The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-11


ency OF providing by law for the purchase and publica
ton OF the writings OF James Madison late President OF
the United States. not heretsore published beg leave
to report in part:
That they have made enquiry respecting the manu-
script referred to In the resolution Of the House
They find that papers in possession Of his ve-
nerable widow. TO whom they were bequeathed; and
who, thus possessing property in them alone the
right TO dispose of them II is her wish to dispcse of
them for fair considerations and she expresses the de-
sire that the Congress of the United States should be.
the purchaser The committee cannot forbear to
say that in their opinion, natural and com end.
able desire, considering the agency which Mr. Madison
had in formation of the Constitution which binda to-
geher these States into one great and confede
and considering also the Lublc relation which he
for so long time sustained to ths government Of this
Union. This quest can alone become advanta GUS
and thereby fulfil the aeconate purpose Of the te ma
tor by sale Of these Pspers Looking at the spotess
has disnterested patriotism and constant devotion to the
welfare OF his country, regarding his useful public la.
nors and the favorable enjoyed by him to
acquire ana information by Of the conspi
cuous and important stations which no occupied it
would seem unavoidable that the highest interest should
be excited in reference to all his productions and that
there should be strong desire on the part of the gene
RAJ community for their publication Believing, tore
titled, and that such publication would be extensiyelv
useful your committee do not hesitate to recommend
tho the most decided and for that pur
pose have herewith reported bill
deemed useless 10 raise and discuss the question
OF the power OF Congress TO make such purchase
gress has established brar- and has red on its
account works both printed and in manuscript. Tho
question is ut rest.
your committee append to this report memorandum
iurnshed men, exhibiting the character and arrange
ment OF these writings remarng that should Congress
make the purchase and direct the publication the
OF ARA cement may be changed. if deemed advisable
and such publication may embrace the whole or scec
tons The entire writings, however will be included
in the purchase delivered TO Congress- or TO such AGENT
as may be directed to receive and preserve them until
the further order of Congress- and absolute and un
conditional ght thereto conveyed Should the purchase
De made which the committee earnestly recommend, it
their intention hereafter TO report the subject Of
their publication.
place. an allusion TO suggestion which has reached
them. that the purchase OF the Madison Papers, SO
writings OF MIR Madison To show the utter fallacy Of
such notion, to make manifest 10 entire mistake tho
committee respectfully refer the House the cores
pondence and other matter rrefxed to Madison Pa
per and they will be excused for inserting in this re-
port an extract from letter of Mrs Madison herself to
1885,
However prevailing the restraint which veilsd dur.
ing the life Of Mr. Madison this record of the creation of
our constitution the grave which has closed over oil
those who participated in its formation has separated
their acts from all that personal to him them His
ved may be inferred from his having them transcrbed
and revised BY himsef and it may be added the known
other distinguished patriots the important light thew
would shed for present we'll as future useulness
besides my desire to fulfil the pecunary obligations
Posea py his will urged their appearance without await
ing the preparation Of his other writings
Congress BY the purchase and publication will Sc
ton and benefit Of the whole Urion the valuable writ
ings of one Ct its useful viruous and disnguish
ed statesmen and in performing this act of acceptable
service to the country will have the consoling salts
iacuon OF knowing that thereon the legacy
bequeathed to the most ex client most esteemed
and most deserving of American ladies' has became
available and profitable to her, and will be thus made
TO contribute greatly TO the comfort Of her declining
years NOR need any apprehension be entertained that
bs the purchase and publication there will be recorded
precedent Tor dangerous example What other depart.
ed ever indicated principles with such signal
abityever administered government with 40 much
purity and success amidst the trying scenes con-
asrs 81 ~, safely and gloioasly through the
Tor the maintenance OF national honor and vet throu b.
out, naniiesng an invincible frmness, blended with
miidness oil Character and rema kabls empton from
the DIT er aspertes of mere party feelings.
MT Madison was member Of the celebrated Con-
venon 10 the colony OF Virginia which commenced its
session in the city Of Wamsburgh on the 9th day of
May l176 On the 18th Of the same month he united in
Tue adoption o. that strong patriotic preamble and reso
iuuon, which formed the basis for the motion in the
continental Congress Tor the general declaration OF In
dependence On the zane day he united the rssolu.
declaration OF Rights, and plan Of Tor the
Colony On the - June. l776 he united ia the adop.
u Independence BY the colony of Vrgnia
aud on the 81 following, of the same month
gave ms support to The Plaza Of government whereby
the colony u virginia became tree separate ade.
pendent ate SO that Mr. MADISON, ut a very early
age participated IN the formation OF the frst written
y semdti; constitution, voluntarily adopted by free
people. ever exaihted to world He pariic,pa, I'd
also and more largely, too than any oher member IN
tue fo nation OF Constitution which Gated this
conisderacy which assemblies the
NJ.
fraon o. wv. aaes' ana gil .hs people OF this vast
rt. !, pa ses..s a. =. we power ana au'no
80, 49,, - psses ne aamhi..efe this government under
was h' hsppness during ms administration TO behold
=, oanefs: and 70 contemplate the triumph
oil our arms IL was his satisfaction know that our
d. lore thew mad haan -, inni, o9so.s VI respect as
to live TO an Old age nnvsrsaii ~ ohsiauie ~,
By the wise the rood and tna ns,,o,, ud Peo,ea
his decease ne was the Iast of ,na -. -
tuition OF the IIn,ed Star.s !, I; ns " ..e oonsu
the commee 10 reconut ,he Io ~. ~, ,ue in.ehuon o.
services Of MIR Madison bnr il a d na W. puonc
pfia,. 10 aIIude 10 a fsw nrominsn, oc;aue app,o
And when his coun,ry mar ,nar @ " us me.
TO look upon his i;ke again se .no sooa fortune
by Congress OF the worrs of NJ aaa; ae Pu.cnase
be quoted as nrecadn, r., 'iuison may NOT only
and pro6abIv tnlIowsd w. as such' may DO safely
On motion Of Nj Dao.ooo a..
panving name r. were wy o'I anu .ne accom-
Whoiss n ~ ST., v ~ 70 the COMMITTEE OF the
printed. no on'0n ana o'oereo 70 DC
pr.,,c,x.
NJ u...,.v nrs r.sIic LANDS.
ciety of the ctv of Nav vorI aoL rum Ne,Im go
the public lands He movsd she, !, ~ o usouuon o.