Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-28
WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL, ADDRESS

WASHINGTON's FAREWELL ADDRESS.
In the Senate OF the United States, Thursday, the
following proceedings occuredn relation to purchasing
the manuscript of the Farewell Address to the People
OF the United States, of GEORGE WASHINGTON The
impressive eloquence Of Mr.. CLAY on such theme and
at such time will sink deep into the hearts of his
countrymen.
Mr. CLAY. beg leave to ask the Senate to allow the
resolution which presented yesterday in relation to the
purchase OF the manuscript of the Farewell Address
OF w ashlngton, to be taken up.
HE VICE PRESIDENT put the question on the motion
to proceed as in Committee Of the Whole to the consi-
deIatlon oil that resolution, and it agreed to.
lhe resolution was then read as follows:
hesoLoed, That the joint committee on the Library
OF the Senate and House OF Representatives. be autho-
rzed and directed to purchase the manuscript of the
Farewell Addresst to the People of the United States Of
George ashlngton, If the purchase can be effected on
Just ana 1alr terms In the opinion of the committee
Mr. CLAY MIR President intended that that resolu-
ton should be Joint one and believe the Secretary
| has given it that form at my instance.
Sir, dd not wish to trouble the Senate in presenting
this resolution Twas anxious accomplish the object
proposes without the ormality of the passage OF re-
solution by Congress- and addressed myseltto the Joint
COMMITTEE on the Library in consequence Of wish to
avoid the passage OF any resolution. The committee
took the subject into their consideration and came to
the conclusion that they had never heretofore applied
the funds entrusted to them to the purchase Of manu-
scripts without the sanction of Congress- thew could not
venture any expenditure for the purchasing OF this
manuscript without some other authority than that
which they now possessed This reply led to the
presentation OF this resolution If the object whc, it
conempates could have been accomplished without
presenting here, would not have taken up one mo-
ment OF the precious time Of the Senate.
will now state some OF the motives which led me
the presentation OF this resolution.
1t IS about hity-three years ago since General Wash
ngton the father OF his country, by universal consent
addressed to the people Of the United States the docu
ment described in that resolution At the time OF the
preparation OF it there paper, which those who
with the history OF the country at the
time will recoect was published at Philadelphia by
Claypoole, called the Daily ADVERTISER Gen. WASH
ington selected that paper for the publication oil his
Farewell Address; and, after it was committed to print
Mr. Claypooe proposed to return the original docu-
to General ashington, and waited upon him for
that purpose but being extremely DESTROYS to possess
it, he expressed his wish that if the General did not wish
it himself, he would like to retain it as memorial. Ge
neral Washington assented to the request; and the pa
per from that day TO this has been in the hands either OF
MIR Claypoole some Of his descendants.
But was struck by an advertisement which saw
short time ago, published IN one OF the papers of
Philadelphia, TO this effect
1.-THE original manuscript of General Washngton's
valedictory address to the people OF the United States
will be sold on Tuesday February H. 1850, at halt past
the signature OF Gen. Washington, was presented by
him to Mr. Claypoole the then editor and proprietor Of
the Daily Aduertiser-the paper which Gen. Washing
peremptory."
Well, sir, when read that advertisement, said to
myself what is to become OF that precious document p?
s it to be sold, to be perhaps transferred out OF the
country, and made the ornament Of the paror of some
OF the distinguished men OF Europe-men of rank or title
or literary fame-or shall remain here? Sir could not
for moment hesitate to the promptings of nv own
heart. said "herehere in this captol-in the library
Of this nation, ought this document to be deposited"
MT. President man is not an abstraction. He is be-
ing possessing feelings sensations, and sympahies and
allow me to say y too, sir, that, although we may
derive great pleasure from tracing the narratives Of the
glory of our ancestors and che deeds OF the of
lebry in our own country, yet some physical memorial
itself to our hearts and to our feelings. Sir is there
living, who ON the death oths father will not look
with pride and satisfaction upon the objects which were
dear to that father during his lifeme-upon the cane
which sustained his lettering steps in the latter period of
his life, upon the watch which he wore upon the horse
which he RODE upon the saddle which he sat- upon
the cup from which his thirst Quenched! And sir
is there American of Washington, as We all are
who cannot and who will not always look with plea
sure and satisfaction upon the objects with which his
name was connected!
Sir, in my own humble parlor at Ashland, have at
this moment a broken goblet which used by Gen.
Washington during almost the whole of the revou-
tonaTy war. twas in his camp, confded to me by an
old lady OF some eighty years OF age; and there is
nothing IN that paror so much revered, which is an
object OF greater admiration to the stranger who comes
to seem me. This feeling of attachment to these Objects
associated with the memory OF those whom venerate
and whom we loved during their lifetime, is not merely
private feeling OF attachment is BROADER more
comprehensive, and national feeling. Do we not all
recollect how the hearts of all France thrilled with 10y
when she learned that the remains Of Napoleon were to
be transported from the island OF ST. Helena back that
country upon which he had shed SO much glory2 Do
We moi all reeoect with what sensations Of indignation
England heard the proposition to transport the remains
OF the humble dweling-and il was humble ndeed-n
which Shakespeare had his birth2 And how indignant
did we not all feel when the reportthough fortunately
il turned out not to be true-reached US that some despe
rate robber had violated the grave of Washington him
SELF tor the purpose OF transporting his remains to dis
tant land2 Sir these are feelings which worthy OF
being countenanced and cherished by public authority
To say nothing OF the nature and character of that
address who is there, sir amidst the discordant aud
ungrateul sounds OF disunion and dscord which assa
of CongressWho is there that would not find refresh
ment and delight behind the Farewell Address of
Washington to the people ofthis country? Who is
there that would not trace the paerna and patriotic
advice with pleasure which was written by his own
hand that hand which, after having grasped the sword
that achieved the liberties of our country traced with
the instrument otpeace the document which then gave
us that ADVICE go necessary to preserve and transmit to
posterty the treasure he had bestowed upon us! Who
here n tracing that advice beware Of sectional di-
Visions to beware OF demagogues to beware of the
sequences OF the indulgence Ola spirit of disunonwho
s there in reading those lines OF truly parental advice
that will not in imagination transport himself back TO
the period when they were transmitted to paper by
Washington, and think Of the emotions, the parental
and patriotic emotions, at that precious moment which
must have animated his breast?
have said more, much more than was necessary to
secure the o9ect mad IN vieW-the adoption OF this
resolution, which is TO give to the Joint Committee on
the Library the authority to purchase this document.
have specified no price 1t was not necessary to bar
gain tor the document, lest advantage might be taken
have lot to the discretion OF the committee in which
trust we can all confde. hope it will meet with
the unanimous urrence of the Senate.
After debate, the esoluon amended to
eau horze" the Committee instead Of ito direct" it,
to purchase the manuscript and thus amended,
agreed to.
New YORK AND SLAvERy.-In the New York Assem-
bly, Wednesday, resolutions reported against the
extension of slavery, in favor Of the Constitution of