Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-27
From the National Intelligencer.
THE DYING INJUNCTION OF MIR. MApIso

1t is within the recollection OF every reader that we
published week two ago. the parting injunction OF
the usrious Madison to his countrymen, to dis'rust
both the open and the secret enemies of the Union OF
the States Though had the article referred to
in print before publishing it, received it Manuscript
from gentleman whom consider the hg hest liv-
ing authority in reg ard every thing concerning Mr..
Madson's writings, and political opinions and senti-
ments We refer to the Hon. Edward Coles, OF Vir-
gnia, who TOR six acted as Private Secretary to
President Madison, but, removing afterwards to Hi
became Governor of that State, and subsequently
removed to and now lives in the city of Philadelphia.
His relations with Mr.. Madison were OF the most con-
dentia character to the end of his fe and with Mrs
Madison also up to the time of her death.
Since our publication OF the opinion OF Mr. Madi-
son to which we REFER question has arisen in some
OF the public prints to the authority upon which that
opinion, as being Mr.. Madisons, rests. Among the
papers in which this question has been raised is the
Norfolk Herald, which. on the 1lth inst spoke OF it
as follows:
"Though we may readily admit that the sentiments
here ascribed to Mr.. Madison precisely those which
he entertained, yet It's doubtful whether he COM
mi tied them to paper for if he had, it is but
BILE to suppose that they would have appeared at
an earlier day, when they might have been appealed
to with effect. We trust, however, that 1t the extract
here given is genuine, it will be so made to appear
Such sentiments from such would be invalua-
ble"
On seeing this notice in the Herald we took the rea.
diest way of complying with the desire of the worthy
Editor of that paper, by forwarding to Mr. Coles copy
of it. From him we have received the following re-
ply in good time for its publication to day:
PHILADELPHIA, Feb co. 1851.
Messrs. Gales i .seaton.
GENTLEMEN: Having had my attention called to
paragraph in the Norfolk Herald, in which doubts
expressed and anxiety evnced to have proof of the
genuineness of the publication made by you OF the ad
vice of Mr.. Madison to his country, and having fur
nished you the paper in question: seems proper tor
to authorize you state that receiped 1t from Mrs
Madison, after the death of her husband, and that
hare itnoo in my possession in her hand trriting-
have not concealed this paper, but on the contrary
have shown it to many and given copies OF to several
persons. About nine years ago myfrlend Richard Rush
took copy of it. and near year since he transcribed
it into letter to Senator Mason which letter pub
sted in the National Integencer last spring. 1t was
also publ shed last summer as part of speech made
by Mr. J. R. Ingersoll. Near year since turn ished
copy of it to Senator Clay and after copy
you. mention these particulars as the doubts of it's
genuineness seem founded on its not having appeared
at an earlier day, when ii might have been appealed to
with effect" Its publication in MIR. Rush's letter to
Mr.. Mason, presumed to have been the cause why
did not promptly publish the copy furnished you for
that purpose. Believing with the Norfolk Herald that
such advice from such would produce good eff
fects was both disappointed and mortified at seeing
little publicity and consequence given to it.
Truly and respectfully, yours,
Having thus verified the record, no more fitting day
than this can we'll offer for the republication of the
Manuscript thus communicated by Mrs. Madison to
Mr.. Coles, as having been committed to paper short
time before the death of her husband:
"ADvICE TO MY COUNTRY.
CAS- this advice lift the light will not do
till am no more, it may be considered as issuing from
the tomb where truth alone can be respected, and the
happiness of man alone consulted 1t will be entitled
therefore, whatever weight be derived from good
intentions, and from the experience of one who has
served his country in various stations through period
of forty years who espoused in his youth, and adhered
through his life to the cause of liberty; and who has
borne part in most of the great transactions which
will constitute epochs OF its destiny.
''The advice nearest my heart and deepest in my
convictions is that the Union OF the States be cherished
and perpeuated. Let the open enemy to be regard
ed as Pandora with her box opened and the disguised
one, the serpent creeping with his deadly wiles into
Paradise"