Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-09-15
From the Boston Courier.
 A Letter from Washington to Madison Never till now Published

below. We do not find it in Mr. Sparks vol umes and we have reason to believe it never has been published before. It is derived from the Madison manuscripts, and is one of collection purchased of MT. Todd, a nephew of Mir. Madi- son. by Mir. c. Mcclure, of the city of Wash ington.
 The accompanying letter is highly character istic Of the great President It Is wise far-see- ing, patriotic, selfrespecting, unselfsh, ingen- ous and modest The sentiments it develops in regard to public affairs and public opinion and feeling, are as appropriate to our times, and are as essential to be dwelt upon and enforced now, as they were in 1792.
 The letter aids us in the formation of one i'm portant and interesting concluson--that, all though Hamilton, as is generally supposed, may have drafted the Farewell Address, and given to 1t Its clear, elegant, and affecting style, yet the prominent ideas of that greatest legacy ever made to free people by its ruler, upon with drawing from the cares of the State, had been previously expressed by Washington himself, as they were conceived in his own noble and sagacious mind:
 Mount Te,non, May 2Oth, 1792.
 My Dear Sir:--As there is a possibility, if not a probability that shall not see you on l l 1t may be on the road and under circumstances which will prevent my speaking to you on the subject we last conversed upon--I take the liberty of committing to paper the following thoughts and requests.
 l have not been unmindful of the sentiments expressed by you in the conversation just allud- ed to:-on the contrary, 1 have again and again revolved them, with thoughtful anxiety, but yyith hail ok longer continuation in the office 1 have now the honor to hold. l therefore still look forward to the futlment of my fondest and most ardent wish to spend the remainder of my days (which do not expect to be many) in ease and tran guilty.
 Nothing short of conviction that my derelic- ton of the char Of government fit should be the desire of the people to keep me in it, ) would involve the country in serious disputes respecting the Chief Magistrate, and the disa- greeable consequences which might result there from, in the floating and divided opinions which seem to prevail at present. could, in any wise, induce me to relinquish the determination 1 have formed; and of this do not see how any evidence can be obtained previous to the cleo ton. My vanity, 1 am sure, is not of that cast to allow me to view the subject in this light.
 ""Ni ."NoO HI Pi eooloLS, tHel peTllllt me to relterate the request 1 made at our last meeting VIZ: to consider the proper time and the best mode Of announcing the intention, and that you would prepare the latter In revolv- lns this subject myself, my judgment has always been embarrassed. On the one hand, previ- ous declaration to return, not only carries with It the appearance of vanity and self importance, but 1t may be construed into mannuvre to be n mi ba say nothing, implies consent or, at any rate would leave the matter in doubt and to decline afterwards, might be deemed as bad, and un- candid.
 would fain carry my request to you farther than is asked above, although 1 am sensible that your compliance with it must add to your trouble; but as the recess may afford you leisure. and 1 hatter myself you have dispositions to oblIge me, will, without apology, desire eff the measure in itself should strike you as pro- per, and likely to produce public good or pri- vate honoD that you would turn your thoughts to valedlctory address from me to the public, expressing in plain and modest terms, that having been honored with the Presidential char, and to the best of my abilities contributed to the organization and administration of the government--that having arrived at period of lie when the private walks of 1t, in the shade of retirement becomes necessary and Will be most pleasing to me--and the spirit of the government may render rotation in the eiectve oftcers ot 1t more congenial with their Ideas of liberty, and safety, that 1 take my leave of them as public man-and in bidding them adleu (retainng no other concern than such as will arise from fervent wishes for the prosperity of my country) 1 take the liberty at my departure from civil, as l formerly did at my military exit, to invoke continuation of the blessings of Divine Providence upon it. aud upon all those who are the supporters of It's interests, and the promoters of harmony, order and good government.
 That to impress these things, it might among other things, be observed that we are all the children of the same country-a country great and rich in itself-capable, and promsing to be as prosperous and happy as any the annals of history has ever brought to our view That our interest, however diversified in local and smaller matters, is the same in all the great es- senta concerns of the nation. That the ex- tent of our country-the diversity of our climate and soil, and the various productions of the States consequent upon both, are such as to make one part, not only convenient, but perhaps lndlspensabiy necessary to the other part-and may render the whole, at no distant period, one of the most independent in the world.
 That the established government being the work of our own hands, with the seeds of amendment engratted in the Constitution may by wisdom, good dispositions and mutual alli- ancns, and by experience, bring it as near per lection as any human institution ever approxi- mated; and therefore, the only strife among us ought to be, who should be foremost in facil. tatng and finally accomplishing such great and desirable objects; by giving every possible support and cement to the Uuion That. how ever necessary it may be to keep watchful eye over our public servants and public mea. surcs, yet there ought to be limits to it; for suspicious unfounded and jeaouSies too lively, are irritating to honest feelings and ofteutmes are productive of more evil than good
 To enumerate the various subjects which might be introduced into such an address would require thought; and to mention them to you would be unnecessary, as your own judgment will comprehend all that will be proper; wheth- CT to touch, specifically, any of the exception able parts ot the Constitution may be doubted Al shall add, therefore, at present, is to beg the favor of you to consider-1st, the proprety of such an address; 2d, if approved, the several matters which ought to be contained in it; and Sd, the time it should appear; that is whether at the declaration of my intention to withdraw from the service of the public, or to let it be the closing act of my administration, which will end with the next session of Congress (the probability being that that body will continue sitting until March,) when the House of Rep. resentatlves will also dissolve
 Though do not wish to hurry you (the cases not pressing,) in the execution of either of the publications before mentioned, yet I should be glad to hear from you generally on both-aud to receive them in time, if you should not come to Philadelphia until the session con- mences, in the form they are finally to take. l beg leave to draw your attention also to such other things as you shall conceive to be fit sub jects for communication on that occasion. and. noting them as they occur, that you would be so good as to furnish me with them in time to be prepared, and engrafted with others for the opening of the session.
 With very sincere and
 A ffactiOnate rapard