Year: 1867

A Memphis paper publishes the follow
ing and says, editorially:


We present to-day heroic document of
great interest. 1t is no less than a copy of
a private letter from Gen. Washing gton,
calling on James Madison to prepare him
a farewell address, when he contemplated
a retirement from the Presidency in 1892.
1t exhibits in great degree the pure place
which the statesman Madison held in the
affection Of the Father of his Country, and
demonstrates the freedom with which he
called him to his aid on important occa-
sions. The copy from which we reproduce
this letter is q fac simile of an original now
in the possession of Mr.. James C. Mcguire,
of Washington, gentleman of liberal for
tune and fine literary taste, who purchased
for large sum, several years since the pri-
vate manuscript of Madison. This copy
was presented years ago by Mr.. Mcguire,
to our distinguished fellow-citizen, General
friend capt cIse ena H. " ss. s% to % our Gallant
some literary association in Kentucky.
MOUNT VERNON, May Goth, 1892.


Ny Dear Sir: AS there is possibility,
if not a probability, that l shall not see
you on your return home, or if should
see you it may be on the road, and upon
circumstances that will prevent my speak
ing to you on the subject we last conversed
upon, take the liberty of committing to
paper the following thoughts and requests:


have not been unmindful Of the senti-
ments expressed by you in the conversa-
tions just alluded to on the contrary,
have again and again reyolved them with
thoughtful anxiety, but without being able
to dispose my mind to longer continue
ton in the Office | have had the honor to
hold. therefore shall look forward to the
fulfllment of my fondest and most ardent
wishes, to spend the remainder of my days
(which cannot expect to be many in ease
and tranquility.


Nothing short of the conviction that my
dereliction of the chair Of government, (if
it should be the desire Of the people to
continue me in it) would involve the coun-
| try in serious disputes respecting the Chief
Magistrate, and the disagreeable conse-
quences which might result therefrom in
the Aeeting and diyided opinions which
seem to prevail at present, could, in any
wise, induce me to relax the determination
have formed and of this, l do not see how





the election. My vanity, am sure is, not
Of that cast as to allow me to view the sub
ject in this light.


Under these impressions then permit me
to reiterate the request l made to you at
our last meeting namely: To think of the
proper time, and the best mode of announc-
ing the intention, and that you would pre-
pare the letter. In revolving this subject
myself, my Judgment has always been en-
barrassed.


On the other hand, previous declara-
ton to retire not only carries with it the
appearance Of vanity and self importance,
but it may be constructed into vancouver
to be invited to remain. And on the other
hand, to say nothing implies consent, OF, at
any rate, would leave the matter in doubt;
and to decline afterward might be deemed
as bad and uncandid.


would carry my request to you farther
than is asked above, although am sensi-
| BILE that your compliance with it must add
to your trouble, but as the recess may af-
ford you leisure, and l fatter myself you
have disposition to oblige me will,
without apology, desire (if the measure in
itself should strike you as proper, and like
ly to produce public good or private honor,
that you would turn your thoughts to a
valadictory address from me, to the public,
expressing, in plain and modest terms, that
having been honored with the Presidential
chair and to the best of my abilities contri,
buted to the organisation and administra-
ton Of the Government-that having ar
rived at period of life when the private
walks of life and the shade of retirement
become necessary, and will be most pleas
ing to me and the spirit of the Govern
ment may render rotation in the election
of officers of it more congenial with their
ideas of liberty and safety, that take my
leave Of them as public man and to
bidding them adieu retaining no other
concern than suoh as will arise from former
wishes Of the prosperity of my country ]
take the liberty at my departure from civil,
as formerly did at my military exit, to
invoke continuation Of the blessings oi
Providence upon il. and upon all those who
are the supporters of its Interests, and the
promoters Of harmony, order and good
government.


That to impress those 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 promising to be as prosperous and az
happy as any the annals Of history have
ever brought to our view. That our inter.
est however diversified in local and smaller