe agency Of Mr.. Mad.
ison, in the production Of the Farewell Ad.
dress, which was written four years after
the date of the draft here given, at which
time it is known the relations between
Gen. Washington and Mr.. Madison were
materially changed.
w~AsHtNGToN's FAREWELL ADDRESS.
To The Editor Of the DAILY Advertiser:
Sir,-In several of the public journals,
remarks have been made respecting the
agency of Mr.. Madison in preparing Wash
ington's FdreweH Address, which have q
tendency to produce an erroneous impress
sion. 1t has been said that this Address
was originally drawn up by Mr.. Madison,
and that this draft, with very slight altera-
tons, was ultimately published.
As the papers relating TO this subject
will be contained in one Of the volumes Of
"Washington's Writings,' there seems no
improperly in anticipating their appear
ance in that publication, SO far, at least, as
TO correct the mistake implied IN the above
statement. For that purpose. Gen. WASH
ington's letter, and Mr.. Madison's draft
are herewith communicated.
1t will be perceived, that the letter was
written towards the close of the first Pres
iden'ial term, before Washington had made
up his mind to be a candidate for another
election; and also that he had held a pre-.
vious conversation with Mr.. Madison on
the subject.
LETTER TO MR.. MADISON.
''MouNr VERNON, May 90, 1879.
"My dear sir AS there is a possibility.
if not a probability that ! shall not see you
on your return home /; or, if ! shoulG see
you, ii may be on the road, and under cir.
cumslances which may prevent my speak,
ing to you on'lhe subject we last conversed
upon. | take liberty ofcommitting to paper
the following thoughts and requests.
nav ~ ecu utttttiIolul VI " oCIH
iimenis expressed by YOU in the converse
ton Just alluded to. On the contrary, I
have again and again revolved them with
thoughtful anxiety. but without being able
to dispose my mind to a longer continuation
in the office ] have now the honor to hold.
| therefore still look forward 10 my fondest
and most ardent wishes to spend the re-
mainder of my days hich | cannot expect
to be many. in ease and tranquility.
"Nothing but a conviction, that my de-
clining the chair of government if II should
be the desire Of the people TO continue me
in it, would involve the country in serious
disputes respecting the Chief Magistrate,
and the disagreeable consequences which
might result ;herefrom in the floating and
divided opinions which seem to prevail at
present, could in anywise induce me TO
relinquish the determination | have form
ed and Of this | do not see how any evil
dence can be obtained previous to the cleo
ton. My vanity, ! am sure, is not of that
cast, as to allow me to view the subject in
this light.
Under these impressions, then, permit
me 10 reiterale the request | made TO you
at our last meeting, VIZ. to think of the
proper time and the best mode of annou
cling the intention and that you would pre-
pare the latter. In revolving this subject
myself, my judgment has always been EN-,
barrassed. On The one hand, a previous
declaration to retire, not only carries with
it the appearance Of vanity and self.impor-
lance, but il may be construed into a ma
nouvre to be invited to remain and on the
other hand, to say nothing, implies consent,
or, ut any rate, would leave the matter in
doubt ; and to decline afterwards might
be deemed as bad, and uncandid.
II would fain carry my request 10 you
farther than is asked above, although YOUR
compliance with it must add to your trouble.
But as the recess may afford you leisure,
and | lalter myself you have dispositions
to oblige me, | will, without apology, de-
sire, if The measure in itself should strike
you as proper, or likely to produce public
good or private honor, that you would turn
your thoughts to a Valedictory Address
from me to the public, expressing in plain
and modest terms, that having been hon
ored with the Presidential chair, and to the
best Of my abilities contributed TO the or
ganizaiion and administration OF the gov
ernment that having arrived al n period
of life, when the private walks of II in the
shades of retirement became necessary,
and will be most pleasing to me and the
spirit Of the government may render a 70
tatlon in the elective officers Of il more