The daily union., 1852-09-15
From the Journal Of Commerce
General Washin gton's Farewell Address.

The subloned letter from Hon. Jared Sparks, affirm
ing MIR. Cassedys vindicaton. published in this paper
few weeks since, OF General Washngton's title TO the
authorship OF the Farewell Address. exhibits the matter
IN so clear light TO command the ready assent o
every unpreudiced mind The fact OF the existence OF
manuscript copy OF the address in the handwriting oil
General Hamilton is accounted for in the most plausible
and satisfactory manner, without in any degree eoun
tenancing the suppostion that General Hamilton was ihe
author OF that document There exists abundant proof
that General Washington sent the draugh of address,
not to General Hamilton only, but 10 MIR. Madison and
Mr. Jay, and that he solicited their revision OF II, and
such suggestions in respect TO its Improvement their
judgments might dictate and il is equally certain that
both Madison and Hamilton responded to his request and
drew up each document, imbodying the sentiments Of
Washington in a more metholical form than that in
which they received. Mr. Sparks il is 10 be seen.
positively AYERS. authority Of Mr. Madison himself,
that the latter Tenounced all claim to originality in the
draught prepared by him. and declared that he only aimed
to give formal expression TO the sentiments commu-
nicated by Washington. II appears, also, that many
papers in this sonnexion passed between Washington
and Hamilton, some Of which have been lost. so
that il is impossible now to tell what particular
passages were written or altered by either OF them |;
and nay that the copy used b the printer wholly
in Washingtons handwriting, with many erasnres and
interlineatons 1t is far more probable that Hamilton
copied in the fair hand in which his copy exists blot
ted and nterlned manuscript Of Washington. than that
Washington should have produced copy full of
impereciions Nor any reason be assigned. compat
BILE with the manly fankness OF Gen. Washingtons char
acter why he should have made copy rather than send
the perfected address to the printer in the handwriting
OF Hamilton II is obvious aso that Hamilton would
have returned Gen Washingtons manuscript, after ma
king any copy which be desired TO retain. But II is
hardly probable that Hamilton would have asked return
Of the manuscript which be had prepared at the request
OF Washington, and which mbodied the document as 1t
was to be exhibited TO the world:
CAMBRIDGE. Aug 81, 1852.
DEAR SIR am much obliged to you for your kindness
in sending me your article the Farewell Address
am persuaded you have taken right view OF the sub
iect Whatever Hamilton may have contributed. il is
certain that Washington sent 10 hm IN the st instance
draugbt of address and s also certain that the copy
used by the printer wholly in Washngton's hand,
writing with many and interneations During
the preparation OF the address, communications and
draughs passed between Washington and Hamilton, some
Of which have been lost SO that II Is impossible now to
tell what particular passages were written or altered by
either Of them Washington had great confidence in
Hamton's ability and judgment, and there can be no
doubt that he adopted OF his ideas, and probably in
Hamilon's own words; but am not CONVINCED that
these contributions such TO take from Washing
Ton the credit Of being subsantialythe author OF the
address
/ obtained from Mr. Madison the draught to which Mr.
Jefferson aludcs and which published in the 18th vol.
uMe OF Washngton's writings, (p. 3S7) Mr.. Madison
told me that he only aimed TO express the ideas,
more me,bodical FORM which Washington had conveyed
TO him in q letter
| am, sir, very respectfully yours
JARED SPARKS.
SAMUEL CASSIDY, esq.