The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-06

BY an advertisement in another column, il will
be seen that the administrators Of MIR. Claypoole,
an eminent printer, who died recently in this city,
in his 93d year, will dispose by public sale Of the
original manuscript Of Washington's Farewell
Address, document which has been, and must
continue to be, held in the highest estimation by
the people of this country. The manner in which
this invaluable paper came into the possession of
Mr.. Claypooe is fully explained in the following
memorandum OF a conversation held with him in
1926, by the late venerable William Rawle which
memorandum is verified by similar statement,
OF nearly the same date, in the proper handwriting
of MIR. G. himself.
We had the pleasure yesterday of examining the
small quarto book" which inspired MIR. Rawle
with such reverence and delight feelings
which, we are sure, must be shared by all who en-
joy similar opportunities. No one who has ever
seen General Washington's manuscript can fail
instantly to recognise in this all his peculiaritcs
and the circumstances referred to by Mr. Rawle-
the erasures, and interineations and transposi-
tions-to those accustomed to composition, admit
OF no doubt that 1t was the sole and unaided pro-
ducton OF the illustrous man whose signature it
bears Even the date, which Mr.. Rawle thought
might possibly be in a different handwriting, is,
to our Judgment, clearly the same as that of the
whole body of the address.
This manuscript is III excellent preservation,
and when it comes to be sold, as it has to be, in
the settlement of Mr.. Claypoole's estate we hope
it will fall into the hands of the general govern
ment or some public institution by whom il will
be suitably cherished. -Phila. NORTH Am1.
DECEMBER l6, 1926.
CONVERSATION WITH DAVID G. CLAYPoOLE.
Having been informed that MIR. ClaypOole was in
possession of the original manuscript of the vale
dictory address of President Washington had
written to inquire whether he was willing to de
poste it with the Historical Society. In i, polite
letter, dated December s. he declined parting with
it. wrote another letter, expressing wish TO
hear from himself account of the Conversation
he had with the President in respect to the printing
the address; and he this day called on me and
related that the President having sent his private
secretary to him desiring to see him, he called at
the appointed time and found the President alone.
The latter then informed him that he wished him
to print in his daily paper an address from himself
to the people of the Omitted States Mr. Claypoole
answered that he felt himself highly favored by the
selection for that purpose, he considered it as "A
mark that he approved Of the mode of his conduct
ing the paper. The President bowed, asserting
to it, and asked how soon it could be done.
Mr. Claypoole replied that il should be done at any
time he would fix. He requested it might be as
soon as possible, and expressed a wish to have the
proofs sent to him.
The next morning the manuscript was sent
down. by the same person who brought the mes
sage, and it was Immediately put to press. Both
the proofs and the revises were sent to him, and
the publication appeared on the 18th September,
1896, about four days after the first interview.
After this Mr.. Claypoole called on him with the
manuscript to return it, but at the same time he
told the President in the most respectful manner,
that he should consider it inestmable favor If
he would allow him to keep it. The President an
swered, if it would be any satisfaction to him, he
was welcome to it; and they then parted-Mr.
Claypoole retaining this valuable Autographed
paper, and the possession of which he has never
parted with.
After relating these facts, Mr.. Claypooe pro-
duced to me the original, and saw with reverence
and delight small quarto book, containing about
thirty pages, all in the handwriting of this great
man. 1t bears throughout the marks of original
composition; there are many erasures and interim
CATIONS transportation of paragraphs, and other
indications of its coming Immediately from the
hands of an unassisted individual ! counted the
number oflines in the whole work, which answered
to ,0S6, and of lines erased there were ia
Being perfectly acquainted with the handwriting
OF President Washington, am satisfied that every
word in the text whether written in regular
interlined, is his, and his alone The date, Sep
tcmber 10, 1876, was the only part on which had
doubt, and of that can only say, that being well
acquainted with the handwriting of Alexander
Hamilton, do not believe it was written by him.
II may have been written by the private secretary.
MIR. Claypoole, however, believes it to have been in
the handwriting of the President himself.
(Signed) w. RAwLE.