Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-02-22
THE DYING INJUNCTION OF Mn. MADISON.

THE DYING INJUNCTION OF Nh MADISON.
1t is within the recollection of every reader that
we published, week. or two ago, the parting in
junction of the ilustrious MADISON to his country
men, to distrust both the open and the secret
enemies of the Union Of the States. Though we
had seen the article referred to in print before
publishing it, we received it in Manuscript from
gentleman whom we consider the highest living
authority in regard to every thing concerning Mr..
MADIsoN's writings, and political opinions and
sentiments. We refer to the Hon. EDWARD Coles,
of Virginia, who for six years acted as Private
Secretary TO President MADISON, but, removing
State, and subsequently, remoy ed to and now lives
in the city Of Philadelphia. His relations with Mr.,
MADISON were Of the most confidential character
to the end of his life, and with Mrs. MADISON also
up to the time of her death. sDl Ra.
Since our publication of the Opinion of Mr..
MADISON TO which we refer, question has arisen
in some Of the public prints as to the authority
upon which that opinion, as being Mr.. MADIsoN's,
rests. Among the papers in which this question
has been raised is the Norfolk Herald, which, on
the llth instant, spoke Of it as follows:
Though may readily admit that the sentiments here
ascribed to Mr. Madison precisely those which he
teained yet it doubtful whether he committed them
to papers for he had, is but reasonable suppose that
they would have appeared at earlier day. when they
might have been appealed with effect We trust how
ever that if the extract here given is genuine will
made to appear. Such sentiments from such source
would be invaluable" ~ t...a at..
On seeing this notice in the Herald, we took the
readest way of complying with the desire of the
worthy Editor Of that paper, by forwarding to
Mr.. Coles a copy Of it. From him we have re-
ceived the following reply in good time for its
publication to day l
50 PHILADELPHIA, FEB. 20, 1851. Ii
Messrs. Gales f. Seaton:
GENTLEMEN: ). Having had my attention called to
paragraph in the Norfolk Herald, in which doubts
are expressed, and anxiety evinced to have proof,
of the genuineness of the publication made by
you of the advice of Mr.. MADISON to his coun-
try and having furnished you the paper in question:
it proper for to authorize you to state that
received II from Mrs. MADISON, after the death
Of her Husband, and that Ihaue 1t iow In my
possession in her handwriting. have not con-
cealed this paper, but on the contrary have shown
il to many, and given copies of it to several per-
sons. About nine years ago my friend RICHARD
RUSH took copy of it, and near year since he
transcribed it into letter to Senator Mason, which
letter was published in the National Intelligencer
last spring. 1t was also published last summer,
as part Of speech made by Mr.. j. X. NIGER
SOIL. Near year since furnished copy Of it
to Senator CLAY, and soon after copy to you.
mention these particulars, as the doubts OF its
genuineness seem founded on its not having " APP
peared at an earlier day, when it might have been
appealed to with effect" Its publication in Mr..
Rush's letter to Mr.. Mason, presumed to have
been the cause why you did not promptly publish
the copy furnished you for that purpose. Be-
leving with the Norfolk Herald that such advice
from such source would produce good effects, I
was both disappointed and mortified at seeing so
little publicity and consequence given to it.
Truly and respectfully, yours,
EDWARD COLES. q
Having thus verified the record, no more fitting
day than this can well 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.
g" As this advice, if it ever see the light, will not
do so 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, to what
ever weight can 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 Of its lber-
ty; and who has borne part in most of the great
transactions which will constitute epochs of its
destiny.
The advice nearest to my heart and deepest
in my convictions is, that the Union of the States
be cherished and perpetuated. Let the open
enemy to it be regarded as Pandora with her box
opened; and the disguised one, as the serpent
8 creeping with his deadly wes into Paradise
The STEAMER ATLANTIc.-A private letter from
Captain WEST, of the steamer Atlantic, to friend
in Philadelphia gives the following account of the