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

man; and, in bidding them ndieu,
retaining no other concern than such as
will arse from fervent wishes for the pros
of my country, ! take the liberty at
departure from civil, as ] formerly did
a, my military exit, TO invoke the blessings
Of Providence upon It., and upon all those
who are the supporters ofits interests, and
he promoters Of harmony, order and good
government.
THAT, to impress these things, it might
among other topics be observed, that we
are all the children Of the same country. a
great and rich in itself, capable
and promising to be as prosperous aud hap.
py as any which the annals Of history have
ever brought to our view THAT our inter
est, however diversified in local and smaller
matters, is the same in all the great and
essential concerns of the nation that the
extent of our country, the diversity of our
climate and soil, and the various produc.
tions of the states consequent of both, are
such as 10 make one part not only conven-
lent, but perhaps indispensably necessary
to the other part, and may render the whole,
at no distant period, one Of the most inGe-
pendent (nalions) in the world that the
established government, being the work of
our own hands, with the seeds Of amend.
ment engrafied in The constitution, may by
wisdom, good dispositions, and mutual al
lowances, aided by experience, bring it as
near to perfection as any human institution
ever Appropriated, and therefore the only
strife among US ought 10 be, who should
be foremost in facilitating and finally accom-
plishsuch greaiand desirable objects, by Civ
ing every possible support and cement to The
Union that however necessary it may be
to keep a watchful eye over public servants
aud public measures, yet there ought to be
limits 10 1t, for suspicious unfounded and
jralousies too lively are irritating to honest
feelings, and oflentlmes are productive Of
more evil than good.
ITO enumerate the various subjects,
which might be introduced into such an
address, would require thought, and to
mention them to you would be unnecessary.
as your own judgment will comprehend
all that will be proper. Whether to touch
specifically any of the exceplionable parts
of the constitution may be doubted. All !
shall add, therefore at present is. TO beg
the favor Of you to consider I; First, the
propriety Of such an address; Secondly, il
approved, the several matters which ought
to be contained in il; Thirdly, the time Il
should appear I; that is. whether at the de-
claralion 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 proba blllty being that that body will
continue sitting until March. when the
House Of Representatives will also dissolve.
"ThoUgh ! do not wish to hurry you,
(the case not pressing in the execution OF
either Of the publications before mentioned,
yet should | be glad to hear from you gen
orally on both, and to receive them in time,
if you should not come to Philadelphia be-
are finally to take. | beg leave also to
draw your attention to such things as you
shall conceive fit subjects for communica-
ton on that occasion; and, noting them as
they occur, that you would be So good as
to furnish me with them in time to be pre-.
pared, and engra!ted with others for the
opening ofthe session.
With very sincere and afectionate
regards. | am ever yonrs.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.'
At the time of receiving this letter, Mr.
Madison was at his residence in Virginia.
In compliance with the request contained
in it, he drew up the following paper car.
ried it with him when he returned to Con
gress, and gave it into the hands Of the
President.
MR. MADISON'S DRAFT.
"The period which will close the ap-
pointment with which my fellow citizens
have honored me, being not very distant
and the lime actually arrived at which
their thoughts Must be designating the
citizen, who is to administer the Execu.
tive Government of the United States dur.
ing the ensuing term, it may be regui.
site to a more distinct expression of the
public voice, tina: ! should apprise such OF
my fellow citizens as may relaln their par
TALLY towards me, that | am not to be
numbered among those out of whom q
choice is 10 be made.
IL beg them to be assured, tina. the
Resolution, which dictates this inlimarion,
has not been taken without the ~strlctest
regard to the relation, which as a dutiful
citizen, | bear to my country; and in with
dra wing that tender of my service, which
silence in my situation might imply. | am
not influenced by the smallest deficiency
of zeal for lis future interests, or OF crate
fnl respect for its past kindness; but by the
fullest persuasion, that such q step is com
patible with both.
The impressions under which ! entered
on the present arduous trust. were explain
ed on the proper occasion. 10 discharge
of this trust. ! can only say that ! contrIbu.
ted, towards the organization and admins
@tfation of the government, The best exertlons
Of which a very fallible judgment was
capable. For any errors. which may have
flowed from this source, | feel all the re-
greet which an anxiety for the public good
can excite not without the double conso-
laiion, however, arising from a conscious
ness of their being involuntary, and an ex-
perience Of the caDdor which will interpret
them.
"Ifthere were any circumstances, which
could give value TO my inferior qualiica-
tions for the trust, these circumstances
must have been temporary. In this light
was the undertaking viewed when | ven
tured upon it. Being moreover stlIl far
Their advanced IN the decline of life, an